Author: Richard

I suspect there is plenty more to come. The glee on Tory front benches as Raab had a go at Rayner regarding Glyndebourne was rather sickening, it was as if they enjoyed an attempt to demean a woman. I suspect this is the culture in Westminster and not totally confined to the Tories (although mainly). With about 20+% voting to ban abortion in NI we should be under no illusions that we have intelligent, educated minds in Parliament. Power corrupts as we see almost daily. And the papers are either frightened or cajoled into keeping quiet on the Private Eye revelation of how the PM, when FS, was given a BJ by his mistress at the time in the FO, and who he then promoted for a £100000+ job she was not qualified for. Also did he make his hairdresser pregnant and then pay her to move to N.America.

The gutter press has kept very quiet, as has the Guardian – are they threatened with injunctions or expensive civil disputes? Well done Private Eye. The fact that Pincher has not resigned is reprehensible as it is the second time he has had to resign as a whip. But maybe he sees BJBJ getting away with a total lack of morality means he thinks he has not been so bad. Why did Johnson not sack him? – because he is a coward. Or maybe he knows too much? There is probably less sleaze in a brothel!

I am totally against this party, but I used to acknowledge that they had a philosophy that was arguable. I was told that the Conservatives believed their policies would lead to a bigger ‘cake’ to be divided up rather than a Labour one more equitably shared. I did not like this philosophy as it seemed to favour the rich and privileged. However the people promoting it in Parliament seemed generally honest and honourable. There were no beggars on the streets, mentally ill were in hospitals (not always nicely agreed), social housing was provided, the NHS provided health and dental care, the unions may have been too powerful in some areas (but should not have been suppressed as at present), tax was high but public services existed (not always to high standards but widespread rather than non-existent. Politicians who digressed resigned.

The present party seems to have caved in to corruption and egocentrism. No philosophy worth promoting. Just greed and a bullying attitude to those they deem below them. No respect.

So the government thinks we should all exercise pay restraint – Except for MP’s, except for pensioners (many of whom do not need it – certainly not more than other public sector workers). I fully back the doctors, the lawyers, the airport workers, the railway workers, etc. The right wing press crows about wages over £50000 as if they should take a pay cut and are just being greedy. The wages are commensurate with the job, skills and qualifications – I do not see the trash press campaigning for reduced wages in the City (actually they want them raised!), or directors to show pay restraint.

Every single public service is being trashed . Where is our tax money going? A lot in interest on dodgy loans taken during Covid. I am not a great fan of tax, and wish it was simpler. But we need to pay for education, health, law and order, council services, transport, utilities. Not all are nationalised unfortunately. Defence was omitted on purpose – I agree we need to be at the front of technology and weaponry, but why do the Armed Forces employ top chefs and chauffeurs.

We have to pay for the basic fundamentals of civilisation – but at present the fat cats in the city are creaming off billions (and many avoiding their share of taxes).