UK political topics 2025 1 thread only

Subject: UK politics topics 2025 (1 thread only)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 25 - 10:37 AM

We are limiting the political discussions to one per Trump and one per UK. So the thread that was started today on a specific topic is too narrow to serve that purpose. This thread will have to pick up where the other one (gets an error message about its length) ended.

If you want to see what you posted last in the other thread, take the back way in - look at your list of personal posts and you'll be able to see what you sent there.

The other one was BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 Apr 25 - 04:54 PM

Since it is no longer possible to post to brexit and other uk political topics, without getting message that it will not accept. I am asking for members opinions on Starmers Rescue. It seems;like a good idea to me but i have not studied his plan in detail

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Apr 25 - 05:37 PM

First topic linked from closed thread

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 16 Apr 25 - 07:40 AM

In the short-lived thread I responded: "Now all we need is reliable sources of iron, limestone, & coal, to keep the steel production going."

To which Backwoodsman responded: We have plenty of coal beneath us - IIRC, estimated as ~200 years’ worth - just not the means of extracting it, thanks to your heroine, the foul Witch of Grantham.

I'll now reply to that:
Until the advent of this latest Labour government there were plans for a new mine in Cumbria. They were overturned in court, and the Labour government allowed the plans to drop.

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Apr 25 - 11:44 AM

One of the (precious few) good things that they have done, Nigel!

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 17 Apr 25 - 01:26 AM

Dave, my post wasn’t a complaint that we no longer have a coal-extraction industry, I’m in agreement with you that we’re better without it. I was simply pointing out the delicious irony of a self-confessed Thatcher-Fanboi appealing for ‘reliable sources’ of, amongst other things, coal! You couldn’t make it up!

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 17 Apr 25 - 06:30 AM

Both:
So 'getting rid of UK coal mines' is a good thing, but Maggie Thatcher doing it is a bad thing?
Some weird thinking there.

Also, as has been pointed out many times here, Wilson closed more than twice as many pits as Thatcher did.

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Apr 25 - 07:46 AM

Clement Attlee's Labour government closed 101 pits between 1947 and 1951; Macmillan (Conservative) closed 246 pits between 1957 and 1963; Wilson (Labour) closed 253 in his two terms in office between 1964 and 1976; Heath (Conservative) closed 26 between 1970 and 1974; and Thatcher (Conservative) closed 115 between 1979
CONSERVATIVES CLOSED 387, LABOUR CLOSED 363
Nigel those are facts

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Raggytash
Date: 17 Apr 25 - 08:07 AM

It would seem to me that if scientific means could be used to eliminate the negative effects of burning coal, through perhaps filtration, we as a nation should consider using the resources we have, that is our coal reserves, whilst at the same time further developing alternative sources of energy.

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 17 Apr 25 - 03:58 PM

I can see what you mean, Raggytash, but if we are going to spend time and effort to negate the negative effects of anything, surely we should concentrate on resources that are not going to run so soon?

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Apr 25 - 01:39 AM

Rain and kinetic energy is a promosing source, ireland and the uk is surropunded by water.. hydro electricity?

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Aethelric
Date: 18 Apr 25 - 10:31 AM

Tidal power is good - and 100% predictable.
But the best way would be a global solar grid with huge solar farms situated in the deserts of the world.
Countries without much solar power could contribute via wind, hydro, tidal, or geothermal power.
It would need all countries to work together for the good of the planet as a whole.

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 18 Apr 25 - 11:24 AM

Sandman: Clement Attlee's Labour government closed 101 pits between 1947 and 1951; Macmillan (Conservative) closed 246 pits between 1957 and 1963; Wilson (Labour) closed 253 in his two terms in office between 1964 and 1976; Heath (Conservative) closed 26 between 1970 and 1974; and Thatcher (Conservative) closed 115 between 1979
CONSERVATIVES CLOSED 387, LABOUR CLOSED 363
Nigel those are facts

Which does not counter my statement that Wilson closed more than twice as many pits as Thatcher.
Also, proclaiming "Those are the facts" would be more persuasive if you gave details of where you got those 'facts'. Was the maths problem yours, or the site which supplied them? 101+253 = 363: False!

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Apr 25 - 12:05 PM

My mate Dave and I often used to come up with alternate energy ideas. Quite often after a gallon of Holt's bitter :-)

I think the best was a geostationary ring about the earth providing energy much like a giant dynamo :-)

More down to earth was clockwork cars which could be wound up at roadside windmills.

For some reason no-one ever took the ideas up :-D

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 18 Apr 25 - 01:27 PM

DtG: Did the two of you think to try harnessing the potential difference between the earth and the ionosphere? Due to leakage from the top of thunder clouds, the ionosphere's one or two hundred kV positive of earth; there's a constant electron lift of serious proportions from all non-clouded areas of the earth that maintains the balance. *Now* we know what Igor is harnessing.

.... Dear MudElf: This portion of the UK political topics thread may or may not be a MOAB candidate. Please advise.

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Apr 25 - 02:49 PM

oh the pooters and parsons of the world.

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 18 Apr 25 - 07:21 PM

oh the pooters and parsons of the world.

And the 'Dick'heads who cannot support their arguments!

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: The Sandman
Date: 19 Apr 25 - 02:30 AM

Conservatives closed more mines than the labour party, my stats prove that, that is clear support for my point.

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Apr 25 - 03:05 AM

Again I would point out that closing mines was probably the best thing that they did.

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Raggytash
Date: 19 Apr 25 - 08:50 AM

Funny Dave, I knew many miners, very few would agree with you on mine closures.

I once tried to get a job down Agecroft Colliery, I asked the father of my then girlfriend to put a word in for me (the only way you got taken on then).

He gripped me warmly, by the throat, and said in a way that brooked no argument "while you're going out with my lass, you're not going down the pit!"

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Apr 25 - 09:30 AM

Aye. I suspect very few would have agreed at the time but the lives saved since, both of miners and those affected by the burning of coal, have made up for it. The camaraderie and sense of community were one thing but the reality was another. In the words of our mutual friend

Men have always won the battle
But I'll always win the war

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 19 Apr 25 - 10:47 AM

Conservatives closed more mines than the labour party, my stats prove that, that is clear support for my point.

Strange, before your cut/paste from Google I didn't see that you made any point which those 'facts' could possibly support.

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Apr 25 - 12:16 PM

Nice to see your posts on the dull mens club occasionally, Nigel. I suspect that our similarities far outweigh our differences :-)

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: The Sandman
Date: 19 Apr 25 - 12:32 PM

Nigel , I cannot help it if your light is on but nobody is at home

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Apr 25 - 03:48 AM

The Conservatives closed more mines than the Labour party, the stats back that up

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Apr 25 - 11:45 AM

well done Starmer for saving the steel works in Scunthorpe

Subject: RE: UK political topics 2025 1 thread only
From: Rain Dog
Date: 23 Apr 25 - 03:42 PM

That remains to be seen.

Time will tell.