Alistair May
@alistairmay.bsky.social
Kirk Minister: church, theology, Biblical studies (PhD) and a bit of (non-partisan) Scottish politics. Dabbling in history, law, and other stuff.
It's really simple. Assuming the salaries of both increase with the RPI. Buying power would remain the same for both. But taxes would rise. Exactly the same for both! It's basic accounting.
November 28, 2025 at 4:27 PM
It's really simple. Assuming the salaries of both increase with the RPI. Buying power would remain the same for both. But taxes would rise. Exactly the same for both! It's basic accounting.
Of course it's a dramatically regressive tax. It's a real terms increase, flatly applied to everyone earning over the threshold, regardless of income. The teacher and the millionaire pay exactly the same amount. And, yes, in real terms it is an increase. It's economics 101.
November 27, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Of course it's a dramatically regressive tax. It's a real terms increase, flatly applied to everyone earning over the threshold, regardless of income. The teacher and the millionaire pay exactly the same amount. And, yes, in real terms it is an increase. It's economics 101.
Hm, I see what you did there. But, this is a Labour government collecting tax in the most regressive way possible. It's effectively a poll tax. And, they didn't continue it, they just increased it further. Even George Osborne, amidst austerity, cut this tax. What's now the point of Labour?
November 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Hm, I see what you did there. But, this is a Labour government collecting tax in the most regressive way possible. It's effectively a poll tax. And, they didn't continue it, they just increased it further. Even George Osborne, amidst austerity, cut this tax. What's now the point of Labour?
You'd prefer a pastiche of Joy to the World and Lo he comes with clouds descending (complete with "deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing")?
November 14, 2025 at 11:14 PM
You'd prefer a pastiche of Joy to the World and Lo he comes with clouds descending (complete with "deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing")?
I don't know about IPA, it's certainly the world's worst attempt as a pun
Tories just aren't punny
Tories just aren't punny
November 14, 2025 at 11:10 PM
I don't know about IPA, it's certainly the world's worst attempt as a pun
Tories just aren't punny
Tories just aren't punny
I've a PhD in sex, Christians and first centaury Corinth, it probably doesn't count as a crowded field. Maybe I could wear a disguise or something?
November 14, 2025 at 10:07 PM
I've a PhD in sex, Christians and first centaury Corinth, it probably doesn't count as a crowded field. Maybe I could wear a disguise or something?
Maybe most of the people have presbyterian hearts, and don't believe in their being seniority among clergy?
But then, why don't people impersonate academic historians? If I were going to gate-crash an Armistice occasion, I'd certainly dress as the venerable Bede.
But then, why don't people impersonate academic historians? If I were going to gate-crash an Armistice occasion, I'd certainly dress as the venerable Bede.
November 14, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Maybe most of the people have presbyterian hearts, and don't believe in their being seniority among clergy?
But then, why don't people impersonate academic historians? If I were going to gate-crash an Armistice occasion, I'd certainly dress as the venerable Bede.
But then, why don't people impersonate academic historians? If I were going to gate-crash an Armistice occasion, I'd certainly dress as the venerable Bede.
So, basically, our electoral choice is between people who will manage our political and economic decline competently or incompetently.
November 14, 2025 at 7:20 PM
So, basically, our electoral choice is between people who will manage our political and economic decline competently or incompetently.
Who is she?
I think I missed that episode.
I think I missed that episode.
November 9, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Who is she?
I think I missed that episode.
I think I missed that episode.
Cancel Dr Who, and bring back Blake's7 and you'll have this licence's payers vote. Also, no more Mrs Brown's Boys, I want Tenko
November 9, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Cancel Dr Who, and bring back Blake's7 and you'll have this licence's payers vote. Also, no more Mrs Brown's Boys, I want Tenko
The problem would be deciding who judges: Mary Berry or John Bercow?
November 2, 2025 at 10:53 PM
The problem would be deciding who judges: Mary Berry or John Bercow?
