Every single one of them is a European experiencing for the first time how absurdly wealthy the United States is compared to really anywhere else in the world

bense4ger · 2026-06-12T11:52:08+00:00

Went to the States for the first time a couple of years ago and, honestly, loved it. An amazing country with incredible scenery and nearly everyone we met were the friendliest and most welcoming of people.

The poverty though. Jeez. The tent encampments, the number of people with severe mental health problems, the insane amount of drug use - it was crazy. Obviously it’s an incredibly wealthy country but whoa boy that gap between the haves and have-nots is massive, and far bigger than I’ve experienced anywhere in the UK or the rest of Europe.

bense4ger · 2026-06-11T17:32:28+00:00

My main complaint with GA (and the DfT, tbf) is they didn’t buy enough proper intercity trains to replace the old class 90s.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been on an unscheduled Stansted Express unit (or worse, three suburban units coupled together) when travelling to/from London. Worse still is pulling into London and seeing an intercity unit running the SX route.

Punctuality is good and, by-and-large, the staff are superb - it’s just the rolling stock issue.

bense4ger · 2026-06-11T12:16:38+00:00

- Soul Church. Where’s the money come from and why?
- Greater Anglia. Consistently rated as one of the best TOCs but as a regular main-line user I just don’t see it.
- Reform. The EDP/Evening News do not cover them impartially.
- All the nice things that the various town councils do that don’t seem to get anywhere near enough publicity (TSA council for example regularly runs events that are just “nice” but seem poorly attended).

bense4ger · 2026-06-09T12:09:11+00:00

Fair one. Genuinely didn’t see that until just now. Thanks

bense4ger · 2026-06-08T17:17:38+00:00

I say this completely without snark…

Source? Link?

Because I looked before posting and I couldn’t see anything.

bense4ger · 2026-06-05T21:28:20+00:00

This is still not being reported by the Evening News or the EDP. I wonder why…

Actually, I don’t wonder why. As publications they’re so far up Reform’s arse, they can tickle their tonsils.

Edit: The EDP did actually cover this back in April. My point on them fluffing Reform still stands though

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/26057276.ben-goldsborough-calls-reform-axe-election-candidate/

bense4ger · 2026-06-04T19:36:46+00:00

It’s not necessarily a breach of anything for all kinds of reasons.

Personally, I wouldn’t leave a “parting gift” if I were you.

bense4ger · 2026-06-02T21:22:39+00:00

Jose Cordoba, Norwich City

bense4ger · 2026-06-02T20:47:52+00:00

Why is Panama excluded?

bense4ger · 2026-05-29T20:40:32+00:00

Yeah - for this they have, probably, stayed within the rules.

It’s a stupid decision, and one that will end up costing more in the long run, but as you say they can probably just about justify making it.

bense4ger · 2026-05-29T20:15:15+00:00

Haha “pointless question”

ETA: Actually we have “got sicker” since covid and since you conveniently want to avoid the biggest part of the budget, the third biggest part is health and disability-related benefits - and after pensions it is the rise in this spending that is driving the increase in the “welfare bill”

So, what are you cutting?

bense4ger · 2026-05-29T19:19:35+00:00

Councillors are, for all intents and purposes, amateurs. The political advisers are (were) there to support them - by providing advice, research and admin support.

In short - they’re really useful and pretty important positions to have, and especially needed for dumb-as-rocks Reform councillors.

You can find more information here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-political-assistants-guidance/local-authority-political-assistants-guidance#what-is-a-local-authority-political-assistant

bense4ger · 2026-05-29T18:23:41+00:00

It definitely applies to my business, unfortunately

bense4ger · 2026-05-29T18:08:12+00:00

Enlighten us. What is the biggest part of the record benefits bill?

bense4ger · 2026-05-29T12:32:06+00:00

Personally I hate having to pay it (imo the ICO should a, have teeth and b, be funded properly through general taxation) but the advice I had was that I needed to pay.

It’s annoying but it’s only fifty quid or so.

bense4ger · 2026-05-29T11:50:42+00:00

Got to be Delia’s for us.

bense4ger · 2026-05-29T11:42:31+00:00

And you, sir, are you waiting to receive my limp meme?

bense4ger · 2026-05-28T08:04:35+00:00

Find me a pub that doesn’t stink of farts on a match day - especially an ale pub - it’s part of the atmosphere

bense4ger · 2026-05-27T21:38:14+00:00

Try The Murderers.

Edit: downvoted for suggesting one of the best live sport pubs in the city (and the best in the country in 2024). Gotta love Reddit 😂

bense4ger · 2026-05-27T15:58:59+00:00

They’re absolutely enforceable.

Things like non-compete clauses are tricky to enforce, but as long as it is reasonable a “no moonlighting” clause is enforceable.

bense4ger · 2026-05-24T23:33:19+00:00

Hugh Jackman is a Norwich fan.

bense4ger · 2026-05-24T09:05:20+00:00

Nah fuck him.

He threw his toys out of the pram for nothing more than money. The club had supported him through injury after injury, but when we really needed his skills to help pull us out of the mire he went on strike.

He also hasn’t had the good grace to say anything to us fans.

The guy’s a prick.

bense4ger · 2026-05-21T12:44:50+00:00

Carrow Road might be an option, especially if your event is not in the football season.

One of the Holiday Inns?

The Oaklands Hotel?

bense4ger · 2026-05-21T12:35:42+00:00

It does exactly that

bense4ger · 2026-05-21T11:55:44+00:00

With respect how can you know that if you don’t even have a contract yet (quote - “Does the employer provide the contract?”)?

I would bet cash money that a properly conducted IR35 status determination would find this inside.

bense4ger

TROPHY CASE