Adrian

Musician and repairer/restorer of many things (reuse/recycle). Aberdeenshire. Lover of nature, leftwing, green, atheist, pacifist. Pro- democracy, electoral reform, republic, international cooperation (not Brexit), and steady-state economics. Deeply concerned about climate change, war and genocide. Scotland should be allowed a vote on independence.

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Last Notes

2025-07-04 07:00:10 UTC

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Perhaps the problem is that Reeves' fiscal rules are the cornerstone of Labour's fiscal trustworthiness, and one can only shift such cornerstones in a crisis. Crises have occurred, yet Reeves has held fast. The longer she does this, the bigger the crisis will need to be before it might be viewed as sufficient reason for a shift.

2025-06-23 09:17:10 UTC

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Absolutely agree. Furthermore, Reeves' attempts to adhere to her fiscal rules through these challenging times is an attempt to win favour from Tory voters. This Labour government is a vacuum sucking in policies of their opponents.
As I've said before here, what's required is electoral reform so that we can have a government that truly reflects the spectrum of voters' wishes, rather than one whose policies are primarily dictated by the inherent failings of FPTP.

2025-06-23 07:14:43 UTC

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#Starmer is shit scared of Reform. So much so that one might argue that Farage has a significantly more influential role in determining Labour's policy than its own members and MPs.

2025-06-20 09:14:36 UTC

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Yes, I totally agree.

2025-06-20 08:05:02 UTC

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I would argue that the aspirational notion of 'university education for all' has had its day. Many graduates now find themselves in relatively low-paid jobs bearing no relevance to their degree.
"Do you want fries with that?"
Perhaps the focus should be shifted to higher *and* further education, so that apprenticeships and colleges are encouraged to train for 3-4 years after sixth-form? This would potentially have the benefit of educating all levels of society.

2025-06-17 07:24:10 UTC

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If I were to pick a big band tune right now, it'd be Thad Jones' arrangement of 'All Of Me' recorded on the Mel Lewis Orchestra's album '20 Years At The Village Vanguard'. I saw the band live at Ronnie Scott's around the time this album was recorded.

2025-06-17 07:11:40 UTC

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I dropped WA (along with all Meta & Musk) a few years ago. Signal is now my messenger app.

2025-05-22 06:42:10 UTC

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Rayner's just another politician who has largely abandoned what morals and principles they had before swearing allegiance to the increasingly rightwing populist party line.
Some years ago I politely questioned a Twitter post that was riddled with errors, to which she blocked me. I was somewhat taken aback as I'd hoped for better. It's so disappointing to see many good people corrupted by the lure of power.

2025-05-17 07:54:54 UTC

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It's interesting that on Nat's version they're blowing over major tonality whereas on all other versions I've heard it's minor. There's lovely tension created in Nat's solo when the rhythm section are playing 9th chords yet he is steadfastly referencing the tune by playing the #9.

2025-05-16 07:18:29 UTC

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See my correction. Why is tax so bloody complicated?! Argh!

2025-05-16 07:15:35 UTC

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My wife has just corrected me on this!
Relatively recently introduced generous allowances mean that most people won't actually have to pay tax on savings interest. With this in mind, ISAs will only benefit the wealthy, so limiting their scope is in fact a progressive measure.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-tax-free-interest-on-savings

2025-05-16 06:59:11 UTC

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It's not just about risk; ISAs and investments provide different functions. Investments, with their short-term peaks and troughs, are primarily suited to long-term strategies. ISAs offer guaranteed returns for those who may need to draw upon funds in the shorter-term.
Reducing the scope of ISAs will increase government tax receipts as people will instead use savings accounts which tax interest. I suspect that the government know this and that it's actually a disingenuous tax hike.

