en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/22701257 Comments by Foremost https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/08/our-survey-almost-75-per-cent-of-members-predict-a-conservative-majority-at-the-general-election.html#IDComment1092313266 As things stand the Tories don't have a hope in hell of winning the next election. All those that spinched their noses and voted Tory last Decemeber will take their vote elsewhere. The ongoing nonsense of Covid-19 with lock-downs, masks etc will spell the end of the Johnson administration because of the state the economy and unemployment . The Home Office can't even stop the flow of illegals across the Channel let alone solve our own domestic problems so it won't matter if the opposition parties are no better because it'll be let's give someone else a chance as this lot are incompetent. And the crowning glory will be if we are sold out to Brussels at the end of this year. That will certainly put an end to the Conservatives for a few years. Meanwhile enjoy your cheap chicken and chips because far worse times are coming along very shortly. Sat, 8 Aug 2020 08:15:18 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/08/our-survey-almost-75-per-cent-of-members-predict-a-conservative-majority-at-the-general-election.html#IDComment1092313266 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/07/the-union-with-scotland-is-neither-as-weak-nor-as-strong-as-it-looks.html#IDComment1092122435 Joining the Euroe requires something to exchange for the euros. Without its own currency Scotland would have nothing to exchange for the euros they wanted. You can't just say you will use someone else's facilities without having to buy your way in. Salmond thought that continuing to use Sterling was so simple but of course it would have meant Scotland still being under the rules and discipline of the Bank of England hence no real independence. Wed, 29 Jul 2020 15:27:57 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/07/the-union-with-scotland-is-neither-as-weak-nor-as-strong-as-it-looks.html#IDComment1092122435 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/07/the-union-with-scotland-is-neither-as-weak-nor-as-strong-as-it-looks.html#IDComment1092117177 How on earth do the Scots imagine they can be independent without first creating a central bank and new currency. The Salmond idea that they could continue using Sterling is not independence. Not one Scottish politician to my knowledge has yet even suggested this and until they do any ideas about true independence is just pie in the sky. That will take at least five years to allow the new currency to achieve a value just as the Euro was traded to establish its worth before starting as a hard currency. Without their own currency they won't have anything to trade for Euros etc and in any case they will be almost destiturte from day one without large international financial support. That could lead to us seeing foreign warships using former Royal Naval facilities at Faslane for example and just imagine what that would do to our peace of mind. The whole idea of Scottish indepence is a non starter let alone them losing all those government jobs that exist north of the border that would be brought back to England if the unimaginable should happen. Wed, 29 Jul 2020 09:23:20 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/07/the-union-with-scotland-is-neither-as-weak-nor-as-strong-as-it-looks.html#IDComment1092117177 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/05/school-closures-labour-teaching-unions-and-why-starmer-himself-should-be-in-the-dock.html#IDComment1090181562 If like me you are within the age group that is most likely to die from this virus then what are you worried about. We can all take sensible precautions but that doesn't or shouldn't involve the economy being trashed. Life has to go on but not in a panicked form continually being elongated by a media that seem hell bent on destroying this government. All that's happening now is pure party political activity and is nothing but destructive to the well being of the country. Sun, 17 May 2020 09:39:01 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/05/school-closures-labour-teaching-unions-and-why-starmer-himself-should-be-in-the-dock.html#IDComment1090181562 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/05/school-closures-labour-teaching-unions-and-why-starmer-himself-should-be-in-the-dock.html#IDComment1090180986 I agree. The great hope we all had following the December 2019 election has all but evaporated. If this government can't stand a bit of scrutiny from a former QC that there is no hope. Once the government had been spooked with phony modelling from a previously discredited professor then no wonder we are in a mess. The prophecy was that 50% of the populous would be infected ( 50 million ) and 1% would die (500,000). Even if you accept the doubtful figure of 34,000 deaths we are nowhere near that woeful prediction. It's time for a return to work and a major campaign to de-panic the public. Sun, 17 May 2020 09:13:39 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/05/school-closures-labour-teaching-unions-and-why-starmer-himself-should-be-in-the-dock.html#IDComment1090180986 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/05/school-closures-labour-teaching-unions-and-why-starmer-himself-should-be-in-the-dock.html#IDComment1090180833 There is no serious threat from this Epidemic. All such viral infections pass within four weeks. Do you not realise that 50,000 people die in the UK each month and the numbers attributed to this virus are no worse than is expected from an annual dose of influenza. 