MetaFilter posts tagged with UK and UnitedKingdom

A vision of post-apocalypse Britain?

infini — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 07:07:49 -0800

Eerie computer-generated images reveal how UK landmarks could crumble and decay if humanity was wiped out. Gallery

There were four in the bed and the little one said "squeeze up"

Mezentian — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 05:13:23 -0800

From April 2013 all working-age housing benefit claimants will experience a reduction in their benefit if their home has what is termed a 'spare bedroom'. Some people have a problem with this, and it is believed it will plunge 95,000 Britons into poverty. Prime Minister David Cameron has defended the tax saying it is important to "get control of housing benefit". Some who voted for the tax claim to have never heard of it, even though there are some high profile cases in the media detailing how people will suffer. The Bedroom Tax might be targeting the poor, but there may be a Mansion Tax in the planning stages to help balance the scales -- or not. It's a modern Window Tax!

So I voted for an axe-murderer

smoke — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:05:41 -0800

A new MP, Gloria De Piero was taken aback by how many people despised her because of her new profession. So she took to the streets to find out why. Think it's just a UK problem? Think again. Congresspeople are rated lower for honesty and ethics than stockbrokers in the United States. In Australia, politicians only just beat out real estate agents. And what did she find?

The consensus was that politicians came from different backgrounds, had more income and job security than was usual, and appeared – almost always on television – to spend their time bickering and avoiding difficult questions, rather than trying to find solutions to everyday problems.

Others suggest It's because negativity is more resilient than positivity, others that a historical context is vital. US academic Ben Berger argues that democracy has always been "citizens struggling to pay attention and invest energy politically" and that we need to ask the question about what kind of energy and attention we want. But his view is dismissive to many modern civic engagement and consensus projects, including the growth of deliberative dialogues (pdf, two years old, still interesting).

You can't eat scenery

Wordshore — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:26:27 -0800

The governments of the United Kingdom and Scotland agree on a framework for the latter to vote on independence. Other reporting in the Telegraph, Guardian and the Scottish Sun. The referendum, for this nation of 5.25 million people and a unicorn as its national animal, will be held before the end of 2014. 16 and 17 year olds will be allowed to vote; the paper will contain just a single option on independence. Bookmakers currently predict a 'No' result. In 1979, Scotland voted on devolution. The referendum resulted in 51.6% support which, with a turnout of 63.8%, fell short of the required 40% electorate approval level. In 1997, a referendum resulted in a Scottish parliament with tax-varying powers.

Colonial sunset

infini — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 08:39:35 -0800

The Foreign Office’s “guilty secret” revealed Thousands of documents detailing some of the most shameful acts and crimes committed during the final years of the British empire were systematically destroyed to prevent them falling into the hands of post-independence governments. Those papers that survived were flown back to Britain and hidden for 50 years in a secret Foreign Office archive in breach of legal obligations for them to be transferred into the public domain. The Guardian details some of those papers released earlier this week. The name of Barack Obama, the father of the American president, is on the top of a list of names revealed in a hitherto secret British colonial file of Kenyans studying in the US. In June 1957, Eric Griffiths-Jones, the attorney general of the British administration in Kenya, wrote to the governor, Sir Evelyn Baring, detailing the way the regime of abuse at the colony's detention camps was being subtly altered. The "elimination of ranking terrorists" was a repeated theme in secret monthly reports on casualty figures circulated by the director of intelligence in British-controlled Malaya during the 1950s. The extent to which successive British governments set out to hoodwink parliament and the public over the decision to give the US a military base in Diego Garcia and force out the islanders is now laid bare. Britain planned to test a very virulent type of poison gas in what is now Botswana, the colonial archives reveal.

The Iron Man

panaceanot — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 05:36:33 -0800

UK Prime Minister David Cameron unveils plan to lease motorways in England. David Cameron will clear the way for a multibillion-pound semi-privatisation of trunk roads and motorways as he announces plans to allow sovereign wealth funds from countries such as China to lease roads in England. Guardian liveblog.