2025-05-06 08:19:52 UTC

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Perhaps because they know that the BBC are obsessed with Farage and that they know that the combination of all this publicity and our FPTP (un)democratic system, makes Reform their principal opposition?
You'd think that Labour might simply change the electoral system to a form of PR, but that wouldn't fit their rightwing stance.
OK, slightly tongue-in-cheek but there is an element of truth in there, that PR would completely neuter the possibility of a Reform majority.
#BlueLabour

2024-12-29 11:05:28 UTC

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What a remarkable year's photographs Jim. Beautiful. Thank you.

2024-12-29 09:24:57 UTC

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I'm inclined to agree with you, but question what the turnout was for the last election? If it was very low and most voters stayed home, then it may be that if Labour strongly campaigned with a new candidate they'd win by a larger margin as this traditional Labour stronghold would want to see off the far-right. It's certainly one to watch.

2024-12-22 10:06:53 UTC

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Absolutely, especially as one can reasonably infer from polling that 20% of the electorate support far-right views (such as xenophobia, racism & fascism).
All Farage has to do is get all of them to turn out on polling day and he's PM. With Musk's unlimited resources to fund this endeavour and Labour & the Tories' continuing decline, I believe this to be the most likely outcome of GE2029.

2024-12-19 08:30:59 UTC

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I've really enjoyed your recommendations Chris, thank you!
A while ago my good friend Elio Pace asked me to name my favourite album. I deliberated for days before reaching a decision. The album I chose is 'Bob Brookmeyer - Composer & Arranger' by the Mel Lewis Orchestra and featuring Clark Terry. The music, recorded live at The Village Vanguard in NYC, is truly extraordinary. Have you heard it?
#jazz #bigband
https://www.discogs.com/master/749363-Mel-Lewis-And-The-Jazz-Orchestra-Bob-Brookmeyer-Composer-Arranger

2024-12-18 09:29:09 UTC

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I've a hunch that he #Starmer government's decision to ignore the recommendation was based upon focus groups / polling that indicates that most of the #WASPI women affected probably won't vote for #Labour anyway.

2024-12-14 07:34:37 UTC

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A lot of people are now mentioning #Brexit and polls indicate that the majority of the electorate would prefer the Soft Brexit that was 'promised' in 2016.
The problem is that the government are ignoring them.

2024-12-10 07:54:30 UTC

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Indeed. Reeves is merely towing the #BlueLabour line of echoing Tory/Reform sentiment so as not to alienate the xenophobes/fascists/fools. There will be no #reset until the oily, spineless #Starmer begins to speak the truth about #Brexit.
I find it remarkable that nobody is reminding the dimwitted electorate that the Hard Brexit that was delivered is not the one that was sold to them in 2016.
"Exactly the same benefits"
"There will be no downsides to Brexit"
etc.

2024-12-06 08:26:15 UTC

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I've just listened to a few tracks. Fabulous to hear the roots of rap, and I wonder what modern rap think of this - so poetic, loose and fresh. It reminds me somewhat of Charles Mingus.

2024-10-30 14:53:04 UTC

I'm looking for advice in replanting approximately an acre of recently-felled conifer crop plantation with #trees and #shrubs native to #Aberdeenshire. Below is a list of species under consideration and an aerial photograph of the area, with the replanting zones edged in red.
Can anyone advise regarding where/how to source the trees, planting density and placement?
#Scotland #woodland #forestry #NativeWoodland
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/113/396/907/145/626/152/original/425ccd7bacedd8ba.png

2024-10-28 09:49:55 UTC

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Surely the #US would veto the expulsion of #Israel from the #UnitedNations?

2024-10-22 07:01:40 UTC

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I totally agree. It demonstrates a disgraceful lack of contrition or even awareness of the distress that they have caused to so many.
#ukpassport #passportoffice #passport #paddington

2024-10-17 12:40:14 UTC

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No chance that his immensely wealthy family might instead stop sponging off the British public? All of the Windsors (or Saxe-Coburg-Gotha as they were known before they turd-polished their image) are an anachronistic disgrace.
#Windsor #AbolishTheMonarchy

