Category: Politics

I am sad about this. Aid shows that we as one of the richest nations on the planet can help others. Not under the mean tories though! It seems a no brainer to me that aid to countries in need would restrict the spread of virus’s and others like it. But populism (basically saying what you think people want you to think), is a sensible way of government.

The second wave has been predicted sinceJune, been happening since the start of October. And still there is no clear message from the government. Apart from stay at home unless you have to go out, work from home unless you have to go to work. Hey you incompetent excuse for a human being – yes you Johnson – stop spending hours making your hair look like a mess and get a grip.

Your first job should be to emphasise the horrific nature of this virus and the number of deaths and the impact on the NHS. Secondly a strategy for dealing with it, not reactive rumblings that would embarrass a 14 year old, but a proactive policy.

Some suggestions. Shut schools early for xmas. 2 more weeks, but cut Easter and summer holidays. Possibly staggered across the country. teaching unions will complain, but I am sure a deal could be reached. Bars to be shut until further notice. Restaurants with enough space and proper arrangements could stay open with reduced hours/numbers. Quarantine all from flights abroad, all lorry drivers to be tested on arrival back in uk (should not be a problem as they will be spending days waiting to get on ferries etc.). There lots of spy cameras around, especially on major routes. Everybody with a car has to register to confirm address and then not allowed to travel outside a certain area/radius. And omg that is total government control – there should be both parliamentary approval and an automatic cessation of rules once stats come down. This would need to be passed into law by parliament who would add necessary provisos.

Oh and M.P.’s taking a pay cut, and maybe moving Parliament to Wentworth House. It is big enough, M.P.’s also need to adapt how they work – video calls etc. A compulsory purchase order would be interesting as I would expect the cost to come in close to £1 billion. But with 365 rooms and huge outbuildings and stables it could house Parliament no problem.

Latest stats. No real let up in increase in NorthSomerset and Bristol. Cornwall and Plymouth still increasing, as is Chelmsford. Wales and Northern Ireland both falling. National average is 223. Liverpool and Manchester are the only parts of the UK to have a falling infection rate since Locdown 2.0. The BBC web site seems to be slowing down? Government instructions?

The anti-vax movement has probably done enough to prevent a return to normal next year.

Time is running out. If a deal is reached there will inevitably be more red tape for trade, whether with Europe or anywhere. Unfortunately business’s do not know what this will entail. Chaos at the ports is likely. Even with a deal there will be new red tape, health checks, etc. I am sure the Daily Mail has already written the headlines blaming the EU for any and all problems. The problem is with those who voted to leave!

Why have deals not been done regarding crime and policing? And the same for education and science?

Brexiteers will be happy with new immigration controls – or will they? Universities will have fewer foreign students paying high fees, farms suffer labour shortages, NHS is still desperate for doctors and nurses (and care homes).

Food prices and possible shortages? Fresh food of which 40% comes from the EU may become subject to price rises (red tape costs) and shortages due to delays in ports.

Cars, planes and chemical industries are all expecting problems.

So am I being pessimistic? I don’t think so. We have left the EU. There will be more red tape. Deals with other countries are far and few between (and further away thinking about climate change). Any deal with the EU needs to be ratified by each country, and as we live in a democracy, by our parliament which has a limited number of sitting days before the Xmas break. Perhaps Johnson should move Dildo Harding to be in charge of the transition in January due to the world beating success of track and trace!

Very wet start to the day and a bit chilly. Making pasta. Football results yesterday all rubbish. Sunderland might have new owners which can only be good. A new team next? Chelmsford, Sunderland and FGR all lost at home!

Vaccine may become available in a few weeks. Government estimates it could deliver 1 million per week. So about 3 months just to do the over 70’s (probably longer as others are important too!). I think the 1 million figure is determined by the logistics rather than availability – as more vaccines will become available.

And then to get to 70/80% ‘herd immunity’ is doubtful due to conspiracy theorists, covid deniers and general ignoramuses!

So we will need to live with our current way of life for the next 6 months at least.

The latest lockdown ends on 2 December. It will be another 2 weeks before full impact is known. The evidence of the figures from Wales is that the circuit breaker has had an impact, but not enough to relax.It does not really matter what the improvement has been, what is important is the R number, and the rate per100000. The numbers I have seen for Swansea and Cardiff are still much too high.

Cummings and Cain resign/sacked. Both were advisors – the decision maker is the same.