honestly, where had i alluded to anything remotely like that? What I have said was that there are many more opportunities to be had in other cities.

Bristol has many divisional headquarters of national and international businesses. The direct result of that is that there is a higher grade of job in Bristol than in Cardiff. (please note I use Bristol only as an example).

Opportunity will be the driver to develop people and business. Compared to other cities, we have poorly paid jobs and poorly graded jobs.

Compare LBG presence in Cardiff and Bristol and you'll see that in Bristol its almost all back office highly skilled professional jobs whereas in Asset Finance/Card Services the majority are call centre staff.

How much brain drain do we have in Cardiff over to Bristol every day? certainly more than comes the other way thats for sure

Can anyone find out how much Westminster has spent on infrustructure in the se of England in the last 10 years?
It would be interesting to compare it to that spent in Wales.
PS Bristol is not a rival city when it comes to the electrification of the Great Western railways

Off the top of my head Crossrail is costing £16 billion, Thameslink £6 billion, High Speed 1 was £5.8 billion, the Jubilee Line Extension £3.5 billion. There's also the Docklands Light Railway extension, which I can't find figures for.

Plus whatever the Olympics ends up costing.

As for Wales...................???

The article shows how unjust the British state actually is. London receives more money than Wales and is yet the richest region in the country. It shows how much money has gone into infrastructure projects in London whilst we know that Westminster hasn't given anything to Wales, infrastructure wise, since the completion of the M4, they even closed rail-links such as the Carmarthen - Aberystwyth line which would make it far easier for the people of Ceredigion to get to Cardiff, Swansea and Carmarthen than now. This should also be a priority as it is in poor region of 'West Wales and the Valleys' why has this nor been addressed properly?

London has 8m people living in it and around an extra 5-6m that commute into it. that's 14m people, around a quarter of the UK's population that rely on it for work.

I'd expect London to get the lions share of investment.

London sucks the economic, political and cultural life out of the rest of the country.

The UK is the most geographically unequal nation in the OECD.

give over. London contributes more to the nations economy and politics than anywhere else by far. Culturally (well the culture that matters) it comes a close second. On the 6th day God created MANchester

see that heath park model railway has got the green light for an extension, not sure if its electrified track, but frankly blows Jantras arguments out of the water, massive infrastructure investment and funded from private sector pockets in wales. have that!

when is bayscape being built? a promise is a promise

Those 4 projects in London cost more than 30 Billion.
The Olympics cost?
HS2 cost?
How much for the electrifcation of the Welsh railays?
Grow a pair Wales - we being kippered big time.

perhaps you'd like to see the removal of the Barnett subsidy of £9bn per annum and have it replaced with say an extra £2bn per annum for infrastructure development.

just how much extra do you want Westminster to give Wales on top of the £9bn per annum it already gives?

Listen up Manc fool.
Snoop wants decent railroads and motorways in the south west of Britain.
Devolve transport from Westminster.
Let us do our own thing.
Wales delivers on time on budget.

The dawg wants at least double the peanuts they are allocating now.
Decades of Tory and Labour neglect.
No electrified line and a single motorway.
Woopee doo.
Just 4 projects in London amount to 31 billion.
They having a laugh

I am from Cardiff


cornwall? very admirable, I prefer West Britain but I admire your desire for others to benefit ahead of yourself


it has been


we have done for 13 years and we have gone backwards


someone has been on the cooking sherry.

perhpas if less of our allocation was spent on benefits and welfare then more could be spent on infrastructure. but the Welsh will not give up their benefits.

perhaps if we were more productive we would have a case for receiving more from Westminster, but we prefer unproductive socialism.

we reap what we sow. when we have a productive economy we can afford all the things you desire.

Decades of neglect from the Saxon government.
PS Did you really mention Northside?

what Saxon govermment? I find your chauvinism offensive. my wife is English, ergo my three sons are half English. it is this petty parochialism that will keep Wales held back.