24 deaths in 100,000 is considered an epidemic. The present number is far smaller and is not a serious concern. When we were told to expect 56,000 deaths in 2009 from H1N1 only 398 died but 26,000 required hospitalisation. The NHS is used to dealing for such numbers and as the Nightingale Hospitals stand empty I rest my case. Sun, 17 May 2020 09:06:06 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/05/school-closures-labour-teaching-unions-and-why-starmer-himself-should-be-in-the-dock.html#IDComment1090180833 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/05/school-closures-labour-teaching-unions-and-why-starmer-himself-should-be-in-the-dock.html#IDComment1090180738 Of course they are silent because they made such a bad call back in April in spooking the government into a lock-down and in so doing scared the populous witless. Now we urgently need a return to normal and a government prepared to admit they made a terrible mistake. They will gain far more support by so doing instead of attempting to cover up their actions that will cost the economy and many thousands of jobs dearly. Sun, 17 May 2020 09:01:06 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/05/school-closures-labour-teaching-unions-and-why-starmer-himself-should-be-in-the-dock.html#IDComment1090180738 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/05/school-closures-labour-teaching-unions-and-why-starmer-himself-should-be-in-the-dock.html#IDComment1090180657 Quite right. But surely if the government using a statutory Instrument can decree on the 10th March that we must all stay home then a second SI can easily decree that we must all return to normal. No Union or other rebellious organisation can obstruct that. Sun, 17 May 2020 08:57:19 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/05/school-closures-labour-teaching-unions-and-why-starmer-himself-should-be-in-the-dock.html#IDComment1090180657 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/04/trumps-mishandling-of-the-coronavirus-crisis-confirms-that-he-is-an-impudent-opportunist.html#IDComment1088660048 I agree entirely. Perhaps you could point one out to me. Fri, 3 Apr 2020 12:47:25 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/04/trumps-mishandling-of-the-coronavirus-crisis-confirms-that-he-is-an-impudent-opportunist.html#IDComment1088660048 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/04/trumps-mishandling-of-the-coronavirus-crisis-confirms-that-he-is-an-impudent-opportunist.html#IDComment1088651668 My goodness there are some very ignorant and spiteful people commenting on here today. They don't even begin to comprehend the scenario that is being played out over this virus situation. The US under Trump along with all the other western governments are aware of what is happening and why we are trying to keep people safe as well as not to trash our industries and commerce. When we get a bit closer to Easter and other things start to happen as they will, perhaps then these brain-deads that can only write their bile about Trump will be able to reflect on their mistaken hatreds. This virus situation is manufactured and may have begun in China but is far more likely to have been part of a process started in the US simply to try and destroy Trump and his chances of re-election. It got out of hand when the virus unintentionally escaped from the Wuhan laboratory on its way to a third party that was controlled from within the US. This may all sound very James Bond but wait a few more days and see what transpires. Most people are unaware of the game being played out and when they find out they will find it had to believe. We are all in for a very rude awakening as those responsible for this outrage will be named and exposed for their criminal intent. The US blames China and the Chinese retaliate but that is only a small part of what happened and why we are all in lock-down to try an prevent a far more serious situation. Fri, 3 Apr 2020 08:05:15 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/04/trumps-mishandling-of-the-coronavirus-crisis-confirms-that-he-is-an-impudent-opportunist.html#IDComment1088651668 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/03/the-virus-why-johnson-flourished-why-johnson-fell-two-first-drafts-of-history-from-2024.html#IDComment1088363467 There is a lot in what you say. I've been concerned from day one that all this is so over the top as to be absurd. The figures relating to deaths attributed to the virus are so misleading and are often used out of context. The hand clapping was pure virtual signalling yesterday and reminded me of the time during WW2 when people were asked to donate their pots