Absent minded?

How many of Britain's 2 million uninsured or unlicenced drivers are already absent parents!?!

"Absent parents who do not pay child support could have their passports and driving licences seized without having to be taken to court."

ContactPoint

Who will be vetting the 390,000 staff (including charities!) who can view contact details of every child in England!?!

What will the penalties be for failing to update your records on the system!?!

PS MPs will be the only parents exempt from the database...

PPS How likely is it that Victoria Climbie's guardian would have registered her on the ContactPoint database!?!

Where there's brass, there's fraud!

How much of the Government's £20bn of loans to small and medium-sized firms will be lost through fraud?

Golden blackboards?

Is it better to offer £10,000 bonuses for teachers working in the most "disadvantaged" schools or sack teachers who are not up to the job!?!

Sir Cyril Taylor said there were about 17,000 "poor" teachers in England.

Social Mobility Commission

The Social Mobility Commission are totally wrong to suggest that parental earnings are the key to success in life.

Parental earnings are merely an indicator that they value education and hard work.

No amount of money thrown at the poorest members of society will change this.

"The Social Mobility Commission - which is comprised of charity leaders, academics and economists - was set up last year at the instigation of Mr Clegg."

National Intern Scheme

If graduates can't fend for themselves, why should anyone employ them!?!

"These are the children of the baby-boomers. They will be a very big group. What do we do with them? We can’t just leave people to fend for themselves." Skills Secretary John Denham on the "National intern scheme".

People should be left to fend for themselves, just as no one would expect the Government do their shopping for them!

The richest man in the cemetery?

German billionaire kills himself

VAT cuts

Whilst the VAT cut may not make much difference to the economy, why is it said to be cost the Government £12.5bn!?!

They have foregone £12.5bn of our hard earned money that can be spent how we want it to be spent rather than letting the Government decide how it should be wasted!

"The [Liberal Democrats] would have spent the £12.5bn cost of the measure on creating jobs through investments to make schools, hospitals and homes greener."

Some guilty savers?

If savers are the "innocent victims" of the downturn, why should higher rate taxpayers be singled out for punishment under Conservative proposals to reduce income tax for lower rate savers only!?!

How do these Conservative tax proposals cut red tape and bureaucracy!?!

Gordonian Economics

How can the creation of 100,000 new jobs in the public sector really be the best way to revive the economy!?! Public sector jobs do not create wealth, they spend it!

Gordon might just as well employ 100,000 workers to dig holes in the ground and another 100,000 to fill them back up!

Shame on them!

If "Annie Lennox, Alexei Sayle, Ken Livingstone, Bianca Jagger and George Galloway" are condemning Israel's retaliatory strikes on Hamas, Israel must be doing the right thing QED!

PS I must have been out when they were condemning Hamas rocket attacks on Israel!

PPS Should these "celebrities" really be rubbing shoulders with Mohammed Sawalha, President of the British Muslim Initative who allegedly “master minded much of Hamas’ political and military strategy” and in London “is alleged to have directed funds, both for Hamas’ armed wing, and for spreading its missionary dawah”? Hattip: Harry's Place.

Pumping the market?

If oil speculators were to blame for record oil prices last summer, should they now be thanked as "Oil prices have fallen 74% from their peaks in July"!?!

Helen Suzman

What a shame that Helen Suzman will not live to see South Africa follow Zimbabwe's descent into economic ruin in the next decade!

Palestine

Why do so many left-wingers want a monocultural Palestine but a multicultural Britain!?!

Gotcha!

Hamas leader killed in air strike

The benefits of multiculturalism!

Arrests over Israeli embassy demo

UK rocket attacks?

What would the UK do if it was being attacked on a daily basis just like Israel?

Would it strike back or offer money, power-sharing and a voice on Policing!?!

In other news, "the prime minister is expected to urge the public to "display the same spirit" as their predecessors did in World War II."

The future's bright, the future's Public Sector!

How many public sector workers face redundancy or pay freezes in 2009!?!

