Thatcher employed a voice coach who taught her to lower her voice.
Blair employed actor Kevin Spacey to improve his presentation.
It takes a while and much effort to become a great orator.
Starter comes over as being boring right now, he will improve.
Nigel ahead in the polls according to todays polls is a master of communication.
He is loud, clear and tells people what they want hear.
A true master.
A master of simple solutions complicated problems.
He understands the mentality of the UK public.
A great man in opposition, gives them a hard time. |
 Just a comment about harmer and hermer by Charles Moore in DT
People are right to focus on Starmer the human rights lawyer. His background is both his greatest strength – because he achieved career success in this important subject – and his greatest problem – because it is the key to his misunderstanding of politics.
This misunderstanding took human shape when Sir Keir ennobled his old friend Richard Hermer and made him Attorney General. It was the signal that Sir Keir believes in a global, rights-based, judge-enforced perfection which takes precedence over parliamentary democracy and the nation state. Lord Hermer is, in effect, Sir Keir’s conscience – the voice of what the Prime Minister really thinks but dare not so openly say.
Under this Government, therefore, this un-British approach to the rule of law will stay, hamstringing ministerial action. But even if Sir Keir were – Heaven forfend! – to resign, the problem would not disappear, because it is systemic, not just personal. Any opposition party seeking to improve matters should offer a full alternative. If the Conservatives do not do so, Reform assuredly will. |
Zelensky can’t account for more than $100 billion in claimed US aid
Kiev has received far less than the amount cited by President Donald Trump and other US officials, the Ukrainian leader says
Washington has provided Kiev with just over $75 billion in military and other types of assistance, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has claimed, adding that he has no idea where US President Donald Trump’s estimate of $200 billion originated or where it could have vanished.
Trump, who has been highly critical of his predecessor Joe Biden’s generosity toward Ukraine, has argued that NATO states and the EU should “equalize̶1; their contributions with Washington’s support.
“We are in there for $200 billion more than the EU. I mean, what are we, stupid?” Trump said last month. US Vice President J.D. Vance referenced the figure as early as last July, saying, “We have now spent $200 billion. What is the goal? What are we trying to accomplish?”
In an interview with AP published on Sunday, Zelensky insisted that Ukraine never received even half of that sum.
“When it is said that Ukraine received $200 billion to support the army during the war – that’s not true. I don’t know where all that money went. Perhaps it’s true on paper with hundreds of different programs – I won’t argue, and we’re immensely grateful for everything. But in reality, we received about $76 billion. It’s significant aid, but it’s not $200 billion,” Zelensky said.
Since 2022, the US Congress has authorized roughly $175 billion for Ukraine, but a significant portion of that funding has reportedly gone to American industries and various US government activities related to the conflict. According to Germany’s Kiel Institute, as of October 2024, the US had allocated approximately $92 billion in financial and military aid to Ukraine, while EU countries and the UK had allocated $131 billion.
Zelensky also insisted that he has seen little actual cash, as more than $70 billion of the aid came in the form of direct military assistance.
“There are also many other humanitarian programs I’m uninformed about, except for knowing of their existence. Perhaps the US president’s administration will audit these programs and find additional billions, but I don’t know where those funds went,” he said.
Among his first actions upon returning to office, Trump suspended US foreign aid for 90 days to review its alignment with his administration’;s objectives, vowing to put “America first.” The cut affected many Kiev-related initiatives, particularly those funded by grants from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Over the weekend, USAID’s official website went offline, and its X account disappeared, amid reports that the White House was considering merging the agency into the State Department. The newly created US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, has reportedly sent inspectors to audit USAID’s activities.
“USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die,” Musk wrote on Sunday. In a brief comment the same day, Trump also criticized the agency as being “run by a bunch of radical lunatics and we are getting them out.” |
Asked by BBC on Monday if he will target the UK with tariffs, Trump said: 'UK is out of line but I'm sure that one ... can be worked out'
The United Kingdom's trading relationship with the United States is "fair and balanced," UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office insisted, after US President Donald Trump said that the UK was "out of line".
The prime minister trusts Trump to keep his word, Starmer's office at 10 Downing Street said after the US president suggested he thinks a deal can be "worked out" to avoid slapping tariffs on the UK.
Trust is absolutely not a word in politics |
Two possibility's scruff, water leaking past the release valve will drop the pressure, tape a plastic bag over the outlet and see if there is any water in there tomorrow.