NB yes I did mention Northside, the album Chicken Rhythms was a very good album and certainly a product of its time. 5th Avenue used to play LSD, Take 5 and Take a trip on a regular basis.

Jantra, for the last time - Infrastructure is not devolved to Cardiff Bay. If it wasn't we wouldn't bee needing to go to Westminster to have the Valleys electrified. If infrastructure was devolved to us like it is in Scotland and Northern Ireland then there wouldn't be a problem

Snoop Dogg, you have spotted the fake welshman. Please continue to pop metaphorical caps in his arrogant, pompous manc/wurzel worshipping ass. A well-versed verbal drive-by will hopefully rub out this fizzle fo shizzle. You should read the egomaniacal stuff he posts all over the internet. He be frontin, his intellect be stuntin,my theory is he aint been laid, karma comes to the overpaid, he think he cool, with his manc music but he a fool, with a flaccid tool, hey Jantra, loot some viagra. Word up. Peace out

so how did WG manage to open the Ebbw Vale line and the line to Rhoose if infrastructure is not devolved?

Department for the Economy and Transport, this department is now the responsibility of our erstwhile marxist. there is a clear objective of, and I quote

wannabe american

the word you are looking for is arse, you should be familiar with it, its where you talk from

actually i think he is referring to your pet Equus africanus asinus.

seriously though, back to free prescriptions, a million prescriptions for paracetamol £3 million. It's a joke. How much could be saved by telling patients to go but 16 tablets for 16 p in Tesco?

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/04/09/paracetamol-prescriptions-costing-welsh-nhs-up-to-50m-a-year-91466-30719111/

I don't own a donkey.

FWIW if the solution is only paracetamol, then it was probably a problem that could have been dealt by a pharmacist instead of a GP. so the GPs time is being wasted by having to consult and diagnose the need for paracetamol.

I read somewhere else that the cost of the GPs on top of the prescriptions put the total cost to £50m.

I suppose this sort of behaviour is what happens when you make everything free.

Doesn't mention infrastructure Jantra, my dear chap. Argument is invalid, please forward to your MP and Westminster to be ignored

so the re-opening of the Ebbw Vale line wasn't infrastructure? the opening on the Rhoose line or the widening of the M4 around Cardiff - were they not infrastrucutre as well?

perhaps you could define infrastructure as we clealry have different definitions.

Devolving transport policy is probably not the gold egg laying goose some expect it to be, however I seriously doubt Wales is any better off by not having it; if we did, one could speculate that issues such as the prohibitive costs of the Bridge tolls, M4 relief road, Links to cardiff airport and so on would have been tackled sooner, or more effectively, or being dealt in a way that we are just not seeing currently.

Are posts like that really appropriate?
Perhaps Westminster can devolve better manners to both you, as well as transport for Wales.


Given London was already one of the established, premier cities of the world prior to that, to put it quite simply, no.

If anywhere were to have benefitted from the Chunnel opening, it would have been Lille. A city in a region that shares many cross similarities with Wales.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/11/14/at-last-the-devolution-train-has-arrived-for-welsh-railways-91466-29770205/

Huzzah-ish!

Dear Caesawr,
You are either Jantra in disguise, or his wife, or completely ignorant of his internet trolling. He is an ego maniac with little to be maniacal about. He seems to think that his turgid pronouncements on the failures of Wales and the Welsh are actual truth, rather than being the outward urges of a set of diseased membranes. He believes that he is the arbiter of all good taste, and furthermore that his life is more interesting than other people's. He is probably overcompensating given that he is an accountant, that most beige of non-professions. He has assumed a kind of ownership of this board, commenting on whether or not people are posting the "right kind of posts" and after flouncing off to his even worse alter-ego of "Feedback" on the Cardiff City Messageboard, he insulted the denizens of this forum. He then invented a series of ridiculous alter-egos to allow him to continue to post here. His return turned my scorn of the man behind these identities into dismay and a desire to ridicule him. I mistakenly insulted him by coining the aphorism that he was "a fat man talking to thin air", to which he took great umbrage, and I sincerely apologised. Last week he called me a burk (sic) which I don't really mind, but which I thought was quite hypocritical. He did it on page 3 of this thread. So he is fair game now. He is the only person who provokes other people on this board. I believe he does it deliberately. Classic trolling.