Tax cuts

Does George Osborne understand why taxes should be cut or is merely playing to the gallery!?!

If he promised to increase the basic personal allowance to #10,000 and scrap Gordon's tax credits, he would galvanise support!

Labour "fears" about how such tax cuts would be funded can be easily rebuffed - increase borrowing;)

Obama on Gaza

What is President-elect Barack Obama's view of Israel's retaliatory strikes on Hamas infrastructure in Gaza!?!

It's difficult to imagine Israel lashing out without warning Bush and Obama in advance...

PS Can we assume Somali pirate activity will rapidly decline once Chinese warships start taking no prisoners!?!

Reflections on 2008, fears for 2009.

If David Cameron's Conservatives are unable to create a clear set of policies on how to fix Britain after eleven years of Labour's mismanagement and as Britain's economy faces perhaps it's most challenging times since Hitler, should we give up on politics and dig shelters instead!?!

Given the peculiarities of Britain's electoral system, it becomes easier to imagine Labour being returned to office in 2010 now than even just three months ago! My greatest fear is that the Conservatives would then flounder in the wilderness for another generation as the economy eventually corrects itself!

If Conservatives are unable to be an electoral threat during the current bust, what hope is there in another boom!?!

Iraq trial for UK death suspects

Shouldn't it be a "real hope" that "two Iraqis accused of killing two British soldiers can be tried by Iraqi authorities [ ] could face the death penalty" rather than a "real risk"!?!

Charity and Public Benefits

Have private schools now proved their charitable status on "public benefit" if local councils face additional pressures on their finances as parents switch from private to state schools to save money!?!

BBC on grammar schools?

If 81.8% of parents think Grammar schools are "much better" than other state schools and 62.5% of parents think there should be more Grammar schools, is it surprising that some parents prepare their children for the 11+!?!

Does the BBC have an educational agenda opposing Grammar schools when so many BBC employees have been privately educated?

A lot of hot air?

How serious is the Government about saving the environment when it is considering a financial package to support the manufacturer of some of the most polluting cars in the UK, Jaguar Landrover!?!

Muslim guilty of directing terror?

Is the BBC self-censoring when it describes the "first al-Qaeda suspect convicted in the UK of directing terrorism" as British rather than Muslim!?!

Vauxhall

How keen is the government to rein back employment in the public sector when it expects taxpayers to dig deep into their pockets to support third rate car manufacturer Vauxhall through the economic downturn!?!

Vauxhall was rated 26th out of the 33 car manufacturers in the JD Power survey 2007!

"Vauxhall Vectra Rating 76.4% Overall ranking 93rd: The Vectra's only saving grace is that it proved reasonably well built. Otherwise, it could have been looking at its second consecutive year at the bottom of its class [ Family cars]. Owners didn't like how it drove, its running costs or the interior's lack of practicality, and slated the service from their dealers. However, the biggest criticisms were for how the car looked, its uncomfortable seats, awkward dash layout and poor stereo and ventilation systems. The Vectra was by far the worst car in this class for these aspects."

British cultural imperialism?

Why are British authorities getting involved in the case of trainee NHS doctor Humayra Abedin when she is not a British national?

Is it a classic example of cultural imperialism!?!

Reaping the whirlwind?

If three quarters of the most serious terror plots being investigated by UK authorities have links to Pakistan, why are we giving #480m in aid to Pakistan!?!

Will the terrorists thank us!?!

Woolworths

Would that "noblest" of British institutions, Woolworths, have failed if it was funded like the BBC - everyone has to pay Woolworths whether they shop there or not!?!

Olympic help for 2012.

Perhaps now is the time to stand up, be counted and help all those poor, overpaid consultants struggling to manage the finances of the 2012 London Olympics.

Should Tessa Jowell ask, I have a tent she can use if her attempts to "raise private cash to build the 2012 Olympic village" fail!

Policies up in smoke?

What's the point of banning tobacco displays if it only reduces the prevalence of smoking amongst young people by just 20,000 smokers or 10%, "the key evidence"!?!

