(21 Dec 2015, 7:59 pm)Adrian wrote I agree. I think I've put my view on this one forward before.

People are given names for a reason, and we shouldn't be afraid to call someone by their name. It might have been a sign of authority back then, but I really don't think it makes any odds these days. Not to mention that I agree that 'miss' is sexist, and I'd personally refuse to use it. I refused to use both when I was at school.

Completely agree. Unfortunately for me, it's just become common practice to address an authority figure by ''Miss'' or ''Sir'' as it's been drilled into me by the education system. I can vividly remember on our last day in Year 6, our teacher told us to never address him as ''Sir'' if we ever came back to visit him, as he would rather be addressed by his first name rather than that. 

I have some strong beliefs about our education system, this being one of them. While some schools do things differently; I don't think Religious Education is a necessity, and should in fact by replaced with Politics. I think gaining an education about something that everybody should have an understanding of, given that it is so important in everyday life, is far more important than learning about a bunch of fictional books that have nowhere near as much impact on people nowadays. It's ridiculous.

(21 Dec 2015, 8:06 pm)R852 PRG wrote I have some strong beliefs about our education system, this being one of them. While some schools do things differently; I don't think Religious Education is a necessity, and should in fact by replaced with Politics. I think gaining an education about something that everybody should have an understanding of, given that it is so important in everyday life, is far more important than learning about a bunch of fictional books that have nowhere near as much impact on people nowadays. It's ridiculous.

I don't think religion should be completely demolished, I think you could maybe do a bit of it in PSHE lessons (think all schools have this lesson, may be wrong as I don't really know what normal school lessons are like as I actually went to a special needs school). I had very little taught to me about politics when I was in school and at 21 I still know next to nothing, my lesson in politics was basically watching BBC TWO comedy panel shows, I do wish I had an intrest in politics but I can't seem to wrap my head around it, possibly because I know so little about it.

(21 Dec 2015, 8:23 pm)Jimmi wrote I don't think religion should be completely demolished, I think you could maybe do a bit of it in PSHE lessons (think all schools have this lesson, may be wrong as I don't really know what normal school lessons are like as I actually went to a special needs school). I had very little taught to me about politics when I was in school and at 21 I still know next to nothing, my lesson in politics was basically watching BBC TWO comedy panel shows, I do wish I had an intrest in politics but I can't seem to wrap my head around it, possibly because I know so little about it.

There isn't any PSHE in our weekly timetable. I believe the legal requirement is 1 hour per week. Instead, once every five weeks we have a day dedicated to PSHE (called ''Go Ahead'' days) which, like any other school day, has five periods and so technically we get PSHE. I just view it as completely pointless.

(21 Dec 2015, 8:23 pm)Jimmi wrote I don't think religion should be completely demolished, I think you could maybe do a bit of it in PSHE lessons (think all schools have this lesson, may be wrong as I don't really know what normal school lessons are like as I actually went to a special needs school). I had very little taught to me about politics when I was in school and at 21 I still know next to nothing, my lesson in politics was basically watching BBC TWO comedy panel shows, I do wish I had an intrest in politics but I can't seem to wrap my head around it, possibly because I know so little about it.

It shouldn't be taught in community schools.

Something like Politics would be a better option to teach at that age, or even just general life skills. You're never taught anything about tax, mortgages, finance or anything that you need to know for life.

(21 Dec 2015, 8:37 pm)Adrian wrote It shouldn't be taught in community schools.

Something like Politics would be a better option to teach at that age, or even just general life skills. You're never taught anything about tax, mortgages, finance or anything that you need to know for life.

Keep seeing a lot of stuff like that on Facebook and Twitter at the moment. I don't see the point in teaching children about religion; yes, it is still widely practiced in the modern society, but other things such as a political education should take priority in my opinion. I agree with your point about life skills, Adrian, but on the positive side, at least I know all about pythagoras theorem...

(21 Dec 2015, 8:37 pm)Adrian wrote It shouldn't be taught in community schools.

Something like Politics would be a better option to teach at that age, or even just general life skills. You're never taught anything about tax, mortgages, finance or anything that you need to know for life.

