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[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

I'm sure we've all been on trains that were overcrowded. Heck going to Wigan the other week for Rovers they were turning away people on Blackburn platform because they literally couldn't fit on the train even standing up.

Corbyn wants to re-nationalise railways so it's the whole private v public argument as always. Private is cheaper (if not in rail fares then hugely in cost to the taxpayer) but the overall quality of the service is poorer. Public you get a better service overall but more strikes and more coming out of your wage (or more piled onto the national debt which eventually means more coming out of your wage).

It's the same argument as for any other number of job areas. The Tories want to erode the public sector, Labour wants to preserve it, Jeremy wants to restore it to its largest historical size (and probably expand it thereafter).

Maybe his next stunt should be to run security for the Labour party conference so they don't have to use G4S.

[Baz]

I'm sure we've all been on trains that were overcrowded. Heck going to Wigan the other week for Rovers they were turning away people on Blackburn platform because they literally couldn't fit on the train even standing up.

Corbyn wants to re-nationalise railways so it's the whole private v public argument as always. Private is cheaper (if not in rail fares then hugely in cost to the taxpayer) but the overall quality of the service is poorer. Public you get a better service overall but more strikes and more coming out of your wage (or more piled onto the national debt which eventually means more coming out of your wage).

It's the same argument as for any other number of job areas. The Tories want to erode the public sector, Labour wants to preserve it, Jeremy wants to restore it to its largest historical size (and probably expand it thereafter).

Maybe his next stunt should be to run security for the Labour party conference so they don't have to use G4S.

Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy all have at least 80% of their rail network nationalised. All are much cheaper for the user, much more efficient, and carry far more than our rail network.

Overcrowding on our railways is due in a large manner to the fact we have massively under-invested in our rail network for decades. Whilst other countries have invested in full electrification, double height trains, new rolling stock, high-speed network we have done nothing.

If you are for instance going to award 5 year contracts to essentially the highest bidder, then you will be lucky to see them spend any money on rolling stock etc, they are commercial businesses afterall. Renationalisation of the railways makes sense if we want a better, cheaper service that will encourage more commuters to use, and improve traffic congestion etc....

Funny how the governments on both sides always find money for improvement of the tube, and the cross-rail project, but its much harder to justify the spending outside voting battlegrounds. Transport for London in times of austerity are funding the garden bridge project to the tune of tens of millions. In the nw we are using rolling stock from the 1970's.

[Audax]

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-britain-idUSKCN10X1AU

Briton killed clearing land mines in Iraq; sounds like his company in this case, was contracted to disassemble improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Sad.

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Reuters has up that Perugia Italy has been hit with a 6.4 quake. Breaking News. We will see. That is a bad one, not sure if it will be a devastating one though in that vein. Bad ones I think are often ones over 7.

[Stuart]

10 dead so far surely more to follow with three-quarters of the town destroyed... the awful and awesome power of Mother Nature.

[Audax]

Terrible about that backpacker being killed in Australia, others attacked.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/24/frenchman-in-australia-kills-british-backpacker-and-injures-man/

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

"Queensland Police Service earlier named the suspected murderer as 29-year-old Frenchman Smail Ayad.

He is also charged with two counts of attempted murder, 12 counts of serious assault and one count of serious animal cruelty."

Another lovely follower of the religion of peace. Snail Ayad might be a better name for him.

[K-Hod]

In the news the other day, people were obsessing over Jeremy Corbyn on a train while the government is busy abolishing the human rights act...

[Al]

The Human Rights Act is well overdue for reform. Too many criminals are hiding behind it and preventing their deportation.

[Norbert Rassragr]

It will probably be repealed rather than reformed. Then it will give Madame Palpatine a clearer run on introducing a 'snooper's charter' and allow all your e-mails to be read. Oh and legal reforms that probably get rid of legal aid altogether, give more rights to large companies over their employees and privatise the police. OK, this is speculation but I would not put it past any Conservative government to screw over regular working people.