It's difficult to imagine any other Government policy being introduced with such poor outcomes apart from the banning of vending machines that are only used by 20% of 11-15 year old smokers anyway!

Are the youth of today so stupid that they could not find an alternative source of cigarettes!?!

PS If the Government is so concerned about smokers' health, why not just ban cigarettes!?!

Education think

When will education reforms recommend that an image of our "heroic" leader should appear in every class room in the country?

Once upon a time, parents were expected to foster the "personal, social and emotional qualities essential to their health, well-being and life as a responsible citizen in the 21st Century". The state will now be expected to do this!

Shiver me timbers!

Why weren't Stansted Airport Fire Services asked to hose 50 protestors down with ice-cold water during this morning's protest!?!

Their selfish contempt of others should be penalised rather than rewarded with the oxygen of publicity!

Vauxhall

Why should British taxpayers be expected to help Vauxhall when British car drivers don't want to buy them!?!

DNA Busters?

Did Police take a sample of the Shadow Immigration Minister's DNA when he was arrested or did they overlook him as he is an MP!?!

"Under present laws, the DNA profiles of everyone arrested for a recordable offence in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are kept on the database, regardless of whether they are charged or convicted."

Brown's mortgage plan?

When will Gordon Brown's family suffer "a redundancy or significant loss of income as a result of the downturn" that means they struggle to pay the mortgage!?!

Police Farce?

If Police can't ensure that their paperwork is all in order prior to the high profile search of offices within the Houses of Parliament, what hope is there for the rest of us!?!

Are Police simply too stupid to know it's high profile!?!

Breadline poor

How can a third of Scotland's population still be "breadline poor" after eleven years of New Labour and record budget deficits!?!

Are such people now beyond help or simply unable (or unwilling) to help themselves?

Washing my hands of AIDS?

As Britain heads towards a budget deficit of £128bn by 2010/11, can it really afford to spend £6bn tackling the AIDS epidemic in sub-saharan Africa?

If £6bn is essential to save so many lives, why not spend £10bn instead!?!

Would more lives be saved by raising basic levels of hygiene by buying essential items like soap rather than jumping on a popstar inspired bandwagon?

Measles

If "Measles is about the most infectious virus we know. It just spreads like wildfire", why have just 60 children caught the infection out of 10,000 in Cheshire!?!

PS I had measles three years ago so now have lifelong immunity to the disease...

PPS How many of the 1,049 new measles cases had already been vaccinated!?! "Due to the damage to the immune system, ONLY the vaccinated are contracting the atypical forms of the diseases, which are more serious than the typical forms, e.g. the rash in atypical measles moves in the wrong direction, heading straight for the vital organs instead of away from them, resulting in those serious cases of pneumonia, meningitis, etc, we keep getting told about.".

"Outbreaks often occur soon after the vaccination programs (e.g. Corpus Christi, 1985 where, by the way, ALL those who contracted measles were vaccinated, the unvaccinated 1% did not!)".

Police State?

• Twelve British National Party (BNP) members have been arrested on suspicion of distributing racist material in Liverpool city centre. "Merseyside Police condemns racism in all of its forms and will take prompt action to support all of our communities." - Sunday, November 23rd.
• Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green arrested by anti-terror Police, held for nine hours and released on bail in connection with a series of leaks from the Home Office.

When will the BBC's Robert Peston disappear!?!

National Poor Health Service?

If "70% of both women and men said they would be more careful about creating waste if they had to pay for it to be collected", would "70% of both women and men [say] they would be more careful about [their health]" if they had to pay for their own medical treatment rather than rely on the NHS!?!

Snakeoil Politicians

Why are Conservatives being condemned for offering no policies to "cure" the world of it's current financial crisis when that, ironically, is the only effective cure!?!

The global crisis needs to be allowed to run it's course. Yes, it will be painful, many jobs will be lost and there will be social strife and their will be a greater redistribution of wealth than ever before. However, none of the bail-outs address the underlying cause of the present crisis, excessive spending this decade, an asset price bubble and far too many people living beyond their means.

