Word of the day: meggings
December 7th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
At a social event this weekend, I was introduced to a word that was new to me: meggings. Apparently it means male leggings.
Women have leggings. Children have leggings. I suppose men could too. But, tell me guys, would you wear these?
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A review of the film “Big Eyes”
December 6th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
This film, directed by Tim Burton, tells the remarkable true story of American artists Walter and Margaret Keane. You can read my review here.
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Who won at Oldham? Jim or Jeremy?
December 5th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
In Thursday’s by-elcction at Oldham West and Royton, Labour not only confounded most expectations by winning comfortably, but it actually increased its share of the vote compared to the General Election from 54.8% to 62.1%. So whose victory was this? The popular and moderate leader of Oldham council Jim McMahon or the Labour Leader substantially elected in the first round Jeremy Corbyn?
It’s probably too soon to say.
It’s been a pretty good week for Corbyn. Roughly two thirds of the Parliamentary Party and 17 out of 28 voting members of the Shadow Cabinet supported him in his opposition to British air strikes in Syria. And Corbyn supporters will see the result in Oldham as confirmation that Labour can win elections – including the General Election – under his leadership.
But Oldham West and Royton was special. There was an immensely popular Labour candidate with high name recognition; the party was able to mobilise considerable resources that would not be available in a wider election; and almost a quarter of the votes cast were postal votes garnered largely from the loyal British Pakistani and British Bangladeshi communities.
In 2001, Labour won a by-election in the adjoining constituency of Oldham East and Saddleworth but, in the General Election of 2015, nationally it went down in flames. So it’s probably too soon to draw firm lessons from this week’s by-election.
Meanwhile Corbyn’s job ratings have fallen sharply since he won the Labour leadership in September. Compared to a net approval rating then of -8, it now stands at -41. The fight goes on …
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How to resolve conflict
December 4th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Is there conflict in your personal or professional life. in your relationship, or group or organisation? This advice may help you.
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (0)
Whatever you think about bombing in Syria, you have to admire this speech by Hilary Benn
December 3rd, 2015 by Roger Darlington
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A review of the film “The Drop”
December 2nd, 2015 by Roger Darlington
You may not of heard of this film but, if you like crime thrillers that are more about character than violence, “The Drop” is worth seeking out. You can read my review here.
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How the Government proposes to help consumers
December 1st, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Water. The government is driving water market competition. Business and other non- household customers will be able to switch suppliers from 2017. Ofwat will provide an assessment by summer 2016 of the costs and benefits of extending retail competition to household water customers. Following this, the government will work with water companies to begin the transition to household retail competition before the end of this Parliament.
Banking. The government will boost competition in banking with the establishment of a New Bank Start-Up Unit, making it easier for new banks to enter the market. It will also take steps to help consumers find the best bank for them. Switching can save the average customer £70 a year and heavy overdraft users £260 a year.
Broadband. Pricing in this market often lacks transparency. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is looking at whether teaser rates on broadband deals are misleading consumers, and the government expects the ASA to take swift action to ensure that prices are made clearer and costs are not hidden. Total costs can be £240 a year higher than the headline introductory rate.
Legal services. The government will further reduce barriers so that it is easier for alternative business structures, such as supermarkets and estate agents, to offer legal services like conveyancing, probate and litigation in England and Wales.
Pharmacies. The government will examine the NHS community pharmacy market to ensure that the regulatory framework and payments system are efficient, encourage competition and innovation, and facilitate online, delivery to door and click and collect, pharmacy and prescription services. This will save time for working people.
Dentistry. Pricing for dentistry can be opaque and confusing. The government will ensure that dentist treatment plans and price lists are clear and easily accessible, empowering patients in England to make the best choices.
Motor insurance. The government intends to end the right to cash compensation for minor whiplash injuries, removing over £1billion from the cost of providing motor insurance, equivalent to an average of £40 to £50 saving for each motor insurance policy.
Energy. The government will reduce the projected cost of green policies on the average annual household energy bill by £30 from 2017. The government will also make switching supplier easier and quicker. The average household could currently save £160 from switching supplier.
Mobile phones. Consumers can face costs of up to £20 to unlock their phones with an estimated £48 million spent per year. The government expects industry to start automatically unlocking customers’ handsets at the end of their contracts, and will consult in 2016 on ending the practice of handset locking for customers outside any initial contract period.
School uniforms. The government will ensure that parents and carers get the best value deals on school uniforms in England. Analysis shows that parents and carers are significantly less likely to report financial hardship when schools allow them to purchase uniform from a variety of suppliers.
More information in this paper.
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Men are not from Mars and women are not from Venus
December 1st, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Instead each of us is from our own unique planet.
But what about that book? Ignore the fiction; look at the facts as demonstrated by the latest research based on MRI scans of men’s and women’s brains conducted at Tel Aviv University.
As the head of the project puts it:
“We show there are differences, but brains do not come in male and female forms. The differences you see are differences between averages. Each one of us is a unique mosaic.”
“Sex affects the brain but how it affects the brain depends on other factors. The effects of sex can be different and even opposite under different conditions. This is why you can be highly masculine on one feature but highly feminine on another feature,”
So, guys, celebrate your feminine side. And, gals, celebrate your masculine side. We’re really not so different.
Posted in Science & technology | Comments (0)
What’s the UK doing about Syria? – 11 key questions answered
November 30th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Whether or not the UK should join bombing operations against ISIL in Syria is not a simple matter. There are strong arguments for and against and many considerations to weigh.
Usefully the BBC web site has provided a short guide to some of the key questions.
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The news for Labour just gets blacker and blacker
November 30th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
“Here is the really bad news for Labour. It has nothing to do with Syria, which is unlikely to influence the outcome of the next general election. Nor is it to do with Europe, providing that we vote to stay in the EU, as now seems likely although far from certain. The bad news concerns the subject that always matters hugely at election time, and usually matters most: the economy.”
“… of the nine million people who voted Labour in May, around four million withhold their backing for Corbyn and McDonnell on the economy, saying they trust the Tories more, or trust neither party, or simply ‘don’t know’. Unless the great bulk of these doubters can be won over, Labour will not be able even to get back to nine million votes, let alone the 10-11 million it needs to become the largest party, or the 12 million-plus it needs to win outright.”
Who says this? The pollster YouGov as you can see in more detail here.
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