en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/16536397 Comments by Victoria Smart https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2021/02/garvan-walshe-we-can-be-sure-that-those-who-have-been-vaccinated-wont-die-of-covid-so-the-case-for-lockdowns-is-vanishing-fast.html#IDComment1097655752 The abject failure of our Test, Trace and Isolate system, despite the millions of tax payer money spent on it, is the reason why we need to keep our lockdowns in place until hospitalisations fall to a level our NHS can cope with. Thu, 18 Feb 2021 11:57:07 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2021/02/garvan-walshe-we-can-be-sure-that-those-who-have-been-vaccinated-wont-die-of-covid-so-the-case-for-lockdowns-is-vanishing-fast.html#IDComment1097655752 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/ben-everitt-mp-the-chancellor-must-not-let-a-cliff-edge-ending-ruin-the-good-work-of-the-stamp-duty-holiday.html#IDComment1097629668 Who was the idiot who though that financially encouraging people to move house in the middle of a national lock down was a good idea ? I had to sell my mum's house last year after she passed away and undoubtedly benefited from the stamp duty holiday as we go our asking price straight away, on condition that they sale went through during the stamp duty holiday ! Solicitors, surveyors, probate etc were all working from home and everything took at least twice as long as it would have done normally. Then there was the idiotic weekend when I travelled the length of the country while the buyers travelled as far the other way for them to look round the house and ask me questions about the house. The stamp duty holiday has been a windfall for a few, encouraged un-necessary lockdown breaches and been a headache for all involved. there is no reason to extend this tax payer largesse. Wed, 17 Feb 2021 13:28:29 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/ben-everitt-mp-the-chancellor-must-not-let-a-cliff-edge-ending-ruin-the-good-work-of-the-stamp-duty-holiday.html#IDComment1097629668 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/paul-howell-and-heather-wheeler-full-hs2-is-critical-to-our-election-commitment-to-rebalance-the-economy.html#IDComment1097628775 I fully support both HS2 and HS3, as key national infrastructure projects that not only create skilled jobs, but also improve our North / South and East / West connectivity. Wed, 17 Feb 2021 12:36:27 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/paul-howell-and-heather-wheeler-full-hs2-is-critical-to-our-election-commitment-to-rebalance-the-economy.html#IDComment1097628775 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/stephen-mcpartland-and-royston-smith-to-build-back-better-ministers-must-regain-the-trust-of-leaseholders-entangled-in-the-cladding-crisis.html#IDComment1097579172 Our government should be enabling leaseholders to recover the cost of putting right their apartments from whoever sold them, not using our tax payer money to put right someone else's incompetence. Mon, 15 Feb 2021 14:08:59 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/stephen-mcpartland-and-royston-smith-to-build-back-better-ministers-must-regain-the-trust-of-leaseholders-entangled-in-the-cladding-crisis.html#IDComment1097579172 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/stephen-mcpartland-and-royston-smith-to-build-back-better-ministers-must-regain-the-trust-of-leaseholders-entangled-in-the-cladding-crisis.html#IDComment1097579159 Well said Mon, 15 Feb 2021 14:07:35 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/stephen-mcpartland-and-royston-smith-to-build-back-better-ministers-must-regain-the-trust-of-leaseholders-entangled-in-the-cladding-crisis.html#IDComment1097579159 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/stephen-mcpartland-and-royston-smith-to-build-back-better-ministers-must-regain-the-trust-of-leaseholders-entangled-in-the-cladding-crisis.html#IDComment1097579151 Well said Mon, 15 Feb 2021 14:06:54 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/stephen-mcpartland-and-royston-smith-to-build-back-better-ministers-must-regain-the-trust-of-leaseholders-entangled-in-the-cladding-crisis.html#IDComment1097579151 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/stephen-mcpartland-and-royston-smith-to-build-back-better-ministers-must-regain-the-trust-of-leaseholders-entangled-in-the-cladding-crisis.html#IDComment1097579098 Well said Mon, 15 Feb 2021 14:04:25 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/stephen-mcpartland-and-royston-smith-to-build-back-better-ministers-must-regain-the-trust-of-leaseholders-entangled-in-the-cladding-crisis.html#IDComment1097579098 https://www.conservativehome.com/localgovernment/2021/02/tom-bell-councils-can-rapidly-accelerate-clean-transport-by-championing-autonomous-vehicles.html#IDComment1097578986 I can see the potential for driverless public transport, rail and buses, which could significantly reduce the cost of public transport and is relatively feasible because these run on on specific routes which can be engineered to be autonomous compatible. While autonomous private cars are becoming feasible they depend on roads engineered to suit them, which in our patchwork road system is not practical. The only practical way I