Nick Gray

Now I've readread it, I see what you mean.

The plasterer wouldn't be getting paid as much as a plumber though.

Why do you need to train to be a plasterer when you’re already plumber (a much more complex and higher paid job)?

Just a passing thought

I assume (based on Matt’s previous writing about the challenges he faced growing up as a working-class outsider with little money) that his dad didn't offer the family sufficient financial support.

They must be on good terms now - I wonder if his dad has ever explained his reasons.

Whatever happened to that plan that looked like something off a trunk road junction with mews and ample parking? I assume nothing can happen intil the highway is sorted.

A World Cup boycott would be a big statement but unlikely to accomplish much | Leander Schaerlaeckens International sporting events don’t often see teams refuse to participate for a cause – but when it’s happened, it hasn’t been effective

It's not going to bother Trump and trump voters too much, no.

But I'm unconvinced FIFA and football could shrug off a European boycott or that broadcasters would cheerfully stump up the same money.

www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Not only the metrocentre. There's lots other retail on the motorway too – including supermarkets. And office jobs.

And of course, one of the big policy issues in the region is congestion on the A1 western bypass in Gateshead caused by years of treating it as a distributor road.

In the 90s, during a somewhat not-so-well-organised period of my post-university life, I was sent on a restart course in the building with the scaffolding in the first photo.

I mainly remember that in the event of a fire, we were to “go down the stairs and out through Alzheimers”

Yes, proximity to Newcastle city centre is a factor.

I came home via Gateshead High Street this afternoon.

Does this look good? Is it popular with voters? No

Do I, a middle aged man who grew up in the 1980s, remember when the high street was a bustling commercial hub for the borough? Also no.

You mean close out of town stores? Pricing the road use and parking properly would be a start (and might close places). I'd do it but it'd be fantastically unpopular

What's happening in Preston now? I remember I was a bit puzzled when a multiplex cinema with car park was apparently community wealth building.

Obviously, I’m asking you because I expect you to know *everything* that’s happening in the North West.

Things people don’t say: “Remember that nice relaxing meal we had on holiday. The one outside the cafe beside that lovely busy road?”

Electoral suicide policy number 1: price parking properly.

bsky.app/profile/path...

Whatever we do, a high street in a built up area is never going to be able to compete on the price of parking and ease of motoring – not against somewhere on a trunk road junction with acres of ‘free’ parking.

On ‘our behaviour’ point… a question for Will.

Looking at the results do people think “decreasing congestion” (which is in the question) is the same as decreasing traffic? In my anecdotal experience the main suggested solution for improving the high street is to make it easier to drive and park.

Will hints at the point that this is partly about our own behaviour; we say we want a thriving high street but we choose to shop online and drive to the edge-of-town shops.

In that context, publicly funded things like libraries are even more important

Gemini has spoken. Can't argue.

It’s on Wikipedia as "pitching pennies". In my 80s youth it was banned at school and closely associated with smoking - activities that took place “down the side of the sports hall”.

I suspect many people have a similar memory of it.

So house-rules, a bit like the state school equivalent ‘pitch and toss’?

I've see people on here have been talking about Goodwin's vague backstory last night.

If his dad disowned him as a baby, and (for whatever reason) his mother chose not to involve the child support agency then some of this marginalised, poor boy story might stand up.

Matt had to stay behind and mop up after school, sometimes staying until seven at night being inspired by chats with his kindly history and Latin master

PROFESSOR GOODWIN: White working class boys are the most deprived PROFESSOR MATTHEW GOODWIN: Last week I gave evidence at the UK Education Committee's inquiry into why poor white children do so badly at school. It's an inquiry that was long overdue.

I'm just thinking back to this piece of absolute solid gold in the Mail.

Highlights include how working class boys like Matt who are doing A levels at a school that apparently teaches Latin weren't encouraged or expected to go to university back in *the late 90s*
www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/artic...

Hang on, Goodwin's dad "ran the Greater Manchester health authority"?

There are too many inappropriate answers to this question.

That he's personally sacking quite a few of you lot on here, I expect

"Universities minister, Matt Goodwin has announced..."

The far-left network that helped put Alex Pretti in harm's way, then made him a martyr Encrypted chats show activists tracked ICE agents using a sophisticated database before the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. They then used it to mobilize agitators.

Does anyone else remember "Christwire"?

www.foxnews.com/politics/far...

I expect someone can probably live in Runcorn and get a job in Warrington.

I’m looking forward to having a look at cities outlook when I get some proper time later this week.

My first casual thought was “People in Barnsley and Wakefield still appear to be livid and ready to vote for radical populism”.

Maybe that’s touched on in the report.