Author: Richard

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.

So Truss gets publicity forger right wing agenda and the press has stoped making any indepth analysis of the strikes and energy crisis. Left wing campaigners are vilified or, mostly ignored (apart from the more crackpot ideas). Astra Zeneca looked to invest £297million in Northern England but moved it to Ireland instead. Part of the claim was the hike in Corporation Tax to 25% from 19%, but there were other factors such as renewable energy and Brexit.

World events have overshadowed British Politics – Turkish Earthquake and Ukraine and Biden’s speech. Despite the UK economy not being in recession it is interesting that we are lagging behind others. Trickle down economics does not seem to be trickling down! Am I naive in not understanding why others cannot see what is blindingly obvious! Money is being sucked out of the economy via higher interest rates, energy rip offs and food inflation. Record profits for some, which are redistributed to the already rich and pensioners. The top 10% in the UK have an average £90000 in bank accounts and £690000 in pension funds. This money is not circulating, not creating jobs. Large firms cut jobs to increase profits. Local businesses can have a multiplier effect. My local store employs 12 f/t and p/time staff. Cutting business rates would encourage more local start ups, and create more jobs thus increasing the economy. Truss economics was to give tax breaks to the rich corporations and companies. More money siphoned off to the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands.

Weather here is quiet too. 4C this morning with sunny spells.

Making pasta today.

The type of shuffle that means walking very slowly and uncertainly. 3 new departments at a cost of hundreds of thousands of tax payer money (still none for the nurses!). The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero which is recreating the Department for Energy and Climate Change abolished by Cameron.

The only really interesting appointment was Hands as Chairman of the Tories – which will appeal to old school tories, but then 30p Lee as his deputy. This must be to appease the “Red wall” tories and the growing threat from the right (Reform Party). Presumably the focus groups have been sending panic notes to No.10. His proximity to the throne at Ni.10 may however be a tipping point for centrist voters. With Starmer having a firm foothold in the centre ground we could see a big loss for the Conservatives. They are virtually wiped out in Scotland, Wales looks increasingly Labour whilst the DUP seems to be losing ground to the centre whilst Sinn Fein is holding its voter base.

Geographically the next election could beg fascinating. Will leave voters who switched from labour in the north return to the fold, or will they continue to seek radical change with the Reform Party. Cornwall which voted leave with disastrous results looks to be solid tory unless the Lib-Dems find a voice, or the Greens grow out of their good grassroots activism. Will some of the “blue belt” reflect the younger demographics in University towns, e.g. Canterbury. London and the big cities should remain labour due to the same demographics.

With energy companies making record and obscene profits, and the government refusing to implement “Windfall Taxes”, it will be interesting to see how much energy bills fall in April. Wholesale gas is cheaper now than before the Ukraine War. Why not impose a “Windfall Tax” but give them 100% immunity for green initiatives – energy security and net zero met with no cost to the tax payer – win/win situation. Dividends would not be greatly affected so pension pots would remain healthy.

I mistakenly thought that magistrates were part of the system that was concerned with justice. They were certainly not doing their job properly and should be brought to account – with the buck stoping at the top. Pre-payment meters are the mist expensive way of accessing energy in the most expensive country in the G20. Magistrates are not supposed to be part of the law enforcement agencies, or the energy companies. 32790 in one month is an abuse of power. Presumably someone issued the instruction to issue the warrants without due procedure, or even care. What a surprise to find out that Dominic Raab is the minister responsible. Did he bully the magistrates too?