andrea
Non-Aligned
Posts: 7,273
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Post by andrea on Apr 30, 2024 10:56:28 GMT
Ali is on the list of candidates for 2024 GE on Labour party website. vote.labour.org.uk/results?search=birmingham(the party website has Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North still without a candidate but Byrne was a late re-selection last month and it hasn't been updated yet or the the approval hasn't gone through NEC organization committee yet). I'm not sure that site is proof that he has been selected. For instance, there has been no selection in Queen's Park and Maida Vale CLP. Search for it and you find it lists Karen Buck as sitting MP (in the same way as Tahir Ali is listed in Birmingham). Buck was assigned to Queen's Park and Maida Vale by the NEC last May (from Luke Akehurst: "The first main item of business was to sign off the assignment of incumbent MPs (except those that have failed a trigger ballot or have outstanding disciplinary issues) as candidates for new seats following the boundary review. In all except one case contests between MPs had been avoided"). They haven't taken her out after the announcement of her retirement. Lazy staffer! But yes, there are other omissions on that list, such as people selected ages ago still not appearing. Therefore there may be also wrong inclusions. Isn't Hall Green CLP in special measures since the middle-age though? Or is it also suspended? At one point (November 2022 according to Ann Black's reports), the NEC organization sub-committee automatically reselected a bunch of MPs without trigger ballot (From Ann Black: "The committee noted lists of reselected MPs and new candidates and endorsed 13 MPs without a trigger ballot where they were on maternity leave, in a constituency which was suspended, or who had become Labour MPs since the 2019 election.") Because I am pretty sure that they haven't had a trigger ballot process for Ali but he may have been included in the bunch of those reselected centrally.
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Post by Devil Wincarnate on Apr 30, 2024 11:07:31 GMT
I'm sure we will. But if it's completely affordable as it is, there's no good reason to push the pension age further out - or to raise the age at which people can draw their own private pension. I'm personally working on the basis that it is better to make a personal provision and forget about drawing a state pension this side of 70. There's a possibility that the qualifying years for a full state pension will increase from the current 35 years. Hard to disagree. The full stamp is essentially a fiction anyway.
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Post by Devil Wincarnate on Apr 30, 2024 11:09:40 GMT
I mean, bombastic bull***t is Galloway's speciality (see also the "we will stand everywhere at the next GE" nonsense which many hacks have also spouted totally uncritically) but given his past record you might think that even our generally hopeless excuses for mainstream "journalists" would become slightly sceptical by now. That these two were even on his radar goes to show how little interest there is in his project despite that bombast. These are politicians straight from the yellow-stick aisle.
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Post by Pete Whitehead on Apr 30, 2024 11:14:52 GMT
I mean, bombastic bull***t is Galloway's speciality (see also the "we will stand everywhere at the next GE" nonsense which many hacks have also spouted totally uncritically) but given his past record you might think that even our generally hopeless excuses for mainstream "journalists" would become slightly sceptical by now. I might hope they would, but I wouldn't think it
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Post by aargauer on Apr 30, 2024 12:24:34 GMT
Conversations like the above are amusing to most non-Tories (I mean that in the broader sense, rather than current allegiance) who see this government as incredibly right wing. Indeed, just today we have a widely trailed announcement that they are going to target people on disability benefits. What is "centrist" about that? That's the real astonishing thing about this period of Tory Government. They've somehow convinced the likes of you and me that they are incredibly right-wing, nationalist, and authoritarian, and the likes of rcronald that they are wet liberals who have betrayed the true right Conservatives. All at the same time. That's some achievement, surely to be rewarded at the General Election? They are cosplaying being nationalist, but largely aren't. They are authoritarian, but that's all three big parties. They have betrayed the economic right. They are *clearly* not incredibly right wing.
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Post by aargauer on Apr 30, 2024 12:26:38 GMT
But surely resolving that does not necessarily need the maintenance of a mechanism this expensive, this universal and this open to escalating quickly. Would it not be cheaper to build on the Pension Credit setup? Germany has introduced a remarkably similar concept in recent years, although admittedly their pension costs are spiralling for different reasons. And, to repeat my previous hobby horse - no politician wants to justify the obvious point that it is apparently completely affordable, but younger cohorts will have to work longer to maintain it. If we can afford billions to assuage climate changers, billions for frit people to laze at home instead of face up to a nasty strain of flu, and billions to add to the killing fields of Ukraine for a daft principle, why can't we afford our own pensioners? Most of you will make it to pensioner and then you will change your views : believe me because I did.I won't (on the later point, who knows about the first one). Obviously, despite this I am creaming as much as I can for myself by paying Class 2 NICs and getting two full state pensions.
