Author: Richard

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BREXIT

I am fed up with talk about greater independence, sovereignty and non existent trade deals. And the leavers then try to blame the EU. We left in the economic hope that the EU would be happy to let us gain an economic advantage over them. What a surprise – they have said no! Controlling freedom of movement has meant a decline in experienced workers in this country and a labour shortage. Dealing with the EU now means red tape and increased costs. None of this is unfair or unexpected. Holiday makers complaining that they are treated like the foreigners they are and having to queue at customs.

Is there a logic in the fact that most people now believe we were wrong to leave the EU, but a majority say we should not rejoin? Is it embarrassment at the decision they made in 2016? of course the EU has many faults, but we are unlikely to be welcomed back as full members anyway – why would they. However agreeing full trade terms with them should be feasible. It would also protect the warped politics of Northern Ireland.

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STRIKES

When will the government stop blaming the Unions for strikes? Rail workers being told to work on their rest days and do more overtime seems rather unreasonable from a party whose members go on TV shows for a month and holiday in the Caribbean in term time! Ministers hide in Whitehall whilst stopping deals being done. Yet they make no comments about how the water companies (debt free at privatisation) have racked up nearly £60 billion of debt costing £1.5billion in debt interest. Add this to the average £2.1 billion dividend payments and inflated salaries for executives and only half of our water rates goes into providing our water/sewage and investment. Oh and 70% of profits go abroad. Privatisation or corruption?

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Sage and onion twists

Makes 12-15
olive oil 50ml
red onion 1, finely chopped
bread flour 400g
fresh sage 2½ tbsp, finely chopped
black pepper ½ tsp
fast action dried yeast 1 sachet (7g)
salt 1 tsp
lukewarm water 200ml
sesame seeds 1 tbsp

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small saucepan and fry the onion over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened. Set aside to cool. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, fresh sage, black pepper, yeast and salt. Make a well in the centre, pour in the water and the remaining olive oil and stir to make a shaggy dough.

Turn the dough out on to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is soft and smooth. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover and let the dough rise for 1½-2 hours or until doubled in size.

Once risen, turn the dough on to a lightly floured surface and use your fingertips to flatten into a rough rectangle. Pour the cooled onions on to the surface and press them into the dough. Give the dough a brief knead to incorporate all the onions – this part will be a little messy and if any onions fall out just knead them back in.

Heat the oven to 180C fan/gas mark 6. Let the dough rest on the work surface for 10 minutes before dusting a rolling pin with flour and rolling the dough out into a large rectangle, about 25cm x 35cm.

Slice the dough into thin strips about 1cm wide, take two at a time and twist them around each other. Place each twist on a baking tray, brush with a little more olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt and sesame seeds. Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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CAPITALISM

Sir Chris Hohn pays himself £570 million, a figure he justifies by being a huge philanthropist (He has given £4 billion to his children charity and is the major donor to extinction rebellion). Whilst I agree with. his choice of charities “Why should he have that choice?”.

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BREXIT

You leave a club because you can change rules to make it easier for you to compete against the club. Then get upset at the club not letting you have free access to facilities without payment. FMB – nobs.

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WORLD CUP R3

What a brilliant performance by England. Rashford especially. They look very good on the attack against rather weak sides (Wales and Costa Rica) and we will see how they cope with stronger opposition. If they beat Senegal it is likely to be France. European sides have done well with only Belgium under performing, given that Germany are very likely to get through although if Spain lose 1-0 to Japan Germany would need to win by 7 (I think). Group C is close with Argentina and Mexico through if they both win, whilst Saudi Arabia and Poland will go through if they win – and other permutations available.Group D is Australia to go through with France unless they lose to Denmark.

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DECEMBER 2022

This could be a big month for Sunak to survive. He faces challenges, mainly from within. On migrants he believes the public wants a crackdown, but the dilemma is that essential NHS services are dependent upon them. Asylum seekers are a soft target but the press is running out of steam. The right wing hate his budget yet cannot offer a viable alternative. MP’s concerned about their seats are looking for local projects and refusing the whip. Police are being told to clamp down on demonstrations that block roads, but also to cut down on crime. Which is fine until they realise the court system is broken and that prisons will fill up. Education has received a temporary bailout but strikes are in the pipeline.

On strikes Sunak wants to take a strong line, but even with the MSP backing there is a lot of public opinion in favour of the strikes. And with cold weather peoples heating bills will soar. It seems inevitable that voters will turn against the government. Many MP’s are apparently looking to jump ship before it hits the rocks!

Foreign policy for the UK is a bit of a joke really. Sunak is telling the Chinese off – I bet they are scared.

The DWP is encouraging people to work more despite the fact that they lose 55% of any increase in income. Why not tax the rich at this rate? Or more. I have never understood the RW argument that lower taxes = more investment. We have some of the lowest taxes for companies over the last 12 years but investment and the economy has plummeted? I think the rich just take the money and run! Pictures of that Mone woman on a yacht exemplify this. If I had the money I would run a photo version of the Byline Times! Just photo’s with a comment! Or in some cases a list of MP’s who voted against (as in the law about landlords having to provide habitable rental properties).

