Peter Bowden 🇬🇧 => Refugees cost 0.22% of UK GDP
@b31bowden.bsky.social
Proud Brummie. Sceptic, pedant and is frequently sarcastic, but tries to be polite. Retired from Public Service, ex Local Authority Childcare, ex DWP Fraud, ex IPCC Investigator. Assume nothing, Believe nobody. Check everything.
It's interesting, reading an article about people possibly lying to gain some personal advantage, written by a man sacked from every job he has ever had, for lying!
I suppose they do say 'write about what you know'.
I suppose they do say 'write about what you know'.
December 8, 2025 at 7:07 PM
It's interesting, reading an article about people possibly lying to gain some personal advantage, written by a man sacked from every job he has ever had, for lying!
I suppose they do say 'write about what you know'.
I suppose they do say 'write about what you know'.
An interesting exercise:
Think of the things you most enjoyed doing as a child.
Now think a) how many, as a parent, you would allow your children to do today, & b) how many are now actually possible?
Children & young people need space to be children & young people
Think of the things you most enjoyed doing as a child.
Now think a) how many, as a parent, you would allow your children to do today, & b) how many are now actually possible?
Children & young people need space to be children & young people
December 8, 2025 at 1:50 PM
An interesting exercise:
Think of the things you most enjoyed doing as a child.
Now think a) how many, as a parent, you would allow your children to do today, & b) how many are now actually possible?
Children & young people need space to be children & young people
Think of the things you most enjoyed doing as a child.
Now think a) how many, as a parent, you would allow your children to do today, & b) how many are now actually possible?
Children & young people need space to be children & young people
I've always known that 'ignorance of the law is no excuse'. Who cares what he believes?
December 8, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I've always known that 'ignorance of the law is no excuse'. Who cares what he believes?
It's odd that, given he is writing in a British newspaper, he uses a single example of a Canada-USA flight to make comments about the UK welfare State. On reflection, it isn't odd, but another example of his laziness.
December 8, 2025 at 10:10 AM
It's odd that, given he is writing in a British newspaper, he uses a single example of a Canada-USA flight to make comments about the UK welfare State. On reflection, it isn't odd, but another example of his laziness.
The cost of getting mobility-impaired people on (& off) planes is borne by the airlines. The cost of Boris Johnson has been borne by all of us.
December 8, 2025 at 9:41 AM
The cost of getting mobility-impaired people on (& off) planes is borne by the airlines. The cost of Boris Johnson has been borne by all of us.
Heinz must have been started by a woman then, men are hopeless at multitasking.
December 7, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Heinz must have been started by a woman then, men are hopeless at multitasking.
In this case just 290,000 people are affected. Hardly a flood. If you can drop £2000+ a year into your pension, you aren't earning peanuts.
December 7, 2025 at 10:42 PM
In this case just 290,000 people are affected. Hardly a flood. If you can drop £2000+ a year into your pension, you aren't earning peanuts.
It has to say 'suggests' as he, like the rest of us (including Trump), has no idea what he is proposing to do next, from one moment to the next.
December 7, 2025 at 6:57 PM
It has to say 'suggests' as he, like the rest of us (including Trump), has no idea what he is proposing to do next, from one moment to the next.
You should celebrate like we do on Guy Fawkes Day (aka Bonfire Night, 5th November). Dress up in a suit, white shirt, red tie, orange face. Wear a chocolate coin round your neck & break into the local federal building (maybe have a bonfire on the front lawn?).
December 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
You should celebrate like we do on Guy Fawkes Day (aka Bonfire Night, 5th November). Dress up in a suit, white shirt, red tie, orange face. Wear a chocolate coin round your neck & break into the local federal building (maybe have a bonfire on the front lawn?).
Well, he is an unelected bureaucrat.
December 7, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Well, he is an unelected bureaucrat.
Unlike her cranium, current evidence is solid teak. He is probably totally involved in his work - whatever that might be...
December 7, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Unlike her cranium, current evidence is solid teak. He is probably totally involved in his work - whatever that might be...
If nobody is above the law, how does this square with the Presidental prerogative to exempt someone from any punishment, having broken a law, through a pardon? (S/)He can effectively negate a law & put a person above it.
December 7, 2025 at 6:26 PM
If nobody is above the law, how does this square with the Presidental prerogative to exempt someone from any punishment, having broken a law, through a pardon? (S/)He can effectively negate a law & put a person above it.
She is married with 2 kids, so she does have family, but probably struggles to have friends as she appears completely without principles and only interested in self-promotion. I suspect the family didn't watch/don't care & there isn't anyone else she doesn't pay.
