Forum Topics

UK boycott of Israeli settlements

Today Ed Miliband is expected to announce a 'reset' in Britain's relations with Israel with a boycott of trade with settlements on the West Bank. The purpose is to promote the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the West Bank as part of a two state solution to the conflict.Can such a policy be effectively implemented? The answer is, with difficulty. While British firms might be banned from selling to the settlements, in practice it is impossible to distinguish between goods  coming from the West Bank from those produced in Israel.Will this policy deter Israel from further expansion into the West Bank? Absolutely not. The settlements will simply find other suppliers and other markets. Will it deter settler violence? Hardly. The religious fanatics who attack Palestinian villages will probably be emboldened, believing that the whole world is against the Jewish people.Will there be consequences for Britain as a result of this policy? Almost certainly. Israel will retaliate, possibly by banning imports of British goods or restricting the sale of pharmaceuticals to Britain or by refusing to cooperate with the security services on Islamist threats to Britain. There will also be consequences for Britain's trade with America as the Trump administration strongly opposes such action.Then why do it? And why do it now given that there will shortly be an election in Israel at which Netanyahu might be lose power? The answer is that Labour are essentially a performative party who have no grasp of practical policies but simply engage in virtue signalling, advertising their commitment to various ideals. And I would not exclude from their motives a wish to outflank the Greens, who are likely to attract the vote of those who support the Palestinian cause.Then

Steven Rose ● 12h25 Comments ● 5m

Reform's problems with money

There are increasingly serious concerns over Reform's (to put it politely) dodgy financial dealings recently, what with parliamentary and police investigations and multiple media reports, not helped by panicky, conflicting responses from them. As a result, it looks as though a revised version of Farage's tea towel ad is appropriate.....

Richard Carter ● 4d32 Comments ● 3h

Random pic 8 September 2026

Netsuke. Hare/rabbit standing on clouds and leaning on the moon, Mitsutsugu. Japan. 1701-1900 Ivory. Welicome Collection F Science Museum Group A641095 https://flic.kr/p/2sgcF5xFrom the Wellcome exhibition Coming of Age: Japanese mythologies of long lifeThese carved ivory okimono (sculptures) and netsuke (clothing toggles) feature Japanese myths and folktales about long
life. You might recognise some of these stories as they have similarities with other tales from across East Asia. This netsuke show the story of the
moon hare, where in Chinese myth it makes immortality elixir for the moon goddess.
[Text from exhibition label]

Michael Ixer ● 22h0 Comments ● 22h

Anti immigation men wearing masks have blocked Dover.

https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16107297/Balaclava-clad-protesters-block-roads-Dover-police-in.htmlI assume they will be condemned by everyone on this forum for blocking the roads, disrupting peoples holidays etc - just as they condemned the actions of Just Stop Oil?Sue? As I recall you said all masks should be banned if nothing else?

Michael Brigo ● 3d28 Comments ● 1d

Random pic 7 September 2026

Remembering Jim, "the beast"; a mouse eye view https://flic.kr/p/21P7Nth

Michael Ixer ● 1d0 Comments ● 1d

London Mayor

James Cleverly has resigned from the shadow cabinet and will run against Khan to become London's Mayor. #anyonebutkhan

Lucille Grant ● 10d24 Comments ● 2d

Votes for 16 year olds?

If 16 to 17 year olds are to be allowed to vote, presumably all the restrictions/privileges which apply because of their age will be removed? Eg they will be treated as adults in the criminal system, and will be allowed to drive trains and take out loans etc ? Unless they pay tax I cannot see why votes should be considered appropriate. Anyone can vote for lovely vague, ideologies if they do not have to look at a payslip at the end of every month and see how much it has cost them?

Janis Christine Humberstone ● 3d18 Comments ● 2d

Nothing to do with Putney

My friend i was at school with put on facebook today, she'd taken her 2 little dogs for a walk in Hawley Park, near Camberley,  a man and lady had a large aggressive dog with a muzzle, my friends little dog barked and the big dog ran with the lady and she fell in a ditch, the lady started swearing at my friend and the ladies husband punched my friend in the face and pushed her over. My friend contacted the Police. My friend had horses and did show jumping I don't think she deserved that. I was only talking to her last week, it's disgusting she's 75 and the man and lady were about 50.