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SHAMBLES

Johnson got rid of competent members of the Conservative Cabinet and replaced them with incompetent Brexit lackeys. Truss added a few more and Sunak shuffled the weak pack. Ministers attack labour at every opportunity and yet have no credible policies on improving life in Britain. The underfunded Police Force is accused of being too woke whilst having to cope with the mental problems of people forced out of health care by the underfunded NHS (again the blame is on woke). Problems for those in blue are mounting as poverty hits the poorest areas.

Planning rules that have been loosened are now in disarray. Expensive housing of debatable quality going up on Greenfield and even green belt sites requiring motor transport as bus services are shrinking (and too expensive). An idea, provide people like me (single retired) with a £50000 (or maybe £20000 per bedroom released) incentive to downsize. Councils could do the same? This sounds generous but it would take this much for me to even consider it. Result would be more 3 or 4 bed houses available. Some could become shared rents so it would help the housing market. Most of the money would be invested thus providing the money for investment/growth so beloved of the right wing! water companies have stated that the lack of planning rules is not allowing them to function properly – hence sewage releases (I am not sure that this is a get out clause as they are guilty of under investment too).

Transport is in chaos – 30% of Trans-Pennine trains were cancelled or curtailed over half term. There is no proper train service at Manchester Airport.

Onshore wind turbines could be functioning this time next year with government help thus slashing fuel bills. Make it easier for small scale hydro schemes to produce electricity for the grid. Time has come to think local not global.

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WORLD CUP

It started off politely with Gary Lineker making a very sensible statement/broadcast/whatever about Qatar. But will be will be. Iran players then showed their bravery (footballers should not need to be brave in the FIFA World Cup) by refusing to sing the anthem. TBH not a big deal, I doubt any English players could sing the 2nd or 3rd verses – I could not! However these guys (is this a sexist word? Can I refer to girls as guys? – I think so, but may be I am not woke enough) risked possible horrific retribution on return to Iran. And the England tried to humiliate them – fortunately they got 2 goals back which may have stymied Englands World Cup progress (more later).

Back to football. It all started off very politely with referees being on the ball and tackles being largely fair. The second round has been much more combative! But the first round., Ecuador comfortably beat Qatar who frankly seem to be out of their depth. Netherlands beat Senegal with some difficulty, but easily by the end. England thrashed Iran with a free flowing attacking game, but the manager criticised the giving away of 2 goals. Personally, and not being an ultra-nationalist moron (I hope), I would be happy with 6-2 very week, or 4-3, 5-4, 5-1, etc. However Southgate may know better than me!!! (at least I fucking hope so!).

USA totally trounce Wales in first half and then it is reversed in the second. At least Wales should go home with a point (will I regret this comment). Argentina, one of the pre-tournament favourites go down to Saudi Arabia. In my view they were unlucky with3 offside ‘goals’ disallowed fairly but on fine margins – I expect them to go further. Mexico-Poland was a bore, as was Denmark-Tunisia. France looked good against Australia with Mpappe coming of age with more experience.

Spain started off the group of death with a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica who looked like a minnow in the ocean. Another surprise was Germany losing 2-1 to Japan. TBH Japan were not that good, or Germany that bad. We will see. Morocco-Croatia was easily missed and Belgium – Canada not a lit better. Belgium have and have had so many good players but have never gelled as a team at the height of the World Cup (like the great Netherlands teams of the past, and some English and Spanish and Argentinian ones). where was I, oh yes, Switz-Cameroon looked like good middle table premiership sides and Brazil did what they needed against Serbia. Lastly Uruguay did a normal 0-0 draw against South Korea who must be missing Son. Then Portugal squeak past against Ghana.

So the second round.Senegal prove to be too good for Qatar -n not that difficult TBH. Ecuador hold the Netherlands (are they a team with great players who are not a team)? It seems that the tackles on the pitch are becoming a little more feisty! Referees having to be more pro-active. Anyway Group 2 which should be a doddle for England became more difficult with a dull 0-0 draw. Southgate must be listening to the dullards in the press and hooligan terraces. With a squad of immense talent he plays the same 11 as against Costa Rica despite it being a completely different side, and the impact of the heat. Wales loss to Iran was of a team not really up to the standard required – they may raise themselves against the English though? Hennessy sending of was deserved!

Argentina came through against Mexico in an emotional match. Messi scored again in his swanson World Cup. Personally I do think they are that good but would not write them off. Poland could be a dark horse with Lewandowski one of the best strikers in the world? Interesting games to come. France are through carnets players which could be important in the desert heat (although north said about this?). Australia in pole position. Costa Rica made Germany’s progress easier if G beat Spain tonight. An interesting game as I think that Germany are not that bad and Spain have a very young squad lacking experience. I think the first 20 minutes will be vital. A Spain win will mean Germany might need to score a few against Costa Rica, not too difficult I believe.

Belgium have just lost to Morocco and have a difficult game against Croatia to come. All up for grabs here too! I think France are the only side through so far!

That is all for now. So far no team has won two in a row.