Don't know why I said it shouldn't be demolished, I hated those lessons, it just seemed like a pointless waste of time and I have not been able to put anything I learnt from that lesson to use in my day to day life and there should certainly be more taught about paying tax, mortgages, finance and stuff like that, I know absolutely sod all about this and I have now started to stress myself out about it as I generally fear what I am going to do when I get older and have purely dependent on myself, this and a few similar things are keeping me up at night, no idea what I'm going to do in future, I know nothing about paying bills and when I hear people talking about mortgages, they may as well be discussing the topic in another language.

(21 Dec 2015, 8:48 pm)Jimmi wrote Don't know why I said it shouldn't be demolished, I hated those lessons, it just seemed like a pointless waste of time and I have not been able to put anything I learnt from that lesson to use in my day to day life and there should certainly be more taught about paying tax, mortgages, finance and stuff like that, I know absolutely sod all about this and I have now started to stress myself out about it as I generally fear what I am going to do when I get older and have purely dependent on myself, this and a few similar things are keeping me up at night, no idea what I'm going to do in future, I know nothing about paying bills and when I hear people talking about mortgages, they may as well be discussing the topic in another language.

I used to feel similar whenever I viewed this thread, however, I've taken the time to read into politics and what has happened in the past, the different political states in different societies, and it's slowly become more understandable. However, I think it's wrong that it's had to be almost self-taught, it should be actively encouraged and taught in schools, as opposed to some pointless lessons. I no longer have an hour a week of RE, but for Years 7-9, an hour of political education could be very helpful in allowing them to find out more about the world we live in.

https://twitter.com/KevanJonesMP/status/...4764170240
Kevan Jones is standing down from the front bench.

(06 Jan 2016, 12:46 pm)Andreos1 wrote https://twitter.com/KevanJonesMP/status/...4764170240
Kevan Jones is standing down from the front bench.

Is Jezzas authority starting to fall apart, I wont pretend I knownwhat is happening, but from what I seen on the news, it seems like his authority is waning a bit

(06 Jan 2016, 1:36 pm)MrFozz wrote Is Jezzas authority starting to fall apart, I wont pretend I knownwhat is happening, but from what I seen on the news, it seems like his authority is waning a bit

It is certainly playing into Cameron's hands - but I am not sure there is any lack of authority. Despite what the media is saying.
Reshuffles are part and parcel of politics. A quick google search reveals Cameron has undertaken one each year. Some members of the Tory Party are shifted about annually - as though it is 'jobs for the boys', despite being incompetent in their previous cabinet role.

I just wish MP's would listen to what members of their party want, rather than behave like spoilt kids.

(06 Jan 2016, 3:28 pm)Andreos1 wrote It is certainly playing into Cameron's hands - but I am not sure there is any lack of authority. Despite what the media is saying.
Reshuffles are part and parcel of politics. A quick google search reveals Cameron has undertaken one each year. Some members of the Tory Party are shifted about annually - as though it is 'jobs for the boys', despite being incompetent in their previous cabinet role.

I just wish MP's would listen to what members of their party want, rather than behave like spoilt kids.

Exactly.

What is currently happening in the Labour Party is symptomatic of what happens when the PLP are out of touch with party members.

(06 Jan 2016, 1:36 pm)MrFozz wrote Is Jezzas authority starting to fall apart, I wont pretend I knownwhat is happening, but from what I seen on the news, it seems like his authority is waning a bit

(06 Jan 2016, 3:28 pm)Andreos1 wrote It is certainly playing into Cameron's hands - but I am not sure there is any lack of authority. Despite what the media is saying.
Reshuffles are part and parcel of politics. A quick google search reveals Cameron has undertaken one each year. Some members of the Tory Party are shifted about annually - as though it is 'jobs for the boys', despite being incompetent in their previous cabinet role.

I just wish MP's would listen to what members of their party want, rather than behave like spoilt kids.

I wouldn't say Jeremy's authority is starting to fall apart. Far from it in fact. I think he's quite right to remove those who have publicly tried to undermine him, as if he didn't, the media would still argue that it's falling apart! 

I agree with the last point, and I've been saying this for years. The Lib Dems haven't became an irrelevance through their own mistakes between 2010-15. They've became an irrelevance because Labour has slowly drifted to the centre, through their army of career politicians. 

Jeremy Corbyn received 152 CLP nominations, yet Corbyn only received 36. How can there be a irregularity of 116, if MPs were representing their constituencies?