and breathe...

a troll is not something that exercises his right to free speech. you disagree with what I say, thats fair enough, but it doesn't make me a troll


really, how have you ascertained that?


are you suggesting that Wales has not failed and that we are in fact doing ok?


so you're commenting on mental illness now? just how young are you?


again, how have you ascertained that. taste is subjective, i have mine, you have yours. On other forums discussions move away from the main purpose of the forum and posters also discuss aspects about them away from the forum. Nowt wrong with that, if you dislike it then you always have the option of not reading


Mr Ad Hominem is back ,oh how you have been missed. you obviously know little of what work i do so what you need to do is make it up to suit your argument


Paul's board, it is free to post. there is no limit on what you can post and I doubt we'll run out of internet any time soon.


WTF are you on about now



when have I insulted anyone?


nah, not me although I did find it tres amusent that people were guessing every new poster as being jantra. you've even done it in this thread.


feel free, I post in the open and you can say what you like. honestly, it won't offend me in the slightest


I most certainly didn't take umbrage in the slightest, as I said at the time, I also said there was no need to apologise. there still isn't. honestly, you may struggle with it, but being called mean and nasty names by keyboard warriors really doesn't register in any way.


you don't mind so you'll go on about it.


why, where have I ever stated that I disliked your pet names for me? where exactly? I really could not care one bit how you refer to me or what you say. quack quack it is water off a ducks back. please don't flatter yourself


brilliant, filly er boots, let rip. I'm all ears.


that's because I'm really the only person who, by and large, bothers engaging in any sort of debate and provides an alternative viewpoint.

oh dear things aren't as friendly here as was my grand masterplan!! still I won't stick my oar in and I'm glad that this 'discussion' stays in one thread. From my own point of view things getting somewhat ugly as they are here sure detracts from new people joining in to 'pass comment' on all things Cardiff on this forum without fear of some massive debate. Still it'll all come out in the wash? I guess!!? - but it seems some of our golden oldy regulars have tired of this place which is a real shame, maybe things just don't need to be so serious here - rightly or wrongly that's not what I wanted, aren't there forums out there more 'political'?. I mean I'm pretty scared of posting myself and its my forum!!!
still nothing that bayscape proceeding wouldn't cure eh!!

apologies Paul. I've said before I'll respond to poster in kind.

I don't think any of the regulars are scared off (well I like to think they are not). I just don't think there is much going on in Cardiff regarding what people tend to come here for...skyscraper porn

yes you could well be right - it'd be nice to see a few things getting going - admiral next week apparently.

Read the article. Two quotes in the article

"But as the number of prescriptions is increasing, the overall cost is falling, largely as a result of more generic drugs being given to patients, rather than brand-name equivalents."

and by Professor Roger Walker, Wales’ chief pharmaceutical officer,

“Paracetamol is a highly effective treatment for pain resulting from a range of both acute and chronic illnesses. It is often used in older patients for managing chronic pain associated with conditions like osteoarthritis.

“In some circumstances the patient may require a thorough clinical examination before a diagnosis is reached and paracetamol prescribed. This is not an unnecessary or avoidable cost regardless of whether the patient receives an expensive medicine or paracetamol.

“Likewise the patient may require careful counselling from their pharmacist regardless of the cost of the medicine.

“The majority of prescriptions for paracetamol are for repeat supplies and to include the cost of a GP appointment in this is inappropriate."

I have a relative who is being prescribed paracetamol along with about 15 other drugs for chronic conditions. The vast majority of prescriptions are for such chronic ongoing conditions and are not for your average joe trying to save 15p! Think beyond the headline.

