Month: February 2023

The tail that wags the dog! 35 MP’s are active supporters and another 29 have been members in the past. That enough to overturn the Conservative majority, thus this small but tight group yields power beyond its numbers. The DUP will be canvassing them for their support against any deal with the EU. Their visceral hatred of all things EU is ludicrous.

Basically about 60 MP’s have the ability to veto anything the government puts forward that they do not like. Does Sunak have the balls to take the whip away from the 35? Would they vote against the government? Many are likely to lose their seats anyway, as things stand, so may be willing to be bloody minded.

Sunak has a very difficult few months – maybe less – before he loses his job. At the latest this will be the next GE. Will he last that long? Will Johnson try to come back (he is buying a £4million plus mansion in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell in Oxfordshire (there are surely a plethora of jokes here! – especially as it has a moat). Oh what has happened to hard work ensuring wealth in this country when a moderately funny and debatably honest hack has this money to chuck around).

Groups like the ERG should not be funded by public money on the left or right or centre. Politicians should listen to constituents – Johnson, please note.

Centrica profits trebled to £3 billion, yet asked for, and got warrants to invade peoples houses and instal the expensive pre-payment meters. That most of the profit, like, BP, Shell, Exxon and the rest of the fossil fuel companies came from exploration and supply on the international market is irrelevant on moral terms. However we live in an age which lacks morality and environmental responsibility. Profits rule. Companies push their share prices higher by buying back shares and then pay themselves a whacking bonus’. Dividends go to shareholders with money to spare rather than those who cannot afford heating. Welcome to a cold hearted cold mean Britain.

World’s response is still abject. I would suggest a permanent team of experienced professionals, funded by the UN, to collate information about key resources (rescue teams, tents, food, etc.). They should be organise rescue and support efforts immediately. I am sure all these things exist but their co-ordination seems awry.

Obviously with Syria politics played a big part. Today IKEA announced that it was sending 5000 flat pack buildings – fantastic, but they should be signed up for donations like this in advance. “IKEA proudly sponsors UN Disaster Relief Fund” – big publicity splurge by companies and governments, and individuals. Shareholders should ask why has my company not supported this?

The bureaucracy should be small and actual efforts outsourced who know what is needed and how to do it. No Covid backhanders here!

are set to lobby the government to allow them to continue to pump shit into our rivers and seas without fines. I guess they are really saying that they want permission to avoid doing their job. They have a virtually guaranteed profit set by OFWAT. They claim that a clean up would cost hundreds on every households water rates. Not with me in government it would not. Profits would be based on compliance with the law – if their share price goes down juster-nationalise them.

There is too much talk about the lack of inward investment (basically pleading for tax breaks for companies). Sort out Brexit and there would be no problem. I accept the freedom of movement problem, but we have, and always have had control over migration. Investment in infrastructure and education, tax breaks for renewables, etc. would make this country welcoming again. We had years of low corporation tax, and look where that got us.

Freeport seems like a disaster waiting to happen on so many fronts. But for a government benefit of ideas there is little option than to pass the buck.

Council taxes will go up 5% this year just about everywhere. Wages for council leaders are also set to increase. Why should any council (public service) pay over 100 people more than £100000. Time for decentralisation from Westminster and focusing on the local councils. Open government is desperately needed. I know who my local MP is, and how he votes! I do not agree with him. but it is transparent to a degree. Who is the leader of the council? How much are they paid? What are their policies? What are the difficulties they face?

Weston-super-Mare has little super about it nowadays. It is the sinkhole of beautiful North Somerset. Positives from the council are the discrete flood defences. Street furniture along the sea front is nice. However it reflects the Banksy “dismal land” exhibition. I am being rather snobbish here when I state that it is a down market sea side town reliant on day trips and b&b visitors from the lower deciles economically. I was once told by the Head of Tourism for the town that it was not even a fish and chip town, but a burger and chips one. Parking is extortionate – I realise the Council needs funds, but really! The town centre is empty properties, tattoo parlours, betting shops, charity shops, phone shops and a smell of weed. Now Marks and Spencers has gone it offers little to the weekend shopper from the surrounding wealthy hinterland. I live 15km away and have not been there since pre-epidemic.

W-s-M has lots of positives. Not just a rather gorgeous beach (it is still there when the tide goes out to reveal the less glorious, but more interesting for wading birds, mud banks), but a pedestrianised High Street and an indoor shopping centre (Sovereign Centre). My idea would be to slash business rates but also place restrictions on the types of shops. Incentivise local crafts and cafes to offer a different experience. Keep the very touristy bit to the sea front, James St, West St, area and Dolphin Square. Then develop an up market (or middle market) to the north. W-s-M needs both to succeed.

Transport – I really should apply for my free bus pass! But a reasonably priced regular/ or organised (e.g. In Sandford and Banwell and Locking camp there will be a bus at 9am, or what ever, and a return at 4pm or whatever, on a Saturday for the cost of £5. For a 50 seater coach that would pay the operator £250. Sell tickets in advance and lay on extra coaches if necessary. We have the technology! The £5 could probably be doubled. Bus companies have lost the will to enterprise under the governments pro-car regime.

This area is fantastic and to have a smelly drain at its centre is sad!

What cost of living crisis? Sunak is waning around the country by plane and helicopter. Government credit cards are being used for top end purchases of wine and gifts, Michelin accredited restaurants used, and spending up 70%. But only for the toffs, Border Force workers were treated to vouchers for Pret A Manger.

I accept that the Prime Minister may need to stay in a 5 star hotel but some of the spending seems reckless.

About time – cross-party talks on Brexit failures https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/feb/11/revealed-secret-cross-party-summit-held-to-confront-failings-of-brexit

In the context of Truss demanding tax cuts this is another twist in the narrative of this government. Perhaps Gove sees himself as a Tudor style king maker!

Farmers are complaining that only 0.44% of money allocated for Post-Brexit funds has been paid. We need viable farms with environmental responsibility to be thriving – otherwise the developers will take over. Has anyone done a long term projection of the UK population, its demography and the need for new housing? It seems to me that the need for new housing is based upon economics not physical need.

Education – 40% of year 6 children will not hit required levels. Perhaps the government needs to act now. The best teachers in the early stages are their parents. Fund child care where parents have to work. And support those who struggle – provide library sessions and cooking ones too. If the figure is true it makes the job of later year teachers impossible.

NHS – recent reports about outsourcing to cut waiting lists suggests corruption.