Licence fee, not license fee

Blazecock Pileon — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:56:51 -0800

In the UK, people pay a yearly licence fee to watch live television, with revenues funding the BBC. TV Licensing is the group that collects fees, and they use a number of methods — some real, some imaginary, some in between — to gain compliance. But one Briton remains determined not to play that game.

UK London Met police proposed undemocratic refusal of bail to all arrested in London riots.

maiamaia — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:05:45 -0800

London Metropolitan Police formulated policy of refusing bail to all arrested in London riots which might have influenced high remand in custody rate.

50 Books Every Eleven-Year-Old Should Read

Halloween Jack — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:24:36 -0800

The Independent (UK) proposes a list of fifty books that every eleven-year-old should read. The list, created by a committee which includes Philip Pullman, comes in response to UK Education Secretary Michael Gove's proposal that every eleven-year-old should set a goal of reading fifty books in a year, an idea which he got from a charter school in Harlem. The Independent notes that the list makers are not uncritical of Gove making the suggestion at a time when hundreds of UK libraries are set to close (previously on the blue). Some wonder why the goal should be limited to schoolchildren; others at a rather notable omission from the list.

The Search for the Securitas Millions

reenum — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 06:53:10 -0800

In February 2006, a group of criminals pulled off the biggest cash heist in the history of the UK, making off with £53 million pounds. To date, only £23 million of the money has been recovered. Police are understandably upset about the dead ends in the case.

UK Spending Review

paduasoy — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 17:26:13 -0800

The Chancellor of the UK coalition government has announced the details of the Comprehensive Spending Review, setting budgets for government departments to 2014/15. Total savings will be £18 billion. Local government funding will be cut 7% each year for the next four years. The Arts Council budget will be cut by 30%. 490,000 jobs are forecast to be lost over the period in the public sector. The average cuts for each government department will be 19%. The speech. HM Treasury Spending Review pages. Guardian summary. Independent article. Nick Robinson's blog for the BBC. Make your own cuts with the Guardian's interactive tool. Graphic showing 09/10 government spending (that is, before the cuts).

SWEDEMASON

flatluigi — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:35:03 -0800

The Works of Swede Mason: "Jeremy Clarkson," "Get in the Back of the Van," "Jungle All The Way," "Bill Wyman's Metal Detector," "Put the Lotion in the Basket, *" "Got The Sucka," "The Gobshite, *" "Squashed Thingy," "Spare Me The Madness," and the pair of tracks based on Neighbors deaths "Coffee And Croissants" and "Todd....Dead." note: starred tracks have NSFW audio. mp3 downloads can be found here.

Gasparcolor

Kattullus — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:49:24 -0800

Colour on the Thames is a 7 minute film shot in 1935 using Gasparcolor, one of the many early forms of tinting black and white film. Beside Colour on the Thames, which provides a wonderful view of 1930's England, the only film made in Gasparcolor I could find online was Colour Flight by New Zealand artist Len Lye, an abstract cartoon set to instrumental 1930's pop music. The story of Gasparcolor is in itself interesting, for instance touching on Nazis, Hungary between the wars and early color animation.

Birth of the National Health Service - How the state of the nation's health became a political ideal

fire&wings — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:47:31 -0800

The NHS at 60. The National Health Service is 60 on July 5th. Take a look at documents, audio and video related to the birth and growth of this "radical plan."

Product Placement Banned in U.K.

jeremy b — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:26:32 -0800

Product Placement Banned in U.K. Minister says it 'contaminates programs'.

