A Levels, Covid, Brexit. Worst Government Ever?

[GodIsADeeJay81]

That's not the reality of what happened though is it? The minister requested that they do this and set out the criteria.

Even if you want to persist with the answerable to parliament aspect, who is the leader of the party with the majority in parliament?

Parliament, or a select committee, would have to deal with them, it doesn't matter which party has the majority.

He asked them to come up with a workable algorithm, they didn't but only one person is facing calls to be sacked.

[martin_p]

Parliament, or a select committee, would have to deal with them, it doesn't matter which party has the majority.

He asked them to come up with a workable algorithm, they didn't but only one person is facing calls to be sacked.

He also asked them to plait sand and boil the ocean, no update yet on how those tasks are getting on though.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Then the minister was told that the algorithm was unfair to disadvantaged kids and they were told to ploughed on with it anyway. As a number of newspapers have said they were set an impossible task.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2 ... ays-labour

The other weekend he was aware apparently of issues with the algorithm.

[aggi]

Parliament, or a select committee, would have to deal with them, it doesn't matter which party has the majority.

He asked them to come up with a workable algorithm, they didn't but only one person is facing calls to be sacked.

The algorithm fairly much matched up to the criteria. No-one is saying that OfQual covered themselves in glory, just plenty of people are of the view that the person in charge (which is a fair assumption of how it worked given that they were instructing OfQual) has to take some responsibility. That's what happens when you're in charge, you can't just say "nothing to do with me guv", the buck stops there.

Although I don't really care whether he stays or goes to be honest, if he does go it will just be another incompetent crony coming in. What's Grayling doing at the moment?

[GodIsADeeJay81]

The algorithm fairly much matched up to the criteria. No-one is saying that OfQual covered themselves in glory, just plenty of people are of the view that the person in charge (which is a fair assumption of how it worked given that they were instructing OfQual) has to take some responsibility. That's what happens when you're in charge, you can't just say "nothing to do with me guv", the buck stops there.

Although I don't really care whether he stays or goes to be honest, if he does go it will just be another incompetent crony coming in. What's Grayling doing at the moment?

Ofqual isn't under his control but hey ho.
Maybe the chief exec should be potted too though just to be fair.

[Spijed]

When the Daily Mail starts saying Boris is useless:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/arti ... tence.html

[martin_p]

When the Daily Mail starts saying Boris is useless:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/arti ... tence.html

Rowls was right, there is some quality writing in the Daily Mail!

[Bordeauxclaret]

Rowls was right, there is some quality writing in the Daily Mail!

He’ll be getting a reputation for being work shy if he’s not careful.

Camping.... FFS

Johnson that it, not Rowls.

[AndrewJB]

That fact has come to light after my initial response which Joey can't be arsed to discuss, hence why I've suggested he goes back to his colouring books.

In regards to Boris not facing the media over every detail, the exam issue isn't directly his mistake, it would appear Ofqual, who are answerable to parliament, have told a minister what they're doing and he's gone along with it.

It's ofquals error, maybe their chief should face the media to explain their actions instead of a minister being hung out to dry over a department that he has no control over.

Yeah Boris should face the media more often, but what guarantee are we going to have that the media will actually do something useful?
They were shocking during the daily briefings.

Johnson is the PM, and his party has been in government for over ten years. He’s got rid of people within his party and the civil service who have experience, and appointed people of sub standard quality into his cabinet. We’ve suffered the most out of this pandemic out of any comparable country, in terms of deaths, and the economy, and this is underlined by insane procurement mistakes that have taken place. With the A level scandal, it could be asked what Williamson actually does if it’s not his fault.

All these things are not coincidental. They are all linked together, and at the centre is Johnson and the decisions he’s made, along with what his party has done in power the previous nine years.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Johnson is the PM, and his party has been in government for over ten years. He’s got rid of people within his party and the civil service who have experience, and appointed people of sub standard quality into his cabinet. We’ve suffered the most out of this pandemic out of any comparable country, in terms of deaths, and the economy, and this is underlined by insane procurement mistakes that have taken place. With the A level scandal, it could be asked what Williamson actually does if it’s not his fault.

All these things are not coincidental. They are all linked together, and at the centre is Johnson and the decisions he’s made, along with what his party has done in power the previous nine years.

Will you be voting Conservative in the next general election ?

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Johnson is the PM, and his party has been in government for over ten years. He’s got rid of people within his party and the civil service who have experience, and appointed people of sub standard quality into his cabinet. We’ve suffered the most out of this pandemic out of any comparable country, in terms of deaths, and the economy, and this is underlined by insane procurement mistakes that have taken place. With the A level scandal, it could be asked what Williamson actually does if it’s not his fault.

