Big J

Hmmm, hard to know what the best course of action is. At the moment, to use the analogy that the UK economy/welfare state/public services are a company, and each successive PM that's being brought in is another CEO tasked with bringing it back from the brink of bankruptcy. It's not that the leaders are in themselves awful (with the exception of Truss, I suppose), but that the trajectory is already set and very difficult to avoid. How much is 12 years of Tory rule and how much is the prevailing socioeconomic pressures of the global economy? Probably pretty even, I'd guess. The UK is in a worse position as a result of Brexit than it otherwise would have been. It's not to say that with Covid and the war in Ukraine that it wouldn't still be struggling, but Brexit has added a lot of fuel to that fire, and also locked the door that would have allowed many people to escape the inferno.... And the responsibility for Brexit falls firmly with the Tories. It's difficult to find anyone that can point to an upside. Even the most ardent Brexiteers seem begrudgedly resolute in their commitment to the notion, without offering any benefits. But it's happened and the situation definitely needs to be improved. The UK is heading towards economic oblivion at the moment. The soaring interest rates are going to collapse the property market, put millions into negative equity and result in scores of people having their homes repossessed. The UK has the lowest level of unemployment for decades, yet the highest level of job vacancies in recent memory. Productivity remains the elephant in the room, with the UK scoring very badly compared to it's European counterparts. The welfare state and healthcare is totally unfit for purpose. How can a supposedly developed country allow ambulance to queue for hours outside hospitals? Social services cannot be put in place to support patients leaving hospital, so they can't leave and beds cannot be freed up. I'm only scratching the surface, but against this backdrop, I think it'd be tough for any Tory leader to make a success of it now. The Conservatives have had 12 years in charge. They've not done a good job and whoever is chosen to succeed Truss is always going to be fighting against that legacy. It's time for a change and I honestly believe Kier Starmer is a much better choice.

Always a classic!

All credit to them for seeing it through. They can be very proud of themselves. How depressing is it though that the government is only too happy to throw money at us (help to buy) so that we can buy shitty, mass-produced new builds but there is no support for people wanting to do it themselves. It's almost like the housing companies lobby the government to enact policy that makes them more money..... 🤔

I totally agree, but the old ones will always cost a fortune to fuel (relatively speaking). As regards housing, the issue isn't that it's new (because there is no justification for an inefficient new built house), the issue is that they are built terribly to make lots of money for housing companies. That is their main purpose, rather than accommodating families comfortably and economically.

It's very hard to know. The issue with the vast majority of the housing stock is that it's not fit for purpose. This has become abundantly clear with the present energy crisis. It would be far better to view housing in a similar way to cars. Yes, old cars are beautifully designed and of historic importance, but you certainly wouldn't want to 'daily' them and you definitely don't want to be anywhere near it in a crash. As regards Eggs' dilemma, I'd suggest self build if possible. Try to exploit the market uncertainty to find some 'reasonably' priced land and go down the self build or self manage route. If you can build a house that is designed and built for you and your family, it doesn't really matter what it's eventual value is as why would you need to move? Additionally, it'll be cheaper than paying market rate. I'm not suggesting that it's plain sailing though, as the combination of finding the right plot and negotiating planning is enough to finish many people off. Or just move to Sweden. There was a lovely old 6 bed house (380 square metres) in the next village that sold last month for £102k. Geothermal heating and 3/4 of an acre of land too.

I think it's generally always been understood that the Conservatives are nasty, but they are financially prudent. A necessary evil. But with Truss's bonanza for the rich tax-cut giveaway, where is the prudency? It just leaves nasty.... I know I've never been the UKs cheerleader, but now I'm on the outside looking in, it seems more f*cked than ever. I genuinely have no idea how the public debt or deficit will ever be tackled. How can the government justify continuing to borrow on our children's future?

I really don't understand that perspective at all. It's only through seeing a variety of cultures, meeting a variety of people can one ever develop a broader understanding of (to some degree) and empathy for other people. I really feel that this would be no bad thing for everyone to aspire to. Our village here in Sweden is a real melting pot of people from all around the world. We're dog sitting for an Austrian/Indian couple over winter. I've been at the table tennis club this evening with my girls. Some of the kids were Syrian. I was chatting to a mum whose daughter was at the same gym class as my daughter. She's Swedish, but they lived in Dallas (he's American). On the way back from table tennis I picked up two massive bags of apples from a neighbour. He's Croatian, but used to live in London. I had tea and we waffled on a bit. My forestry business here is in partnership with a German friend. The list goes on... My point is that diversity of culture and experience makes life truly interesting. You don't have to travel the world, but to say that only local issues matter seems rather like burying your head in the sand.

It's rapidly heading towards the situation where there will be so many exemptions and exceptions to the immigration rules for shortage workers, that the UK might as well have freedom of movement. It will be freedom of movement in all but name, but strictly in one direction. What Brexit has done is effectively close the door on 27 different nations to the young of Britain. We are here in Sweden on my German passport. Given our modest financial position and my determination to continue being self employed, this is the only way that we're here. My wife (having only a British passport) has no right to live and work here except as my spouse. It's absolutely insane that this situation is still being defended. Doubly so given that the powers that be in the UK know that the population is effectively trapped and more and more policies are pushed through that target benefit at the rich whilst removing basic rights from the less wealthy. As others have said, being on the outside looking in gives a fresh perspective. Brexit is a mortal self-inflicted wound on Britain.

The locals think I'm mad for still swimming, but I'm in the lake every day. It was almost freezing this morning, but the lake is still fairly mild. Stunning mist clearing from the lake as I was in the water.

That is indeed the question! I can only assume that given your user name that you only go for number 2s? 😊

Cooling down here in SE Sweden. Highs of 16c today, with a bit of a northerly breeze and generally sunny. We've had some days with showers, but it's only amounted to 17mm so far this month. Water temperature in the lake is sub 15 now, but I haven't measured it for a week or so. It's certainly chillier when diving in. Still haven't missed a day since we moved here

I empathise, but.... Please understand that (rightly or wrongly - you can have your own opinion on that) the Queen meant a great deal to a huge number of people. Not just in the UK but around the world too. She served the people for longer than most of us have been alive and was still working until 2 days before her death. Millions of people wish to pay their respects. This is a once in a lifetime event and isn't something that is going to be made a habit of. Please try to respect the depth of feeling that others have on this matter. Making jokes about someone's death is pretty distasteful. Doubly so when they were loved by so many.