Jeremy

I've highlighted the bit in bold that I think puts a new slant on what you may think I was trying to say. In other words, I am talking about when no other drugs are prescribed by doctors, just paracetamol on its own.

Who is this Jantra mug?
Total chump.
Northside Manchester is capital of culture.
Pathetic inept opinion.
If his economics are as misleading as his art.
Dismissed, your fired, shown the door.
big up appeasement
let the dawg sizzle
maybe Snoop will catch you in the boiler house one night.
Ymlaen

why a chump? because my views are different than yours. how mature.


please do not tell me you are suggesting Cardiff is the equivalent of M/cr in terms of culture?

statement of fact or your opinion?


i'm from the austrian school. think of Switzerland, Hong Kong, Norway then compare that to the trotskyist nations of Cuba and the Stalinist North korea. then ask yourself where would you prefer to live?


really? i reckon I'll still be posting here for a lot longer yet


WTF

Jantra compares Manchester with London - yeah right.
Jantra needs to spend more time with his kids and less time in cyber space.

We have a better art gallery than manchester, a better opera, a better castle, a better cathedral, bigger media industry, more famous nightlife, TWO indigenous languages, a nascent parliament, the home of our national football and rugby teams, a place where visitors feel safe, cardiff singer of the world. Manchester has Oasis(gone), the hacienda(gone), New Order (only two good tunes) and Coronation St, how fantastic!. We are a capital city whereas Manchester is an ugly place, ugly women, terrible haircuts. Look at the UK cities that britons want to visit and Liverpool is above Manchester! The main reason foreign visitors go to Mancland is because it has the Uks third biggest airport. If it had Cardiff's airport it would be as visited as Hull or Stoke. A deeply unpleasant place with none of the charm of Liverpool, Newcastle or our own wonderful CARDIFF!
http://www.travelodge.co.uk/press_releases/press_release.php?id=446

The first two, not at all; for a start I can't say I share much love for Manchester or marriage... or kids quite frankly! Plus a check of IP addresses would reveal we're two separate people. The third? While it was only recently that I discovered this forum and as someone who has until now virtually read rather than written, I can't say it's that either. It must be said however that posts by Jantra as well as those by every other poster on this forum have largely been amiable or at least interesting and worth reading; although i'm not sure I can say that extends to you or, assuming they're a different person, Ci Snoop.

It's fine to disagree and have a debate but quite frankly you're actually being quite nasty, nonsensical as well as overly petty. If you can't be civil, regardless of how others are acting, then don't bother.

PS Paragraphs are not your enemy.

Well you've entered the fray now with your own inimitable style and nonsensical name. I hope to cross swords with you, I have no doubt whatsoever that your antagonism towards me springs from some unconscious foible of yours that you are unlikely ever to understand, transcend or address.
PS Paragraphs are your enemy, your prose has the phrasing of Spooner and the cadence of a wounded Booby in mating season.

Jantra, I believe that before you have mentioned that we cannot compare Wales to countries such as Norway because of their oil wealth. Changed your tune rather quickly dear boy

How so? If you are referencing my statement regarding economic models that's altogether different. Saying wales could never emulate Norway due to norways oil reserves is not mutually exclusive with the statement that nations that have adopted the Austrian school of thought have tended to do better than those who have adopted a monetarist or dare I say it a Keynesian approach.

As always, you're looking for an argument that just isn't there.