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Post by aargauer on Apr 30, 2024 12:28:01 GMT
There's a possibility that the qualifying years for a full state pension will increase from the current 35 years. Hard to disagree. The full stamp is essentially a fiction anyway. With the CF83 and Class 2 we are both entitled to, UK years are basically free anyway. At the grand old age of 35, I have a grand total of 25 (!) European pension years. By 43, I should have more pension years than I am years old.
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Post by carlton43 on Apr 30, 2024 13:15:16 GMT
If we can afford billions to assuage climate changers, billions for frit people to laze at home instead of face up to a nasty strain of flu, and billions to add to the killing fields of Ukraine for a daft principle, why can't we afford our own pensioners? Most of you will make it to pensioner and then you will change your views : believe me because I did.I won't (on the later point, who knows about the first one). Obviously, despite this I am creaming as much as I can for myself by paying Class 2 NICs and getting two full state pensions. If the sums make sense go for it. Always be pragmatic and make the system work with you or for you. And use energy, talent and time in perfecting your reactions to what is! Never bother with the politics at all. Others will dedicate their lives to try to 'effect a change' or 'to make a difference', wasting their energies and much of their lives on it, whilst neglecting their own family and essential finances in the process. Maynard Keynes was always available to draft plans, craft systems and to apply his intellect to structural change for fees or a position of power, but never overlooked using that intellect and those sources of information to keep himself in economic comfort. That has to be the intelligent man's approach. Be involved and fully understand the structure. Apply the knowledge to being fully secure. There are always people who will deliver leaflets in the rain or spend hours in committee drafting and redrafting changes of only slight significance. But it was ever thus. Some study react and prosper and the underlying facts don't really matter. Others study are outraged and burn themselves out trying alter it all. I admire both groups but know which one I am always going to be in. The other group often don't like 'my group' but are indifferent to the lazy majority who do nothing at all.
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Post by aargauer on Apr 30, 2024 13:28:40 GMT
I won't (on the later point, who knows about the first one). Obviously, despite this I am creaming as much as I can for myself by paying Class 2 NICs and getting two full state pensions. If the sums make sense go for it. Always be pragmatic and make the system work with you or for you. And use energy, talent and time in perfecting your reactions to what is! Never bother with the politics at all. Others will dedicate their lives to try to 'effect a change' or 'to make a difference', wasting their energies and much of their lives on it, whilst neglecting their own family and essential finances in the process. Maynard Keynes was always available to draft plans, craft systems and to apply his intellect to structural change for fees or a position of power, but never overlooked using that intellect and those sources of information to keep himself in economic comfort. That has to be the intelligent man's approach. Be involved and fully understand the structure. Apply the knowledge to being fully secure. There are always people who will deliver leaflets in the rain or spend hours in committee drafting and redrafting changes of only slight significance. But it was ever thus. Some study react and prosper and the underlying facts don't really matter. Others study are outraged and burn themselves out trying alter it all. I admire both groups but know which one I am always going to be in. The other group often don't like 'my group' but are indifferent to the lazy majority who do nothing at all.At 160 GBP a year its pocket money to get a full UK pension. With 2 kids under school age, I am afraid my days wasting time on politics are behind of me. Instead of being engaged in changing the system, I am engaged in essentially (legally) manipulating systems to my benefit and try and pay as little tax as humanely possible.
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Post by philvn on Apr 30, 2024 15:08:18 GMT
If the sums make sense go for it. Always be pragmatic and make the system work with you or for you. And use energy, talent and time in perfecting your reactions to what is! Never bother with the politics at all. Others will dedicate their lives to try to 'effect a change' or 'to make a difference', wasting their energies and much of their lives on it, whilst neglecting their own family and essential finances in the process. Maynard Keynes was always available to draft plans, craft systems and to apply his intellect to structural change for fees or a position of power, but never overlooked using that intellect and those sources of information to keep himself in economic comfort. That has to be the intelligent man's approach. Be involved and fully understand the structure. Apply the knowledge to being fully secure. There are always people who will deliver leaflets in the rain or spend hours in committee drafting and redrafting changes of only slight significance. But it was ever thus. Some study react and prosper and the underlying facts don't really matter. Others study are outraged and burn themselves out trying alter it all. I admire both groups but know which one I am always going to be in. The other group often don't like 'my group' but are indifferent to the lazy majority who do nothing at all. At 160 GBP a year its pocket money to get a full UK pension.With 2 kids under school age, I am afraid my days wasting time on politics are behind of me. Instead of being engaged in changing the system, I am engaged in essentially (legally) manipulating systems to my benefit and try and pay as little tax as humanely possible. Is that really all it is? Class 2 NICs you say? Is that what Brits living abroad should pay? I've lived abroad for 11 years and never paid it, but I think I'd better start.