Barbara Stevens ● 2d0 Comments ● 2d

Random pic 6 September 2026

Vauxhall at night https://flic.kr/p/2dDsusx

Michael Ixer ● 2d0 Comments ● 2d

20mph TYRANNY

The Daily Mail is, of course, famous for its ridiculous stories and silly headlines, but this one is its best ever: Tears of Prime Suspect writer Lynda la Plante  - the latest victim of the 20mph TYRANNY The story tries to induce sympathy for serial offender La Plante, who had managed to build up the staggering total of 24 points on her licence through speeding, mostly in 20mph areas As a result, she was banned from driving for six months. The whole story is worth reading, not least for a hilarious sob story that it would stop her from driving her beloved dog for his training walks – and she couldn’t hire a driver because she needed silence on her journeys (why she couldn’t just ask them to be quiet wasn’t explained) and, most absurd of all, her lawyer’s explanation that she had inadvertently broken the speed limit (at least 5 times) whilst concentrating on driving safely! https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16024699/Prime-Suspect-writer-Lynda-La-Plante-breaks-tears-handed-driving-ban-end-career.html

Richard Carter ● 35d95 Comments ● 3d

Is defence of the UK safe in Labour's hands ?

"Europe targeted by spiralling campaign of sabotage and Russia is the chief suspect"https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y4g6meekroYet Dianne Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington and 'The Mother of the House of Commons' 😁  has criticised plans to hike defence spending, writing on social media site X: “The imminent threat from Russia is a Nato fiction to justify their complete capitulation to Trump’s demands for more military spending. The increase should not go ahead.”She has obviously revealed her true understanding of world affairs and her siding with Russia rather than the Ukraine and certainly not our European and American allies in NATO.But then like many in the Labour Party she has totally succumbed to TDS. Thankfully Anna Turley MP, Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum since 2026 has criticised the veteran Labour MP’s comments, made on social media on Wednesday, and said the Government stands “wholeheartedly behind Ukraine”.Note that Burnham has just condoned long-serving MP Diane Abbott being let back into the Labour Party, following a year-long suspension.In a statement, a Labour spokesperson said Abbott had "apologised" following an independent process and that she would be readmitted into the parliamentary party, meaning she can sit as a Labour MP once again.Abbott, who was suspended in 2025 following an antisemitism row, said she had been "issued with a formal warning".

John Hawkes ● 4d6 Comments ● 3d

Random pic 5 September 2026

Athens sunset http://flic.kr/p/2s2yvpz

Michael Ixer ● 3d0 Comments ● 3d

Pedestrians or Cyclists - Who has Right of Way?

My husband and I were walking at Putney Wharf, the stretch of path along the riverside from the church to Deodar Rd and were surprised at the amount of cyclists along here. We were walking side by side, a cyclist came up behind us and rang his bell for us to move aside.  We didn’t and he overtook us on my husband’s side. Who has right of way along here, pedestrians or cyclists?

Martine Guy ● 15d11 Comments ● 4d

Cyclists Killed Or Injured 234 Pedestrians Last Year

Record 234 pedestrians killed or seriously injured by cyclists last year with 70 hit at crossing.Cyclists have killed or injured a record number of pedestrians according to the latest government data.A total of 234 walkers were either killed or seriously hurt by cyclists last year.Department for Transport statistics show 70 pedestrians were struck at zebra crossings, pelican crossings or traffic lights.The increase in crashes has put pressure on the Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to prioritise the safety of pedestrians.One concern is the introduction of ‘floating bus stops’ in cities.Floating bus stops, championed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, have a cycle lane running between the pavement and the bus stop.https://mol.im/a/16073897This is why Burnham has spoken …

Sue Hammond ● 14d25 Comments ● 4d

Wandsworth Council Survey re Council Tax

Putney News has an article this morning about this survey. In case anybody else (like me) is unaware of the survey via WBC do check it out. Sorry but I can't link it.

Lucille Grant ● 5d13 Comments ● 4d

Random pic 4 September 2026

Nostalgia, Putney http://flic.kr/p/2sozKDx

Michael Ixer ● 4d0 Comments ● 4d

Museum lovers

hTTps://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-collections/I came across this website this evening...enjoy

Adam Tripp ● 5d1 Comments ● 5d

Starmer Standing Down As MP

Another by-election coming up.   So predictable he would announce it today.   He was never going to serve under Burnham.

Sue Hammond ● 7d2 Comments ● 5d

TV

I might have imagined it but next Monday, Colin from Accounts starts in the evening about 10pm. I'm sure somebody else on the Forum liked watching the program.

Barbara Stevens ● 5d1 Comments ● 5d