Author: Richard

The TUC have discussed a joint day of action by Public Sector Workers. The Governments response is to introduce new laws to limit strikes. Richard Draw – MP for the toffs on the right has suggested calling in the Army. To do what? Shoot strikers? There are not enough in the armed forces to man any of the public services safely! The debate will galvanise the old duffers who vote tory and maybe white van driver, but the thinking public support decent pay rises for all. Those not in unions or where unions are impracticable are regretting their lack of power. Why are energy costs more than double those in Europe? Why are average rents so much higher here? (UK-£1200; France £800; Germany £700; Spain £600). Food inflation is 9%. CEO wage rises are average of 45%.

Vacancies in NHS and Education will increase without significant wage rises as the baby boomers retire. The governments hidden (not very well) agenda is to privatise much of the NHS despite the comparisons between USA and UK being eye watering.

Great talk by Mhairi Black regarding Parliament as a toxic place to work. Surely only the traditionalists and foggies can support it. Firstly it should be based in Northern England if not moved around. It should have a minimum of a 3 day 12am -4pm full attendance set up for National issues. OK I am thinking this through! Most of the time watching Parliament TV the chamber is empty. So maybe fiscal/national issues could be timetable for one day. The committee system could be expanded and used to report back on full attendance day/s. The argument against the EU was that EMP’s were not known or available for surgeries. These surgeries should be a requirement of the job (Johnson and others please note). The Speaker should ensure efficiency in the calling of debates so that not all MP’s are required at haphazard moments. The present building and situation is not fit for purpose. Electronic voting is a must.

If City bankers, etc. need to contact MP’s they would have to open offices in Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford or Manchester! A purpose built Parliament with office and secretarial space, suitable committee rooms, Ministerial suites so that Ministers could communicate with Whitehall or wherever! I am sure that the Parliamentary timetable could be arranged to enable a usual 3 day week with 1 for surgeries.

The main stream press treat the NHS as a private entity (that’s what they hope). It is Govt. run (badly)by largely unqualified people. Health Trusts are offering fast track operations at a cost, thus putting the poor further away from the operations they need.

Corrupt to the core. Whilst the right wing are plotting against Sunak to push their own rabid anti-mjgrant and racist policies. The Brexit bonfire they are looking for may well ignite more than they can cope with!

Starmer has said there will be no great spend if Labour win the next election. This may be prudent but the economy is stagnant and needs a boost.After World War 2 plans were already in place to create the NHS, introduce a new education system, build new towns, create National Parks, build many council houses. Renew city centres. Not all were fantastically successful but the vision and energy was there. Is it asking too much for the same vision and energy from Labour? The NHS needs restructuring and re-energising, as does education. The climate crisis is affecting wildlife and the environment and will. need drastic reforms of countryside laws including agriculture and the estates of the mega wealthy. Our energy sector has the potential to increase on the 26.8% of electricity sourced from wind last year and increase solar production whilst reducing consumption with insolation. The rail network needs renationalising as does water – but these will have to wait, although failed franchises on the railways can be required without compensation and targets for the water industry could do the same.

Still the greatest problem for any government. Costs are still rising, renting is increasing whilst home ownership falls (half a million less than 10 years ago). Is it cynical to ask who makes money from this situation?

Dinner should be an important part of the school. day – not something consumed on the hoof. It should be planned, chosen, sourced, environmentally and socially assessed, priced, prepared, cooked, served, assessed for nutrition, washed up too! An educational and social experience