THE FOURTH OF JULY

[JSW]

A sense of perspective might be worth considering perhaps?

• The UK’s emissions are now 53% below 1990 levels, while GDP has grown by 82%.

Yes indeed, now take a look at the USA's, China's, India's, Russia's emissions and see how that sense of perspective stands up

 

[TRITON]

Yes indeed, now take a look at the USA's, China's, India's, Russia's emissions and see how that sense of perspective stands up

Yeah, compared to them our part in it is just tiny. It's often pointed out, and roundly ignored by the government, that even if the entire country of the UK was totally carbon neutral it wouldn't make a damned bit of difference, and would probably amount to less than 1% in real terms.

So, knowing how the tories(at least) operate, then this drive for carbon neutrality must be a dodge of some sort. There must be money in it for a few, possibly hedge funds and that ilk.

 

[Vulcan]

I really hope Reform don’t get the kind of share of the vote some pundits are predicting. The last I saw 83% of the public were still against any repeal on the ban on hunting with dogs and yet Nigel Farage has made no secret of the fact that he’s pro Fox Hunting. There were words in their “contract” about country sports which I suspect include tabling some kind of repeal if they get the chance.

 

[Terry - Somerset]

The dogma is with the right, with simplistic notions about a smaller state and lower taxes.
The left is more about getting things done.
The simple fact about private health care is that probably 75% of the population could not afford it at all, and some procedures would bankrupt even the very well off.

You entirely miss the point - the state has the obligation to ensure delivery free at the point of use.

It has nothing to do with lower taxes and a smaller state. The only issue is how much of its income the state wishes to apply to healthcare.

How it is delivered is an entirely different issue. You may believe the state can deliver better services more cost effectively - a better value proposition.

I believe that the culture, capabilities and behaviours of the private sector can add real benefits to the quality and value of services delivered.

The assumption that state control alone delivers better is a dogma driven arrogance.

 

[Jacob]

You entirely miss the point - the state has the obligation to ensure delivery free at the point of use.

The state (ie. in a democracy= ourselves) chooses whether to deliver or not etc

It has nothing to do with lower taxes and a smaller state.

That is the dogma from the right and their basic excuse for austerity and the run down of public services since Thatcher kicked it off.

The only issue is how much of its income the state wishes to apply to healthcare.

How it is delivered is an entirely different issue. You may believe the state can deliver better services more cost effectively - a better value proposition.

Basically public services fill the gaps which the private sector cannot. It's generally a choice between public services or non at all, for about 50% of the economy of most modern states.

I believe that the culture, capabilities and behaviours of the private sector can add real benefits to the quality and value of services delivered.

Yes and no. Profit motive does not always benefit the clients. Depends on what you have in mind. Most big industries end up with state support/control eventually or they go bust, greedy, incompetent etc, as we see over and over again. If they aren't managed by the state they may end up entirely controlled by foreign speculators maximising profit with zero interest in service to the public, as we see over and over again

The assumption that state control alone delivers better is a dogma driven arrogance.

Nobody says that - you are talking of "command economies" as supposedly followed by communist states. Nothing to do with the Labour party or the general position of "socialism". You are just trotting out your own bit of dogma, not arrogant, more like just ignorant!

 

[RobinBHM]

I believe that the culture, capabilities and behaviours of the private sector can add real benefits to the quality and value of services delivered

I really don’t believe it.



The NHS has become a route to siphon off public money into vested interests in plain sight.

The private sector are driven by maximising profit for shareholders not health outcomes.


Why are so many politicians connected to private healthcare

'Selling off NHS for profit': Full list of MPs with links to private healthcare firms​

PM David Cameron and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Lib Dems Nick Clegg and Vince Cable are also on the list - here is the full rundown. Is your MP on there?

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/selling-nhs-profit-full-list-4646154

Why is the Conservative Party so closely connected to Institute of Economic Affairs?

IEA: think tank funded by big business rejects public health policies and the NHS​

https://lowdownnhs.info/comment/iea...wing-think-tank-paid-to-reject-the-nhs-model/


Why did Matt Hancock get paid £32,000 from IEA?

