The U.K. 2022

We are currently leaderless. I feel like I’m on the Titanic.

French energy prices kept so low that EDF is suing the French government!

But we are all in deep sh*t and the Tories are looking the other way. Civil Service cuts will hamper any grown up attempt to address the cost of living crisis.

Just remind me how much energy costs have gone up in France compared to the UK?
Yes, I am fully aware of that, and was just saying that Johnson could have taken a leaf out of Macron's book and found a compromise before the prospect of a cold cold winter.
It's les feuilles mortes in more than one sense this year.

Personally, I feel a sense of relief whenever Johnson is out of the country. He has never been of any real use when he was in it.

Rosalyn69

We are currently leaderless. I feel like I’m on the Titanic.

Well he did say it would be a Titanic success!

Fleurpepper

Rosalyn69

We are currently leaderless. I feel like I’m on the Titanic.

Well he did say it would be a Titanic success!

Probably the only truthful thing he’s ever said!

grumppa

Personally, I feel a sense of relief whenever Johnson is out of the country. He has never been of any real use when he was in it.

Good point grumpa, it does feel better when he isn’t here.

Except, we are paying his wages and the country is in crisis.

Is it too much to expect the PM acts and recalls Parliament? Sorry, of course it is too much to expect Johnson to put the country first

Good post, Iam64.

Gordon Brown has also said that the price cap mechanism should be stopped and government put a complete stop now, on any further price rises.

Then look at temporary nationalisation whilst we get to grip with the crises, just as we did with the banks in order to help their customers from losing all their money.

An article written by Brown in the Guardian - which I haven’t yet read.

My daughter commented yesterday thst Martin Lewis used to be the go to person if you wanted to save on your holiday. Now, he’s the only person talking sense about the energy crisis. Since lockdown 1, She and her husband work from home. Their employers have closed offices, so there’s no option to return tow office based work.

Thank you for this post Whitewavemark, I could have written myself, word for word. This country is on the edge of the abyss, so many things are wrong, some unforseen but made much worse by being so badly handled by this government. I cannot watch either of the two candidates any more, the prospect of them running the country terrifies me. We have a very small family and I have some dear friends who I do not want to leave but take that away and I would sell up and move to France. Yes they have their problems too but not like here, we must be the laughing stock of Europe.

In France, according to the newspapers, their health system is having much the same problems as we are, shortage of doctors, shortage of hospital spaces, delayed appointments. I don’t know overall about energy costs, but our gîte owner was ver apologetic about the increase in costs.

Gordon Brown

@GordonBrown
· Jul 30
I’ve seen a confidential document from Lynton Crosby’s lobbying firm which advises Boris Johnson to ride roughshod over every convention and standard of propriety to pack the House of Lords.

I’ve just read G Brown’s article in the Guardian and it makes a lot of sense, and stresses the urgency of the situation crises don’t take holidays. In addition to energy price cap suspension he suggests windfall profits taxed before the money exits the country, amongst other things.
No one can be secure when millions feel insecure and no one can be content when there is so much discontent.
Long article worth reading.

It's a fallacy that things are better in France. We toured France a month or so ago and I can tell you diesel was roughly the same price as here, food in the supermarkets was more expensive as was eating out. Clothes shops more expensive especially jeans and outdoor gear. One place we stayed Foy Le Grande was really run down with empty shops and boarded up cafes,previously a few years ago it was booming so similar to some places in the UK.

Not true on fuel prices Maudi it is cheaper in France.
autotraveler.ru/en/spravka/fuel-price-in-europe.html

Maudi, They have reduced their fuel prices quicker in France. 1.70€ for diesel yesterday. We plan to fill up here before we come home. But you’re right about the rest of it and one place we went to yesterday, recommended for its lovely pedestrianised town centre was full of boarded-up shops, apart mostly, from vape shops, and bar presse tabac. Thankfully, the historic buildings were still standing.

And France have capped energy price rises to 4%.

Maudie, not true in my region.
Some country villages in France have looked lijl

Looked like that for years

Sorry that was for mollygo

Yes, much cheaper in France.

Those areas of France which have been deserted for decades as people left for the towns, became very touristy, as people from UK bought cheap because the French did not want to live there. Brexit has made it very hard for many, who have left. I avoid those regions, where shops and restaurants are British owned, and hardly anyone speaks French. And prices in proportion. Just depends where you go in France.

Richard Murphy is a very left wing person who has advised Corbyn according to Wikipedia, so it could be argued that he has an agenda.

maddyone

Richard Murphy is a very left wing person who has advised Corbyn according to Wikipedia, so it could be argued that he has an agenda.

I would accept your assertion, if you had a clear alternative argument showing how incorrect his article is.

However, you don’t and neither does the very right wing tory party.

So in the absence of anything sensible from the right, I will listen to those who have at least addressed and recognised the severe crises facing this country.

varian

Boris Johnson might be called a "caretaker" PM. But he doesn't care. He's just a taker.

Where’s that ‘Like’ button when you need it?