Yes but you are quite happy for the troubles in NI to return which you will realise will mean the reintroduction of the Army and an increased threat to the U.K. and what for to show the EU that we don’t keep to our signed agreements. I wonder what Biden and the USA will think to the line of action when Johnson tries to seek a trade deal.
The problem we face is that Johnson is so desperate for the U.K. to be seen as a global player once again striking out signing anything however negatively it impacts on the U.K. population just so he can board one of his two painted planes and have a photo opportunity to give his famous Selwin Froggett thumbs up “magic”.

No, like my company has done it will absorb some of the NLW increases through efficiencies or other cost savings and will pass some on to the customers. That's how the world works.

I have absolutely no doubt that you were passionately against the introduction of the minimum wage pre-1997, and were trotting out the same doom-laden things about how it would decimate poor corporates back then too. Instead we went on to enjoy an unprecedented era of growth and prosperity.

Once again you are talking out of your booty, just like your "trusted" leader, Bojo.
Do you not think that tax increases would impact me, just as much as the next person.

Nobody "likes" paying tax, nobody.
However, you have to take issue with politicians who talk about "levelling up" and do the exact opposite.

I notice that record numbers are now eligible for free school meals though but, I'm not sure that this is in line with his manifesto.

Johnson simply implemented what the population voted for - was it a good deal - could it ever have been as a good a deal as we had - no of course not. Should the whole deal be put at risk because two groups of gangsters are having a turf war - not a chance. More people are killed in gang wars in London than were ever killed in the Irish conflict - why it has such a high profile defies all logic. We see with Covid how detrimental one issue decision-making can be.

We all know Johnson isn't a person with any gravitas and his continued presence will have a negative impact on the UK in the eyes of serious political players. Unfortunately he is popular and without a credible opposition he is in a position of total dominance. There also seems to be a large chunk of the population that would like to see the pre-Covid status quo on freedoms never returning - some notable posters on here DG, 99 being amongst them. So even that wont unseat him. Perhaps when the furlough ends and the true extent of the mess we are in becomes apparent then we might see a change.

What has what I said mentioned tax increases - the point was about increasing minimum wage and how the cost is either absorbed or passed on - please keep up

My pleasure

CT represents about 7.5% of the whole tax take increasing by 5% is going to make a tiny impact. Taxing profits on international businesses needs international collaboration and serious transfer pricing rules.

The highest paid already contribute the vast majority of the IT take - but I agree it could increased.

IHT - so small <1% it isn't worth a discussion.

Jeez you really are a hard core Tory. Making up bare faced lies, pretending that people who have policy differences are in fact threats to our ways of life.

So we're "against freedom" now are we? It's not even worth asking about that since you just made it up.

Increasing the wages paid to certain sectors who have been fundamental to the country getting through the last 15 months is not a threat to our way of life. Sticking 2 or 3% to take corporation tax back up to where it was in the Major years or tinkering with income tax bandings is not a threat to our way of life. Suggesting we might like to fund our healthcare system to the same levels as other western countries - who have commensurately better health outcomes - is not a threat to our way of life.

What [iis [/idestabilsing to any civilised country is when one group of politicians and their supporters decide that what is politically advantageous for them is to smear people who suggest different policies to them. To pretend that the opposition aren't patriots, that they don't love our country or don't believe in the freedoms or ways of life that our country is built upon.
That's exactly what your recent post suggested and it's as loathsome when people it on here do it as it is when it's in The Sun or the Daily Mail.

WUM WUM

Quote: Zoo Zoo Boom "What has what I said mentioned tax increases - the point was about increasing minimum wage and how the cost is either absorbed or passed on - please keep up'" I was replying to this: "I guarantee that if either of them were impacted they would be up in arms - Ghost trots out the Socialist spew but does from his lofty seat the same will said of Wrencat - hypocrites both" If you mean corporation tax, then yes, I and my company are impacted and if you are referring to personal taxation then, yes, once again I would be impacted. Sorry, Tory boy but, paying ones share isn't just the prerogative of the Troy supporting people like yourself. Mind you, the blue side of the nation tend to prefer off shore hideaways, like the a certain Mr Cameron - he's one of yours isn't he. Maybe you could have a look at the gentleman in this article too: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... 33231.html Of course, there's nothing illegal going on here but, it's certainly not a great example for the masses As for hypocrite, not me, perhaps you should look in the mirror old boy

Quote: Zoo Zoo Boom "What has what I said mentioned tax increases - the point was about increasing minimum wage and how the cost is either absorbed or passed on - please keep up'" I was replying to this: "I guarantee that if either of them were impacted they would be up in arms - Ghost trots out the Socialist spew but does from his lofty seat the same will said of Wrencat - hypocrites both" If you mean corporation tax, then yes, I and my company are impacted and if you are referring to personal taxation then, yes, once again I would be impacted. Sorry, Tory boy but, paying ones share isn't just the prerogative of the Troy supporting people like yourself. Mind you, the blue side of the nation tend to prefer off shore hideaways, like the a certain Mr Cameron - he's one of yours isn't he. Maybe you could have a look at the gentleman in this article too: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... 33231.html Of course, there's nothing illegal going on here but, it's certainly not a great example for the masses As for hypocrite, not me, perhaps you should look in the mirror old boy

Well as a longstanding LD, I'm surprised and pleased that they overturned a huge majority of 16,000 in yesterday's Chesham and Amersham by-election. The polarised political debate sometimes forgets that it isn't a straight shoot-out between "Wizened Socialists" and Tories in lots of the country, and that if the blue walls start to crumble, you might be looking for LD victories as the first signs. For many people in the South-East and South West even if they are beginning to lose faith with the Conservatives, it would be completely unpalatable to vote Labour as proven by the staggering 600 votes they got in the by-election.

Quite, enjoyed watching that one come in, the noises from inside the Lib Dems had been positive but I have to admit I didn't really believe it.

Obviously it's only a by election but it should be a strong reminder to the Tories that going all in on culture war stuff and trashing the economy through Brexit is not going to go down well in very Blue, prosperous areas of the country which often voted Remain.

Whether many of these seats are too Blue to be at serious risk in a General Election with divided opposition we'll see but we've already seen the Tories lose ground in some better-off, better-educated areas as well as some suburban seats. The demographic time bomb facing the Tories long term is also quite horrendous.

I know Labour appear to have a written constitution that means they have to always field a candidate, but I suspect that given that the labour vote dropped from over 7k to just 600, that there was a nod and a wink going on here from pragmatic local Labour, to ensure that every vote went to a progressive party capable of beating the Tories. That approach has to be nationwide and reciprocal. It really dismayed me to see us being called "Yellow Tories" at the last election by people that should know better, and just zero appetite to work together for the greater good.

Whilst I have always advocated electoral pacts between progressives to keep out the Tories and stop the move to the right we see in Britain today . Nick cleggs pact with the devil and agreeing to student loans and years of austerity undermined most arguments I could put forward.