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^ This. I've never quite understood this absolute tribalism thing. There are many on all sides who take it as a personal insult if you point out that their pet party / favourite politico might have done something you disagree with or could have done / be doing something better (and then you get labelled the opposite and shouted down, regardless of your actual persuasion). Is something less wrong because the person what done it is on 'your team'? #mustbedoingitwrong

Context: if you look at the ONS data which charts tax revenue against public expenditure it shows that London (and some surrounding counties) pay for the rest of the UK.

Some may remember my Lancashire machinist and Brexit enthusiast, from a different forum.

He was fulminating against the unemployed the other day, his belief being that we should bring back workhouses for those unable to find work for themselves in order that they not be a cost on the public purse.

Pointing out that the people he hated and had voted to hurt in the Brexit vote (people in that London) had paid for him and his family for their entire lives went well.

Patel on the way back to be fired it seems. Amusing she appears to have flown to Uganda to avoid uncomfortable questions yesterday, made it as far as Kenya, then flown back.

Just getting the last airmiles in on the company dime?

That ONS data is a product of two things...
That the UK is unique among developed nations in the centralisation of its economic decision making and lack of regional autonomy.
That public spending in the south east is vastly more likely to be investment in prosperity-raising projects with a high multiplier effect rather than dead money used to meagrely compensate for lack of prior investment.

Just look at literally everything to do with Crossrail and compare to the Transpennine rail service.

The south east is rich because that's where powerful rich people live and that's how they like it.

I suspect that Fallon was willing to go. It seems like he has a bit of a history so he was aware of all of the rest of the stories that might emerge. Sticking around would only damage his reputation further, and risk further eroding his standing in his constituency. And he has at least been able to cling on to that job.

It's always weird those conversations... it's possible both Iran and Boris did something wrong...yet it's often either / or.

Amnesty thinks the UK is fishing for trade deals with Iran and doesn't want to rock the boat too much.

That the UK is unique among developed nations in the centralisation of its economic decision making and lack of regional autonomy.

Genuine question, is that really true? All developed nations?

@Malaconotus
Also, power is devolved to scotland and to a lesser extent Wales. I have no idea how this compares to devolution of power in other developed countries but I did assume that it is comparable. If it's not comparable, why is it not comparable?

The Priti Patel thing is just really funny. She is in the wrong, but compared to the rape accusations or dodgy expense claims dogging other Tories, she is just seems a bit thick rather than evil. What I find so hilarious is her belief in the Apprentice/Ugly Betty model of career progress where networking and extracurricular activities is the deciding factor in improving your prospects.
No doubt she was planning some western saviour style photo sessions on her current Africa trip. Never too late to take a gap yaaah Priti!

Head of HM Treasury says so... https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/news/in-the-press/uk-%E2%80%98almost-most-centralised-developed-country%E2%80%99-says-treasury-chief

Some discussion... https://www.quora.com/Is-the-UK-really-the-most-centralised-country-in-Europe

TLDR, Not all nations, but all big ones. Small countries by definition have less scope for regional autonomy.

Thanks, never really considered this to be the case.

Some of the films Priti Patel might be watching on the plane on the way back

I Know What You Did Last Summer
Out of Africa
Snakes On A Plane
Dangerous Liaisons
Horrible Bosses
Falling Down
Downfall
Con Air
Glengarry Glen Ross

Scotland has nothing remotely resembling the tax raising powers of a German lande or US state. This article compares Catalonia and Scotland... https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/dec/05/how-do-scotlands-tax-and-spending-powers-compare-with-catalonia

Thank fuck I moved to London.....I think.

maybe

"Iran, not Boris, is in the wrong here. My boy Boris? Nope."

This seems to be the party line. "It's all Iran's fault, they are the real baddies". Well, yes, they are, but that does not excuse our bumbling fuckwit of a foreign minister handing them the ammunition to extend the incarceration of a British citizen. It's just weak blame shifting and distraction from the fact that Boris just does not have the temperament for high office or any actual sense of responsibility to the people he is supposed to serve.

Priti vacant

etc.

I totally agree, it's just the "tactic" of that because Iran is bad (which the UK can only control/influence so much) it's ok for BoJo to make a horrible situation for a UK citizen (she has dual Iranian/UK citizenship) worse.

That's just mad. It was easy to prevent.

Ah, the good old Pacers. My born and bred in London gf was a little surprised the first time we got on a train that appeared to be a bus. Investment on public transport outside of major cities is shit, owning a car is pretty much a pre-requisite

Odd, isn't it? That was pointed out "no ones saying that Iran isn't in the wrong here, but this is about Boris's inability to just admit he was wrong and correct the error", which doesn't seem to be an option.

The glorious Boris, being wrong? Nope, he won't be. Its Irans fault.

I just ended with a "GAH! I'm going to the fucking toilet!"

Has May backed herself into a corner? https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/no-10-knew-about-priti-patel-israel-meetings-1.447605

Investment in PT is driven by utilisation which in turn is a function of population density.

if thats trur, LOLOLOLOLOLOL