Video Chronology of The History of British TV Comedy

Foci for Analysis — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:38:57 -0800

For the past 50 years, The British have made some of the funniest Comedy TV Shows. Come inside for A Video Chronology of The History of British TV Comedy. [Hover over the Wikipedia links for show descriptions. Noteworthy shows highlighted with star (*). All links are double-checked but BBC seems to be on the war path, resulting in removed clips.] 1950s Hancock's Half Hour (1954-1961): Crown Vs Sid James | Assorted sketches 1960s * Steptoe and Son (1962-1974): Upstairs, Downstairs, Upstairs, Downstairs | And So To Bed That Was The Week That Was (1962-1963): Intro | Desmond Leslie Punches Bernard Levin * Not Only But Also (1965-1971): John Lennon | Best of compilation | Father and Roger (better version) | North Circular | Superthunderstingcar Till Death Us Do Part (1965-1975): 1972 Christmas special | Else & Rita are very drunk | Christmas Dinner | Alf gets in a pub fight The Likely Lads (1964-1966): [no clips found] Dad's Army (1968-1977): If The Cap Fits | Menace From The Deep | Don't tell him Pike (and other sketches) Morecambe and Wise (1968-1983): The Original Morecambe and Wise | The Breakfast Sketch | In bed | Several sketches | Eric and the Bee On the Buses (1969-1973): An episode from 1969 | Christmas Duty episode * Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969-1974): Season Two Intro | Dead Parrot Sketch | Spam | Frontiers in Medicine | Argument Clinic | Silly walk | Self-Defense Against Fresh Fruit | How Not To Be Seen | The Funniest Joke In The World * (Spike Milligan's) Q (1969-1982): The Lord's Prayer Epilogue | The Fresh Fruit Song | Kilt Chimes | Sandwich * The Benny Hill Show (1969-1989): Hospital | The Life of Maurice Dribble | 1978 episode | The Lover | Casanova 1970s The Two Ronnies (1971-1987): Fork handles | Squash match | Crossed Lines | Opticians | Swedish Made Simple/FUNEX Are You Being Served? (1972-1985): No Sale episode | A Change is as Good as a Rest | By Appointment episode * Love Thy Neighbour (1972-1976): Getting the bedroom suite Last of the Summer Wine (1973-): First Contact | 30 years of Last of the summer wine Porridge (1973-1977): Illegal Game Night | What's a Rilk? | Gentleman Prisoner | Stealing Pineapple Chunks Rising Damp (1974-1978): Things that Go Bump in the Night | A Body Like Mine | Come On in the Water's Lovely * It Ain't Half Hot Mum (1974-1981): The Curse of The Sadhu | The Road To Bannu | Lofty's Little Friend | My Lovely Boy * Fawlty Towers (1975-1979): The Germans | Basil Snaps | Too Much Butter | I Speak English | How to manage your staff The Good Life (1975-1978): from The Green Door episode | Margo V Jerry | Margo loses it! * The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976-1979): Title Sequence | Grot | Weekend Safari Trip | Ravioli | Forces of anarchy Open All Hours (1976 and 1985): [no clips found] George and Mildred (1976-1979): All Work and No Pay | House for Sale | You Must Have Showers To the Manor Born (1979-1981): Raising Money | After The Funeral | Watch The 2007 Christmas Special Episode * Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979-1982): Gerald the Gorilla | Darts | Barry Manilow | The Judge | General Synod's Life of Christ | Songs Of Praise | Bathroom Plan 1980s * Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister (1980-1988): How's the Environment? | The Empty Hospital | Complete Confidence | Planes, Trains and Boats | A Clear Conscience | Former PM's Memoirs | Who Reads the Papers Hi-de-Hi! (1980-1988): Bad Acting? Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003): Time On Our Hands episode | May the Force Be With You * 'Allo 'Allo! (1982-1992): The Season One Pilot | Dance Of Hitler Youth | The Nicked Knockwurst episode The Young Ones (1982-1984): Neil's Letter | Exploding Kettle | Entrance | Teetering Crockery * Blackadder (1983-1989): Lord Flashheart | Amy and Amiability | MacBeth | Flashheart Redux | The Cavalier Years Special | General Hospital | Private Baldrick singing Spitting Image (1984-1996): Never Met a Nice South African | Madness sing Our House spoof | Every Bomb You Drop | Princess Di sings Morrissey Chance in a Million (1984-1986): [no clips found]

A grave situation

dersins — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:49:52 -0800

ukgraves.info has thousands of photographs of cemeteries and gravestones all over the UK, from City of London to the Kirk of Lammermuir, and random points in between.