Snakeoil politicians offering "cures" that will encourage more spending merely want to delay the inevitable period of retrenchment until their time in power ends. It's disgusting. Debts still need to be repaid one day and, sooner or later, people will need to adjust their lifestyles so they spend less than they earn.

More fuel on a fire does not extinguish it.

All hal breaks loose!

What happens if a chef refuses to touch halal meat as it breaches normal animal welfare rules!?!

John Sergeant for Poet Laureate?

Will the public be allowed to vote for John Sergeant as the new Poet Laureate or will the winner be imposed by the establishment!?!

Brown's Britain

Just in case Gordon Brown's latest wheeze to save the economy fails, 30,000 Police are to be armed with Taser stun guns...

Growing benefits?

Will lone parents need to have more children if they face losing benefits when their youngest child is 12 rather than 16 as at present!?!

Papa do preach!

Madonna and Ritchie begin divorce.

Manchester's Congestion Charge

Do you want other people to pay more tax so you don't have to!?!

Only Mancunians expected to pay the congestion charge should be allowed to vote!

Thought Crunching

Is a recession / depression good for the environment!?!

BBC Computer Licence?

Will streaming BBC1 and BBC2 live on the internet soon mean that people will need TV licences for their computers even if they don't own a television!?!

You have to congratulate the BBC, they do everything they can to increase the reach of their insidious organisation!

Visa go-go!

Why are officials "under pressure" to issue visas to meet productivity targets rather than ensure they are issued correctly!?!

It should take longer to approve visas than reject them.

Global Chilling?

Can we trust the BBC to accurately report it's pet subject, Global Warming, when it relies on shoddy data from "Nasa's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (Giss)"!?!

"Major changes in the Earth's natural systems are being driven by global warming, according to a vast analysis."

"GISS's computerised temperature maps seemed to show readings across a large part of Russia had been up to 10 degrees higher than normal. But when expert readers of the two leading warming-sceptic blogs, Watts Up With That and Climate Audit, began detailed analysis of the GISS data they made an astonishing discovery. The reason for the freak figures was that scores of temperature records from Russia and elsewhere were not based on October readings at all. Figures from the previous month had simply been carried over and repeated two months running." - Daily Telegraph.

Muslim admits he is 'a terrorist'?

Was Dr Bilal Abdulla engaging in terrorist activities in the UK to "highlight the plight of [doctors] in Iraq and Afghanistan" or the plight of Muslims!?!

The BBC avoids mentioning Islam anywhere in the report!

I say, I say, Icesave!

How many of the UK savers with Icesave declared the interest earned on their accounts to the UK taxman!?!

"Chancellor Alistair Darling promised that UK savers would get all of their money back, with the Treasury providing the FSCS with £800 million to fund the compensation of deposits over £50,000."

How do I claim compensation for not being fooled by the offer of such high rates of interest!?!

Asian officer faces assault claim

Why does the BBC think it's important to report that a Chief Inspector being investigated for assault is Asian!?! It's not relevant!

PS Which community was "reassured" by Ch Insp Sandhu following the 7/7 terrorist attacks for which she was awarded the "Asian Woman of Achievement Award" in 2006!?!

The truth? Who can't handle the truth!?!

Will Gordon Brown deny that his policies mean Britain "faces a collapse in Sterling"!?!

Attacking George Osborne for raising the subject smacks of the worst kind of partisan politics!

If a bipartisan approach is required given the serious financial crisis facing Britain, should another "National Government" be created!?!

"The political crisis generated much concern and the leaders of both the Conservative and Liberal parties met with King George V and MacDonald, at first to discuss support for the measures to be taken but later to discuss the shape of the next government. On August 24 MacDonald agreed to form a National Government composed of "men from all parties" with the specific aim of balancing the Budget and restoring confidence. The government would then dissolve itself and a general election would be held on party lines."

Tories want to come second?

How many businesses can vote in elections? So why are Tories offering tax cuts for businesses rather than individuals!?!