I don't know where to start with this post Mr Ad hominem i really don't. Cardiff is a good city, it has lots to offer and does punch above its weight compared to similar sized cities, that is for sure. Let us not kid ourselves that Cardiff is actually more than it is.

have you been to the Lowry?



bigger media industry[/quote]
utter bollocks, try media city in Salford quays


give over you plonker. Manchester's nightlife is far more well known that anything Faliraki in the rain can throw up.


you can only have one indigenous language. But even if you could have two, you'll appreciate English originated in England and not Cardiff


corrected for you


Wow, fancy that in a capital city. manchester has:

Manchester United (the biggest club in the world)
Manchester City (the richest club in the world)
Oldham
Wigan
Bury
Rochdale
Stockport
Bolton

thats just football! football in Manchester dwarfs all other sports in Wales combined.



have you ever been out in M/cr, its perfeectly safe.


fair enough


they were london - work out what that means before you go on about they were from Burnage


M/cr has far more to offer than that.


once again corrected for you


corrected once again


it is very industrial, no surprise, given its heritage. It also has areas that Cardiff and Wales could only dream of, both in the city centre and in the suburbs.


careful now, you're just trying to be confrontational


aw bless, did youth fashion pass you by


of course it is. Mcr is the most subscribed university city in the UK, why is that? its a great place to be that is why. It has an eclectic life that is for sure, for students, far artisans, for the gay community, Mcr has it all. It has the biggest entrance to a china town outside of the USA.


an airport that is a distance dream for us Welsh. its the thrid biggest due to commerce, industry and agglomeration


but it has ringway, because ringway is a requirement for a city that is known worldwide


honestlyl, have you ever been there. to suggest M/cr has no culture...how about the arts, science and industry (the home to the industrial revolution), its contribution to modern science (it is the biggest research university by far), it has around 60k student IIRC, it certainly is the largest university in the UK - there is a reason for that.

to suggest Cardiff is better than M/cr is nonsense. i'm proud of Cardiff, i sing its praises and we have lots going for us, but honestly, we as a city and a nation have a long way to go before we can even begin to emulate what M/cr has provided. talk about delusions of grandeur.

Born grew up in Cardiff, studied and lived in Manchester and elswhere... now back in Cardiff.

Was in Manc on weekend - it is a fabulous, vibrant and demographically & culturally diverse city region. Royal Exchange, Lowry, Northern Qtr, Media City, Manchester Gallery, Opera, Cornerhouse, Museum of Science and Industry, University, etc, etc Top 2 Prem clubs; all in all a well connected vibrant and major European City.

I like Cardiff - I like Manchester. Its not a bun fight?

Machester

rutherford split the atom
the worlds first computer
the worlds first inudstrialised city
home of the worlds most famous football team
the halle orchestra
the lowry arts centre
more overseas visitors than anywhere except london / Edinburgh
more UK visitors than everywhere except London
a fantastic nightlife, second to none
a music scene second to none (even the Byrds sang about Mcr on 8 miles high)

Cardiff is good, it really does punch above its weight, but really, you need to get out and visit places before adding comment. you just sound parochial

no its not. i just happen to like Mcr and because it is jantra that likes mcr, Mr Ad Hominem takes umbrage and Mcr becomes his new bete noir

I lived in Haslingden for over a decade, and in Hazel Grove for 6 years, so I know Manchester, and I don't like it. The crime rate and gang culture is quite unpleasant. Being in a bowl facing west, it also rains a lot, whereas Cardiff is in the rain shadow of the hills to north a.nd west. Yes, I have been to the Lowry. Have you been to the National Museum of Art? The collection of art at the Lowry doesn't reallystand up to that at our massively undervalued gallery, and if you knew the slightest thing about art you would recognise that. Cardiff has the biggest media industry outside London
http://www.ukstudy.com/destinations/cardiff/

Manchester is not the biggest research university, what made you think that? According to this it's ranked 6th for research behind those lesser lights of Oxford and Cambridge http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings
Do you think that anyone from this forum
http://www.manchester-forum.co.uk/
posts "we really are second rate in Manchester, the local poiticians and business people are useless, we aren't doing as well as [insert name of city here]?
Of course they don't, because it would wind people up. And Jantra, talking about yourself (or an alter-ego) in the third person is a sign that you have enormous psychiatric problems. A personality disorder. If you don't believe me Google it. Enjoy your meds, you need them.

Gents, this thread is now off the off topic scale!!