New Health Secretary Matt Hancock accepted £32,000 from boss of think tank that wants to scrap the NHS​

Mr Hancock, 39, has accepted nine donations worth from pal Neil Record, chairman of the pro-privatisation Institute of Economic Affairs, according to official records

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/new-health-secretary-matt-hancock-12891819

 

[Chris152]

It is so hard to understand why people just will not take care of themselves. I don't remember the figures now but the number of failing health issues directly attributable to food choices, lack of exercise, smoking and drinking are enormous.

Our culture persuades against such care of the self, there's little profit in people who are content, and eat and drink according to their bodies' needs. We're constantly prompted to want more, to spend more and to do so without much effort and time. Anxiety/ discontent, excess booze, junk food etc are just what the advertisers promote - excess creates profit. Big business wins, the NHS/ social services etc pick up the tab.

 

[woodieallen]

Yorkieguy...that is one of the best posts I've read for a long time.

 

[Kittyhawk]

we will see ambulances looking like recovery trucks with a jib.

Sadly true.
When I first joined the ambulance service all our stretchers were manual. When I retired the majority were power lifters. A bit older now and for certain I couldn't physically handle the increasing number of obese patients anymore. All my former colleagues who are still active ambos have back problems.
The effects of bad choice health issues permeate through all levels of society.

 

[Scruples]

Remember folks, most of the comments on here are opinion; peoples views based on their own ideologies and experiences and even some of the f'acts' are bandied about without proof or the context. It will be be up to the total mass of the electorate to call the tune. Individuals can postulate all they like butthe people, not individuals, make the future.

 

[Jacob]

Our culture persuades against such care of the self, there's little profit in people who are content, and eat and drink according to their bodies' needs. We're constantly prompted to want more, to spend more and to do so without much effort and time. Anxiety/ discontent, excess booze, junk food etc are just what the advertisers promote - excess creates profit. Big business wins, the NHS/ social services etc pick up the tab.

Exactly. The unregulated free market makes selling cheapest stuff at highest price possible, however unhealthy. Twas ever thus. Laws had to be passed to stop adulteration of tea with various toxic blackings, flour with chalk etc etc and the battle continues - privatised free market sh*t in our rivers and water supplies jut the latest in a very typical free market occurrence

 

[Keith Cocker]

I believe that the culture, capabilities and behaviours of the private sector can add real benefits to the quality and value of services delivered.

My personal experience of working in and with large corporates, SMEs and some significant public sector organisations over 40 years has convinced me that neither has a monopoly of efficiency and effectiveness. I’ve seen appalling waste and inefficiency in major organisations of both kinds. I’ve seen public sector organisations delivering excellent results through commitment, drive and imagination. The public bad, private good mantra of the right is nonsense.

 

[Keith Cocker]

Remember folks, most of the comments on here are opinion; peoples views based on their own ideologies and experiences and even some of the f'acts' are bandied about without proof or the context. It will be be up to the total mass of the electorate to call the tune. Individuals can postulate all they like butthe people, not individuals, make the future.

What a chilling thought!

 

[Keith Cocker]

I really hope Reform don’t get the kind of share of the vote some pundits are predicting. The last I saw 83% of the public were still against any repeal on the ban on hunting with dogs and yet Nigel Farage has made no secret of the fact that he’s pro Fox Hunting. There were words in their “contract” about country sports which I suspect include tabling some kind of repeal if they get the chance.

Reform are evil. Their supporters are a mixture of gullible, racist, bigoted, deluded and sad. They are led by some truly nasty people. They are the sort of grouping that, given time and exposure show themselves as a very dangerous entity in society. They will follow the route the Nazi party took to power in the early 30’s in Germany. I sincerely hope anyone thinking of voting for them takes the time to find out and think about what they are really like. They are truly nasty and dangerous.

 

[Chris152]

FT article on FB.
The irony is that the brexit vote was concocted in an effort to hold the tory party together; it's led to a journey down the populist route that's achieved the complete opposite and opened the door to the likes of farage and reckless nationalist/ racist/ irrational/ dishonest nonsense that now seems acceptable to large numbers in the UK. Jolly old brexit, the gift that keeps on giving.

 

[Keith Cocker]

 

[sploo]

On the subject of Farage...



