Thought Id start this one going because its rather dead on this board at the moment and I suppose all my usual muckers are either at the Stella tennis event watching Dim Tim (lose again) or at Henly Regatta eating cucumber sandwiches (they wish,...NOT).

Anyway please feel free to just talk to yourself blast away and let it go on any company or subject you wish. Just wish Id thought of this one before.

cheers GF.

..

Good Headlines.

FINANCIAL TIMES

European Parliament signals tough line on Brexit

Brexit means the end of single market access for London

Theresa May's clampdown on international students is a mystery

What Nicola Sturgeon conjured from constitutional thin air

Davis admits UK has not assessed impact of Brexit without Brussels deal

The conundrum of Theresa May's Great Repeal Bill


-=-=

Almost forgot.

Tories caught fiddling the books again.


Hey ho, another day in the market!

Anyone watch the Lords Speaker's committee meeting yesterday on reform of the Lords? Interesting perspective of how the Lords (and Baronesses) view themselves. When asked what would be the ideal maximum size, the crossbencher mentioned 600 since there are rarely more than that in chamber even for very important votes. He also made the obsequious remark that some of them are not up to scratch anyhow. My my, look in the mirror.
The Labour Baroness, who was in my view the most lucid, thought that was too high, while the Libdem agreed that 600 was about right, although perhaps more would be required since most were part time politicians. Trust the Libdems to hit the thumb rather than the nail.
When a SNP committee member suggested that perhaps it would be better to scrap the Lords as is and go for an elected chamber which represented all of the country, rather than a preponderance from the Home Counties, there was a spontaneous reach for the water.
There was discussion on term limits and the crossbencher offered 15 years. 15 years. What is wrong with 4 or 5 years like normal MPs, then up for re-election again? Clearly these people think that they are above mere mortals. Scrap the lot and their pantomime clothes and we wouldn't notice the difference.

i have no problem at all with an unelected 2nd house, and indeed there are many good aspects for it being so
however, the £300 pd for nominal and unproductive attendance certainly sticks in the throat and that needs stamping on
if you're going to claim the allowance, then meaningful input should be part of the deal

The crossbencher said that he travelled down from Scotland and the £300 went towards his hotel expenses. Fair enough. But I suspect many, if not most, can go home at night. As for the skivers, it is probably a lifetime habit.

Something for Fred to avoid...

https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2017/03/geert-wilders-may-not-won-reshaped-dutch-politics/

IF SELF EMPLOYED NATIONAL INSURANCE ABOLISED,CAN WE HAVE PETITION FOR PROBATE CHARGES ABOLISED AS WELL.
CHARGES INCREASED FROM 350 UPTO 20000 IS A DAYLIGHT ROBERRY FOR THE FAMILY WHOSE LOVED ONE DIES,AND DONOT HAVE A WILL

Well, well what about FAKE news ..............

U.S. allegations about Britain's GCHQ will not be repeated - May's spokesman - Fri, 17th Mar 2017 11:32

LONDON, March 17 (Reuters) - Britain has received assurances from the United States that allegations the GCHQ intelligence agency helped former President Barack Obama eavesdrop on Donald Trump will not be repeated, a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said on Friday.

"We've made clear to the administration that these claims are ridiculous and they should be ignored and we've received assurances that these allegations will not be repeated," the spokesman told reporters.

"We have a close special relationship with the White House and that allows us to raise concerns as and when they arise as was true in this case."

The EX has finally got a job and then another one .......

Britain's George Osborne to edit London's Standard newspaper - Fri, 17th Mar 2017 11:29

(Reuters) - George Osborne, who lost his job as British finance minister after the EU referendum in June, was appointed editor of London's Evening Standard, the newspaper's owner Evgeny Lebedev said on Friday.

"I am proud to have an editor of such substance, who reinforces The Standard's standing and influence in London," Lebedev tweeted.

"And whose political viewpoint - socially liberal and economically pragmatic - closely matches that of many of our readers."

Osborne, who remains a lawmaker, joined investment group BlackRock Inc as an advisor last month.

PM has plenty on her plate so far, is it only words or she will finally tackle this problem?
For too long has been a SHAME for those in power.......

Energy market is not working, UK PM May says; vows to address problem

March 17 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Friday her government would look into the energy market because it is "one market that is manifestly not working for all consumers".

In a speech to her ruling Conservative Party, May said energy prices had risen 158 percent over the last 15 years, increases that were punishing "ordinary working families".

"Our party did not end the unjust and inefficient monopolies of the old nationalised energy corporations only to replace them with a system that traps the poorest customers on the worst deals," she said.

"So we are looking very closely at how we can address this problem, and ensure a fairer deal for everyone."

Mother Theresa caring for the poor.

'Giddy' osborne should be sacked from holding the position of a member
of parliament, having now being employed in two outside jobs while still
taking an MP's salary........The man has no shame!

He is a proper tory!

what a load of poppycock!
GO is no longer front bench and of course he can have outside biz interests as can and do (probably) the majority of MPs .... as long as these interests are declared, and clearly these are, then what's you problem?

He is not doing his job as an MP.

I think a job as an MP should be a full-time job.

you may not like the idea, but few can afford to be career politicians, especially as it is such a precarious occupation and the salary does not give much scope for stashing anything away for a rainy day

do you think you could get a mortgage if your only declared income is your MPs salary?
bet you couldn't, not least because you are self-employed, but also your job could easily have a very limited life

cynic

re - Osborne more than 1 job

is not a question of a job or two, but editing a newspaper can influence readers

so one or the other is my take, greedy sod could not do the job properly why is he trying to have 3 now

JOKE of the DAY

Maybe after all needs a bob or two to darken the receding hair

is editing rather than having a regular column any more influencing?