All these things are not coincidental. They are all linked together, and at the centre is Johnson and the decisions he’s made, along with what his party has done in power the previous nine years.

Ironic that you're complaining that he's got rid of experienced people in the civil service when it's those very same people who presided over a poorly ran civil service for years now.

[martin_p]

Ironic that you're complaining that he's got rid of experienced people in the civil service when it's those very same people who presided over a poorly ran civil service for years now.

What evidence have you for that?

[gandhisflipflop]

I’m not even sure why you’d ask people to take pity on the government, because they plainly don’t care. Nobody has resigned or apologised. They have shown nothing but contempt for you.

The furlough scheme meant that I still have a job. For that I am grateful. But yeah, nothing but contempt has been shown. I voted for this government 6 months ago before covid-19 came along, and to judge them off 6 months in the most difficult times imaginable is just wrong. It's akin to burnley hiring a manager and sacking him at the end of this season without taking into account the situation he would have found himself in. Im sure you'd want to give him time, and the government need time. They should be judged on the term of office, not in 6 months.

[gandhisflipflop]

Johnson is the PM, and his party has been in government for over ten years.

Have you conveniently forgot that the first part of the last decade was a coalition?

[tiger76]

The furlough scheme meant that I still have a job. For that I am grateful. But yeah, nothing but contempt has been shown. I voted for this government 6 months ago before covid-19 came along, and to judge them off 6 months in the most difficult times imaginable is just wrong. It's akin to burnley hiring a manager and sacking him at the end of this season without taking into account the situation he would have found himself in. Im sure you'd want to give him time, and the government need time. They should be judged on the term of office, not in 6 months.

That's a fair enough assessment, and I have also benefited from the furlough scheme, but that's not to say the government haven't made mistakes, and if they just held their hands up and showed some compassion instead of blundering into making further errors, yes we all make mistakes, but this lot don't seem to learn from their mistakes, and more importantly they don't appear to have any empathy, a prime example is expecting people to self-isolate, but not making up their shortfall in lost earnings, and also the evictions ban also coming to an end on Sunday, if people can't go to work they can't pay their bills that's the reality for millions, and unlike the multimillionaire's most people live hand to mouth.

And the other reality is Andrew will never vote Conservative anyway, so it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme whether he's happy with them or not, whether they get voted in for another term in 2024 will as usual come down to the many floating/undecided voters, and if they can win enough of them over, and keep their base happy, they have a good chance of retaining power, it also depends how much traction Keir Starmer can get now he's taken the Labour mantle.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Judging from the polls he's struggling to get any traction despite facing the worst gov in the history of the universe.

[PeterWilton]

A-Levels - Ofqual are responsible, they're held to account by Parliament, not the government and they aren't ran by a government minister, so whilst many will blame the Gov for this it isn't really their fault.

Covid - ongoing situation and yes they've made mistakes, but every gov has around the world.
We've dropped to 5th in the number of deaths from Covid, India have risen to 4th.
I suspect we will drop again, but it's a unique situation and there was no one way to get through this.

Brexit - they're honoring the result of the ref, they drew a line in the sand to stop negotiations dragging on forever and it can't be declared a success or disaster for many years yet despite the best efforts of both sides to claim victory.

Aren't the UK 6th in deaths per population? I don't believe that is a favorable comparison to India who are somewhere in the 80s.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Aren't the UK 6th in deaths per population? I don't believe that is a favorable comparison to India who are somewhere in the 80s.

Yeah I was looking at overall deaths.

India has such a poorly developed health system they're not even sure their current deaths from Covid have all been counted.

[timshorts]

Aren't the UK 6th in deaths per population? I don't believe that is a favorable comparison to India who are somewhere in the 80s.

Yes
San Marino still way out in front. When we recalibrate the mechanism for the calculation we dropped below Andorra and Peru.
USA Mexico Brazil are on line to overtake us along with some other South American countries.
We are pretty level with Spain. Only Belgium of comparable countries have had it worse than us.

[joey13]

I've given a well reasoned response, which you've yet to muster a coherent argument against.

Maybe you should go back to your colouring books instead.

Well reasoned response , I’m colorblind by the way

[jrgbfc]

Judging from the polls he's struggling to get any traction despite facing the worst gov in the history of the universe.

I wouldn't say that, looking at the position Labour were in when Starmer took over. After another 4 years of these clowns and a probable no deal Brexit I'd say the next election will be very close.

[KateR]

would think a lot depends on how things are in 2022/3 as to where the votes will go, far to early to tell one way or another just yet.

[Spijed]

It's ironic that Boris is trying to keep the Union together but in Scotland it's because of him that it's growing further apart.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

You spelt SNP wrong.

