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The best way to make an immediate difference to key public services - NHS, police, education - is to reduce the numbers leaving. Extra pay, better conditions, retention allowance etc. This will keep numbers up much quicker than recruiting more which takes time, training and money and could...

I agree - I think he perfected the art. Sadly all politicians of all persuasions routinely adopt the common principles - partial truths, selective date, exaggeration, evasion etc. Why the rise of populism is usually attributed only to the far right defeats me. Does it mean that popular far...

Boris was the Tory hero. He won the Brexit referendum, a large majority in 2019, and got Brexit done in 2020. A very capable communicator using (as all politicians do) exaggeration, half truths, selective statistics to good effect. Some call it lying! He was also a hugely flawed individual -...

Exports to EU in ££ were higher in 2022 than pre pandemic in 2019 - although when taking account of inflation over the 3 year period there is probably little change. Care is needed in analysing these figures as they are swamped with detail - eg: including or excluding precious metals...

I only partly agree with you. With two main parties, the one with an overall majority would not willingly change the rules. The referendum was the result of a hung parliament with the LibDems holding the balance of power. It is now plausible there could be 5 or more parties, none dominant...

Previously unimpressed with assertions the voting system should change. FPTP usually means the most popular party gets the most seats with a workable majority. Hung parliaments or very small majorities in the UK don't last long, the major exception being the Tory LibDem coalition in 2010. The...

That Starmer had to sink to the level of his competition may be a pragmatic response to circumstances, but is hardly a worthy argument. It is probably fair to say that Boris polished the art of political BS and spin turning campaigning into a marketing exercise characterised by exaggeration...

Voting is one of our most important rights. That there is a requirement to produce proof of identity seems reasonable. The range of documents accepted is long Photo ID Getting ID is not difficult even without existing documentation. That there is limited evidence of fraud in the past does...

Tories are the architects of their own defeat. A clear demonstration that united parties succeed, those riven by argument and division fail. A little like Brexit, I don't like the outcome but hope Starmer and crew can deliver success. He is a decent man, rational, intelligent and...

Wood lathe.

The birth rate in many countries including EU and UK has fallen to ~1.5 per woman - below replacement rate. For 1000's of years populations remained static despite a birth rate of 5 or more per woman. Many (most) died in childhood or before they could reproduce through hunger and disease...

Cameron had to agree to a referendum on an alternative voting system to get the LibDems on board in 2010. The LibDems had the power to make it a condition. As you say - roundly rejected. Any party in power with a working majority is unlikely to support a change to FPTP. With a large majority...

In the UK, average life expectancy at age 80 is ~8 years. It may be somewhat greater for a US president with access to first class healthcare and diet. The chance of either Trump or Biden completing a full term is probably little more than 50%. The chances of either completing a presidential...

I can fully understand why many want to see the back of the Tories. All party manifestos are judged to be a triumph of aspiration over that which can actually be delivered. In five years time how will we know they have have "delivered. In the absence of explicit measures, only intuitive...

A radical thought - rather than simply rely upon the unfunded (albeit worthy) manifesto and campaign aspirations, the incoming government could articulate the measures they will use to evaluate their election and subsequent government a success or failure. I had in mind (for instance) the...

A useful addition to my limited collection of precision measuring devices courtesy of B&Q

I have been a fortunate recipient (several times) of excellent NHS care without which I would not be typing this. The founding principle of free at the point of use based upon need must be retained. We should articulate what is meant by the word "privatise" in the context of the NHS: make...

That the NHS is a top priority public services is understandable - and one to which I subscribe. 13% of UK adults have private healthcare - many as a job benefit. Over 40% have voted Tory in elections since 2010. Many health insurance companies have upper age limits or, if they do cover the...

Daughter had a similar problem and system needed topping up every few weeks. Eventually traced to a weeping bathroom radiator. Just an aside - what fluid loss is required from "normal" to F22 . I can only think a minor leak will mostly evaporate rather than leaving obvious damp patches...

The link is a personal view of a solitary doctor. She may be right, she may be wrong. As a piece of balanced considered analysis it is completely lacking, no matter how sincerely her views are held. Decent healthcare is important. Funding it adequately, irrespective of how it is best...