(it's a bit childish, granted... but still funny)

 

[Keith Cocker]

On the subject of Farage...



(it's a bit childish, granted... but still funny)

Just look at his arm gestures around 0.45. Remind us of anyone? Also he always resorts to the same angry behaviours when challenged and blames someone and threatens.

 

[Yorkieguy]

Yes indeed, now take a look at the USA's, China's, India's, Russia's emissions and see how that sense of perspective stands up

The UK stands up exceedingly well and my post was about people keeping a sense of perspective about the progress made by the UK. That progress makes it a seriously aggravating feature that the continued efforts of climate 'activists' (anarchists) to disrupt the lives of others, and committing acts of criminal damage, as they have done for some time now, and hope to do again at airports this summer, which should be firmly dealt with, as it will be.

We have no control over any of those countries who are major polluters , and whether or not the UK achieves net zero by 2050 will have minuscule effect on global warming, albeit that's not a good reason to not be doing it.

If the attention-seeking toddlers playing a game of 'Ain't It Awful', stopped misbehaving and lowered their voices an octave or two, maybe some of the positive developments around the UK wouldn't be drowned out by all the noise. To mention just two major developments in the village in which I live, Cottingham, East Yorks, which - despite the scale and disruption - have been constructed with no opposition and the full support of local residents.

Both of these developments are within a mile of where I live:

1) What is thought to be Europe’s biggest battery energy storage system (by MWh) has begun operating in East Yorkshire.​

Developed by Harmony Energy Limited and employing a Tesla 2-hour Megapack system, the company says its Pillswood project can store up to 196 MWh (megawatt hours) of electricity in a single cycle – enough electricity to power around 300,000 UK homes for two hours.

The project, located near Hull, will provide “critical balancing services” to the UK electricity grid network whilst also enabling the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy, Harmony Energy says. The site is located adjacent to National Grid’s Creyke Beck substation, [Cottingham] which will serve the world’s largest offshore wind farm when it goes live next year. Harmony Energy says that batteries enable the National Grid to maximise the efficiency of wind farms by reducing the amount of time a wind farm needs to be switched off due to supply and demand imbalances or network constraints.

Peter Kavanagh, Harmony Energy Director, said: “Battery energy storage systems are essential to unlocking the full potential of renewable energy in the UK, and we hope this particular one highlights Yorkshire as a leader in green energy solutions. “These projects are not supported by taxpayer subsidy and will play a major role in contributing to the Net Zero transition, as well as ensuring the future security of the UK’s energy supply and reduced reliance on foreign gas imports.”

You can see pics of the scale of this project at the link below:

https://www.circularonline.co.uk/ne...UCw_egh3eqzuoF4wbwOZg__qWhVgM0iRoCn58QAvD_BwE

2) Solar panels it had installed in a nearby field now capable of generating enough electricity to meet Castle Hill Hospital’s entire daytime running needs during the summer months.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust set itself an ambitious target to be net zero by 2030, supporting the wider NHS’s plan to become the world’s first carbon net zero national health service. As one of the organisation’s main hospital sites, Castle Hill Hospital in East Yorkshire has almost 400 beds and provides cardiac and elective surgical facilities, medical research teaching, day surgery facilities, a breast surgery facility, and outpatients department, as well as the regional the centre for oncology and haematology.

In May 2022, the organisation celebrated a milestone: solar panels it had installed in a nearby field now capable of generating enough electricity to meet Castle Hill Hospital’s entire daytime running needs during the summer months. By working with a local shepherding family, a flock of 51 sheep are being used to manage grass cutting on the field where the solar panels are located, which cost one sixth of what it would cost mechanically, will enhance biodiversity, and show how renewable technology can work with traditional farming.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenern...e organisation,needs during the summer months

I do not subscribe to the view that the country is 'going to hell in a handcart', sleepwalking towards a catastrophe and is doing nothing about it.

Others may have a different view.

I hope that's of interest.

David.

 

[sploo]

Just look at his arm gestures around 0.45. Remind us of anyone? Also he always resorts to the same angry behaviours when challenged and blames someone and threatens.

Hadn't spotted that. Yea.

Just another marker of chilling parallels.