Other opinions are available.
Other opinions are available.
December 7, 2025 at 5:17 PM
She is married with 2 kids, so she does have family, but probably struggles to have friends as she appears completely without principles and only interested in self-promotion. I suspect the family didn't watch/don't care & there isn't anyone else she doesn't pay.
Other opinions are available.
Other opinions are available.
The correct sentence is not 'NHS that didn’t alleviate their pain' but 'NHS that couldn’t alleviate their pain'. Medicine can't do everything.
Go talk to a doctor, ideally a palliative care doctor, about this. Dr Rachael Clarke would be my choice (I don't know her views on this subject).
Go talk to a doctor, ideally a palliative care doctor, about this. Dr Rachael Clarke would be my choice (I don't know her views on this subject).
December 7, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The correct sentence is not 'NHS that didn’t alleviate their pain' but 'NHS that couldn’t alleviate their pain'. Medicine can't do everything.
Go talk to a doctor, ideally a palliative care doctor, about this. Dr Rachael Clarke would be my choice (I don't know her views on this subject).
Go talk to a doctor, ideally a palliative care doctor, about this. Dr Rachael Clarke would be my choice (I don't know her views on this subject).
Blighted by emotion? Like this?
December 7, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Blighted by emotion? Like this?
Thank God you aren't my MP.
December 7, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Thank God you aren't my MP.
Your last half-sentence demonstrates an astonishing lack of compassion. Might I suggest you consider revising it?
December 7, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Your last half-sentence demonstrates an astonishing lack of compassion. Might I suggest you consider revising it?
Well put.
December 7, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Well put.
When did we last agree on that? It has always been a State diktat. Don't you think that people should have the right to make the end-of-life decision for themselves? How about people who are currently forced to die in unrelievable pain, don't they get a say? How do you feel about abortion?
December 7, 2025 at 4:12 PM
When did we last agree on that? It has always been a State diktat. Don't you think that people should have the right to make the end-of-life decision for themselves? How about people who are currently forced to die in unrelievable pain, don't they get a say? How do you feel about abortion?
LED lights are extremely bright and very focused. Most UK car headlights however, aren't properly adjusted (even at MOT). Modern cars have sophisticated matrix LED systems and adaptive lighting technology. Hopefully that will make matters better all round.
December 7, 2025 at 4:05 PM
LED lights are extremely bright and very focused. Most UK car headlights however, aren't properly adjusted (even at MOT). Modern cars have sophisticated matrix LED systems and adaptive lighting technology. Hopefully that will make matters better all round.
As a driver for 50+ years, I also wonder if drivers are taught how to turn full beam on & off. Near me is a stretch of unlit country lane leading onto a 50mph unlit road. I frequently follow drivers navigating (sloooowly!) on dipped beam & sometimes undipped full beam when approaching traffic.
December 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
As a driver for 50+ years, I also wonder if drivers are taught how to turn full beam on & off. Near me is a stretch of unlit country lane leading onto a 50mph unlit road. I frequently follow drivers navigating (sloooowly!) on dipped beam & sometimes undipped full beam when approaching traffic.
Thank you for your clarification.
December 7, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Thank you for your clarification.
Given that it's your job, I have every right to comment on how you choose to make our laws. Don't choose a job where you are paid to represent others, then get offended when challenged over your views. The State currently has the power to prevent my choosing death & you seem comfortable with that.
December 7, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Given that it's your job, I have every right to comment on how you choose to make our laws. Don't choose a job where you are paid to represent others, then get offended when challenged over your views. The State currently has the power to prevent my choosing death & you seem comfortable with that.
It seems clear to me, that no amendment would persuade you to vote for the Bill as your Us v Them divisive language hardly supports the view that you represent your constituents here, but your own view.
But thank you for taking the time to respond to me.
But thank you for taking the time to respond to me.
December 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
It seems clear to me, that no amendment would persuade you to vote for the Bill as your Us v Them divisive language hardly supports the view that you represent your constituents here, but your own view.
But thank you for taking the time to respond to me.
But thank you for taking the time to respond to me.
And then gave MPs a free vote. That's how democracy works. You made a single intervention in debate that didn't address any of these points. Why didn't you use your privilege as an MP to speak out if you were so concerned? Maybe the votes were won because most people were in favour?
December 7, 2025 at 3:04 PM
And then gave MPs a free vote. That's how democracy works. You made a single intervention in debate that didn't address any of these points. Why didn't you use your privilege as an MP to speak out if you were so concerned? Maybe the votes were won because most people were in favour?