2024-10-14 07:32:51 UTC

#Starmer's promise to “rip out the bureaucracy that blocks [foreign] investment” is totally at odds with his #Brexit 'red lines'.
With it's echoes of Cameron's 'bonfire of red tape', this will cede control and ownership of numerous ventures to foreign investors whilst UK citizens pay for their vast profits.
This is rampant #Tory capitalism from #Labour.
#takebackcontrol #BlueLabour #UKeconomy
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/oct/14/keir-starmer-promise-slash-red-tape-investment-summit

2024-10-13 07:35:02 UTC

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Many (most?) people think that 'humans will adapt to the warmer weather'. They have absolutely no idea what's in store for them.
The lack of education and realisation is truly staggering. If a massive asteroid were heading for Earth, people would realise that it was indeed The End Times for our world. Climate change *is* that asteroid, but in slow motion.
#climatechange #apocalypse #climatecatastrophe

2024-10-12 07:10:13 UTC

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Let's be clear, it's not "Starmer's woes" that are causing problems for Scottish Labour, it's largely his policies.
#Scotland is a predominantly leftwing country and England is not.
#politics #uk_politics #ukpol

2024-10-07 07:21:13 UTC

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It should also be noted that New #Labour laid the foundations for the demise of the #NHS by funding so many projects via PFI. Many Trusts still carry the financial burden of these contracts a quarter of a century later.
#PFI #PFIdebt

2024-10-03 19:03:02 UTC

With a nod to @npub12pw…zvxn:
This week I've been mainly listening to, the album 'Wood' featuring #bass player Brian Bromberg.
If you like #jazz then I strongly recommend that you get your ears around it. My music streaming site of choice is Deezer and it's available there.

2024-10-03 06:45:52 UTC

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The pitifully low turnout in the GE and behaviour of Starmer's rightwing government are indeed indicators that FPTP is in desperate need of replacement.
Essentially what we have now, despite their parliamentary majority, is an uneasy Labour government with the Conservatives and Reform dictating policy via the rightwing press.
I suspect a lot of people in the disUnited Kingdom voted Labour because they were the 'least worst option'. This is not a functioning democracy.

2024-10-03 06:20:49 UTC

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As I see it there are two possible reasons for Starmer's 'red line' over any form of FoM between the EU and UK:
He, like the Tories, has decided to ignore that Vote Leave campaigned for a 'soft Brexit' with 'exactly the same benefits'.
He allowing the Tories and Reform to dictate Labour policy because he's fearful of public opinion turning even further against him.
Either way, this is not how a democracy should function, and Starmer is effectively a Tory PM wearing a red rosette.

2024-09-30 16:59:53 UTC

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That didn't take you long to find a copy! I'm very pleased you like it.
If at some point one of your DJ nights coincides with my travel between Scotland and the South of England I'll try to arrange a stopover and enjoy an evening of great music.

2024-09-27 07:52:58 UTC

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Let me put it another way: If the PM can't afford to pay for his own recreational activities, then he should not accept them as gifts from others.
If you can't afford to feed your family, do you have millionaire chums on standby to buy your food? No.
The very least a PM should do is lead by example and forego luxuries that are unaffordable even on his considerable salary.

2024-09-27 07:40:46 UTC

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If the PM can't stand in the crowd at a football match, then he should either personally pay for a box or not attend.
Many people can't afford food or heating, never mind luxuries like attending sporting events.
#Starmer #corruption #BlueLabour #freebies

2024-09-25 06:49:59 UTC

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To be honest, for me that album stands head and shoulders above everything else of his. I'd start with it and go no further! After that he turned towards Smooth Jazz and never really looked back, which is a shame.
The reason why that album occurred to me is that Lorber went on to produce for Kenny G, the master of insipid saxophone.

2024-09-25 06:33:27 UTC

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Ah, this album was part of the soundtrack to my life at this time. I liked everything about it apart from the insipid saxophone playing.
I've been meaning to mention, do you have Jeff Lorber's album 'Water Sign'? That's exceptionally good.