[Damo]

I suppose you can only judge their performance against previous governments responses to covid19, Expected A level results and Brexit.
Personally the boris tenure so far has has seemed a bit "Corbyn lite" for me.
But ill await confirmation from the op or whatever on scores relating to what makes it the worst ever government

[Damo]

It's ironic that Boris is trying to keep the Union together but in Scotland it's because of him that it's growing further apart.

I think most of us would be glad to see the back of Scotland wouldnt we? People living off the fat of the land was a pretty big deal at the last ge

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Ofqual chief regulator has stepped down.

[Siddo]

I suppose you can only judge their performance against previous governments responses to covid19, Expected A level results and Brexit.
Personally the boris tenure so far has has seemed a bit "Corbyn lite" for me.
But ill await confirmation from the op or whatever on scores relating to what makes it the worst ever government

I was only asking a question, not making any statement.

[basil6345789]

No government has ever supported its people the way this one has. Now the champagne socialists have the nerve to criticise the size of the national debt. Unbelievable bigotry!
The Chancellor is doing a great job, supported by his PM.

[Spijed]

No government has ever supported its people the way this one has.

The trouble is, all the money has to be re-paid. And guess what, it'll be in the form of higher taxes.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

The trouble is, all the money has to be re-paid. And guess what, it'll be in the form of higher taxes.

I'd rather that than having higher taxes to pay for another crappy war

[basil6345789]

The trouble is, all the money has to be re-paid. And guess what, it'll be in the form of higher taxes.

Same in any situation - no magic money tree

[clarethomer]

The trouble is, all the money has to be re-paid. And guess what, it'll be in the form of higher taxes.

Isnt higher taxes part of the socialist agenda?

[AndrewJB]

No government has ever supported its people the way this one has. Now the champagne socialists have the nerve to criticise the size of the national debt. Unbelievable bigotry!
The Chancellor is doing a great job, supported by his PM.

This government hasn’t supported the people - only some of them.

Back in 2010 we were told that in spite of facing down an unprecedented economic shock, Brown’s government overspending was responsible for the deficit at that time. If it was Labour overspending then, well, it’s Tory overspending now.

Cameron, for all of his sell offs and cuts, which one of his advisors said caused an additional 130k deaths, didn’t get rid of the deficit (he ended up borrowing more than every Labour government in history), and the economy also stagnated. This is because he passed on most of the savings to the rich in tax cuts.

Johnson is responsible for an appalling death rate, and the worst recession on the way that we’ve ever had. Sunak has only applied expensive sticking plasters, that have helped many people get by, but also left a lot of people in grave trouble. If he was any good he’d have a plan for getting the economy going beyond cheap meals and the odd sound bite about investing in infrastructure. He’s continually kicking the can down the road.

We have Brexit coming (Johnson will either cave to Europe, or go without a deal), a recession on the way, and possibly a second and further waves of Covid. I’ve seen no evidence this government is preparing for this properly, or even capable of preparing for this.

Don’t think for a moment that I’d give Brown and Blair a free pass. The financial crash hit us hard because they didn’t regulate sufficiently. Not that the Tories provided an effective opposition by demanding they do so. And Brown should have taken the opportunity to remake and rebuild the economy, rather than just bail out the banks. So whereas I completely agree this government is the worst in my lifetime, previous ones hardly covered themselves in glory.

[clarethomer]

ha ha ha..

4cppyj.jpg (86.71 KiB) Viewed 3562 times

[AndrewJB]

Ask yourselves: What has he done for me? And you’ll get the wind over the moor...

[Siddo]

It seems there is another u turn on masks in schools. Are the government over cautious or just not very good?

[claretonthecoast1882]

This government hasn’t supported the people - only some of them.

Back in 2010 we were told that in spite of facing down an unprecedented economic shock, Brown’s government overspending was responsible for the deficit at that time. If it was Labour overspending then, well, it’s Tory overspending now.

Cameron, for all of his sell offs and cuts, which one of his advisors said caused an additional 130k deaths, didn’t get rid of the deficit (he ended up borrowing more than every Labour government in history), and the economy also stagnated. This is because he passed on most of the savings to the rich in tax cuts.

Johnson is responsible for an appalling death rate, and the worst recession on the way that we’ve ever had. Sunak has only applied expensive sticking plasters, that have helped many people get by, but also left a lot of people in grave trouble. If he was any good he’d have a plan for getting the economy going beyond cheap meals and the odd sound bite about investing in infrastructure. He’s continually kicking the can down the road.

We have Brexit coming (Johnson will either cave to Europe, or go without a deal), a recession on the way, and possibly a second and further waves of Covid. I’ve seen no evidence this government is preparing for this properly, or even capable of preparing for this.

