Angela Rayner dancing whilst on holiday in Ibiza

Who wants to start the black hole thread?

IOMGran you noticed? Well you can always move them back again if you were enjoying the fun.

ronib

growstuff yes I know that. It definitely isn’t used in any of the documents I’m reading right now. It’s meant to appeal to the public isn’t it? I think it’s increasing the need for tablets to stop high blood pressure…. Probably in cahoots with Big Pharma?

I agree ronib, it's emotive, kitchen-table rhetoric.

Depending on which accountancy rule Reeves is using to measure government debt, this alleged black hole can be tweaked to arrive at her chosen figure.

For example:

Using official forecasts from the OBR, the authors of the research**, economists Jo Michell and Rob Calvert Jump, conclude that small changes in forecasts for future interest rates and growth, and what is counted as government debt, dramatically alter the size of the predicted gap in the public finances. (from a BBC editorial in 2022)

** 'research' conducted by a group of economists questioning the then Tory government's own "black hole".

It's the same old, same old, isn't it? These black holes must be filled by taking - yet again - more from those with the least. Huge profits, dividends, bonuses, chief executives' pay, MPs' subsidies, the Lords' £300 per day (for turning up to work), etc, etc, are always excluded from Austerity.

And lo, the goal posts were moved as the skirmish was lost. Well done ronib.

I think RR and the "black hole" might be better served by a new thread of it's own? The briefing room on radio 4 yesterday am discussed this topic.

J52

I agree a Black Hole is emotive language and has been used to illustrate very serious situation. As such, the language cannot be described as a ‘fabrication’. Other than the word ‘fabrication’ being your opinion, which you are perfectly allowed to hold.
I personally wouldn’t call a 22 billion debt neither here or there.
Off to try and sleep now.

I personally wouldn’t call a 22 billion debt neither here or there
It's debatable anyway, besides which, perhaps it's not a good analogy at all.

This explains a bit more about it.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2e12j4gz0o

growstuff yes I know that. It definitely isn’t used in any of the documents I’m reading right now. It’s meant to appeal to the public isn’t it? I think it’s increasing the need for tablets to stop high blood pressure…. Probably in cahoots with Big Pharma?

ronib

J52 well for a start black holes usually refer to gravitational fields and not economic theories.
If Reeves wasn’t hell bent on a hugely expensive net zero windmill tilting new world, the budget would look a bit more balanced coupled with the funding for her Wealth Fund. (A misnomer).
Also with a national debt in the trillions, 22 billion deficit is neither here nor there.
Black hole is also a very emotive way of describing a deficit. Never mind the IMF will probably organise a rescue plan further down the line.

The phrase "black hole" can be used metaphorically. It has been used before Reeves in a financial context. Google dictionary definitions.

I agree a Black Hole is emotive language and has been used to illustrate very serious situation. As such, the language cannot be described as a ‘fabrication’. Other than the word ‘fabrication’ being your opinion, which you are perfectly allowed to hold.
I personally wouldn’t call a 22 billion debt neither here or there.
Off to try and sleep now.

J52 well for a start black holes usually refer to gravitational fields and not economic theories.
If Reeves wasn’t hell bent on a hugely expensive net zero windmill tilting new world, the budget would look a bit more balanced coupled with the funding for her Wealth Fund. (A misnomer).
Also with a national debt in the trillions, 22 billion deficit is neither here nor there.
Black hole is also a very emotive way of describing a deficit. Never mind the IMF will probably organise a rescue plan further down the line.

Ronib
“I am sick and tired of hearing about black holes which are a complete fabrication of Reeves and Starmer. And guess what? I am allowed to have this opinion.”
Evidence please that black holes are a fabrication, if it’s a fact.
Or are you stating the ‘complete fabrication’ as just your opinion?

dalrymple23

Syracute: And what exactly is wrong with being "old-fashioned"? If it involves behaving in a seemly manner, being seen by the world and ostensibly running the country. The woman can do what she wants behind closed doors but, as a representative of this country? In public? Unacceptable, in my view.

Unacceptable to have a little boogie on your jollies ?? .... is this a joke post?
You got to move with the times ....social media puts people out there whether they like it or not ...... a 'seemly manner? I mean what does that even mean ?🤣

Good I'm very pleased to hear we have moved on from AR, about time too.

IOMGran

petra

IOMGran
Believe me, I don’t stay polite out of choice.
This is a site where expressing what you really think is frowned upon.
We don’t want to upset the horses, do we 😉

I remember MumsNet. Trouble is I have spent my time on Twitter since 2020 and it's a feral free for all there, so maybe they have it right. I just get exercised about prejudice and unfairness, especially directed towards women. Suppose I will learn the ropes. Gives and emoji a whirl..

Greetings IOMGran, welcome and I fourth it, do stay

Fair enough.

MissA I prefer not.

Oh, are we onto the bullingdon boys?

No foxie48 we’ve moved on from AR for the time being. It got very boring 🥱

The lovely Bullingdon boys, a club for the privileged sons of the rich with members such as Boris, Cameron and Osborne. Their behaviour in restaurants, pubs and to people less fortunate is legendary as in disrespectful and boorish and people are worried by AR dancing in a night club. Really?

I think its utterly outrageous that people common people who have even had " jobs" ( or so they say) should be allowed anywhere near parliament.
With their dancing and funny clothes.

No, it should be the preserve of Bullingdon Boys and sociopaths.

That Lisa Nandy?

www.tiktok.com/@dailymailuk/video/7288601640746241313

ronib

Lisa Mandy, Culture Secretary visited Blackpool and didn’t look to be enjoying the ride. I suppose it is a bit of an adjustment having the pig’s ears in charge. We will get used to it I guess.

Oh give it a rest.

Lisa Mandy, Culture Secretary visited Blackpool and didn’t look to be enjoying the ride. I suppose it is a bit of an adjustment having the pig’s ears in charge. We will get used to it I guess.

I agree with MissA- time to find another whipping boy, methinks.
As to the origins of our cabinet members, I felt very unhappy with much of the policies and behaviours of our previous government, many of whom were products of the public school system.
Who was it who said " Enough of the silk purses, let's give the pig's ears a chance "??