They seem intent on coming second at the next election!

Seen it all now!

Tories warn over Brown tax cuts

What does George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor, think about the proposals!?! Is he stuck on board a yacht!?!

The BBC quotes Shadow Defence (!) Secretary Liam Fox whilst Sky news was interviewing Shadow Foreign (!) Secretary William Hague!

Edward Stourton

Does Edward Stourton, the "urbane presenter of the BBC’s flagship radio programme Today", suffer any hostility from his colleagues at the BBC for sending his son, Ivo, to Eton where he was "a close friend of Prince William"!?!

Barracked Obama?

Could a white man with Trevor Phillips' "talent" ever become chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission!?!

Legal slap in the face?

Why should anyone be expected to repay their defence costs after conviction when the defence team has failed to get you cleared!?!

Pilots lite!

What's the point of pilot schemes if they omit unpopular elements of the grander plan!?!

Identity cards will be issued free of charge during an evaluation period whilst drivers testing a national road pricing scheme will deduct payments from a "shadow account set up in the driver's name".

Things can only get better?

Whatever happened to the last politician swept to power by offering the electorate hope, change and a new direction!?!

Parallel Politics?

Why is Hazel Blears attacking political bloggers for "fuelling a culture of cynicism about politics" when she acknowledges that politicians frequently live in a parallel universe divorced from "the realities people face"!?!

Black listed?

How up-to-date are Ambulance Service records of 8,500 households with a history of "history of violence against paramedics"? Is it included in the survey when you move house!?!

How many of these households have been prosecuted for said violence!?!

They should also be aware that ambulance crews will only assist if Police are in attendance.

School admissions

Would "school admission problems remain" if pupils were required to sit an exam to determine which secondary school they should attend!?!

Not Proud of Italy!

As the OECD "ranks the Italian secondary education as the 36th in the world, being significantly below the OECD average", why are the brothers and sisters in Italian teaching unions striking to defend a broken education system!?!

Perhaps they are more concerned about losing 130,000 jobs than educating Italy's next generation!

Naturally, the BBC omits this!

Health fascism!

When will companies become liable to charges of failing to look after the health and safety of their employees by providing vending machines selling chocolate and soft drinks!?!

Health fascists are on the march!

Child Maintenance Enforcement Commission

How many of the staff, properties and IT systems are simply being transferred to the new Child Maintenance Enforcement Commission from the old Child Support Agency!?!

Can we assume some staff can look forward to pay rises in their new roles!?!

Silence of the Lammys!

When David Lammy wonders why there are still "too few black students studying for a degree in England", does he blame a lack of scholarships to former grammar schools that have retained a degree of academic excellence!?!

"He won an Inner London Education Authority choral scholarship to The King's School, Peterborough."

Patient Satisfaction Scores

Would NHS patient feedback schemes be required if funding followed the patient and poor quality hospitals were allowed to fail!?!

Borrow today, borrow even more tomorrow?

How many bankrupts spend their way out of bankruptcy!?!

Sterling work?

Would sterling have suffered it's biggest devaluation in 41 years if Gordon Brown's economic policies had been more prudent!?!

PS Why has the BBC overlooked the devaluation? Is it inconsistent with it's view of a global financial crisis!?!

Post off!

How many HMRC offices don't have letterboxes!?! Is this a new HMRC security feature to prevent CDs getting lost in the post!?!

"HMRC warned taxpayers not to rely on this leeway, as some of its offices do not have letterboxes."

In a spin!

How can Gordon Brown have the gall to defend "record levels of Government borrowing"!?!

It suggests control when public finances are really spinning out of control!

PS If increased spending will bring the UK out of recession, is it better to reduce taxes so that UK consumers can decide how they spend the windfall rather than the Government!?!

Number Crunching

80% - Government target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

79% - Increase in Government use of private charter jets this year.

Come on down!

How reliable are house price indices when sales volumes are the lowest in thirty years!?!

Never a lender be!

How many landlords offer their tenants loans to pay the rent!?!

One Hull of an idea!