Tata have announced redundancies at various sites across the UK, including their site in Hartlepool.

Meanwhile, Gideon continues to search for cheap Chinese steel imports...

I wonder how these continuous closures affect the treasury?

(18 Jan 2016, 11:52 am)Andreos1 wrote Tata have announced redundancies at various sites across the UK, including their site in Hartlepool.

Meanwhile, Gideon continues to search for cheap Chinese steel imports...

I wonder how these continuous closures affect the treasury?

This is how backward our Government are. Importing steel because it's cheaper than UK production, yet on the other hand doing little to nothing to support a UK steel industry. Not to mention that purchasing British steel ensures that the money goes straight back into the UK economy.

Durham County Council are carrying out a consultation poll on the proposed North East Devolution Agreement. Letters have been sent to all homes across the county, with the option to complete and post, or complete online. 

A copy of the leaflet being sent out with the letter is here: http://www.durham.gov.uk/media/8683/Nort...eaflet.pdf

There are 4 questions to answer. I've copied them below for information.

(18 Jan 2016, 2:30 pm)Adrian wrote Durham County Council are carrying out a consultation poll on the proposed North East Devolution Agreement. Letters have been sent to all homes across the county, with the option to complete and post, or complete online. 

A copy of the leaflet being sent out with the letter is here: http://www.durham.gov.uk/media/8683/Nort...eaflet.pdf

There are 4 questions to answer. I've copied them below for information.

Got my letter last week. Haven't got around to reading it, yet. I might get half a chance if I take it into the loo with me.

(18 Jan 2016, 2:30 pm)Adrian wrote Durham County Council are carrying out a consultation poll on the proposed North East Devolution Agreement. Letters have been sent to all homes across the county, with the option to complete and post, or complete online. 

A copy of the leaflet being sent out with the letter is here: http://www.durham.gov.uk/media/8683/Nort...eaflet.pdf

There are 4 questions to answer. I've copied them below for information.

Is this a way to push devolution onto us without a Referendum and is Devolution going to happen regardless???

(18 Jan 2016, 2:26 pm)Adrian wrote This is how backward our Government are. Importing steel because it's cheaper than UK production, yet on the other hand doing little to nothing to support a UK steel industry. Not to mention that purchasing British steel ensures that the money goes straight back into the UK economy.

Including taxes (paye and business), wages into local economy etc etc.
Incredibly shortsighted to state the funds allocated for redundancy and re-training will be of benefit - when the private sector are reluctant to invest or employ, in a recession hit economy, witness to the biggest trade deficit in UK history.

(18 Jan 2016, 2:30 pm)Adrian wrote Durham County Council are carrying out a consultation poll on the proposed North East Devolution Agreement. Letters have been sent to all homes across the county, with the option to complete and post, or complete online. 

A copy of the leaflet being sent out with the letter is here: http://www.durham.gov.uk/media/8683/Nort...eaflet.pdf

There are 4 questions to answer. I've copied them below for information.

Sunderland Council have issued a similar survey in a special edition of their newsletter.
I will try and get photos attached later on.

(07 Feb 2016, 9:54 am)Andreos1 wrote Sunderland Council have issued a similar survey in a special edition of their newsletter.
I will try and get photos attached later on.

I'd seen something on their consultation portal, but it would allow anyone to comment on it. DCC's required a two part passcode to access.

Although no the UK, this is from America:

Trump says he'd build a wall along the Mexican border.


Trump himself said in early February that his wall would probably cost $8 billion. Basing the cost on highway panels, the price-tag for the wall alone would cost around $10 billion, which is not accounting for the cost of construction that would take at least four years over the border's diverse terrain.

Trump has repeated many times that Mexico, not the U.S., would foot the bill.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/17/politi...VODtopLink&linkId=21363412

Who will he use for labour to build that wall?

-------------------

Meantime, back at home, let the pantomime begin.
https://www.politicshome.com/party-polit...exit-rally

I might just program all my devices to block anything with the word brexit in.

(20 Feb 2016, 8:17 am)BusLoverMum wrote Who will he use for labour to build that wall?

-------------------

Meantime, back at home, let the pantomime begin.
https://www.politicshome.com/party-polit...exit-rally

I might just program all my devices to block anything with the word brexit in.

