No, she is trying to mitigate unreasonable and damaging pressure from the left - its called politics. Like the Tories implemented softer policies than they really wanted to in this (so far anyway) and the last parliaments

I have absolutely no idea where you could reasonably get that opinion from conniff. A lot of your comments seem somewhat of a stretch, but valid opinion from someone with a different core perspective - but this is one of those that is way beyond a stretch. Have you been having private conversations with Lapsed and got fuddled? Unless its because if Harriot Harman did lead the Labour Party - and the lefties didn't back-stab her - the Tories would probably never get in again ...

and heres a very interesting overview of the aftermath The Budget: Right-wing Hypocrisy and Left-wing Stupidity http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ioan-marc-jones/budget-2015_b_7777446.html

and to prove my point 3, we have yet to see regarding point 4 http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/07/16/tory-welfare-bill-faces-w_0_n_7809658.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

Although I broadly agree with your first 2 paragraphs, that last one simple doesn't wash. Vast swathes of the greek populace have been avoiding tax's and fiddling the pension system (to name just 2) just like those at the top. Its not just endemic, its a wholesale epidemic.

I have no idea what you are trying to say or infer there san d. Care to clarify or was it just a passing snipe which should be ignored?

Great news on the number Aaron, and well done Lee. I think that 'kind' offer to let you leave without penalty is ... well I don't how to describe it. No offer of compensation? Not even refund the months of undelivered service? If that is the case, then cut and run and never return would seem to me to be the only sensible option.

Its three years now since my 1 year highly regretted 1 year stint with npower, and they are clearly getting worse not better. Near the end of the first year, I was near £200 in credit and they sent me a letter saying they were increasing the DD (significantly). Rang them to be given an astonishing level of crap It automated systems and they can't do anything about it The system calculates it and must be right etc etc So I told them they were NOT authorised to increase the DD and I would be leaving the company. (confirmed this via email and online form) True to my word I set up the move to EDF, carefully ensuring that the move would not occur before the 1 year was up given the barely veiled threats from npower of penalties etc if I should leave before 1 year was completed. ... but before the account move could be completed, npower increased the DD and took it. So after final readings etc taken, and charged I was well over £200 in credit, and requested this refunded To cut a long and frustrating 3 months down, despite threats to recharge the last DD - npower said they would recharge it again and start recovery proceedings if blocked (despite it being only part of an outstanding + balance) Numerous calls which were fobbed off and promises made which were not kept I sent a LBA saying I intended to start court proceedings to recover my money and costs, and that the court result would be used to progress a complaint with the regulators and my MP after my money was recovered. Within a week I received a cheque for £280 + £25 as a 'good will' gesture. You're on to a hiding for nothing with these **** at least until you formally notify of intent to start court action. Seems even that doesn't affect them much now. Bunch of tossers unfit to be in business. It really isn't just the call center staff from my experience, the management are even worse. addendum I got the distinct impression that balance refunds are NOT given automatically by npower, so unless you chase any large (if still with them - sucker) or outstanding +balance (once you escape), you wont get it at all.

We are drifting off topic here BUT I would take the changes even further Reintroduce free school meals to ensure that all kids get a decent meal - all ages (reduce any family benefit to pay for it - then we'll know the money is going on the kids food) Have before and after school care/clubs where kids gets involved in activities for any children, not just working parents It would require massive changes to teaching. It might sound a bit 'Hitler Youth' for some, but the theory is good, it just needs the right implementation.

Absolutely (but I still think that once there are kids, then education should be available free to ALL those kids who put in the effort and get results) You are correct - but less dangerous than allow the current set-up to continue unchecked. It will need watching, but I think the only real option has been taken - although the implementation could have been better.

LOL Do you have the benefits changes with regard to more than 2 children in mind there conniff? If so I would broadly agree, but with some qualifiers. 1. There needed to be changes reducing the 'family means benefits' culture some seem to make a way of life for them, for their children, and their children's children. 2. The Tories would have suffered a massive defeat if they had announced what they intended to do (as it would be for anyone) rather than hidden it. 3. Labour would NEVER be able to get those sort of changes through in ANY form. If they didn't implode, they would never be elected (Its unlikely anyone would). If they tried if after a majority election win, they would implode - and the Tories would probably vote against it with the Labour rebels. 4. Labour will not repeal these implementations in any real way. Its a done deal and Labour are undoubtedly breathing a sigh of relief - the ones with any brains anyway. 5. It only part of the problem and another much larger one is sorting out the MASSIVE Tax evading by big companies and the stinking rich.. Now if he tackles 5. in a real way, I would agree much more.

