That was an online agreement and I think probably enforceable, but I'm no expert. However, the PPI was included in the loan which I believe is a big no no. Somebody who knows more about this stuff will be along shortly to advise, I'm sure. Cheers. Fred

They're not, to be honest. Most of them didn't bother to vote. Of those that did, there was a majority in favour of strike action, but there was only a 27% turnout.

Mikey, Can you scan up your "agreement", leaving out personal details, barcodes etc, for the experts to look at. If it's unenforceable, that leaves you in a much stronger position. I know that's frowned upon here, but it's still the case. Regards. Fred

True.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/sep/07/teaching-union-vote-strike-pay Clearly, 78% of them are happy with their lot. As they are well paid and have good holiday and pension entitlements that is no surprise really.

I think you ought to have a listen to this bloke: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=blaster+bates&oq=blaster+bates&gs_l=youtube.3..0l7.2927.5026.0.5904.13.12.0.1.1.0.151.1391.2j10.12.0...0.0...1ac.1.yxd_efHQKo8

Good idea.

I may not be paranoid, but it doesn't mean that I'm not being followed by the Chinese Secret Service.

I've seen it. The ruling elite in Brussels absolutely hate Farage because he tells it like it is. Same with Daniel Hannan. There are one or two extremely thick people on this board (well 1 anyway) who think that because I disagree with the last government's way of doing things that I must be a Tory. Truth is, that at the 8 elections I have voted at since 1979, I only voted for the Tories once and that was in 1983. Cheers. Fred

If you took the time to look it up you'd find it was a 100,000. Not that this will make a blind bit of difference as what you are asking for, in a rambling, incoherent sort of way, is a bit like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas. You'd stand more chance platting fog or striking matches on wet tripe. I suppose that dose of realism makes me a Tory does it? As you don't think it will be very hard to get these 100,000 signatures, be sure enough to post back to us all how successful your campaign was.

No idea. Vote UKIP perhaps.

In your case, I don't believe the "brainless Labour loving" bit, but the rest is spot on. As a matter of interest, what do you think Gromit would do if he were Prime Minister now? You really do seem to be of the opinion that if somebody doesn't subscribe to your views then they must be a Tory. Also, do you believe that the current government inherited a healthy economy?

I don't disagree, but I don't see Gromit changing things if the electorate are mad enough to vote him in in 2 years time do you? I also think it would help if we kicked the undemocratic EU into touch.

Actually Locutus, although I think the last government was to blame for a lot of things, I haven't exactly pinned the blame for everything here. "Blame this on who you like but the fact remains that the current government is not responsible for the economic mess it inherited." is what I said and it leaves everyone to make their own mind up, but the fact remains that when this government took over, the finances were in a mess. I'm also trying to make the point that whoever was in charge now and whoever is in charge in 3 years time, the situation will be much the same until the deficit is sorted out. I do think there are a lot of things wrong. EU competition law for a kick off means that we can't automatically put contracts for British projects to British firms. This is wrong in my opinion (it happened with a train contract not longer after this government came to power and there was nothing they could do). Contracts go to, say, a Polish firm, who then employ Polish workers. It's wrong, wrong, wrong. There is a lot that could be done, I agree, but a lot of it will only be achievable when we rid ourselves of the burden of the EU. Regards. Fred

Maybe they should have gone to Specsavers.

Little things ....

Does anyone here realise that not a thing will really change if Osborne (correct spelling) is no longer chancellor? If it's another Tory or a Lib Dem, things remain exactly as they are. If in two years the Coalition gets voted out, does anyone seriously imagine that the next government (presumably Labour) will simply reverse things that this one has done? No, they won't. This is the future, this is how it will be for a very long time, because the last government left the economy in such a mess that it will take at least 10 years of this to get things on an even keel, no matter who runs the country. Blame this on who you like but the fact remains that the current government is not responsible for the economic mess it inherited. Osborne and Cameron are getting the blame right now, but essentially, they are just continuing with things that Labour started (ATOS - Child of Gordon Brown). So Labour would cut "not quite so far and not quite as fast". Well that must be a huge comfort for people waiting for the next 2 years or so in the forlorn hope that Gromit becomes Prime Minister. Don't forget that Alastair Darling promised that if he were Chancellor, things would be "worse than Thatcher". By all means take whatever comfort and pleasure you can from Osborne getting booed, but it won't change a thing.

The weirdo who is the so-called Leader of the Opposition. What a [edit]ker.

Good for you Monx, that's a heart warming story. I really hope you can do it. I'm trying to lose weight myself at the moment (after giving up smoking) and I know how difficult it is. I was just sitting here dithering about whether or not to go out for a walk tonight when your thread popped up in my email. My lazy side had already said "don't bother", but now you've put me to shame. Now, where are those walking boots ..... Regards. Fred

Peter invited his mother for dinner, during the course of the meal his Mother couldn't help but notice how lovely Peter's flat mate, Joanne, was. She had long been suspicious of a relationship between the two, and this only made her more curious. Over the course of the evening, while watching the two interact, she started to wonder if there was more between Peter and his flat mate than met the eye. Reading his Mum's thoughts, Peter volunteered, 'I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, Joanne & I are just flat mates'. About a week later, Joanne came to Peter saying, 'Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the frying pan, you don't suppose she took it do you? 'Well I doubt it, but I'll e-mail her just to be sure' said Peter. So he sat down and wrote: Dear Mum, I'm not saying that you 'did' take the frying pan from my house. I'm not saying that you 'did not' take the frying pay, but the fact remains that it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner. Love, Peter Several days later, Peter received an email from his Mother which read: Dear Peter, I'm not saying that you 'do' sleep with Joanne and I'm not saying that you 'do not' sleep with Joanne, but the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her own bed, she would have found the frying pan by now. Love, Mum

Enjoy it while you can. Just like Primary School and Secondary School, it will be over before you realise it and you'll be a proud parent on Graduation day!

No. I married a brunette. A short one, but nonetheless a brunette.

It is nice Tilly. When I look at my Daughter I can see that she has some aspects of me, but she definitely has my Wife's determination and work ethic. She seems to have got the best of both of us and ditched the bad bits! I hope it works out for your Daughter. By the sound of things, it will.

"some of us blond women don't have a huge amount of brain cell capacity you know"

Ah that's nice. It really is wonderful to see your kids growing up like that. Mine finished Uni in February, with a first class degree and went straight into a job in March. She's living away from home but we still see lots of her. It's nice. They want independence but still want to be with you. When that happens, you know you've got it right.