en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1076092 Comments by jruddy http://conservativehome.blogs.com/platform/2013/03/patrick-mcloughlin-the-future-for-railways-is-bright-thats-why-its-right-to-put-the-east-coast-mainl.html#IDComment606158985 There are only two franchises which return more moeny to the Government than they use. Publicly owned East Coast is one of them - a turn around achieved after two different private operators had to hand back the keys after being unable to make a profit. So why the hell is it going back to the private sector? Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:01:12 +0000 http://conservativehome.blogs.com/platform/2013/03/patrick-mcloughlin-the-future-for-railways-is-bright-thats-why-its-right-to-put-the-east-coast-mainl.html#IDComment606158985 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/11/16/and-another-thing/#IDComment110109935 Just want to add my comment that I (and many more) will miss your blog - even (perhaps especially?) the non-political stuff. I think the point that the right wing media will attempt to twist every public utterance by you (and any other high-profile backbencher) to do Labour down was an important consideration- which is a shame the Daily Mail will have to bear. Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:51:02 +0000 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/11/16/and-another-thing/#IDComment110109935 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/11/12/a-battle-of-wits-between-two-unarmed-combatants/#IDComment109566491 Tom, I dont know where ROSPA have got their figures from, but it certainly cant be based on the last tine we tried this out. In 1968, there were 6,810 people killed on Britains roads, in 1969, the first full year of the experiment, it roseto 7,365, then again to 7,499 and again to 7,699. In 1972 it peaked at 7,763 in 1972. Only then did the numbers begin to fall again. With even more traffic on our roads now than then, I fear for road safety should this go ahead - and not just in Scotland As for the specious argument that it will promote tourism, are we really saying that there will be more visitors to outdoor attractions if the sun sets at 6pm in november, instead of 5pm in Southern England? I rather suggest that the weather will have a bigger effect than the amount of sunlight! And are we really saying that having the sun up until 11pm in June will be an incentive, compared to 10pm as now? Ridiculous! Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:15:51 +0000 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/11/12/a-battle-of-wits-between-two-unarmed-combatants/#IDComment109566491 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/11/10/the-woolas-row-is-about-loyalty-not-racism/#IDComment109061064 Tom, The big question is why did Ed Miliband appoint Wolas to the shadow ministerial team whilst this was all hanging over him? The sensible course would have been to suspend him whilst the case was going on. Of course, I dont think the court case is the reason why he should have been dropped, but because he was useless as an immigration minister. He was bested by a has-been actress in a situation where he could have made a sensible, cross-party exception on, but no, he knew best and ultimately made Labour look like idiots. Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:35:28 +0000 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/11/10/the-woolas-row-is-about-loyalty-not-racism/#IDComment109061064 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/11/04/mp-uses-most-tenuous-excuse-yet-to-write-a-doctor-who-post/#IDComment108184316 Thats great news about the DVD. Even now, over 35 years later, the images from that story of giant spiders jumping on your back and taking you over, making you do things against your will brings shivers to my spine. Has anyone checked Nick Clegg's back? Sat, 6 Nov 2010 11:56:17 +0000 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/11/04/mp-uses-most-tenuous-excuse-yet-to-write-a-doctor-who-post/#IDComment108184316 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/11/05/vote-yes-to-av-to-keep-the-coalition-in-power/#IDComment108183891 Tom, I think you may have missed the fact that this story has come frmo a tory source. Who have stated that they are against AV. What would be the best way to get the answer they want? Make sure Labour campaigns against it. Now how would they manage to get Labour to campaign against it?? Perhaps threaten an electoral pact? Sat, 6 Nov 2010 11:52:16 +0000 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/11/05/vote-yes-to-av-to-keep-the-coalition-in-power/#IDComment108183891 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/10/10/all-political-careers-end-in-failure-some-earlier-than-others/#IDComment103345542 Tom, I am gutted for you, because I do think you are needed on the front bench. However, all is not over - continue the good work on teh back benches - continue the blog, and stand again in 2 years. There will be vacancies as some of those currently in will have proved themselves over-promoted. PS Part of me is secretly relieved as we get to keep reading your wonderful blog! Sun, 10 Oct 2010 21:39:25 +0000 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/10/10/all-political-careers-end-in-failure-some-earlier-than-others/#IDComment103345542 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/09/24/why-ken-might-win/#IDComment100723566 Whats the one thing that Boris has actually done to improve London - the Boris bikes? That was a scheme that Ken had worked up! In fact, Boris scaled it back! Isnt it interesting though, that there will be two candiates for London mayor who are both instantly identifiable by their first name only? Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:33:45 +0000 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/09/24/why-ken-might-win/#IDComment100723566 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/09/18/the-end-is-nigh/#IDComment99814745 Tom, There are plenty of people who should give up blogging. You are definitely not one of them. Your take on politics and the world in general will be sorely missed. Dare I hope for ignominious defeat? Despite me thinking you'd be great up against Hammond on the transport brief. Sun, 19 Sep 2010 22:03:01 +0000 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/09/18/the-end-is-nigh/#IDComment99814745 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/09/13/the-ipsa-agenda/#IDComment98569983 Surely the answer is to provide MPs with offices staffed by civil servants. Everyone gets the same service. Everyone's office costs the same. Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:43:09 +0000 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/09/13/the-ipsa-agenda/#IDComment98569983 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/09/10/in-denial/#IDComment98210816 An interesting point there, about the real deficit we need to worry about is the money we have borrowed from abroad. Of course, unlike a lot of countries (Greece, Portugal, Ireland, United States etc), that vast majority of our national debt (approximately £650bn of it) is held by UK nationals, or UK based organisations (such as pension funds and banks). ON that basis, we actually have very little to worry about, apart from the lack of growth. Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:16:31 +0000 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/09/10/in-denial/#IDComment98210816 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/08/17/only-in-britain/#IDComment93694171 Your right, Tom. I see many people are also saynig that this decision was made as a result of press criticism last week. However these sorts of deals arn't made in a couple of days, or even a few weeks. Now I think theres a reason for everyone to buy the book, even those who never liked Tony Blair. Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:54:07 +0000 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/08/17/only-in-britain/#IDComment93694171 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/08/13/when-principle-trumps-arithmetic/#IDComment93342338 Talking about the loss of Lib Dem members now is a bit hypothetical surely? The easiest way to "leave" any organisation, whether it is a politcal party or a writing group is to simply not renew one's membership? We, and the Lib Dems will only know after 12 months, how many people have left directly as a result of the coalition- and by that time there may be other reasons for them to leave too. Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:01:29 +0000 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/08/13/when-principle-trumps-arithmetic/#IDComment93342338 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/08/15/comment-is-free-unfortunately/#IDComment93341157 Dont bother reading the comments on the Mail website - I dont and my bloodpressure is now much lower. Just take their money and run. If the UK has a TEA party- it read the Daily Mail and comments on its website. Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:49:18 +0000 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/08/15/comment-is-free-unfortunately/#IDComment93341157 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/08/04/a-home-for-life-but-only-if-you-can-afford-it/#IDComment90825304 There is a misunderstanding here about the purpose of Council Housing. It is not meant and was never meant for people in need. A last Resort. Some kind of benefit. It was designed so that all people could have a decent standard of accomodation at a reasonable price. Is it the tenants fault that the private rented market wants short term leases, or above inflation rent increases? No. And as for saynig that a private landlord wouldnt want ot kick someone out because he/she is commercial and has a business to run- live in the real world! I was kicked out of student digs because the landlords builders left a mess whilst we were away, and there are plenty of other stories where private landlords have simply "not renewed" the lease, then gone on to re-advertise the property at 20% higher rent. Wed, 4 Aug 2010 17:52:40 +0000 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/08/04/a-home-for-life-but-only-if-you-can-afford-it/#IDComment90825304 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/08/03/e-equals-mc-er-hammer/#IDComment90690414 I read once of your sentances as "These were normal, relatively well-educated people, but they get most of their science from Hollyrood" and I thought that explains a lot! I think its too late to say anything deep and meaningful, but you are right about educating legislators about science must surely come below informing them about economics etc. However, I think that, for once our MP's ARE representatice of the population as a whole - after all if 0.15% of our MPs have a PhD, surely thats over representation? Wed, 4 Aug 2010 00:06:59 +0000 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/08/03/e-equals-mc-er-hammer/#IDComment90690414 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/08/03/the-alternative-vote-a-good-electoral-system/#IDComment90452424 I think you've got a fair point about AV, but I dont think you've made the case for FPTP, though. If anything, you've made a case for STV instead! If we are electing a government, then it makes sense that the parliament is chosen that reflects the proportions of support in the country. We havnt had a government which was elected by at least 50% of the voters for decades - remember Thatcher? Mon, 2 Aug 2010 23:26:27 +0000 http://blogs.roused.co/tomharris/2010/08/03/the-alternative-vote-a-good-electoral-system/#IDComment90452424 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/07/27/podcast-two-men-and-a-tardis/#IDComment89382895 Great Podcast, I remember Press Gang, it was great, though I didnt know that Steven did it. Not sure how many people commenting here (maybe just Caron) could reach over to their bookshelf and pick up a copy of Decalog 3 and say "I forgot Steven moffat wrote that story!" I didnt realise it was his first short story, very well written. I'll stop now I'm getting too jealous. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:59:02 +0000 http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/07/27/podcast-two-men-and-a-tardis/#IDComment89382895