Or perhaps just talents in the wrong areas to be of benefit to the voters. Do you think a mass 'independent' candidate vote would make any difference, or that too many of them would end up joining one of the parties on the back of their success?

And many other issues I fully agree with it.

Before any of that can happen the Greek people need to change their world view and actions, else its all pointless. But I agree that this is the way the whole world seems to be going - just some faster than others. We really do need a complete change in world view, the trouble is as soon as some start others take advantage and profit from it destroying all the good.

Along with the read linked by citizenB above, the one below is also worth a read. Its worth noting the references to image perception and suchlike. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3160873/Greek-Prime-Minister-Tsipras-faces-battle-quell-revolt-ministers-agreeing-austerity-measures-GERMANS-ashamed-forcing-them.html I think no-one looks good from this, and I can't think of any way forward (even in rose tinted wishful thinking outline) that doesn't involve Greek collapse or the Eurozone supporting a completely broken and unsupportable system for decades.

Seconded.

Jesus Wept. I really couldn't read all that waffle - rare - as I normally try to no matter how much it sometimes seems like wading through cow dung. We all misunderstand each other from time to time, but you seem to want to make some kind of abstract art form of misunderstanding. Good fortune with that.

Bit late to the post here, but all the above does seem rather negative. It seems the company think highly of his worth and abilities and will clearly want his 100% commitment to the job rather than even subconscious resistance due to feeling 'hard done to' This would perhaps be a better negotiating stance, and being a troubleshooter/resolver used by a company to 'fix broken shops' would look very good on his CV should it not work out as he would like.

Same with any criticism of the unimpeachable precedence of Gay rights above all other rights and views. The irrational ranting of a few noisy fanatics (who are just like the referred Iranian Mob in my view) should not quiet the rational (if occasionally passionate) debate of the many. Quite the opposite - extra effort should be injected to show them for what they are. Now interestingly (well to me) I thought that Operation Opera was justified at the time - well more justified than not - but do not believe a repeat would be justified in current circumstances in any way shape or form. :/ and as I already stated I believe that the complete defeat of Saddam Hussain was both justified and not only necessary but essential BUT That the assault on Libya was unjustified, and that any assault on Syria was and is unquestionably wrong. Complex :/ (and to quell some possible thoughts I am English born and raised of Scot descent and consider myself primarily English-British)

I was tempted to leave it at that, but I have answered your questions, stupid as they seemed to be to me. Look up operation Opera - where Israel sneak bombed Iran Look up Yugoslavia and Pompeii - neither of which exist any longer. One natural causes, one political. Or Aragon, or even consider when Israel has and hasn't existed in history? Same as the minority of radical protesters in every country - including ours Now who are those people who bombed and shelled an entire city killing, maiming and blinding thousands of civilians men, women and children, destroying hospitals and schools and thousands of homes, and all that in just one of many similar events?

Are you not aware of operation Opera? Yugoslavia, Pompeii. Ask a sensible question. Now you answer mine. It should be simple as the answer is with the question.

At least as much credibility as I could give to a government that knowingly implements policies which they know WILL throw more children into poverty, and further try to redefine the definitions of child poverty in a puerile attempt to mask the figures showing what a horrendous impact it has had driving more children into poverty.. There are horrors in all countries - including our own. I think ours is worse. Our children have no choices, and have done nothing wrong. and we are in a far better position to do something different.

Lets put this in perspective, While they shout their anger, Who was it who was murdering civilians and destroying an entire City with modern weapons, tanks, jets and missiles? - against a defending force of a few archaic RPG's and some ak47's http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28439404 Between 8 July and 27 August, more than 2,100 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip, along with 66 Israeli soldiers and seven civilians in Israel. The UN says the vast majority of Palestinian deaths are civilian. But figures from previous operations over the past six years in the densely populated Gaza Strip show it is not the first time civilians have paid a heavy price.

and they will NEVER change whilst isolated, neither will change be forced upon them - the whole situation in the middle east and Africa ... and what we are discussing here proves that. Horrors exist in all countries including our own.

Iran isn't the one lacking all credibility here at the moment conniff.