Not like the rest at all ?

[ahinton]

the current popularity of the Kippers!

I cannot help but wonder to what extent this is real and to what extent it's puffed up by scaremongers, publicity unters and the rest; they have almost no Parliamantary representation and, until and unless they acquire it, their "popularity" will be either a noisily promoted myth or a flash in the pan or possibly both.

Well, one of the stong points in the early publicity for the nationalised industry was "It's your industry now!" Common ownership - whatever has been made of it subsequently.

Yes - and that sounds to me rather too uncomfortably akin to "it's your problem, mate!". I didn't ask to own any part of RBS and don't want to...

Economic ups and downs are an intrinsic part of capitalism. Like someone with bipolar disorder one part of itself charges around then runs out of steam. Its anarchic character leads to periodic surpluses the market can't absorb, wasting productive facilities and labour until it sorts itself out, before the next time comes along. Even disregarding the multiple duplications of boards of directors etc, what a waste! One of the purposes of planning, Keynes's idea, was to offset this fluctuational tendency by training up and giving the unemployed sufficient benefits to be able to carry on buying product they couldn't otherwise afford, thus keeping some others employed making things, but by the Reagan/Thatcher era many in ruling circles remembered the purpose of the pool of unemployed as serving to discipline workforces into feeling fortunate to have work, especially as they were now being taught the highest virtue of existence as being home ownership. But the real point of planning would be regulation and deployment of resources.

I think that those ups and downs are to some extent a symptom of any economic system, not just capitalism.

Times have changed since anyone kept an eye on the likes of me, and I'm quite sure "they" are too busy chasing up Islamic extremists to be bothered by any radical potential deducible from such writings these days - that's the sad thing!

A sad thing among many such, I fear!

[jean]

It would be nice if jean were to join us on this subject! I'm wary of putting words in her mouth, but my guess would be that she would rightly point to so-called socialist and communist regimes which have treated the environment worse, if anything, than Western capitalist ones...

She missed most of the last few days, but had intended to comment on the feminism not necessarily socialist suggestion earlier.

There's a link there which I have not time to explore now - off to have lunch with Natalie Bennett followed by an afternoon's intensive canvassing.

There's all to play for just now, and questions about how truly socialist it all might be, or ought to be, will have to wait.

[Serial_Apologist]

She missed most of the last few days, but had intended to comment on the feminism not necessarily socialist suggestion earlier.

There's a link there which I have not time to explore now - off to have lunch with Natalie Bennett followed by an afternoon's intensive canvassing.

There's all to play for just now, and questions about how truly socialist it all might be, or ought to be, will have to wait.

Natalie's doing a great leadership job for the Greens - a tough call after Caroline Lucas. Best of luck with the campaigning, jean!

[jean]

Thank you on all counts.

Natalie had to dash off after lunch to Manchester <shudder>, but we had the Guardian Head of Environment with us in the afternoon, and the report should be in the paper on Tuesday.

Fingers crossed that I did not say anything ill-advised...

[jean]

Here it is:

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/may/19/green-party-railways-renationalisation-local-european-elections

[Serial_Apologist]

Here it is:

http://www.theguardian.com/environme...pean-elections

Thumbs up!

[MrGongGong]

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1.0-9/10409494_10152415482966100_3329941866555998449_n.jpg

[Richard Barrett]

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/...55998449_n.jpg

Outstanding.

[Beef Oven!]

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/...55998449_n.jpg

Brilliant!!!

[MrGongGong]

Why is the clown smiling when (as it's supposed to be a competitive race) his bunch of tossers came third out of four ?
Bonkers

I'm going to start a Bring Back Don (BBD with "Brahms Lullaby" as the theme tune !) Campaign

[Beef Oven!]

".......came third out of four...."

Bingo!

You've got it!

Out of FOUR!

We now have a four party system in Britain!

[MrGongGong]

Bingo!

You've got it!

Out of FOUR!

We now have a four party system in Britain!

Not really
as all of them believe in the same unethical nonsense
and none of them are bothered about the really important things in life

Sad sad sad

Bring Back Beefheart

[ahinton]

Bingo!

You've got it!

Out of FOUR!

We now have a four party system in Britain!

If that turns out to be true (and don't forget that this will remain uncertain until the next General Election has been held), the chances of a three-way hung parliament might be that much greater - i.e. a situation in which no two parties together in coalition can achieve a majority to govern; this would do wonders for the electoral stability of Britain (assuming that, at the next General Election, Britain remains constituted as now it is, which is also uncertain), wouldn't it?!...

When that election comes around, however, I suspect that more of the electorate will give wider consideration (than they appear to have done so far) to UKIP's policies on all the issues other than those about which it has so far made a noise, namely EU membership and immigration - and I don't see that doing the party any favours in terms of elected MPs; one-and-a-half trick ponies are unlikely to get to the finishing post, let alone win the race.

[Beef Oven!]

I'm sure that I speak on behalf of forum members when I say that congratulations are extended to Nigel and his party, the UKIP, on an historic outcome in the European elections, following his party's astounding results in the local authority elections - well done Nigel!!!!

An historic day for British democracy, now at least we have a real choice, away from the elite politicians who swap power between themselves, year after year.

The people have spoken!

[MrGongGong]

I'm sure that I speak on behalf of forum members when I say that congratulations are extended to Nigel and his party, the UKIP, on an historic outcome in the European elections, following his party's astounding results in the local authority elections - well done Nigel!!!!

An historic day for British democracy, now at least we have a real choice, away from the elite politicians who swap power between themselves, year after year.

The people have spoken!

Terrible news indeed
The local election "astounding" result needs a little unpicking methinks...... so that's getting a smaller percentage of the vote as a "resounding success" then ? I'm not a football supporter but surely belated congratulations are in order to the English team for the World Cup "astounding result" against Germany in 1966. Winning NO councils is a great result innit !

Sad sad sad ....... news that people have been tricked into thinking that extremists are what we need.

As the theme of this says It's NO CHOICE at all
just more tired old establishment crap

I'm glad my children are too big to fit up a chimney !
Time to roll back the read tape that is stifling business and bring back child labour in factories


How long will they manage to stay "in character" ?

Actually if "the people have spoken" then, given the turnout and what people actually voted for
they voted for something else (as usual :-( )