And for the sake of balance, Labour are a joke. Corbyn was always going to be hammered in the press, as he is a hardcore leftie but he doesn't help himself. He's not a leader but I'm suspicious of Smith. Is he another Blair, who has no scruples and wants to be leader above any real ideology? All I can say for certain is that he is MP for my mum's home town. The fact we have a harsh, corrupt Tory government that is not popular, yet the Labour MPs are at war with each other and regular members instead shows how rubbish they are.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37203457

Overpopulation at work. There's not even area-specific traffic warnings anymore. Basically if there's a holiday then expect gridlock where ever you are in the country and where ever you're going. If this continues well into the future then one day we'll all be re-confined to our local area like in the pre-car era.

[jim mk2]

Regular Bank Holiday snarl-ups as another excuse to have a go at immigration - it's pathetic.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

Regular Bank Holiday snarl-ups as another excuse to have a go at immigration - it's pathetic.

Haha thanks. I find your viewpoint contemptible and nauseating.

[Paul]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37203457

Another demonstration of the wealth we enjoy in the UK. With an adult population of +/- 55 million and 26 million cars registered nearly one in two adults probably owns or has access to a vehicle.

According to this report up to 80% of those vehicles will be used for journeys which people have planned in order to enjoy themselves during a paid holiday.

Personally I'll be walking or cycling but that's my choice.

[Stuart]

According to this report up to 80% of those vehicles will be used for journeys which people have planned in order to enjoy themselves during a paid holiday.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[K-Hod]

I drove to a family do in Leicestershire yesterday and it was absolutely heaving around Stoke. Those average speed checks are the worst, made even more galling by lane closures and no work actually being done....

[Paul]

You say that like it's a bad thing.

No. Not at all and I don't see why you say that. My opener referred to our wealth and public paid holidays and car ownership are a part of that wealth.

My real point is the story can illustrate several different views. Under investment in infrastructure, public transport, roads, pollution, environmental damage etc. It just depends how one choses to look at it.

[ABBEY]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37203457

Another demonstration of the wealth we enjoy in the UK. With an adult population of +/- 55 million and 26 million cars registered nearly one in two adults probably owns or has access to a vehicle.

According to this report up to 80% of those vehicles will be used for journeys which people have planned in order to enjoy themselves during a paid holiday.

Personally I'll be walking or cycling but that's my choice.

and enjoying yourself driving somewhere is wrong because?

cyclists causing hold up GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

You say that like it's a bad thing.

HA just seen this

[jim mk2]

Haha thanks. I find your viewpoint contemptible and nauseating.

Good. It means I'm annoying you.

FYI there has been a chronic lack of investment in this country's infrastructure by successive governments for for the past 50 years. Blaming chocked roads on a Bank Holiday on immigrants isn't just pathetic - it's laughable.

[Paul]

and enjoying yourself driving somewhere is wrong because?

cyclists causing hold up GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

HA just seen this

Can you point out where I have complained about driving? The point, which shouldn't need explanation, is we are a wealthy nation with high levels of car ownership, paid public holidays which give people the opportunity to enjoy themselves.

I drive enough already so I'll probably go walking but if my wife doesn't want to I'll go cycling - on quiet roads where there is little or no traffic.

[Mike E]

I mentioned this on Friday on Facebook.

Coming up the A49, we were held up for about 30mins due to roadworks. Get there, it's about 10 yards long, there's nobody there, no hole, no equipment, just cones and temporary traffic lights.

This country sucks at roadworks.

[Paul]

Did you see roadworks in Iceland Mike? All we saw the traffic just had to sort itself out. No cones, no lights simply get on with digging up the road!

[Mike E]

Exactly! Although it's more 'traffic' than traffic

[Tom]

We drove down to Epsom today, obviously chose the right day as didn't hit a spot of traffic even going past Heathrow

[K-Hod]

Apple ordered to pay back 13 Billion Euros in back taxes. Hot damn!

[Mike E]

They'll have to sell another couple of phones to raise that!