UK Politics Thread

[Jimbuna]

A-level and GCSE students in England will be given grades estimated by their teachers, rather than by an algorithm, after a government U-turn.

It follows uproar after about 40% of A-level results were downgraded by exams regulator Ofqual, which used a formula based on schools' prior grades.

GCSE results in England, Wales and Northern Ireland come out on Thursday.

Ofqual chair Roger Taylor and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson apologised for the "distress" caused.

Mr Williamson said students and parents had been affected by "significant inconsistencies" with the grading process.

In a statement, he acknowledged the "extraordinarily difficult" year for students, after exams were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said No 10 had worked with Ofqual to design "the fairest possible model" but it had become clear that the process of awarding grades had resulted in "more significant inconsistencies than can be resolved through an appeals process".

The decision by the UK government brings England in line with the other UK nations.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53810655

Not before time. I sometimes find it difficult to defend the arrogance of this government!

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

Brexit: UK-EU trade deal 'seems unlikely' says Michel Barnier

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53854730

[Jimbuna]

A group of politicians are threatening legal action unless Boris Johnson orders an independent investigation into Russian interference in elections.

The letter signed by Green MP Caroline Lucas and Labour's Chris Bryant follows a report which said the UK "badly underestimated" the Russian threat.

The parliamentarians argue the prime minister's "lack of action" breaches the right to free elections.

The government said the UK had "robust systems" to protect elections.

In July, Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee published a long-awaited report into Russian activity in the UK including disinformation campaigns, cyber warfare and the targeting of Russian expatriates in the UK.

It claimed the government made no effort to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 EU referendum and called for "immediate action" including "an assessment of potential Russian interference" in the Brexit vote.

UK 'badly underestimated' Russian threat
Russia report: The unanswered questions
US intelligence chiefs have accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 presidential election and earlier this month they warned that China, Russia and Iran were among the countries seeking to influence this year's vote.

Now a group of MPs and peers in the UK say they will take the prime minister to court if he refuses to take "essential steps to protect future elections".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53862369

[Jimbuna]

Sir Ed Davey wins Liberal Democrat/Lame Duck leadership race.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53933470

[Jimbuna]

[skidman]

[mapuc]

?? Did your English Prime Minister really say what is written above him ??

If true..does this make him a bad politician despite his zero knowledge in sport ?

Markus

[skidman]

Aw, C'mon Markus!

[Skybird]

Do they have centuries in Rugby? I do not know the sport. I know centuries only as scores of 100 and higher in Snooker.

Linneker I recall as a football player, or does memory fool me?


And Wimbledon - Tennis.


Honestly said, I almost admire how that quote covers so many different sports in just one sentence. Its four in one sentence, or not? That must be the next level of multitasking communications.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by mapuc

?? Did your English Prime Minister really say what is written above him ??

If true..does this make him a bad politician despite his zero knowledge in sport ?

Markus

Simply a humorous attempt at showing what a growing number of people in the UK currently think of him.

For the record: Gary Lineker was not a rugby player but an England international footballer. A 'century' is usually referred to as being a batsmens run total or score in cricket and tennis is played at Wimbledon.

He often spouts out about things he has very little knowledge or understanding about but he is a well accomplished philanderer.

A bit like another high ranking politician often discussed on this forum some might say.

[Jimbuna]

Boris Johnson's string of U-turns are unsustainable and have created a "climate of uncertainty", a senior Conservative politician has warned.

Charles Walker, deputy chair of the 1922 Committee, said it was becoming "increasingly difficult" for Tory MPs to defend government policy.

The government has made several U-turns, most recently on face masks in schools and the grading of exams.

It comes as a new poll indicates that Labour has drawn level with the Tories.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53962883

Still a better PM than Corbyn would have been but not by a big margin.

[Jimbuna]

Today's PMQ's (Prime Minister's Questions)

Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer clash over the government's response to coronavirus.

PM said he won't meet families bereaved by coronavirus due to legal proceedings.

The families say it is "simply not true" that they are in litigation with the government.

Labour leader accused the PM of "serial incompetence" over coronavirus
Boris Johnson told MPs "we have succeeded in turning the tide of this pandemic"

Millions of pupils in England are back at school with new social distancing measures in classrooms.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has criticised easing of lockdown measures in the region.

[JU_88]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Labour leader accused the PM of "serial incompetence" over coronavirus
Boris Johnson told MPs "we have succeeded in turning the tide of this pandemic".

that combo of accusation and assertation is being parroted but just about every ruling party and every opposition in every democracy world over.
both are very empty and meaningless.


'We are turning the tide?' uh compared to who Boris? in what way? and how exactly did you messure /arrive at that that rosey eyed view the situation?


'Serial incompetence?' Does Starmer say what he would have done differently? and can he prove or messure his own competeance in that situation (without the benefit of hindsight.) No of course not.


empty meaningless words from them both.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by JU_88

empty meaningless words from them both.

In other words: life-long career politicians demonstrating their excellence in what matters most in politics: babbling, deflecting, and demonstrating the versatility of Teflon in social behaviour and communication.