I suspect the appointment of Cruella Braverman was for the most part simply a measure to generate some support from the far right of the Conservative party.However I would not be surprised if to some degree the decision was taken knowing that it's just a matter of time before she once again messes up and will be forced to resign. At which point a more competent replacement can be appointed and Sunak can say to the far right 'well I said I would make Braverman Home Sec in exchange for your support, it's not my fault she's incompetent, so the deal still stands'.
Quote from: teestub on October 28, 2022, 01:22:30 pmI don't know if it's just the way you've written this, but someone earning £50k wouldn't be paying anything at 40% (ish dependent on whether you have a company car or whatever taking from your allowance, up to £50k earnings would be at 20%), and someone earning £55k would only be paying the 40% rate on that last 5k right?Yes this. Tax doesn't work like that as I'm sure Matt knows. Someone on £70k is paying 40% on the last £20k (approx., depending on other benefits and allowances).What happens in reality is people on £100k+, if they're smart and if they're at risk of slipping into the additional rate, can avoid much tax by instruments such as salary sacrifice into their pension instead of taking the wage. This can drop them back down under the additional rate band for income tax.Also anyone on a wage much over £40k who receives a windfall can top up their pension using the annual allowance of £40k backdated for three years at 100% of the annual wage, and receive 20% tax relief. Those are just two simple and well-known methods for the highly-paid, but not 'super-rich', to not get stung for additional rate or for dealing tax-efficiently with windfalls. They encourage investing and saving for the future.
I don't know if it's just the way you've written this, but someone earning £50k wouldn't be paying anything at 40% (ish dependent on whether you have a company car or whatever taking from your allowance, up to £50k earnings would be at 20%), and someone earning £55k would only be paying the 40% rate on that last 5k right?
It’s never country before party, as we all know. Even Charles Walker was bemonaning ‘the damage done to this party’ when it should have been ´country’ uppermost in his mind:https://youtu.be/VM5ijPHRw88?t=63
He was the bloke that stopped that upskirting bill wasn't he? Prick
It's not UK politics, but the election of Lula in Brazil is hopefully a good thing for the Amazon, and a defeat for a deeply problematic populist. BBC News - Brazil election: Lula makes stunning comebackhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-63451470
Meanwhile, it is election day here in Denmark, the government having finally been brought low by the great mistaken mink cull of 2020. I know the whole world is agog with anticipation.
An exterminkation, obvs.
I am not too happy that the conditions in Manston have been allowed to deteriorate as they have. When a child has to write a letter asking for help for medicine and food, we are sinking below any normal standards of decency. 4k people in a facility fit for 1600? Cases of diptheria, scabies, MRSA? The way to change that is persuade the Home Office, which acts on our behalf, that this is a guaranteed vote loser.I sent this, with my view, to my MP by email:the link is here if you want to do the same:https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f07fe6d11d7811198874b29360c8b4f236c8f2f6/0_292_2333_2914/master/2333.jpg?width=300&quality=85&dpr=1&s=noneSource: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/02/home-office-removing-asylum-seekers-from-manston-as-fears-rise-for-their-health
I'm usually shocked every time I visit family in South Devon how concerned many people are about immigration round there, given that there are barely any immigrants in the area.
Quote from: TobyD on November 03, 2022, 10:44:23 pmI'm usually shocked every time I visit family in South Devon how concerned many people are about immigration round there, given that there are barely any immigrants in the area.I went on holiday to Devon last year with my partner and mother in law, both Asian, and we got properly gawped at literally every time we left the house. It was incredibly obvious and the worst we’ve experienced in the U.K., but to be fair, there were lots of very friendly people and we had a good time. But really, give it a rest guys! This article on young right-wingers is a bit half-formed but nevertheless an interesting read on a group of people who might be about to emerge in public life:https://unherd.com/2022/11/meet-britains-radical-new-right/