Off Topic Politics Thread

  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!
It'sOnlyAGame said:
Because most of the blame is going in Israel's direction, and that's not a balanced view. If people want to criticise Israel over this war, then fine that's their opinion (I think they're wrong) but it's not balanced.
Click to expand...
While we can be critical.of Israeli actions, a considerable amount of blame should be directed towards some European states (Germany, France and the UK) and the US for providing Israel.with the military hardware to carry out its aggressive missions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thebronze14, OddRiverOakWizards and StJabbo1
It'sOnlyAGame said:
I see the whingers are getting their excuses in early.

"It is baffling how Angela Raynor was force to step down by what was effectively an administrative error by her agent"

Wrong thread. Everyone knows that jokes should be posted on Goodhand Arms.
Click to expand...
IOAG

I suppose you will be driving around to the polling station in your JCB?
 
ICC
About Defendant
Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, born on 21 October 1949, Prime Minister of Israel at the time of the relevant conduct.
Arrest warrant issued on 21 November 2024
Accused LastName
Netanyahu
Accused FirstName
Benjamin
Charges
Allegedly responsible for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024.

About Defendant
Mr Yoav Gallant, born on 8 November 1958, Minister of Defence of Israel at the time of the alleged conduct
Arrest warrant issued on 21 November 2024
Accused LastName
Gallant
Accused FirstName
Yoav
Charges
Allegedly responsible for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024.

On 21 November 2024, Pre-Trial Chamber I issued a warrant of arrest for:

Mohammed Diab Ibrahim AL-MASRI, commonly known as DEIF (Commander-in-Chief of the military wing of Hamas, known as the al-Qassam Brigades) for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed on the territory of the State of Israel and the State of Palestine from at least 7 October 2023.
The Prosecution had initially filed applications for warrants of arrest for two other senior leaders of Hamas, namely Mr Ismail Haniyeh and Mr Yahya Sinwar. Following confirmation of their deaths, the Chamber granted the withdrawal of the applications on 9 August 2024 and 25 October 2024, respectively.
 
Ian Thumwood said:
I do think that Farage is unfit to govern, not only because of his policies but also because of the donations and lack of accountability. The JCB donation is just the latest after the Crypto currency issue and the non-payment of tax by Richard Tice. It is baffling how Angela Raynor was force to step down by what was effectively an administrative error by her agent whereas Reform seem to consistently get away with financial matters that are totally inappropriate.

I do find it worrying that none of the donations have led to charges of serious misconduct nor been sanction of the committee of parliamentary privileges. There have been no police investigations and no candidate from Reform has ever been asked to step down where rules have been broken.
Click to expand...

Definitely unfairly hounded out of office by the press for an administrative error by her agent. What were the press thinking?

Funny how some fast practices should be overlooked when they are committed by a government minister of a certain party but other individuals should be held accountable.


............................................
As Shadow Minister, Angela Rayner strongly criticized tax avoidance, stating that the "public are furious with those who get away with tax avoidance while they pay".
.............................................
Key Aspects of the Case:
  • The Allegation:Critics, including the Conservative party, alleged Rayner used "hypocritical tax avoidance" by manipulating property deeds to avoid higher stamp duty rates on a second home.
    • The Admission: Rayner admitted she underpaid the stamp duty, stating she was "badly advised" by legal and trust experts who initially indicated she did not owe the higher rate.
    • The Property Transfer: Reports suggest she transferred her stake in her former Ashton-under-Lyne home to a trust to benefit her disabled son, aiming to protect the asset, which changed her legal status regarding property ownership.
    • The Legal Advice: While Rayner claimed to have received advice from a conveyancing firm and trust lawyers, the specific firm, Verrico & Associates, stated they did not provide the tax advice in question
..................................................

How to dodge a chargeable lifetime transfer​

Next up, the Ashton-under-Lyne family home. A portion of this was transferred into a trust set up for her son who, sadly, has lifelong disabilities.

Now, when you move assets into a trust, HMRC calls it a Chargeable Lifetime Transfer (CLT). If the value exceeds your nil-rate band (£325,000 per person or £650,000 per couple), you could face an immediate 20% IHT bill on the excess.
But guess what? The house just so happened to be valued at exactly £650,000. Handy, that. In fact, I’m surprised this hasn’t been investigated further as valuations are rarely so tidy. A few thousand either way is the norm.
But to land bang on the joint nil-rate band for IHT? That’s the sort of coincidence that makes Yorkshire folk mutter, “Aye, right.”

