The Weeping Angel wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 5:44 pm Yeah but we're spending 100 million a year.That's the cost of a sandwich at Gatwick.
Richard Tice says 'when' Reform UK win next election, they will rip up Chagos Islands deal and cancel further payments
Back in the Commons Richard Tice, the Reform UK deputy leader, says this is “the worst ever deal in history by this country”. He claims that, allowing for inflation, the £101m annual cost means the deal will cost £40bn, taking into account inflation. He goes on:
When reform win the next general election, we will rip up this deal and tear it up and stop all future payments.
Healey says Tice is talking “total rubbish”.
I make no apology for opposing this disgraceful Chagos sell-out:
•At least £30 billion of taxpayers’ money thrown away in a Surrender Tax—and likely much more
•British territory handed over to a country aligned with China
•Our national security needlessly weakened All to appease the lawyers and activist elite
Keir Starmer surrounds himself with. Other countries may nod along, but behind closed doors, they must think we’ve lost our minds. Labour is turning Britain into a global laughing stock.
kreuzberger wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 5:53 pmHe was being sarcastic, I'm pretty sure. It's basically not very much money at all, just in terms of removing an easy propaganda win for China in the region, let alone in terms of security.The Weeping Angel wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 5:44 pm Yeah but we're spending 100 million a year.That's the cost of a sandwich at Gatwick.
If the UK can splash the same amount on a humungous landing strip within spitting distance of Chinese shipping routes and a hop-skip from all manner of other adversaries, that looks like a pretty decent deal.
Defence has a price.
kreuzberger wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 5:53 pmAs Tubbs points out I was being sarcastic. In fact I can remember when the right were screaming that it would cost 9 billion.The Weeping Angel wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 5:44 pm Yeah but we're spending 100 million a year.That's the cost of a sandwich at Gatwick.
If the UK can splash the same amount on a humungous landing strip within spitting distance of Chinese shipping routes and a hop-skip from all manner of other adversaries, that looks like a pretty decent deal.
Defence has a price.
Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 8:10 pm Dan Neidle on Angela Rayner's tax proposals.I've heard that this was leaked to damage Rayner or Rayner leaked it herself to undermine Reeves.
https://taxpolicy.org.uk/2025/05/23/ang ... -assessed/
His view is that 4 of them are well thought out and could raise £2.5bn a year. He disagrees with some others, but they're not outlandish. Overall, not quite the leftist challenge the coverage has made it out. I'd be surprised if Reeves didn't do some of what she suggests.
Keir Starmer has told cabinet ministers that he wants to scrap the two-child benefit cap and has asked the Treasury to identify ways to fund the plan.
With Labour MPs threatening to rebel over the government’s welfare reforms, the prime minister has privately made clear that he is determined to axe the limit in order to drive down child poverty. “Keir wants to end the two-child cap – he thinks it’s the right thing to do,” one minister said. “It’s the best and most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. The alternatives cost more and are less effective.”
The change, which would cost £3.5bn a year, would be the second big welfare U-turn after last week’s reversal on the winter fuel allowance.
Starmer’s endorsement will be seen as a victory for Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, and Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, who have been pushing for the cap to be abolished as the flagship policy in the government’s child poverty strategy.
- By davidjay