"I can only assess your mutual knowledge in a subjective context."

divabat — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 01:11:30 -0800

Applications for UK visas are being denied for ridiculous reasons, says an independent monitor report. Among the reasons: never having been on holiday before, "failing to complete pivotal areas of Section 6", and "plan[ning] a holiday for no particular purpose other than sightseeing. BBC readers contribute their stories - from potential bridesmaids being told that they were only going to marry English men like their sister was doing, to not having good enough German.

The Future: Apparently It's Much More 80s Than You Anticipated

East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 12:15:20 -0800

The British Olympic Committee unveiled the logo and branding for London 2012 today, at a cost of £400,000 (USD796,000). Reaction has been swift - a petition to change the logo or go back to the old one has already reached 10,000 signatures.

Virtual tour of 10 Downing Street

goodnewsfortheinsane — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 05:32:57 -0800

Sadly, you will never be important enough to be invited to 10 Downing Street. So take a virtual tour instead.

Brownlow's and Mollo's Nazi Britain

matteo — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 08:04:11 -0800

"The German invasion of Britain took place in July 1940, after the British retreat from Dunkirk". We see, documentary-style, members of the Wehrmacht trooping past Big Ben and St Paul's Cathedral, lounging in the parks, having their jackboots shined by old cockneys, and appreciatively visiting the shrine of that good German, Prince Albert, in Kensington Gardens. Kevin Brownlow and Andrew Mollo's film "It Happened Here", with its cast of hundreds (.pdf), imagines what a Nazi occupation might have been like — complete with underground resistance, civilian massacres, civil strife, torch-lit rallies, Jewish ghettos, and organized euthanasia. Shot on weekends, eight years in production, made for about $20,000 with nonactors and borrowed equipment and Stanley Kubrick's help, "It Happened Here" was originally envisioned by Brownlow as a sort of Hammer horror flick about a Nazi Britain. Thanks in part to Mollo's fanatical concern with historical accuracy, however, it became something else. The most remarkable thing about this account of everyday fascism is that it has no period footage. Brownlow's 1968 book about the film's production, "How It Happened Here", has recently been republished. More inside.

Wal-Mart

Protocols of the Elders of Awesome — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 12:11:44 -0800

Wal-Mart sells dildos

Don't Bomb Us.

edverb — Sat, 26 Nov 2005 09:59:48 -0800

Don't Bomb Us. In response to credible reports that Bush wanted to bomb al-Jazeera's HQ in allied Qatar (discussed here and here on MeFi), Al Jazeera staffers start their own English-language blog. Their site contains remembrances of their fallen colleagues, firsthand accounts of US attacks on their offices, links to relevant reports on the controversy, Flickr photosets of protests calling for an official investigation, and al Jazeera's code of ethics. Also, a quick note to Tony Blair: " P.S. Thanks for talking Mr. Bush out of bombing our offices!" Not surprisingly, their blog is generating some comments.

It’s kind of a radar for gayness, or a gay radar. It’s called… a homometer

ab'd al'Hazred — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 19:37:26 -0800

'Gay' horse jibe lands student in court

Fighting the Liberal Media Bias

Pretty_Generic — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 08:28:50 -0800

In 2001 America destroyed the Kabul offices of al-Jazeera with two smartbombs; officials said it was an accident. In 2003 America destroyed the Baghdad offices of al-Jazeera with missiles; officials said it was an accident. Now, two British civil servants are on trial for leaking a memo revealing that Bush intended to bomb al-Jazeera... at their headquarters in allied Qatar.