No tax bill today, and the trust got the asset neat as you like.

Whose Money Was It Anyway?​

Of course, the trust itself was funded by her son’s NHS compensation award. In other words, public money. That trust then paid Angela £162,500 for her share of the house, which she used as a deposit on her new Hove flat.

Stamp Duty Land Tax — The £40,000 “Oops”​

Finally, the Hove flat. £800,000 of seaside living. Rayner paid £30,000 in Stamp Duty — the standard rate — and thought she was done.
Except she wasn’t. HMRC says if your children’s trust owns property, you’re still treated as owning it too. Which meant she should have paid the 3% surcharge for additional properties, bringing the bill closer to £70,000.

Result? A £40,000 underpayment — which she’s now admitted and promised to repay. Consider it the most expensive “oops” note in recent political history. Although, in her defence, it was her financial advisers or her legal advisers fault…or maybe Boris Johnson or Donald Trump….anyone but Angela basically.


..................................................
Not only did she claim bad legal advise on Stamp Duty but also the initial valuation of £487,500 of her former home was an error. The new valuation allowed her to get a bigger chunk from her son's trust.
....................................................
Based on reports from September 2025, Angela Rayner has faced scrutiny regarding the valuation of her former Ashton-under-Lyne home, which was increased to £650,000 in April 2024 before she sold her stake to a trust for her son.

Details Regarding the Valuation:
  • Significant Increase: According to The Telegraph, the valuation was increased from £487,500 to £650,000 in April 2024 by her lawyers, a 25% hike.
  • Higher than Local Sales: The £650,000 valuation was noted to be considerably higher than other property sales on the same street, with analyses suggesting it was almost twice the price of neighbouring houses and significantly above average local sales, which were below £561,000.
  • "Administrative Error" Claim: Lawyers from Swiitch, part of Shoosmiths, who managed the trust for her son, claimed the original valuation was an "error" and the new, higher value was accurate.
  • Sale to Trust: In January 2025, Ms. Rayner sold a 25% share of the property to the trust for £162,500, a figure based on the £650,000 valuation.
  • Use of Funds: She used the funds from this sale to pay a deposit on a new £800,000 flat in Hove.

Quite obviously an honest mistake from "Straight up Angela", an administrative error, should never have come to the public's attention. Move on, nothing to see here.
 
Last edited:
The Ides of March said:
While we can be critical.of Israeli actions, a considerable amount of blame should be directed towards some European states (Germany, France and the UK) and the US for providing Israel.with the military hardware to carry out its aggressive missions.
Click to expand...
Far better to leave Israel to fend for themselves? The result of what you are suggesting would be "Israel wiped off the face of the earth" as the antisemites are calling for. They are surrounded by countries that want to annihilate them, don't you see what would happen?
 
It'sOnlyAGame said:
Far better to leave Israel to fend for themselves? The result of what you are suggesting would be "Israel wiped off the face of the earth" as the antisemites are calling for. They are surrounded by countries that want to annihilate them, don't you see what would happen?
Click to expand...
If we go any further, we could discuss why the state of Israel was allowed to establish itself in the first place, in 1948, when for the previous two milenia, there was no need for such a state. Here the west are very culpable!
 
  • Like
Reactions: thebronze14 and Ian Thumwood
Archers Road said:
My son is standing as a Green Party candidate in Westminster. He says he’s only on the ballot to make up the numbers, but I asked him, What if you win? He’s confident that won’t happen but would be amusing if he did. He’ll have an expression on his face like Boris Johnson the morning after the Brexit vote <yikes>
Click to expand...
Good Luck to your son and the Greens.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ian Thumwood and StJabbo1
Ian Thumwood said:
IOAG

I suppose you will be driving around to the polling station in your JCB?
Click to expand...
I was going to vote until I found out that the Far Right, Extremist, Fascist, Attila the Hun, Nazi, Racist, Bigot, Yaxley-Lennon Party didn't have a candidate in my area. You can imagine how disappointing that was.
If I've left anything out I'm sure you'll come up with something in your next post.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: The Ides of March
The Ides of March said:
If we go any further, we could discuss why the state of Israel was allowed to establish itself in the first place, in 1948, when for the previous two milenia, there was no need for such a state. Here the west are very culpable!
Click to expand...
Well in that case , lets not deflect back 78 years. We could stick to what you originally posted about.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back