Category: Politics

Tax or not a tax? A tax is money levied to enable society to benefit. Sunak has obviously equated inflation – where his investments make money for his benefit – with the benefit of society. Also equating a reduction in inflation with an increase in the money in peoples pockets is false parallel. Inflation halved to 5% from 10%, just means that we have 5% less in our pockets. So I would agree that inflation is bad, but but 5% inflation is just less bad – not a fantastic triumph. Addressing the huge profits that companies have made would be a better idea. It is well known that companies that raise their prices due to inflation never reduce them when the rate fallsbelow the original benchmark. It is all part of the “growth economy” that is destroying our planet.

Yet another non-policy from the Incompetence Party. Schools already use their discretion. In my old school phones are banned during the school day until the bell goes. Being a rural school students can miss the bus or chose to visit a friend and phones are essential. use of a mobile can aalso be great in a controlled way – as a geography teacher I would suggest that the phone can be a great source of knowledge and applications. A typical blanket ban from Whitehall is yet another example of an out of touch incompetent government. If they wanted to be helpful they could ALLOW a school to confiscate a phone for upto a month if abuse during lessons is a problem.

What is coming next – free unicorn for everyhouehold?

Interesting poll in the Observer today. They asked people who voted Cons at the last election who they would vote for next time. Only 66% said Cons again. 12% Labour, 6% LibDem and 13% Reform. This assumes that Reform will offer candidates across the country. So the right wing that is pushing for less tax, harsher immigration rules are could only hope for another 13% which means that only 75% are satisfied with government. Main gripes were the management of the NHS, management of immigration, management of the economy, and management of the pandemic. Remember that the Covid inquiry will get into full swing next month – more embarrassing times for Sunak? Only 7% consider Brexit to be an issue. Rgeions with fewest diserters were Scotland and Wales were they do not do well anyway and even there 20% said they would no longer support the Cons.

What does this mean? Firstly it seems clear that the mismanagement across the board is punishing the Party. Whilst immigration is still amongst conservative voters main concerns 53%, it is seen as less important than the NHS. It seems that even within their own party the politics of Braverman and Truss, Rees Mogg and Patel are out of touch with the majority of Cons supporters. Oh what a shame!

Time to get the sick bucket out and the mouthwash to clean the acrid taste of populist electioneering from the mouth. We know the Conservative Party took the poison of Thatcherism and has been steadily moving away from its traditional roots ever since. The need to balance public welfare and corporate profit has long since gone.

One favorite topic is the need to reduce tax – When we see the billions spaffed against the wall over the last 13 years it is hard to disagree! But the RW Media concentrates on cutting Inheritance tax, and the tax for the top earners – when did they ever publish an article which analysed the benfits of raising the threshhold fot income tax, or increasing the tax allowances for single mothers?

The Mail and Express are both pushing the anti-war on drivers mantra – I doubt that either will be campaigning to cut the tax on fuel. Councils are to be told to cut fines for motorists – how will they replace the money? Hunt has suggested that to save money, teachers could use AI to mark work. Nice idea, I hated marking with such a passion that I managed to avoid it most of the time! But does this mesan he would cut wages commensurately? Otherwise how does that save money? It would make the job more attractive, but AI would need a lot of programming to give the nuanced advice that even I managed on the rare occasion! Presumably his experience is limited to exam style marking – which would give more profits to the exam corporations like EDEXCEL and deprive teachers of the ability to top up their salaries.

Wow – I was not expecting this to develop into a rant! Even with John Mayall’s ‘Blues from Laurel Canyon’ on the speakers! I will not repeat yesterdays rant about their motorists charter – despite knowing people who love their cars as a fop to their lack of confidence.

I cannot bring myself to talk about Braverman – There are very few people I would enjoy punching – I am not a violent person – but I am developing a list! Braverman (Ok, it is never right to punch anyone, but even worse to punch a woman – Braverman remains on the list!), Rees-Mogg – whose children need to be put into care and given drugs and alcohol!), Coffrey (another woman whose face would probably absorb and dissolve a fist!), I am enjoying this vicarious fight with the Tories – Anderson , Dorries, Johnson, Hancock, Sunak, Hunt, in fact the whole Cabinet! Actual I would not want to punch them – just make them appear in a court where the charge was that they acted against the interests of the British Public!

Rather sad to see the tree cut down. I suspect there is more to this than simple vandalism. A 16 year old has been arrested and let out on bail. Why would anyone carry a fairly heavy chain saw for a fair way – just to vandaise a tree?

But it is a synonym for this government. I am surprised they have not decided to put a motorway through the gap!

An outstanding performance on QT by Lisa Nandy – why did Starmer demote her?

It is bad enough that the Conservatives seem like they would sell their children to get re-elected, but Starmer seems to be doing tne same.

Education – Private schools. Is it a better education or just a way of buying better results and introducing children into a class of people who can open doors for them. However I recognise that with their funding the education can be better than an underfunded school in a crumbling building with a high percentage of social problems. Perhaps the simple solution of making them pay VAT is too simple. Perhaps they could avoid VAT if they offered a certain percentage of scholarships to under privedged students, and also opening up their facilities to the public for a certain number of hours. After all if they are basically avoiding tax they should provide something in return?

University entrance qualifications need looking at too – we have evidence in this government of the frailty of an Oxbridge degree in terms of competence. Again I am well aware that some of our Ministers, CEO’s and MP’s have come up via comprehensives, etc. but too many seem to be there due to bought for advantage not based on merit or ability.

One million children do not have a bed of their own.- this is the class war which the rich wage on our children. Oh for a meritocracy! I taught in a rural comprehensive and to be honest I believe my children, who went to the same school, benefited from the mix of people (not so keen when my daughter made friends for a while with some scallywags! ).

Can the governmentstop pedalling lies – please? Opening up the oil field will not increase our energy security – most oil will be exported and have little impact on our domestic supply. Further evidence that profit before planet is the mantra of our government.