and pans for the war effort. It was pure propaganda to make people feel they were helping the war effort only to find later that big holes were dug to burying all those pots, pans and railings as it was the wrong sort of metal. The populous like to be scared hence the need to ride the roller coaster and be scared witless just to experience the fear. For heavens sake I hope when this is all over, businesses are bust, the national debt is measured in star ship miles we come to our senses and recognize the life must go on if sanity is to prevail. Fri, 27 Mar 2020 09:44:32 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/03/the-virus-why-johnson-flourished-why-johnson-fell-two-first-drafts-of-history-from-2024.html#IDComment1088363467 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/03/daily-press-conferences-and-what-should-happen-next.html#IDComment1087900241 What are you going on about ? We are talking about HS2 for heavens sake. Brexit is on the statute books and cannot be stopped. We are leaving without any agreement as things stand and as Michael Gove has indicated further decisions will be available by June. HS2 is a white elephant and can easily be stopped unless you are one of those that fancies giving it to the Chinese. Mon, 16 Mar 2020 11:49:46 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/03/daily-press-conferences-and-what-should-happen-next.html#IDComment1087900241 https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2020/03/the-38-conservatives-mps-who-rebelled-over-huwaei.html#IDComment1087613564 I agree with you Peter. This whole business is so misinformed. Perhaps if the world including the US hadn't out-sourced so much of its manufacturing to China we wouldn't be in this situation. The Chinese firm Huawei is the largest manufacturer of computer and communication equipment in the world and we have made it so. If we want 5G then we have to use the company that produces the goods or wait for our own to develop and produce. All the opposition to Huawei is politically inspired. But surely if the Chinese can spy on us we can do the same by return. It is our installations we are talking about and they are only providing around 20% of the equipment. And what about every other industry that replies heavily on Chinese manufactured goods from electronics to motor cars. Rather than rebel against the Chinese perhaps we should be seeking an accommodation with them. But hang on we have just sold them even more of our manufacturing by parting with what's left of British Steel. Perhaps all those rather silly MPs should be asked about that whilst offering them some Prozac. Wed, 11 Mar 2020 09:29:42 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2020/03/the-38-conservatives-mps-who-rebelled-over-huwaei.html#IDComment1087613564 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/03/greg-hands-we-are-starting-to-negotiate-a-free-trade-agreement-with-the-united-states-its-time-to-get-behind-our-push-for-free-trade.html#IDComment1087284140 I'm always amazed why so much time is being spent talking and seeking trade arrangements whilst discussing "free trade". A real free trade agreement can be written on one side of A4 and yet any formal trade agreement seems to take years to achieve. In the case of the US there is no reason to pursue an agreement because it has been our largest single export market for years without any form of agreement. If we produce what the customer wants and at the right price they will buy and vice versa. If the US wants to sell their chlorinated chicken here then the customer will decide not some political cabal at Westminster. We are not living in the 1950s when ignorance was abounding because now the speed and ease of information makes it so much easier to be discerning. Only tariffs impede free trade and the standards we set in the UK are amongst the highest in the world. Mon, 2 Mar 2020 09:43:25 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/03/greg-hands-we-are-starting-to-negotiate-a-free-trade-agreement-with-the-united-states-its-time-to-get-behind-our-push-for-free-trade.html#IDComment1087284140 https://www.conservativehome.com/localgovernment/2020/02/peter-craske-recycling-is-good-for-the-environment-and-good-for-taxpayers.html#IDComment1087056034 No one in any local authority area recycles anything. All we do is sort the rubbish into different piles. Those large skips at the civic amenity sites go where ? We don't know and for all we know it winds up in landfill. To deal with waste correctly means doing so on an industrial scale. Washing jam jars and yogurt pots before throwing them in the bin is such a nonsense. And in any case there is no agreed national method for waste disposal so each and every LA does their own thing. It may make some Councillors and rate payers feel good to see our rubbish separated into different skips but it's what happens to all that waste afterwards that needs explaining. Tue, 25 Feb 2020 09:11:37 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/localgovernment/2020/02/peter-craske-recycling-is-good-for-the-environment-and-good-for-taxpayers.html#IDComment1087056034 