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Post by carlton43 on Apr 30, 2024 15:49:26 GMT
If the sums make sense go for it. Always be pragmatic and make the system work with you or for you. And use energy, talent and time in perfecting your reactions to what is! Never bother with the politics at all. Others will dedicate their lives to try to 'effect a change' or 'to make a difference', wasting their energies and much of their lives on it, whilst neglecting their own family and essential finances in the process. Maynard Keynes was always available to draft plans, craft systems and to apply his intellect to structural change for fees or a position of power, but never overlooked using that intellect and those sources of information to keep himself in economic comfort. That has to be the intelligent man's approach. Be involved and fully understand the structure. Apply the knowledge to being fully secure. There are always people who will deliver leaflets in the rain or spend hours in committee drafting and redrafting changes of only slight significance. But it was ever thus. Some study react and prosper and the underlying facts don't really matter. Others study are outraged and burn themselves out trying alter it all. I admire both groups but know which one I am always going to be in. The other group often don't like 'my group' but are indifferent to the lazy majority who do nothing at all. At 160 GBP a year its pocket money to get a full UK pension. With 2 kids under school age, I am afraid my days wasting time on politics are behind of me. Instead of being engaged in changing the system, I am engaged in essentially (legally) manipulating systems to my benefit and try and pay as little tax as humanely possible. Yes it is and a lot more than my income, but one needs a much smaller income when old and a pensioner. No longer buying property or paying a mortgage; no business wear expenses; no commuting costs; no education fees; no car expenses; children off hands; no longer maintaining second home; not paying into pensions; furnishing or extending. Need more personal service at home; more heating costs and possible care assistance; taxis; specialist diet; finer wines. Usually run budget at substantial surplus.
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Post by aargauer on Apr 30, 2024 17:09:53 GMT
At 160 GBP a year its pocket money to get a full UK pension.With 2 kids under school age, I am afraid my days wasting time on politics are behind of me. Instead of being engaged in changing the system, I am engaged in essentially (legally) manipulating systems to my benefit and try and pay as little tax as humanely possible. Is that really all it is? Class 2 NICs you say? Is that what Brits living abroad should pay? I've lived abroad for 11 years and never paid it, but I think I'd better start. If you were working immediately before you left the uk and work abroad you qualify for class 2. It's £179.40 - gone up a bit with inflation
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Post by heslingtonian on Apr 30, 2024 17:53:29 GMT
When Reagan said that shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican, he wasn't talking about purging the impure. He was making the point that the GOP needed to put factionalism to one side and focus on the shared mission. This is the same for all conservative parties. They have to be broad churches, because the majority of their voters (and activists, despite assumptions) are not part of any of the assumed boxes. The whole point of the Conservative Party or the CDU or PP or whoever as a broad church is that every shade of centre-right thought should be represented and individuals given a platform to expound those views, and have them shot down as well- and reacting to circumstance. Trying to apply purity of dogma to conservatism is like trying to saddle up a cow. Just because it's physically possible does not make it the best course of action. I accept that, which is why there is a huge range of Tory opinion on this forum. We even have heslingtonian in the Tory sub forum even though he has been badmouthing the party and those of us in it like a scorned spouse for months. However, on Noakes, there's a limit. I simply don't see her as a Conservative. Incidentally I am very happy to be removed from the Conservative sub forum as I'm no longer a Conservative supporter.
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Post by rcronald on Apr 30, 2024 18:24:37 GMT
I accept that, which is why there is a huge range of Tory opinion on this forum. We even have heslingtonian in the Tory sub forum even though he has been badmouthing the party and those of us in it like a scorned spouse for months. However, on Noakes, there's a limit. I simply don't see her as a Conservative. Incidentally I am very happy to be removed from the Conservative sub forum as I'm no longer a Conservative supporter. TBF, most of us on the Conservative subforum think that the party should be out of government…. (Mostly to heal and develop fresh ideas)
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Post by michaelarden on Apr 30, 2024 18:31:48 GMT
I mean, bombastic bull***t is Galloway's speciality (see also the "we will stand everywhere at the next GE" nonsense which many hacks have also spouted totally uncritically) but given his past record you might think that even our generally hopeless excuses for mainstream "journalists" would become slightly sceptical by now. From what I've heard he is likely to get pretty far down that road. There's a threshold of number of candidates needed to get a PPB. Also if Galloway gets reelected in Rochdale (not out of the question particularly the nearer the GE is to the by-election) if the Workers' Party gets a certain number of votes it gets Short money to support him in Parliament. And if they were to get a second MP they really do hit the jackpot...