Don’t think for a moment that I’d give Brown and Blair a free pass. The financial crash hit us hard because they didn’t regulate sufficiently. Not that the Tories provided an effective opposition by demanding they do so. And Brown should have taken the opportunity to remake and rebuild the economy, rather than just bail out the banks. So whereas I completely agree this government is the worst in my lifetime, previous ones hardly covered themselves in glory.

I trust you are putting yourself in the some category, considering you are quite happy to take part in a con so long as it lines your pocket

[HB Claret]

Mmmm..... Covid ..... my stepdaughter has had symptoms for over a week and yesterday called an ambulance as she was struggling to breathe. Paramedics came, said her chest was clear but that she needed to be tested for the virus. They promptly left as she could not be taken to hospital - her GP surgery won’t allow her into their building as she might be positive. Nearest test centre is 73 miles away and as paramedics told her to self isolate that is not an option. She has 4 children (one is special needs) and her mum (who is in the vulnerable category) and I cannot now go in her house. Lots of NHS / Gov.UK advice but actually nothing we do gets her close to being tested ! Is the government doing a good job ....... I don’t think so. Any advice greatly appreciated !

[mkmel]

It seems there is another u turn on masks in schools. Are the government over cautious or just not very good?

Dreadful more like

[Grumps]

Mmmm..... Covid ..... my stepdaughter has had symptoms for over a week and yesterday called an ambulance as she was struggling to breathe. Paramedics came, said her chest was clear but that she needed to be tested for the virus. They promptly left as she could not be taken to hospital - her GP surgery won’t allow her into their building as she might be positive. Nearest test centre is 73 miles away and as paramedics told her to self isolate that is not an option. She has 4 children (one is special needs) and her mum (who is in the vulnerable category) and I cannot now go in her house. Lots of NHS / Gov.UK advice but actually nothing we do gets her close to being tested ! Is the government doing a good job ....... I don’t think so. Any advice greatly appreciated !

Out of interest, whereabouts is it that is 73 miles away from a testing centre?
Could you not drive to a hospital for a test?
Send for a postal test?

[bpgburn]

Mmmm..... Covid ..... my stepdaughter has had symptoms for over a week and yesterday called an ambulance as she was struggling to breathe. Paramedics came, said her chest was clear but that she needed to be tested for the virus. They promptly left as she could not be taken to hospital - her GP surgery won’t allow her into their building as she might be positive. Nearest test centre is 73 miles away and as paramedics told her to self isolate that is not an option. She has 4 children (one is special needs) and her mum (who is in the vulnerable category) and I cannot now go in her house. Lots of NHS / Gov.UK advice but actually nothing we do gets her close to being tested ! Is the government doing a good job ....... I don’t think so. Any advice greatly appreciated !

You can request a home testing kit off the website.

[HB Claret]

We live in Kent and nearest site is outskirts of London. Doctor has spoken to her, initially told her that a test was worthless and that she and her family should self isolate for 14 days. Paramedics told her yesterday that she would not be admitted to the local hospital - fairly frustrating really but the GP has arranged for a self test kit to be sent out. Thanks for the advice - The Bee Hole Ebd is so much more than a football forum !

[Spijed]

Study finds UK has one of highest excess death rates with worst projected hit to economy

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/ ... e-mps-warn

[GodIsADeeJay81]

52k excess deaths up to July this year according to ONS.

That's 7k more than 2015 when we had 45k excess deaths without Covid.

[aggi]

52k excess deaths up to July this year according to ONS.

That's 7k more than 2015 when we had 45k excess deaths without Covid.

Can you share where you got these figures from? When I looked up historic excess deaths previously I could only find winter figures.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Can you share where you got these figures from? When I looked up historic excess deaths previously I could only find winter figures.

Everything is here.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulation ... usReleases

[aggi]

Everything is here.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulation ... usReleases

Isn't that a different measure than that being used to estimate Covid deaths? They are the figures I'd already found.

That 45k in 2015 you reference is basically comparing the winter to the summer.

The Covid excess deaths are comparing the current period with an average of 2015-2019 deaths.

As such, your comparison of the 2015 figures to the current figures is meaningless, they are two different methodologies (and in fact the current excess deaths are being compared to a figure that includes the 2015 figures so that makes them "worse" in that the base contains that year of high deaths).

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Excess deaths are excess deaths.

Only one figure is currently being used to beat the gov though for some reason

[aggi]

Excess deaths are excess deaths.

Only one figure is currently being used to beat the gov though for some reason

Well you've succinctly illustrated that you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about there.

I think it's pretty safe for people to disregard any post you make regarding statistics if that's really your level of understanding.