https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2019/11/the-moggcast-its-such-a-pity-that-nigel-hasnt-worked-out-that-hes-won.html#IDComment1083155301 JRM and the ERG have closed ranks because of the general election. Just as Boris's job from day one has been to save the Tory Party so the other party faithful are doing the same thing. Brexit is not a priority to the Tory Party and we have been waiting for three years for them to do something positive and honour the referendum result. Some of us believe in democracy and others believe in saving their party. You are either a Leaver or a Remainer and party affiliation should be secondary but as we know when an election begins it is like a war when the first victim is truth. Tue, 5 Nov 2019 17:14:08 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2019/11/the-moggcast-its-such-a-pity-that-nigel-hasnt-worked-out-that-hes-won.html#IDComment1083155301 https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2019/11/the-moggcast-its-such-a-pity-that-nigel-hasnt-worked-out-that-hes-won.html#IDComment1083153790 How interesting . What small clique is that if not 17.4 million. What the hell my comment contributes to a dictatorship I'm blowed if I know. Time to take your medication and start again I suggest. Tue, 5 Nov 2019 16:19:12 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2019/11/the-moggcast-its-such-a-pity-that-nigel-hasnt-worked-out-that-hes-won.html#IDComment1083153790 https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2019/11/the-moggcast-its-such-a-pity-that-nigel-hasnt-worked-out-that-hes-won.html#IDComment1083145156 Why should Farage or any other person that believes in a true Brexit settle for this latest so-called deal that is no more than BRINO. Farage and the Bruges Group are very clear why this deal is not Brexit. The fact that JRM and the ERG all fall in line behind their party is the clearest indication that they believe in saving the Tory party first and foremost and to hell with Brexit. Boris's job from day one was to save the party after the disastrous May premiership. Now we are being told that a vote for the Brexit Party will let Corbyn in. Total tosh of course but many believe it and will try and blame the Brexit Party and Farage if they don't get the majority they so arrogantly believe is theirs by rights. There is no given right to govern anymore than there is a way to distort the truth without being rumbled. Brexit is Brexit and nothing less than a clean break is Brexit. There is no need for a deal to leave a political club. It's always been the case that first we must leave before any agreement can be reached. All this stuff about an agreement now with a political statement is just another way of having our hands tied before entering into meaningful negotiations after we have finally left. Tue, 5 Nov 2019 11:15:34 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2019/11/the-moggcast-its-such-a-pity-that-nigel-hasnt-worked-out-that-hes-won.html#IDComment1083145156 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2019/10/lord-ashcrofts-conference-diary-are-the-true-brexiteers-too-brexity-to-deliver-brexit.html#IDComment1081741868 So Lord Ashcroft is as confused about Brexit as all of the opposition parties. Why do we need a treaty to be able to Leave.? Why do we need a Political Statement either ? The discussions about the future relationship were always going to happen after we have left. To accept the WA and PS would have tied our negotiating position and limited our ability to conduct ourselves as a fair and free country. We cannot accept what some call Brexit on any terms and we will not. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed and a No deal is better than a Bad deal. So we will be leaving at the end of this month without any formal arrangement, which is fine, albeit it six months late. When it's all over everyone will wonder what all the fuss was about. Wed, 2 Oct 2019 08:50:25 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2019/10/lord-ashcrofts-conference-diary-are-the-true-brexiteers-too-brexity-to-deliver-brexit.html#IDComment1081741868 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2019/08/daniel-kawczynski-i-was-scared-when-i-came-out-the-next-generation-must-be-set-free-of-that-fear.html#IDComment1079995029 I agree. As the old saying goes " do as you must do but don't do it in the street in case you frighten the horses". Too much information Daniel. The problem with so many MP and in particular the Tory party is their obsession with cultural Marxism. The best example was same sex marriage that was hoisted on both the membership and the country by a few who thought they had some divine right to redefine what had been established centuries before. I know of Many Tories who left the party over that one. Now we have the same party telling parents in Birmingham that they must endue having their children indoctrinated in the ways of LGBT matters all under the disguise of " Equality". Amazing. Mon, 26 Aug 2019 13:38:54 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2019/08/daniel-kawczynski-i-was-scared-when-i-came-out-the-next-generation-must-be-set-free-of-that-fear.html#IDComment1079995029