Known that idiot, it'll be the Mexicans! 

-------------

I bet we won't be told whats good about staying in the EU or what will be bad..............

(20 Feb 2016, 8:42 am)Michael wrote Known that idiot, it'll be the Mexicans! 

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I bet we won't be told whats good about staying in the EU or what will be bad..............

The analogy used on last leg, last night was rather good. Didn't explain the whys and wherefors, but explained the possible outcomes pretty well!

(20 Feb 2016, 8:42 am)Michael wrote Known that idiot, it'll be the Mexicans! 

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I bet we won't be told whats good about staying in the EU or what will be bad..............

We should do. There'll be strong support on both sides, with groups set up like for the Scottish referendum. It obviously requires voters to engage their brain a bit still, and not believe everything they read in the press.

BBC has now published it's editorial standards for the EU referendum. Appendix 8 can be found here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines.../appendix8

(20 Feb 2016, 12:01 pm)Adrian wrote We should do. There'll be strong support on both sides, with groups set up like for the Scottish referendum. It obviously requires voters to engage their brain a bit still, and not believe everything they read in the press.

BBC has now published it's editorial standards for the EU referendum. Appendix 8 can be found here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines.../appendix8

All i want from this:


No benefits for people coming to the country for at least 5 years + stop allowing parents sending benefits to their children in their own country, 
UK gets to say what we take in for immigration,
Stop sending millions a day to fund the EU, where they keep it or bail out Greece, it could be spent better here.


Also once again, the good and bad points of staying and leaving in the EU.

(20 Feb 2016, 12:15 pm)Michael wrote All i want from this:


No benefits for people coming to the country for at least 5 years + stop allowing parents sending benefits to their children in their own country, 
UK gets to say what we take in for immigration,
Stop sending millions a day to fund the EU, where they keep it or bail out Greece, it could be spent better here.


Also once again, the good and bad points of staying and leaving in the EU.

What are your views on denying EU migrants access to in-work benefits? They're a life line to many working people in the UK, and it's allowed employers to get away with paying piss poor wages for years. 

In my opinion, nobody should require in-work benefits, because employers should be paying workers a decent wage in the first place. To remove in-work benefits from people, solely based on where they come from, is a disgrace. It's saying to low skilled workers that a condition of coming to the UK, is that they work and live in poverty.

I like what Dave has said up to now...

No joining the Euro
No part of Schengen
No part of a EU Superstate
No part of an EU Armed Force

Looking very likely June 23rd is the day of the Referendum

Not sure how I will vote just yet, have to wait and see what the Yes and No campaigners have to say

(20 Feb 2016, 12:23 pm)Adrian wrote What are your views on denying EU migrants access to in-work benefits? They're a life line to many working people in the UK, and it's allowed employers to get away with paying piss poor wages for years. 

In my opinion, nobody should require in-work benefits, because employers should be paying workers a decent wage in the first place. To remove in-work benefits from people, solely based on where they come from, is a disgrace. It's saying to low skilled workers that a condition of coming to the UK, is that they work and live in poverty.

EU migrants should have access to in work benefits why shouldn't they?, they work for them, then they can have in work benefits, but like you said no one should have them because companies should be paying them decent wages but that doesn't happen.

However on the other side of the coin they shouldn't be able to claim for child benefits for their children who aren't even in the country.... you can't do that anywhere else so why does the UK have to give them out?.

A few smaller countries are against this... i wonder why?, Is that because we give your people money so you don't have to? (My point before about been able to claim benefits for children not even in the country) 


I'm not a racist, but its really annoying how they can come in to the country and soon as they arrive they can claim everything, you can't do that in America or Australia... although they aren't part of the EU... but that was a couple of examples. 


Have we even been told the deal David got yet?

(20 Feb 2016, 12:28 pm)MrFozz wrote I like what Dave has said up to now...

No joining the Euro
No part of Schengen
No part of a EU Superstate
No part of an EU Armed Force

Looking very likely June 23rd is the day of the Referendum

Not sure how I will vote just yet, have to wait and see what the Yes and No campaigners have to say

That'll be fun, no doubt they won't tell us why its good to stay or leave or why its bad to stay or leave... it'll be all bickering with no actual facts.


EDIT:


EU REFRENDUM CALLED - 23rd JUNE