Why spend £400,000 on a yacht for unemployed youngsters when a few cricket balls are equally effective in curbing bad behaviour!?!

Names

Lap dancing clubs 'no trouble' - Chief Inspector A. Studd

Poor Grammar Schools?

Is anyone surprised that Grammar schools "take relatively fewer bright, poor pupils than schools that do not select by ability" when they tend to be situated in broadly middle class areas!?!

The best way to overcome this would be to create new Grammar schools in the poorest parts of the country.

It would also have the unintended but beneficial consequence of arresting the current decline in social mobility!

Playing the system

Why is Government shocked that dentists are "playing the system" to maximise their profits!?! Officials should assume all people will seek to maximise returns for minimum effort!

How does it differ to MPs "playing the system" to maximise their allowances!?!

Gordon's Economic Mirage?

As Gordon Brown single-handedly saves us from the global financial crisis, does he ever pause to reflect on whether his ten years of "consecutive economic growth" were nothing but a sham!?!

Ice-cold in Councils

Why haven't all County Councils got surplus funds invested in Icelandic banks? Were they nervous about the risks assoicated with the high rates of interest on offer or not aware of the high rates available!?!

Why did Kent County Council need a 3.9% increase in council tax this year when they had £50m tucked away!?!

PS Where are the gunboats!?!

Education - a cut below?

If educational funding per child has doubled since 1997 in real terms and there are an extra 200,000 adults in classrooms, why do Universities need to reduce entry criteria for students from challenging schools whose full potential has not been realised!?!

The Fat of the Land

Should obese people be charged for their treatment on the NHS to encourage them to lose weight!?!

Metropolitan Black Police Association

Does the racist Metropolitan Black Police Association know of any white Police Officers who should have been suspended for inappropriate behaviour!?!

"The MBPA said the current suspensions of Commander Ali Dizaei and Britain's most senior Muslim officer, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, were proof that ethnic minority officers were treated less favourably than white staff."

If anything, I would have expected ethnic minority officers to be given the benefit of the doubt wherever possible to avoid such a rumpus!

Vaccinations

How effective are they!?! Are they worth the risk!?!

Beware October stockmarkets (2)!

Only four days into October and "The UK's top share index chalked up its biggest ever one-day points fall as Chancellor Alistair Darling attempted to reassure financial markets."

Ups and Downs of Politics?

What does Peter Mandelson have on Gordon Brown that means he is welcomed back into the Cabinet with open arms!?!

"The move triggered controversy among MPs not only because Mr Mandelson has twice been forced to resign, but because he and the prime minister are known to have been locked in a long-running feud."

Poisoned Pill Politics?

If a policeman can be "forced to resign" after he was seen wearing a BNP badge when off-duty, why can't a pharmacist be sacked for refusing to help a customer!?!

Income tax savings plans?

Is income tax merely a savings plan for some public sector workers?

Having worked "hard" for twenty five years, former Met. Police Chief Sir Ian Blair is eligible for a tax free pension lump sum payment of £600,000 and £115,000 index linked annual pension!

Tax poverty

How many people are living in tax poverty (defined as those who spend more than 30% of their income on tax) if those living in fuel poverty are defined as those who spend more than 10% of their income on fuel!?!

No mor skool spellin

Ow wil chilldren lern propa spellin wenn they ave no tests!?!

There are no alternatives to learning how to spell, you even need to know how to spell to use a dictionary!

No such thing as a free lunch!

Why spend £40m offering free school meals to Scottish primary children when it only increases the take up of meals by just 21%!?!

53% of parents who were already paying for school dinners!

Miracle at St. Anna

If Italian veterans really want to protest about Spike Lee's latest film, Miracle at St Anna, there's a simple solution, firebomb his home!

Gay cheek!

Are gay people really "net contributors to public services through their taxes, because very few of them have children" when they are more likely to require expensive NHS treatment to fight HIV than the rest of the UK population!?!

Beware October stockmarkets!

Welcome to October, traditionally the most volatile stockmarket month of the year!