ECONOMICS

I have long argued that this subject is not based on fundamental truths – the rules change at the will of the main players. Proper subjects exist in an interconnected world which includes the science and maths, but also the environment, social aspects, demography, urban/rural, health,transport networks, etc.etc.. Economics as practised by modern day hedge funds, corporations, bankers, only exists as a means to make a profit. Hedge funds £2 billion ontrading grain and soya beans after the Ukraine crisis, an oil trader paying out £billion to 300 employees due to the same crisis. Firms that fund the tories making millions on PPE during the Covid episode. Supermarkets making large profits and paying out to shareholders amd management staff due to inflation.

RACISM AND POLITICS

Braverman is being criticised from senior tories forracist comments. About time, but the Conservative and Nationalist Party is, and always has been, the home for those with racist and nationalistic tendencies (and misogeny). In the past Enoch Powell thought he had the support of the nation, or at least the party, to make his “Rivers of blood speech” – fortunately he was dismissed from the Cabinet double sharp. Todays tories have to counter the attractions of Farage, Brirain First, UKIP and others. So Sunak is not brave enough to call out the inherent racism of traditional tories but panders to the diatribes of Braverman and others.

CITIES

When the government abolished the GLC it thought it was a money saving (and anti-Labour thing. However it lost the opportunity to plan for the future in a wholistic manner. transport for London may be able to plan the transport element reasonably successfully but what about the rest? A report today outlines the fall in student numbers across the inner boroughs. Demography and socio-econmoc geography has obviously been ignored in favour of free market economics. Schools are being shut and turned into flats for the wealthy.

LEARNING

James O’Brien Show today discussed a Manchester University report that time spent with children aged 7-11 had little difference on educational achievement, whilst wealth and parents achievement had a greater impact.

HARTLEPOOL SYNDROME

You know, the one where the people of Hartlepool supposedly tried, found guilty and hung a poor monkey for being a French spy. It seems that the Conservative Party is relying on their supporters being similarly stupid and ignorant. From Raab possibly facing contempt of court charges, Braverman lying about child grooming gangs (on a day when 20+ white English males were convicted of child grooming, to tje various lies told on TV every morning by patsies doing the studio rounds with rehearsed answers (regardless of the questions.

STARMER

Personally I am not too sure about him. He seems to be doing a lot of the right things but lacks socialist ideals as a target. I realise he cannot make huge spending commitments as the tories have screwed the economy, but he could make commitments to the public service unions that he will get them back to 2010 parity asap. The Government finds the money for things when it wants too. Public services boost the health of the nation, physically and mentally. There are efficiencies that can be made across the board. e.g. Education – abolish OFSTED (saving £136 million p.a. – but use £30 million to support schools that have problems (80% of schools are good or better – so why waste money inspecting them?). I am sure the same is true of the NHS.

ELECTIONS

Local elections are looming and the Conservatives are campaigning on small boats and transgender issues – neither of which actually affect anymore than a tiny proportion of voters. So it is like a penalty in football with no goalie. But somehow Labour manage to avoid issues that actually affect all – like rising cost of living, energy bills, rising cost of mortgages and rents. No they chose law and order which, unless you believe the garbage that is the Daily Mail, Telegraph, Express, Sun again affects only a few – readers of those papers will never vote Labour anyway! Starmer is also a sitting target for the Tories due to his time as Director of Public Prosecutions. We know the tories do not respect the law, and will dig out lies about his time.

POLITICS

Have Labour descended into the sewer too? The sentiments about adults sexually attacking children is maybe one to bring up in discussion, but to personally attack Sunak like this is awful. The whole topic of the law and sexual affences needs a huge debate. You are 99% more likely to be fined for entering a bus lane than committing rape. However incompetent the government is (and no one is thinking they have plumbed the depths of Mordor yet!), one expects the Labour Party to be above sleaze and corruption and show not a little morality, but a party where morality is its fundamental foundation.

HOUSE OF LORDS

The Speaker of the HoL has spoken about the need to have experts rather than political appointees and aides. A quick way to do this would be to put a time limit of 5 years on all members, with exceptions to those who had made speeches and contributed to committees (although even these could be put forward for re-election. I am sure something like this would work. I am not sure about Labour’s plan to have elected members. heredutary members should be timed out along with the clergy – unless they have relevant skills to bring. Political appointments should be limited to 20, in proportion to the HoC and having a 60% majority vote by MP’s. Honours for sports people should not give automatic entry to the Lords. Resignation honours lists should not give entry to HoL.

SALCOMBE

Average house price £1244025. Madness. Where will the actual workers live? In winter it is dead as many are second homes. A totally broken housing market exists in this country – but how can it be solved? Sandbanks – previously the most expensive place to buy in the UK, was built for the rich, Salcombe used to be a proper town with pubs and shops open all the year round and most people working locally. 80% of sales are for 2nd home owners or buy to let.

Actually there does seem to be an answer. Increase top levels of tax – upto 90% for £10million. Hopefully many of these people will then bugger off. House prices at the top end in London and elsewhere will plumet. I guess there would be bit of a recession in London due to investors withdrswung money from the financiql sector. It should not affect much else as the general population will have the same amount of money to spend. But if the rich can no longer afford second homes and their yachts and private jets so be it.

An economy based on betting (foreign exchange and the stock market is unsustainable). These sectors have a place – but it has become too central. Moving to a home based economy does not mean a return to “The Good Life” type scenario!