can see to reduce private car pollution in built up areas is through road pricing, which might become politically possible if there was cross party support so that it was in the manifestos of all parties. Mon, 15 Feb 2021 13:59:32 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/localgovernment/2021/02/tom-bell-councils-can-rapidly-accelerate-clean-transport-by-championing-autonomous-vehicles.html#IDComment1097578986 https://www.conservativehome.com/localgovernment/2021/02/tom-bell-councils-can-rapidly-accelerate-clean-transport-by-championing-autonomous-vehicles.html#IDComment1097578808 Well said Mon, 15 Feb 2021 13:50:26 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/localgovernment/2021/02/tom-bell-councils-can-rapidly-accelerate-clean-transport-by-championing-autonomous-vehicles.html#IDComment1097578808 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-skidmore-global-britain-must-lift-its-gaze-beyond-the-sunlit-uplands-to-the-stars-and-beyond.html#IDComment1097576980 Why no mention of our tax payer US$500 million investment in OneWeb ? Could it be that Chris recognises that was a Cummings fantasy project ? Could it be that our OneWeb investment is useless as a support for our home grown space industry ? Will our investment in OneWeb be funded by taking investment away from our own space companies ? Can we sell our stake in OneWeb and reinvest the proceeds into our own space industry ? Mon, 15 Feb 2021 12:00:58 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-skidmore-global-britain-must-lift-its-gaze-beyond-the-sunlit-uplands-to-the-stars-and-beyond.html#IDComment1097576980 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/02/we-have-been-terrific-at-pure-research-and-useless-at-translational-research-what-our-industrial-strategy-should-aim-to-change.html#IDComment1097512623 My company's productivity declined by more than 20% last year due to Covid related increased absenteeism. Not just workers off with Covid, but also off with symptoms or isolating. As a manufacturing business it's relatively easy to measure productivity, the ratio of added value to direct labour. Hopefully our productivity will recover this year but vaccines wont stop the spread of Covid, just reduce the number of cases requiring hospital treatment. Longer term our ability to increase productivity depends on both the cash available to invest in new technology and the skills to apply that technology, for which we need above all else a stable economy, not more grand strategies. Stop shuffling the deck chairs around while we are in the middle of trying to build a better deckchair ! I don't care about capital gains taxes, or Industry 4.0 or DARPA or other government initiatives. All I care about is having confidence that we will get a return on the investments we make to improve our productivity, and for that I need a stable economy. Fri, 12 Feb 2021 16:42:11 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/02/we-have-been-terrific-at-pure-research-and-useless-at-translational-research-what-our-industrial-strategy-should-aim-to-change.html#IDComment1097512623 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/01/mario-laghos-more-support-less-regulation-how-government-can-help-british-industry-thrive.html#IDComment1096951173 Mr Laghos has clearly never been down a coal mine ! They are the most dangerous workplace environment possible, with constant risk of explosion and suffocation from coal gas, lung disease from coal dust and highly fractured coal seams. Rebuilding obsolete industries for whose benefit. We used to be manufacture for the empire, now we manufacture for niche markets where we have built up specific world class expertise. Subsidising industries just for the sake of creating jobs has been tried and failed. Market forces work, as long as the market is properly managed to ensure a level playing field. Your modern house is efficient to build and run. Lets not turn back the clock just because of rose tinted glasses. Sun, 24 Jan 2021 12:59:16 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/01/mario-laghos-more-support-less-regulation-how-government-can-help-british-industry-thrive.html#IDComment1096951173 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/01/time-for-a-coffey-break.html#IDComment1096946947 "This leaves Therese Coffey – whose absence from Downing Street’s press conferences we have noted before. The bias against putting her up in public is inexplicable." I think the bias is obvious, No10 see her as a threat, a future PM. There is no necessary connection between a Minister who speaks eloquently and one who governs effectively. I would prefer effective every time. Bring out the Coffey ! Sun, 24 Jan 2021 09:29:39 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/01/time-for-a-coffey-break.html#IDComment1096946947 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/01/why-shouldnt-tories-use-parler.html#IDComment1096814958 Do you think this website ConHome promotes free speech ? If not why not ? If yes then why do you not use it more ? Tue, 19 Jan 2021 09:43:57 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/01/why-shouldnt-tories-use-parler.html#IDComment1096814958 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2021/01/the-covid-paradox-for-johnson-the-nearer-to-normality-we-get-the-more-difficulties-hell-have.html#IDComment1096757688 "It is vital, however, that momentum on the rollout is not lost once the priority groups have been done. If at all possible, completing the vaccination programme in the early summer, rather than the autumn, will help the country – and the Government – avoid a whole heap of pain." I agree with Gauke on this, it would be so easy for our government to shift it's focus onto other pressing policy areas, such as the economy, but it is essential for any return to normalcy that our entire population is offered two doses of the vaccine - and appropriate documentation to prove that they have been vaccinated. Sun, 17 Jan 2021 08:23:43 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2021/01/the-covid-paradox-for-johnson-the-nearer-to-normality-we-get-the-more-difficulties-hell-have.html#IDComment1096757688 https://www.conservativehome.com/thinktankcentral/2020/12/the-deal-in-detail-3-northern-ireland.html#IDComment1096336333 We export to both North and South Ireland and have registered for all the relevant government portals and right now it's a bit of a mess. Customs clearance for goods moving right now only went live last week and is complicated by needing data input both from the trader and the hauliers few of which have had to do any of this previously. It will settle down in time and become the new norm, but I expect a difficult few weeks ahead as everyone learns how the new system work and keeps up to date with the inevitable system changes that will be implemented over the next few months, Fri, 1 Jan 2021 08:59:31 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thinktankcentral/2020/12/the-deal-in-detail-3-northern-ireland.html#IDComment1096336333 https://www.conservativehome.com/thinktankcentral/2020/12/the-deal-in-detail-2-economics-and-regulation.html#IDComment1096336148 "There are many things the UK needs to do domestically that it should have done while in the EU – but for whatever reason did not do" I suggest that the reason it did not do so was that it was easier to blame the EU than push through meaningful change here in the UK. Whether our new found sovereignty will energise our political leadership to tackle our long term structural issues or whether they continue to use the EU as an excuse remains to be seen. Lobbyists and donners now have a much more direct link to power, and there is a risk that our new found freedom will used to benefit our elite. Fri, 1 Jan 2021 08:49:06 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thinktankcentral/2020/12/the-deal-in-detail-2-economics-and-regulation.html#IDComment1096336148 https://www.conservativehome.com/video/2020/12/watch-may-i-will-take-no-lectures-on-the-deal-from-starmer-who-failed-to-vote-for-her-alternative.html#IDComment1096310610 Frictionles trade Brino vs red tape Brexit. May is correct that Labour could have supported her proposal for a much closer relationship with the EU but Labour gambled on winning the EU argument at the last election and lost. Voters proved both Labour and May wrong by putting sovereignty above economics and Johnson can rightly say that he has delivered on his manifesto committment. However, the deal is not "having our cake and eating it" and he would be wise not to get carrried away with his hyperbole until we see how our economy fairs outside the EU. Thu, 31 Dec 2020 09:59:36 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/video/2020/12/watch-may-i-will-take-no-lectures-on-the-deal-from-starmer-who-failed-to-vote-for-her-alternative.html#IDComment1096310610 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/12/david-davis-parliament-needs-more-time-to-scrutinise-this-agreement-than-the-single-day-it-has-been-given.html#IDComment1096239858 Gove's comments are to try and convince the holdouts to get their paperwork in order before next week. Yes, we have Covid and more than enough on our plates at the moment but all goods moving to / from Europe from next week will need customs declarations done in advance, submitted to the haulier, who then has to get Border control approval before the wagon even reaches Kent. It only needs one trader to mess up and whole wagon load of goods wont be able to cross the channel. Mon, 28 Dec 2020 17:57:45 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/12/david-davis-parliament-needs-more-time-to-scrutinise-this-agreement-than-the-single-day-it-has-been-given.html#IDComment1096239858 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/12/david-davis-parliament-needs-more-time-to-scrutinise-this-agreement-than-the-single-day-it-has-been-given.html#IDComment1096228701 What exactly does Davis et al intend to do ? Are they going to vote against the bill if they dont get time to read it becuase they are too busy enjoying Christmas ? Are they going to vote against the bill if they find a clause they dont like ? This is political posturing at it's worst. Either vote for the deal achieved by Frost, Lewis and their negotiating team or vote against it, the time for parliamentary hot air is long over. Mon, 28 Dec 2020 08:08:21 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/12/david-davis-parliament-needs-more-time-to-scrutinise-this-agreement-than-the-single-day-it-has-been-given.html#IDComment1096228701