mattomac wrote: ↑Thu Jul 23, 2026 3:20 pm Does in Dr Who figurine scalpers I’m for it.What does this sentence mean?
Youngian wrote: ↑Thu Jul 23, 2026 4:48 pmI'm guessing that 'if it" is missing from the start of that sentence. I know Matt has a lot going on and is jumbling stuff up from time to time.mattomac wrote: ↑Thu Jul 23, 2026 3:20 pm Does in Dr Who figurine scalpers I’m for it.What does this sentence mean?
Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Thu Jul 23, 2026 10:59 pm Donnie's stuck tariffs on us again. And the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and everyone I can think of.If only we were part of a trading bloc that could stand up to him.
I'm not one that thinks it's easy to stick it to the US. But Andy might as well go in hard. "You see, Donnie, I'm new. I can't have word getting around. Everyone will be taking liberties all along the line".
I don't have a policy, I just think Andy should talk like a Craig Fairbrass character.
Abernathy wrote: ↑Fri Jul 24, 2026 1:52 pm PM Burnham is apparently there today for the first time, and will be there for at least one day a week in future. Today's work is a meeting of local mayors and business leaders to talk about how to deliver economic growth in the region.Sounds like the kind of event a regional mayor might host,
Abernathy wrote: ↑Fri Jul 24, 2026 1:52 pm Well, the "Number 10 of the North" appears to be an office building called Heron House, opposite Manchester Town Hall.The idea is that the symbolism of the move makes other people (especially in Whitehall) understand that the new PM is serious about devolution. I find it pretty unimpressive that senior civil servants might need this to happen but apparently so.
PM Burnham is apparently there today for the first time, and will be there for at least one day a week in future. Today's work is a meeting of local mayors and business leaders to talk about how to deliver economic growth in the region.
Now, is it just me, or is anyone else having some difficulty in understanding exactly how holding meetings like this in Manchester rather than in That London is going to make any practical difference at all? Might save on a few train fares, I suppose, but I just can't see how it's anything other than a bit of a gimmick.
Help me, here. Am I actually missing something profound?
Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Fri Jul 24, 2026 3:19 pm The idea is that the symbolism of the move makes other people (especially in Whitehall) understand that the new PM is serious about devolution. I find it pretty unimpressive that senior civil servants might need this to happen but apparently so.But is it devolution or is it merely decentralisation? Devolution requires giving power away, if all that's happening is just civil servants dishing out central government policy, the location of their office makes no difference whatsoever.
Oboogie wrote: ↑Fri Jul 24, 2026 3:36 pmThere's already devolution happening but it's been said that it's moving slowly because. the civil service don't want it to happen, or that Starmer didn't lead them strongly enough. As I say, I find this deeply disappointing if it's true, but lots of people think it's true, and I think you need to see the Manchester office in these terms.Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Fri Jul 24, 2026 3:19 pm The idea is that the symbolism of the move makes other people (especially in Whitehall) understand that the new PM is serious about devolution. I find it pretty unimpressive that senior civil servants might need this to happen but apparently so.But is it devolution or is it merely decentralisation? Devolution requires giving power away, if all that's happening is just civil servants dishing out central government policy, the location of their office makes no difference whatsoever.
Abernathy wrote: ↑Fri Jul 24, 2026 1:52 pm Well, the "Number 10 of the North" appears to be an office building called Heron House, opposite Manchester Town Hall.And will every other region have the same help?
PM Burnham is apparently there today for the first time, and will be there for at least one day a week in future. Today's work is a meeting of local mayors and business leaders to talk about how to deliver economic growth in the region.
Now, is it just me, or is anyone else having some difficulty in understanding exactly how holding meetings like this in Manchester rather than in That London is going to make any practical difference at all? Might save on a few train fares, I suppose, but I just can't see how it's anything other than a bit of a gimmick.
Help me, here. Am I actually missing something profound?