Expansion tank inside boiler might need pumping back up to 1.5 bar, take lid off and stick tyre pressure gauge on valve on tank and test it, if its empty, pump it back up. |
what sad case - needs to get a speech therapist - but during so called covid?
Sir Keir Starmer has ‘serious questions to answer’ after it emerged he met with a voice coach at the height of Covid restrictions, the Tories said last night.
On Christmas Eve 2020, while London was under ‘Tier 4 restrictions’, the Prime Minister sought the help of Leonie Mellinger to respond to Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. |
Obviously Trump wants UK onside as he takes on everyone else.
He was worried about Starmer at first, hence the attacks by Farage and musk.
then musk attacks Farage.
Trump has decided that he has no choice but to get on with uk Government so is trying to get them onside.
Starmer wants also to get on with the EU. far more important to the uk for trade.
Also with America.
Before Brexit we had the best of both worlds, and thanks to Maggie our own currency.
that is history now.
Things are looking much better for the uk on trade relationships. There is hope.
They will need to do something about immigration to keep Reform insignificant. |
Jaguar Land Rover to be jiggered by Trump's tariff tantrum! In a week he's wiped more than £500billion off stock markets and sparks rate fears! |
Careful
I see you and yer mates have been working hard on the stock market. Good effort. BP sorted now how how about sorting the rest - youve had all day FFS |
Just heard he's suspended Mexican tariffs because of complaints from NY taxi drivers saying GM car spares will double as most components are imported from south of the border down Mexico way!
This is what AI says...... Trump obviously does not use Perplexity AI.
"Located in Coahuila, this plant has been in production since 1981.
It produces the Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Sonic, engines, and transmissions.
San Luis Potosí
Located in San Luis Potosí, this plant has been in production since 2008.
It produces the Chevrolet Aveo and Trax, and transmissions.
GM has been developing a manufacturing presence in Mexico since 1935.
Motoring in Mexico | Article | Automotive Manufacturing Solutions
13 Oct 2016" |
That stable genius has turned disrupter, taken a page out of the Liz Truss recipe book, only to reverse it with taxes (beautiful tariffs like no one has ever been seen before!) to tank the markets!
He says the EU is an atrocity and out of line with tariffs, he went on to say the UK is also out of line but we'll see how we can work it out! I love the sight of gleaming yellow rapeseed fields from a hot air balloon just the way they are! Don't fancy Monsanto turning them pink to kill off insects, thank you Donald! Love my KFC hot wings as they are without antibiotics...... Hot Diggity Damn! |
Carefuls chef uses a Ryobi to cut his steaks. |
Gold.https://www.royalmint.com/diversify/Scroll to graph...have a ponder....Truth makes a point.The value of the pound is going down the pan...smoke and mirrors and Animal Farm....[added]The UK's Office for Budget Responsibility now expects inflation will average 2.6pc next year, compared with a previous 1.5pc forecast...Daily Telegraph 1/11/24Further information..https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/inflation/inflation-calculatorReality...suggest supporting Reform. |
EU trading bloc epitomises Protectionism.UK is far less about Protectionism, and more open globally.Trump will have little reason to set tariffs on UK.That said, Starmer could put his foot in it and mess things up.. |
what staff?
theyre either holed up larging it up in asylum centres, or too lazy to work |
Why get involved in the best way to cut wood.
Let the staff take care of it, that is what we pay them for. |
For those cutting wood...Ryobi chain saws rather good...bit more interesting than Lloyds too....very therapeutic using chain saw.. |
If Trump backs off these tariffs quickly without a good result he will not be taken seriously again.
War games, this is how they always start, followed by a a momentum gain.
If there is retaliation it could get out of hand.
He we are again thinking it will be over quickly, 'the boys will be home by Christmas'.
Trump is wrong to assume that financial hardship will result in an easy victory. |
i have a stihl. if u keep it in the shed or outbuilding, then bring it in for a few hours before use. Otherwise it will never start |
careful
I am hoping that if you and pals discuss the markets all day you would get them back on track whilst I sort me log burner. Cheers in anticipation. Ill check them after 4.30 sometime. |
Spot on Scruff. Got a 4 cylinder long reach hedge trimmer and you can set your watch by it. Infinitely superior. |
do shut up you ignoramous |
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