Author: Richard

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?

Nothing to be sorry about – I asked for your opinion, although I believe you are being over harsh!  I thought he came across well compared to most politicians as he did try to answer the questions truthfully.  However I was disappointed that he did not face up to his obvious mistakes as a leader.  He also failed to acknowledge fully the factions of the Labour Party.  Personally I agree with him that it is pathetic to ban him from the Labour Party.  But I also accept that Starmer needs to pander to the MSP and the middle ground.  Statistics of economic performance from past Labour Governments is actually rather impressive – given that the establishment was against them.  Leaders of political parties – who was the last one to pass muster?? Blair (excepting Iraq War) and Thatcher (excepting the demise of the manufacturing economy, totally wrecking the UK housing market and squandering £200 billion of North Sea oil money!  Is Ed Davey still alive?  SNP new leader has done well at PMQ’s (against 2 weak opponents!).

Truss blames the left wing establishment for her demise!  Nothing to do with a an horrendous ill timed budget!  Her definition of left wing would be interesting!  

Two interesting new political figures – Carol Vorderman _ who seems to haver the bit between her teeth on corruption (but she needs to beware as the MSM are circling!

And Laura Trevelyan for whom the old duffers in the Tory Party will be signing up for “How to nee an internet troll”. I have had them complaining at the shop that the NationalTrust want to pull down stately homes due to connections with slavery (I think that was the D.Express!).  She has asked the royal family to apologise too!  I think the most pertinent point she makes is that she has been to Grenada and seen how the history of slavery still affects people today. And that her present position at heBBC owes much to the wealth and privileges of slavery.

Is here a justification or logic behind Johnson supporting Brexit and promoting the Ukraine to join the EU?  If so, please tell me because I fail to see it!

So Johnson wants tax cuts to stimulate the economy. We had lower taxes but the economy was shafted by Brexit, then Covid, then Ukraine and then Truss. Lower taxes result in less public services at a time when they are struggling in the face of government incompetence. First off the present strikes need resolution with a proper pay rise and guarantees for the future. Just like businesses, home owners need certainty before they can invest, holidays cannot be booked in an uncertain world. Too many people are too well off at the expense of others. Raising the minimum wage with inflation should be mandatory, but should be matched by contractural guarantees on differentials for those earning less than £40 grand. Raising minimum wage and raising the tax threshold would stimulate the economy and benefit local businesses. Cutting corporation tax and tax for the rich does not stimulate the economy, we have had some of the lowest corporation tax for some time with no boost to the economy. Less tax from the rich means more foreign holidays and luxury goods.

Businesses in the City of London pay a good proportion of taxes. This imbalance should be a thing of shame, not to extol its virtues. We need to move the economy away from reliance on cheap Asian crap and onto quality home manufactured produce (this would be easier with a decent agreement with the EU).

Meanwhile, Johnson who campaigned for Brexit now wants the EU to admit Ukraine. The man is an idiot.

Calls for Raab to be suspended come from within his party. What a nob he is. More power to Josie Stewart who is suing the government for unfair dismissal and continues to be a whistleblower.

Average water cost 2014 to2013. £376 – £448. Or 19.15%

Average teacher salary 2014-2023. £38215 – £42400. Or 10.95%

Both sets of figures are set by the government – water companies to ensure profits for shareholders, teachers to keep wages low. Which one causes inflation. This is how the tories reward hard work and raising standards.

Exxon is suing the EU over a windfall tax. Shell announces record profits and all the rest will also do so. Meanwhile across the world inflation is hitting the poorest members of society. Surely the answer is to set a price cap for these industries across the developed world. How about a profit margin of e.g. 4% gross. With exemptions for fossil free energy production. Prices could be fixed like bank rates at bi-monthly meetings based on average prices. This would have the added advantage of giving haulage companies a degree of certainty. The companies will squeal but are they not very similar to the utility companies which have similar provisions? Prices at the pumps vary little between supermarkets.

Capitalism does not like price fixing, however rampant extortion on this scale means it is essential. The CAP of the EU enabled farmers to have fixed returns on investments and led to the thriving production across Europe. I acknowledge some negative impacts in LEDC’s.

How are some people so stupid? A phone in idiot complained that teachers only worked 180 days/year and should not complain. Why does he not become a teacher if it is such a doddle? These people seem to have an innate belief in communism that has got lost in the gaps in their brains. Different jobs have different requirements and therefore wages. Public sector workers have seen their relative wages diminish, relative to other workers, whilst inflation has had a major role in undermining training costs and time. If a train driver earns £70000 because that is what their role is valued at, they should not have to face a pay cut.

Also with inflation wages go up and so do taxes like income tax and national insurance. So the government must be mismanaging the economy if their income is rising commensurately? We know that their mismanagement of Brexit has lowered our exports massively.

Then the government announces it is spending more on education than ever before! That is inflation for you. Where does this extra money go? Academies are supposed to be more efficient – has anyone ever seen any figures to show this? Although some head teachers are paid in excess of £150000. Efficient county support services have been shut down and management outsourced. Secretarial and office staff at a secondary school often needs its own multi-storey block, whist in class support is being cut. One example – at Churchill there were 2.5 office staff in 1986. Today about 20. Wage slips are outsourced, but then checked as basic errors seem to be common. And now academies are merging to achieve economies of scale – will they call them local authorities? Which themselves do not cut wages of executives when they outsource responsibilities!

Teachers should not be running the finances of schools just as doctors should not be running the surgeries finances. My view on teaching would be to increase pay with experience. this would include pastoral experience. But have a cut off of about £70000. Management of the site and finances would be separated. Why should a good teacher/doctor be denied the opportunity to continue following their excellence? Often to pursue a management role they are untrained for and crap at!