Category: Politics

Gary must be proud to have made the front page of the Daily Faii for all the right reasons. Even the Prime Ministers Office has commented, along with the rabid right of the tories. As Emily Maitlis has stated the government and the BBC were happy for him to comment on human rights in Qatar but not this country. The press reaction, that of government ministers and MP’s shows how far freedom of speech is being eroded. The BBC has said trhat it will have discussions about his comments, but have also saod there is a difference between a football commentator and the news and public affairs workers.

Maybe the Tories need to look at the composition of their focus groups. A study of 24 countries found that the UK was in the top 4 in considering homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia, suicide and casual sex to be acceptable. Only on the death penalty did we end up mid-table with 55% considering it to be acceptable or potentially acceptable. I guess this is down to mainly older generations and the right wing press. Interestingly Russia, Germany, Indonesia and Nigeria were more opposed to the DP than the UK.

An analysis of the report shows that it reflects a changing society. Homosexuality is seen as acceptable by 65% and divorce by 63% and abortion by 47% (USA stat is less than half that of UK). That also does not mean that the remainder were against it – I will research tis figure. Yet again we seem to have more in common with Europe than America.

So the desperate Tories are rolling out yet another despicable scheme to appeal to the many racists in this country. It is easy really – the government sets up bureaus in its embassies around the world that can process applications for asylum. Those approved could come here and be provided with accomodation and work permits – they would start contributing to our economy immediately. Those who are then coming illegally could be processedbquickly and returned. Without the legal route nothing will work. I just do not understand the British Press attitude of victim blaming. Prior to Brexit we did not have the Channel small boats – just the lorries and train. Rishi Sunak is back to appeasing the right wing of his party again. Starmer should be in Paris and Brussels negotiating a sensibke response from all.

Sunday Mail seems to be promoting Sunak rather than Johnson. With several prominent Tories comparing Johnson to Trump and there are even suggestions that by denigrating the Independant Commons Priveledges Committee he may face a further charge of contempt of Parliament. We already know that BJBJ does not understand the difference between his own reality and that recognised by most others in a civilised society.

He has already brought British Politics into disrepute but it seems he has not finished yet! Maybe his best chance of a come back is to harm the Conservative Party as much as possible, they get hammered in the election, and then they plead for him to return? Or he could resign before the committees full report andf before they interogate him. He can then return to the lecture circuit in the Republican areas of the states and make guest appearances on GB News and write columns of tripe for the Mail or Sun – although they may well shun him.

Observer reports that the government may well face legal challenges due to its tardiness in planing for Net Zero. I have a suggestion that they provide grants to white van drivers to trade in for hybrids or electric. Many of these drivers a) cannot afford a new vehicle; and b) have to go into the LEZ’s to work. At present if you need to call out a plumber/electrican/builder in one of these zones they will correctly add £10 to the call out charge. So a scrappage fee of 80% (orwhatever is deemed to be beneficial) of the value of the vehicle. This should also be extended to private vehicles and larger commercial ones once there is an alternative.

Supermarket deliveries. Why are they not getting smart and offering different prices for different areas to encourage people in say – Sandford – to order for delivery in the same slot – more efficient and environmentally friendly and could boost sales. It would be easy to programme.

So the next couple of months will be fascinating. Hunts Budget, Johnsons appearance before the committee, then the Local Council elections and the legal challenges that may follow when people are banned from voting.

Covid enquiry – apparently 62 barristers have already been hired and the enquiry could take 6-9 years. Is this to get the government off the hook? Surely there are some political issues which need rapid examination – where did the money go? Who ignored scientific advice? But much of it is not litigeous (if that is a word) and would be better examined by PhD students in universities (geographical, social, economic, role of social media on vaccinations, etc.) all these would be of benefit to a society faced with a similar pandemic.

Poolis made and dough rising for another hour. Baguettes should be ready this afternoon. Lemon biscuits made with brown sugar are good.

Too cold to sort out greenhouse, but I will need to do it in. the next couple of days. Tomato seeds ordered, and hanging basket plants – visit to garden centre needed next week.

So Johnson appears to be in trouble with interim report of the Priveleges Committee outline that he misled Parliament (the committee has 4 of its 6 members as Tories). The Mail and Express report that Johnson says there is not a drop of evidence to support this. He will appear before the Committee later this month. He could be barred from Parliament – what a fine thing that would be! Is he negotiating with GBNews already?

The tories are desperate. JR-M calls the Gray inquiry into Partygate a socialist stitch up, although. he was extolling her virtues at the time. The tired old right wing are desperate to cling on to anything now that their cheerleader appears to be a spent force. Notba good week for them – first Sunak delivers a reasonable package (this is agreed by all but the rapid few). They seem to forget that BJBJ was found guilty by the police, not Sue Gray. Durham police also found Starmer not guilty – not Sue Gray. Perhapsnthey are concerned that as a senior civil servant she knows where the bodies are buried? Then we had Oakenshott leaking 100000 What’sApp messages to the Telegraph – Hancock must be gutted. The Telegraph will filter ones against BJBJ but desperately need to up circulation.

With MI5 admitting faults regarding the Manchester bombing – not a good week for many in the estasblishment this week!

What is it about this country? And are others like this? Confrontational as a basic reaction. Anyone who gains success is seen as a target for tye press to undermine and find something bad about. Conservative politicians faced with an issue will immediately resort to acerbic attacks. The whole Brexit farce has been inflicted on us by this imdercirrent of aggression and distrust.

Being mentally strong and aggressive certainly seemed to benefit co-workers getting promotion whilst I was teaching. Those who were prepared to crucify fellow workers were lauded, those who were supportive were seen as weak and by-passed for promotion. Drivers are quick to hit the aggression button. Do we teach children that arguments are not bi-polar? The press get headlines from bi-polar opinions and faning anger, distrust and angst.

I guess not much going on as far as the British Press is concerned. Horrific train crash in Greece largely ignored. Sun and Express lead with Harry and Meghan being kicked out of their house by Charlie, who may give it to Pervo boy! Guardian, Telegraph and Metro go for Hancock. Mail goes for supporting Carrie Johnsons call for longer sentences for wife beaters. Times goes for Bravermans claim that Islamic extremism is the fault of the left.

Mean while 30p Anderson has a go at food banks, Badeock has a go at menapausal women, Williamson accuses teachers of being lazy, whilst tory MP’s avoid work!

So the general feeling about the Brexit deal is that a) Nobody in the EU really cares anymore; b) Treating the EU negotiators with respect rather than agression and contempt made a deal possible; c) this could see off the criminal fool and his cohort. It seems that the EU has given way on a large number of things. Perhaps we can develop a proper relationship in many more areas. Starmer is well positioned to develop these ties. The DUP is already looking for support from the like of John Redwood to nit pock the treaty – Sunak should just tell them to fuck off back under the stone they crawl out of. Hopefully there share of the vote will diminish in May (it will remain string due to the bigitry embeded in many NI communities.

Could we see the same attention to detail and respect used in negotiations with the unions. First stop woulld be to stop refering to them as “barons”. Getting rid of “turnip” Coffey and “30p” Anderson would also help – however every Labour supporter will wnt to keep them in post for the election boost they get everytime either one opens their mouths.

At last they come up with a settlement. I know they say the devil is in the detail, BUT it loksfairly straight forward to me! The problem is likely to be in the ambiguity about using The Stormont Brake. The words trivial and significant are used which gives a free hand to the bigots in the DUP who make this definitions dangerous. The Green Plan seems commonsense but with criminal gangs active in both catholic and unionist communities there is likely to be plenty of misuse of labels!