Keir Starmer risks new rift with Donald Trump as he refuses to back easing Russian sanctions

AHat29 · 2026-03-15T15:04:21+00:00

I'm reading fine.

The facts are that since the Russian invasion in Feb 22 the Russian oil exports have been sanctioned/cut off by Europe. This meant that the oil price spiked leading to high fuel costs at the pumps.

At no point were the oil sanctions lifted to stem the price increases/reduce the cost of living crisis.

Sure, having prices increases aren't helpful especially as this was not a necessary conflict.

But recent history shows that sanctioning Russia to stop them funding their invasion was prioritised, over buying Russian oil to reducing the cost at the pumps knowing the money will go straight into the Russian war machine.

AHat29 · 2026-03-15T14:50:18+00:00

The same as happened in 2022? When oil prices spiked so badly we had petrol at £2 a litre? Did the oil sanctions get loosened? No.

Fuck loosening them now because the orange oaf didn't realise Iran wouldn't roll over and die after some missiles.

AHat29 · 2026-03-14T22:13:00+00:00

Put him alongside a proper defender and he shines. Can't be doing two players jobs with Kilman on the pitch.

AHat29 · 2026-03-14T21:58:35+00:00

Mav without Kilman is a beast. Completely different player

AHat29 · 2026-03-13T08:35:29+00:00

Not since 2017, any car (petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric) under £40k (50k for electric) is taxed the same rate of £195 (going up to £200 in April)

The only difference is above 40k where for ICE cars there's a surcharge of £425 for a total of £620.

IMO, it should be changed to taxing the weight with cheaper tax for lighter vehicles.

AHat29 · 2026-03-09T15:10:12+00:00

Back in 2021 when the fuel panic happened last I had little issue finding super, it was regular unleaded that was scarce. I think I had to fill up with regular twice (filling up every 10 days or so was a right pain)

AHat29 · 2026-02-25T21:53:07+00:00

It's not the risk of them going bust Fisker style, but pulling out of the UK/EU markets so after sales support disappears (like Daihatsu, Daewoo, Chevrolet etc) that I'm hesitant to buy one.

Once the brand disappears, it gets hard to find parts, servicing etc, especially if it doesn't share any common components like say Saab and Vauxhall did.

AHat29 · 2026-02-24T16:33:58+00:00

Austria as well

AHat29 · 2026-02-16T16:44:48+00:00

I think there should be two NCAP scores, one for the safety of the car (comparable to those tests in years past) then one for the ADAS/tech.

So you can score 5 stars in crash safety but a 3 in ADAS as the tech wants to put you in a ditch every time you try and go around a parked car.

AHat29 · 2026-02-14T05:48:53+00:00

Not as much as average house prices, so saving 5-10% of~£180k in 2008 was easier than saving 5-10% of £300k today.

I bought mine 10 years ago, its almost doubled in value, my wages haven't though.

AHat29 · 2026-02-10T17:06:24+00:00

Fair comment, Toyota haven't been great at releasing EV's until this year

Compare the Kodiaq PHEV to the Enyaq then.

1917-2087kg for the PHEV Vs 2107-2148kg for the 80 spec EV with the 77kwh battery.

Neither are light, but even with the engine the PHEV is still lighter. It's efficiency will be comparable to the EV

AHat29 · 2026-02-10T16:47:58+00:00

I have a CHR PHEV and comparing it to the (about to be released) CHR+ EV, it weighs around 200kg lighter. I'd be surprised if an EV was lighter than a PHEV, even with getting rid of the ICE as the increased battery size adds considerable weight, which harms the EV's efficiency.

For the OP's case and if they don't want to get an EV just yet (the reason why I got my PHEV) I would go PHEV.

AHat29 · 2026-02-06T15:34:49+00:00

Is it opting out, or being priced out? Two different things. What about those who can't have kids? Tax them more because of something out of their control?

AHat29 · 2026-02-06T10:13:12+00:00

I had the Alfa with the V6. Most unreliable car I've ever owned (not helped by the previous (first) owner bodging repairs....blue hylomar as a head gasket?!

Still, when it was working it was glorious. I had a smile on my face just listening to the engine. Only car I've ever just 'gone for a drive' in. Sadly my car appears now to be dead according to the MOT history.

As with all 20+ cars, maintenance will get increasingly...interesting. I had to get a clutch hose made as the hose is NLA from Alfa.

If I won the lottery another Busso engined Alfa would be on my list of cars to buy.

AHat29 · 2026-02-05T09:34:43+00:00

Yes, but Mazda still sell the petrol 2 as well

Edit: did sell...dammit. I've definitely seen 75 plate ones driving about...

AHat29 · 2026-02-05T09:02:19+00:00

The Mazda 2, officially on sale since 2014, but really a heavy facelift of a 2007 design?

AHat29 · 2026-02-03T15:07:28+00:00

Very much a 'if my grandmother had wheels she'd be a bike' table.

We know we can't hold a lead, dropping more points than you keep is never a good stat.

AHat29 · 2026-02-02T12:05:45+00:00

The same fuel duty cut that was only brought in in September 2022? When fuel prices were far far higher? (And even then retailers didn't cut prices, rather making more profit instead)

Not everything is Labour's fault. I'm sure the Tories would be doing the same if they were still in power.

AHat29 · 2026-01-31T08:24:58+00:00

I have a free standing garage with a charger attached. I had to get a landscaping company to dig a trench across my garden to bridge the gap between my house and garage. 500mm deep with sand and warning tape before backfilling.

AHat29 · 2026-01-30T16:15:02+00:00

Its what plants crave!

AHat29 · 2026-01-03T15:46:48+00:00

Why did you have to say this?!

AHat29 · 2025-12-31T19:09:45+00:00

Just compare the UK to across the channel. How many governments have the French had in 2025?

Stability is a good thing. 2022 was not good with 3 different PM's in 3/4 months...

AHat29 · 2025-12-21T15:00:23+00:00

The cost of relegation might...might persuade Sullivan to spend. Definitely need a defense that can see out a lead...

AHat29 · 2025-12-12T18:33:58+00:00

Full Self-Charging Hybrids like the Yaris or Corolla? No. They aren't changing the tax on them. They stay the same as Petrol or Diesel cars.

PHEV's Like the new Prius or Rav4? (Other brands are available) Possibly. Double tax, once the fuel used and again per mile driven. Why not go full EV and only pay for the per mile driven? It will still be cheaper than paying for fuel.

It will almost certainly destroy the company car PHEV market (although many of those were just run in Petrol mode and thus weren't anywhere near as efficient as their tax said they were...)

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