I doubt families would be divided about whether to enrol in the pike regiments of the Wales or the Sussex today. We'd just put all the contenders in the Big Brother house and have an online poll: loser goes to Towerhill
November 2, 2025 at 10:37 PM
I doubt families would be divided about whether to enrol in the pike regiments of the Wales or the Sussex today. We'd just put all the contenders in the Big Brother house and have an online poll: loser goes to Towerhill
Yes. But, the alternative to them was bloody civil war. Now, it would just be the (major) inconvenience of readjusting our constitution, and putting up with an obnoxious Johnny come lately putting his presidential head on a stamps. A real waste of time and priorities, but not an existential crisis
November 2, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Yes. But, the alternative to them was bloody civil war. Now, it would just be the (major) inconvenience of readjusting our constitution, and putting up with an obnoxious Johnny come lately putting his presidential head on a stamps. A real waste of time and priorities, but not an existential crisis
The only thing the monarchy would struggle to survive would be a bad King. We're fortunate that the monarch, and his direct heir, seem reasonably upright, sane, individuals. So, I think we're good for a generation at any rate. President Truss will have to wait.
November 2, 2025 at 9:40 PM
The only thing the monarchy would struggle to survive would be a bad King. We're fortunate that the monarch, and his direct heir, seem reasonably upright, sane, individuals. So, I think we're good for a generation at any rate. President Truss will have to wait.
Two issues matter: 1) the victims of Epstein 2) how the monarchy deals with a awful man, who hasn't actually been convicted of anything (thus presumed innocent)
It's not about republicanism (unless, we can use Trump as a reason to avoid a republic too). Bad people can be both princes and presidents
It's not about republicanism (unless, we can use Trump as a reason to avoid a republic too). Bad people can be both princes and presidents
November 2, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Two issues matter: 1) the victims of Epstein 2) how the monarchy deals with a awful man, who hasn't actually been convicted of anything (thus presumed innocent)
It's not about republicanism (unless, we can use Trump as a reason to avoid a republic too). Bad people can be both princes and presidents
It's not about republicanism (unless, we can use Trump as a reason to avoid a republic too). Bad people can be both princes and presidents
PS. Do you remember how the SNP pushed the boat out in their campaign to keep us in the EU? I'm afraid my memory of that heroic effort has failed me.
November 2, 2025 at 8:45 PM
PS. Do you remember how the SNP pushed the boat out in their campaign to keep us in the EU? I'm afraid my memory of that heroic effort has failed me.
And, actually, 38% of "us" (not me) didn't vote to remain. And I voted for the UK to remain, not Scotland (which wasn't on the ballot paper). I lost. I live with that. That's democracy, unfortunately.
November 2, 2025 at 8:41 PM
And, actually, 38% of "us" (not me) didn't vote to remain. And I voted for the UK to remain, not Scotland (which wasn't on the ballot paper). I lost. I live with that. That's democracy, unfortunately.
Well, now. Who pays for a court case is really beside the point (unless they are bribing the judge). If people (whether conservative or progressive) feel they've been discriminated against, don't you support their right to test that in court? And, describing CC as fascist is just name calling.
October 31, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Well, now. Who pays for a court case is really beside the point (unless they are bribing the judge). If people (whether conservative or progressive) feel they've been discriminated against, don't you support their right to test that in court? And, describing CC as fascist is just name calling.
And you think if he goes and lives on his 20k navel pension in a council house somewhere, then everyone will just ignore him and he can live a normal life??
October 31, 2025 at 3:52 PM
And you think if he goes and lives on his 20k navel pension in a council house somewhere, then everyone will just ignore him and he can live a normal life??
He had a legally binding lease. Even if you are actually convicted of a crime, contractual rights are not annulled. I guess he'll be entitled to his £8m he paid upfront for it back.
October 31, 2025 at 12:07 PM
He had a legally binding lease. Even if you are actually convicted of a crime, contractual rights are not annulled. I guess he'll be entitled to his £8m he paid upfront for it back.
I wouldn't see my own brother homeless, would you?
October 31, 2025 at 12:46 AM
I wouldn't see my own brother homeless, would you?