Renton

In truth the tories didn't have that many seats up for play to lose. It's as simple as that. Also turn out was pathetic. That might be a concern for Labour admittedly, we need anger, not apathy.

Not really. It was last contested when Labour was under a relative high from Corbyn after Theresa May's disastrous GE. The tories won what, two individual council seats in Hartlepool where the people are famously as thick as whale spunk? The map looks quite healthy to me.

Oh ffs. Nobody expected the tories to lose by 800 seats, the only one's peddling this line were the tories themselves so they could claim some kind of victory that they didn't do as bad as "expected". Falling for it hook, line, and sinker.

Don't mention the B word. Funny enough, economists were pretty much unanimous that Brexit would damage our GDP to the tune of 5% GDP as a minimum due to non-tariff trading barriers with our main trading partners and reduction of the employment pool. And this is demonstrably happening now but nobody is allowed to discuss it on the BBC. 5% GDP, more than half the expenditure on the NHS, right there. It was bad enough when we could "afford it", it's catastrophic now,

In the meantime, BoE have basically said today we are just going to have to get used to a lower standard of living. The implication I'm reading is this is expected to be a permanent adjustment. Huw Pill, the BoE's chief economist today said:

I believe the correct response is:

Aye, wife used it on jury service recently. It's subsidised so good value.

This is worth 2 minutes of your life..

Yeah, but worth remembering as well that these were elections on a relatively high tide for Labour already. There's not a lot you take from the English elections imo. Edit: really low turn out too, swing voters don't turn out for locals. In summary, further analysis is fairly meaningless.

Yeah. I listen to R5 in the morning, feel like throwing the radio against a wall. Not sure how much this really matters. The economy is utterly fucked, no way is it going to recover in time for the next GE. Everyone will feel the cost of living crisis. Brexit will beecome more tangible for those lucky enough to be able to afford holidays in Europe. I don't think there is any way out for Johnson or the tories personally in the next 2 years. .

[\serious] I suspect the dramatic fall in winged insects, very worrying as it is (heard this week it is down 60% in last 25 years), is more down to agriculture than cutting lawns and verges with a lawn mower, since iirc only 5% of the UK is urban or suburban. Good way of making people feeling guilty for having a usable garden though (plastic lawns are generally a shit idea mind).

I've heard you like a tidy lawn and trim it weekly? Meenzer likes lavender and Alex is happy to for his garden to grow bushy from what I can make out.

I imagine that's fantastic for hay fever sufferers too. No, none of that bull shit here yet but I can see it catching on because of the money saving angle.

A reminder to get out and vote today chaps. I had to hold my nose to vote for my councillor as she has been fucking useless at dealing with a council matter I need resolved but my hatred, and fear, of the tory party is far greater. Why anyone votes for these incompetent arseholes is simply beyond my understanding. Pound plummeting, inflation to reach double figures and economy to contract next year. Well done you tory cunts.

So, buried my uncle yesterday in Arkleston cemetery, Renfrew. Beautiful view of the Trossachs in the distance against the backdrop of Glasgow and the constant hum of the M 8. All felt a bit surreal. Think I mentioned I was a pall bearer and nearly shat myself when I saw the size of the coffin. Managed okay though but have mild backache today. Feeling mentally strong, just hope this is the last funeral for a while . Cheers again for all your kind words guys over the past few months lads, really has helped me. Determined to appreciate life as much as I can because it really is fleeting. Something about the cemetery and its location brought that home to me in particular. The hills will be there long after I cease to exist but will unobserved, by me at least. Maybe all of humanity the way things are going. Sometimes I wish I had faith but unfortunately for me truth always trumps faith. Just the way it is.

I very much like posts about history. I'd recommend continued education outside of a job as long as its something you're passionate about, so its a pleasure and not a chore. I loved my distance learning MSc. Was talking to my cousin yesterday, who is planning on doing an OU degree in a subject he likes and plus could be a gateway for a good job. Because he's in Scotland, and on relatively low pay, he might get it for free. That's a no brainer. Fees would apply here though so not so clear cut maybe.

Not sure anyone in my house has recently stayed in a hotel in Dubai like.

Someone did a scam from my credit card around Xmas. Got the money refunded and a new number, new card. The cards not been used and left in a draw. Just been scammed again (declined cos it went over my credit limit). No idea how this could have happened. Thing is mum has money in all sorts of places.and probably would never realise if she was scammed, it's canny worrying.

I thought it was Michael Parkinson. Turned about to be a boring cunt descended from boring cunts. PL, are.you doing history at the Open University or summat?

And so, the Hands Maid's Tale becomes reality. Perhaps one of our US posters can explain to me how a secular country is being controlled by trligious extremists? It's a paradox in the US I have never got my head around. This news is exceptionally disturbing regardless.

Looks like the trunk (boot!) will be full of machine guns disguised as violin cases. Am I right?

Six though? I actually "made" a curry using exactly this yesterday. Honestly couldn't taste the bhuna at all. Waste of good chicken.

Jesus christ. That is fucking insane. I've never done more than easy scrambling outside of a climbing wall. No head for heights and now definitely nowhere near enough strength or flexibility. Cribgoch was probably the worst ridge I ever did (I bottled Aonach Eagach). Its actually quite brutally vertical, had to keep complete focus not to die, or so it felt. I remember I passed a lass who was completely crag fast on it. She had Jimmy legs shaking like a pneumatic drill and I really felt she might fall. I left it for a more experienced walker to help her as I had to look after myself first at this point. Anyway, unless you're a climber or have a great head for heights, I wouldn't recommend Crib Goch.

"Near the motorbike shops" Absolute genius advertising. 30 to 40 years later, thousands of people still remember it.

Oh fucking great. We've somehow managed to get a downgrade on Asprilla. It's like trying to psych out Virgin for a free upgrade and ending up with Talk Talk.