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jamie
Top Poster
Posts: 6,892
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Post by jamie on Apr 30, 2024 18:33:17 GMT
But surely resolving that does not necessarily need the maintenance of a mechanism this expensive, this universal and this open to escalating quickly. Would it not be cheaper to build on the Pension Credit setup? Germany has introduced a remarkably similar concept in recent years, although admittedly their pension costs are spiralling for different reasons. Can you explain the German system (genuinely interested)? As someone who works in the benefits area (and is not exactly a right wing ideologue), I am deeply unimpressed by Pension Credit. It is a very perverse system whereby someone with very slightly lower national insurance contributions (and therefore State Pension) can unlock a whole host of additional benefits that leave them much better off than someone with a slightly higher State Pension. I think some sort of minimum income floor is beneficial, especially with groups like the disabled and housewives in mind, but I’d rather make Pension Credit less generous and increase the State Pension instead.
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Post by Devil Wincarnate on Apr 30, 2024 19:05:07 GMT
But surely resolving that does not necessarily need the maintenance of a mechanism this expensive, this universal and this open to escalating quickly. Would it not be cheaper to build on the Pension Credit setup? Germany has introduced a remarkably similar concept in recent years, although admittedly their pension costs are spiralling for different reasons. Can you explain the German system (genuinely interested)? As someone who works in the benefits area (and is not exactly a right wing ideologue), I am deeply unimpressed by Pension Credit. It is a very perverse system whereby someone with very slightly lower national insurance contributions (and therefore State Pension) can unlock a whole host of additional benefits that leave them much better off than someone with a slightly higher State Pension. I think some sort of minimum income floor is beneficial, especially with groups like the disabled and housewives in mind, but I’d rather make Pension Credit less generous and increase the State Pension instead. Broadly speaking, it works like this. Pensions are made up of "pillars", that are broadly similar but sometimes very different across countries. This is why these studies comparing different countries' pensions are worthless. They don't quite match (I've taken some liberties to try and make it a bit more comprehensible and slightly less dull). Pillar 1: UK has the state pension, Germany has basic pension. Very few people get the latter, and it was designed because you could end up with a terrible pension. Because... Pillar 2: workplace contributions. In the UK, this is your basic workplace/occupational/superann or whatever moniker you prefer. In Germany, this takes the role of both the state pension and workplace pension (this bit isn't quite true but for ease of comparison here it is). Now here's the rub. It's based not just on years of contributions, but how much you put in in your best working years). The end result is that one in three Germans receive less than 750€ per month, which is less than the UK state pension - but those who do well out of it do very well indeed. Pillar 3- private pensions. Increasingly common in Germany for the reasons set out above. There's no SIPP or equivalent sadly. Pillar 4- this is one I've made up as it is worth stressing. UK pensioners get free healthcare. Germany pensioners get subsidised healthcare paid from the social security of the current workforce. This rarely factors into discussion of the two systems.
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Post by therealriga on Apr 30, 2024 19:23:04 GMT
Is that really all it is? Class 2 NICs you say? Is that what Brits living abroad should pay? I've lived abroad for 11 years and never paid it, but I think I'd better start. If you were working immediately before you left the uk and work abroad you qualify for class 2. It's £179.40 - gone up a bit with inflation It's been a bit over 800 quid for me for a while and I was working before I left the UK.
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Post by aargauer on Apr 30, 2024 19:32:37 GMT
If you were working immediately before you left the uk and work abroad you qualify for class 2. It's £179.40 - gone up a bit with inflation It's been a bit over 800 quid for me for a while and I was working before I left the UK. Are you working now? Have you filled in CF83? If yes to both, why did they put you down as Class 3 rather than Class 2? I filled my class 3 years (university basically) on the principle that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush and that on any grounds it's ludicrous that people (even foreigners!!!) who merely have lived in the UK for 3 years can pay almost nothing then live off the UK tax payer. It's nothing to do with left / right it's just ridiculous and surely can't continue. There's a Swiss guy I work with living in Switzerland who is paying his UK years - will end up with a full uk pension after spending c. 5 years in the UK. Mind you it does take both perseverance and an eye for detail to deal with HMRC who are the slowest, and most incompetent people in the universe.
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Post by willpower3 on Apr 30, 2024 19:54:30 GMT
I mean, bombastic bull***t is Galloway's speciality (see also the "we will stand everywhere at the next GE" nonsense which many hacks have also spouted totally uncritically) but given his past record you might think that even our generally hopeless excuses for mainstream "journalists" would become slightly sceptical by now. From what I've heard he is likely to get pretty far down that road. There's a threshold of number of candidates needed to get a PPB. Also if Galloway gets reelected in Rochdale (not out of the question particularly the nearer the GE is to the by-election) if the Workers' Party gets a certain number of votes it gets Short money to support him in Parliament. And if they were to get a second MP they really do hit the jackpot... The name of the party is interesting. It is, for all intents and purposes, the same party as Respect, yet has a different name and hence (to some extent) branding. It probably shows that populism-with-a-class-based-edge is more in-vogue now than it was in the 2000s.
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