2024-09-21 08:50:06 UTC

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It's clear from that chart that war is a key driver in the ratio of public #debt to GBP. Given that we're probably on the brink of both catastrophic climate change events and increasing conflict (Israel/Middle East, Russia/Ukraine, China/Taiwan) which will may escalate into a Third World War, Reeves is pissing in the wind.
Does anyone seriously believe that things will be better in five years time? Labour is making many of the proles' last days more painful than they need be.

2024-09-17 11:56:50 UTC

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Whether or not it's corruption is debatable, as that depends upon whether government policy regarding the donor is modified in their favour.
My issue with such gifts is that #Starmer should pay for such luxuries himself, especially when he's implementing what is essentially #austerity upon ordinary folk.
An energy company isn't going to offer a struggling householder any gifts – they'll more likely be sending round a bailiff.
The PM is abusing his privilege. That's sleaze.

2024-09-17 10:01:10 UTC

Keir #Starmer claims that #gifts of tickets to football matches are essential because of security requirements. His salary is in excess of £166,000. If going to Arsenal matches is so important to him, why hasn't it occurred to him to buy the tickets for the box himself?
#BlueLabour #sleaze #LabourSleaze

2024-09-10 20:29:10 UTC

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That's exactly how I feel. I've searched the web for the best motor company (ICE or EV) for privacy, but it seems that there is no data on this.

2024-09-10 07:48:16 UTC

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The BBC is an anachronism. Its Royal Charter does not make it independent of the government of the day, and it ties itself in knots presenting lies as 'balance'.
For many the Licence Fee is a tax for a broadcasting service that they rarely watch. The fact that non-payment is criminal is highly questionable.
As with the NHS, successive governments will tinker with it, gradually starving it of funding until it collapses.

2024-09-02 22:12:07 UTC

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The problem is that Labour adhere to the myth/lie/fallacy of Trickle-Down Economics. They believe that growth is the solution and that to achieve growth, the wealthy must remain utterly unimpeded.

2024-09-02 09:32:49 UTC

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I suspect that the forces wouldn't allow such a survey to take place because of their desire to be seen as politically neutral.
However, my personal experience of people who have served in/with the armed forces indicates that they're inclined to be rightwing monarchists. I suspect that those serving in the police force would be a similar demographic.
This article discusses the political leaning of the armed forces:
https://bylinetimes.com/2021/10/22/military-matters-91-of-mps-with-armed-forces-background-are-conservatives/

2024-09-02 06:57:38 UTC

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I've been unable to find a single survey which studies the political leanings of members of the UK police force. Is anyone aware of one?

2024-08-31 08:59:54 UTC

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Where was that taken? Great photograph.

2024-08-18 10:55:43 UTC

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I'm very sorry to hear that.
My disconnection from Meta (including WhatsApp) has shown me which of my family and friends care enough about me to install Signal and use that instead.
Painful though it is, when people can't be bothered to install an app to communicate with you, it speaks volumes about how much you mean to them.

2024-08-18 08:54:35 UTC

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You could keep in touch with your kids by messaging and sharing photographs/videos via Signal? This works very well for our family.
https://signal.org/

2024-08-18 08:17:27 UTC

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I'm increasingly concerned by the number of intelligent leftwing-inclined people who still use social media platforms such as Twatter and Arsebook.

2024-07-06 21:41:00 UTC

The fact that #Starmer has installed #PatrickVallance, the man who stood shoulder to shoulder with "let the bodies pile high" #BorisJohnson during the early days of the #Covid pandemic tells me all I need to know about #Labour. This is a continuity #Tory Establishment government. Deeply depressing.

2024-07-01 08:02:06 UTC

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Yes, Rollo makes some strong arguments against this being a possibility.
However, historically the Tories are the party of the wealthy and whilst Farage might make a bob or two by appealing to disenchanted proles, the big bucks and power comes from aligning with the Establishment. The Tory party will soon be at their lowest ebb and with Farage ascending, they might well choose once more to embrace a populist charlatan.

2024-07-01 07:10:34 UTC

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I suggested this only a few days ago as being a likely turn of events. Chilling.