Politics - The Non-Brexit Thread.

The problem with renationalisation of the energy companies is that they are merely suppliers, so after we have spent the billions buying the companies and compensating their shareholders we would still have to spend tens if not hundreds of billions buying fuel at the same market value.

Why spend all that money buying fossils fuels long term to alleviate a short term crisis when you could spend that money investing in clean & green technology

Angela Rayner has been appointed as the shadow levelling up secretary by Keir Starmer.

They put a positive spin on the move by saying it's a more high profile job from Keir Starmer's deputy.

Is it a promotion or a demotion?

Putting the right people in the right positions in either cabinet or shadow cabinet is important imo for the message it sends.
Reshuffles can often be deemed musical chairs where the faces change but the fundamentals of competence do not.

In this instance though I rather think Starmer has made a disastrous error of judgement in demoting Lisa Nandy from a role she was perfectly suited for as Levelling Up SOS.
Angela Rayner, bless her, has the articulation levels of a brick. Nandy is a far more effective communicator who gives the impression to me at least that she understands the issues people and local communities are battling with every single day.

Starmer is guilty of the same thing Sunak has been. Old pals act party leadership.
Promoting cronies and demoting those who actually seem to get it.

Very disappointing.

Gillian Keegan......oh dear

Newsnight on Birmingham City Council Section 114 notice

Mark Drakeford has announced he is to stand down as Leader of the Labour party in Wales and First Minister of the Senedd.

Always struck me as quite a decent fellow actually. Dedicated to public service even given the sad passing of his late wife.

Best wishes to him.

It will be intreresting who his successor will be, Wales will be a key battleground in the election methinks

The Scottish Government has announced the income tax rates and bands for Scottish income tax payers, they are as follows.



2024-25

Band

Rate

Starter

£12,571 - £14,876

19%

Basic

£14,877 - £26,561

20%

Intermediate

£26,562 - £43,662

21%

Higher

£43,663 - £75,000

42%

Advanced

£75,001 - £125,140*

45%

Top

Above £125,140

48%

https://www.gov.scot/news/income-tax-to-...8-billion/

Quite a jump percentage - wise from Intermediate to Higher

Would they be in line with rest of UK?

England Rates are

Personal Allowance Up to £12,570 0%
Basic rate £12,571 to £50,270 20%
Higher rate £50,271 to £125,140 40%
Additional rate over £125,140 45%

SNP always have to go one better with the number of tiers ie covid

seems everyone is paying more than they would do down below the border think about that when the next election comes