Category: Politics

So the Govt is going to spaff £billions up the wall to protect energy company profits. This only justifiable if they are made responsible for insulation and green energy projects.

In the short term we may have to use more coal, oil and gas; but the longer term (2 years or more) must mean using less and increasing renewables. Nuclear power probably has a place in the future, but will take 10-15 years to be of significance. So solar panels on every suitable house, heat exchange where appropriate, onshore wind turbines by motorways (who can claim they are an eyesore there?) and insulation. Battery storage is advancing but alternatives like Dinorwig or smaller versions could all contribute. Wind turbines on electric pylons should be feasible. Could old water mills be used for local housing or even street lighting? strategically we do not need 5 or 6 big power stations and reliance on the national grid. The regional names of one power companies are a joke. Break them up into smaller hubs with more regional emphasis.

Wind power is cheaper than fossil fuels so why is it priced the same?

Climate deniers and the ignorant will mention China and Poland, etc. as reasons for not going green. Some people are paedophiles – that does not justify not having laws against it (Although Andrew Windsor might disagree). We should be world leaders in wind technology and wave power. Make the power companies invest in these areas.

No football. Papers full of boring crap about someone I did not know – I recognised her face from stamps, coins and bank notes. Government, having spent at least 6 weeks doing FA, will now spend another 2 weeks preening their egos on TV. Meanwhile inflation rise, the pound falls, industries close and are unable to export. Broken Britain is going rusty.

So we will soon have a new King – Charles the 3rd? Are we really going to put up with this archaic crap for much longer? The only justification is tourism!

as Home Secretary. I wonder what is going on with the tories. Many wish Boris was still bungling, but many are also worried that we are being led on the road to fascism. Rumours of 14 MP’s putting letters into 1922 Committee to show lack of confidence in Truss. Majority of MP’s did not vote for her. How long before a vote of no confidence and another election with Johnson getting elected?

Pound goes into free fall due to the governments ineptitude in managing the economy. National debt has grown, inflation is growing, corruption rife, “teddy bear companies” (those immune to performance penalties) payout record dividends, exports fall due to Brexit despite fall of £, public services such as health, education, teetering on edge. Strikes increasing.

We are well aware that the Tories would relish a return to serfdom where wages are low, stakes illegal, life expectancy for the peasants falls; whilst they reap the rewards of increased dividends and all the comforts of modern living. A Tory landlord and Lord also sent out details of food banks with a demand for increased rent (all fucking heart these bastards).

Meanwhile their followers have been chirping on about how life was great in the 1950’s with no central heating, rationing, polio, TB, etc. (They fail to talk about the free NHS with dental care and a more egalitarian society).

Like everything the situation is complex. Governments across Europe need to ensure there no deaths from the cold this winter – our government seems concerned than just about everyone else. Short term fixes are expensive with no return, just as the Covid lockdown was. In the medium term fuels prices need to come down. The main way this will happen is less use, and the capitalist way of doing this is higher prices. Higher prices hit industries and the poor. So there is a fine balance to be met. The first price hike can probably be tolerated by the middle to high income families, and will result in behavioural change. These changes will have a devastating impact of the hospitality sector like pubs and restaurants.

Government should not be about appeasing a small section of society. It should also take a long term view. Yes the energy crisis needs short term expensive measures to prevent deaths this winter. But the solution is inextricably bound to the climate crisis. Dealing with the second will solve the first.

Figures quoted by tories that solving the sewage crisis are misleading the public as usual. There is no excuse for the present levels of pollution. The money is available and action needs to be taken now. I have heard quotes of up to £200 billion. Ridiculous as ever – there will be, for the conceivable future situations of high rainfall where old sewage systems have to pump out sewage. However this is happening on an unacceptable level, and if shares in water companies drop because of legislation – so be it. If CE’s leave – well good riddance as they are only doing the financial aspect of their jobs.

Ukraine – peace is not a word I have heard. Just driving the Russians out of Ukraine otherwise the bully Putin wins. Life is not simple or fair. If it was Brexit would have been overturned due to corruption, Johnson and cronies would be in prison. Ultimately there will have to be a compromise if millions more are not to die or be displaced.

Strikes – it is very clearly a them or us situation. Yes Andy, I am sure there are some archaic practices that the union will happily negotiate on (once a sensible offer is on the table) – was the crossing an area border from the Daily Mail? What are estimates of cost of this? wage differentials between rich and poor are ridiculous – and dangerous.

Education – Academies are now beginning to coalesce – “Economies of scale” – just like under the end County structure, except that we now have read teachers on upto £150000. Can anyone explain how this is more efficient. Churchill School has 10X the number of ancillary staff and secretaries than 30 years ago. How will it cope with rising costs and a decent pay rise for teachers (maybe it should be a set amount, rather than a percentage!).

EU – I am not sure that slagging Germany off for relying on Russian gas is fair – I am 100% certain that the government of the last 12 years would have done the same or worse. We did after all destroy or gas storage facilities. Yes the EU has many faults, and we are now out. But this means we should be negotiating a return in the areas that we are reasonably happy with. The Brexit campaign was funded by those wishing to avoid future tax regulations. Those who campaigned against migration and lack of control over our governance have been shat upon – it was never about this. Therefore there is a desperate need to negotiate new trade deals and stuff with the EU. Even NZ think exporting to the UK is ridiculous.

Why is no one talking about solutions to the cost of housing? 772000 second homes receiving allowances?

With further rises next January taking the bills past £5000. Many households will cope – just, with major changes to their expenditure: Many will not cope at all. Only the rich will benefit as energy is a tiny % of their income, and they get £400 for each second home.

Energy bills for businesses have in many cases already spiralled with many beginning to go bankrupt – thus causing unemployment to rise. Chip shops and pubs maybe some of the first to close

The only sensible solution is to cut energy use. The government should give 100% loans interest free (repayable over 10 years) for the installation of solar panel and insulation. therefore a minimal cost to the government. Households would get free electricity in day time and be paid the going rate per therm, or the benefits of insulation. If heat pumps are viable they should again be massively subsidised.

PS. What does the standing charge actually pay for? Electricity, gas, water, telephone? Are these prices regulated?

Well the politics seem to have gone quiet now the need for The Convict to try and resurrect himself has passed! Is that harsh? Andy, you have a much better idea about the military than I do (not difficult as I start from zero or below).

Having halted the Russian initial advance a while back it seems to be a war of attrition. Ukraine relies on Western arms supplies, Russia also seems to be struggling a little. I have not heard anyone talk about peace yet? Maybe it is too early, but will need to be discussed eventually. The elephant in the room is China and Taiwan?

What has not been discussed yet, but will need to be addressed eventually is the Ukraine Governments right wing leanings. We should learn from previous excursions into territories where we previously have had limited influence (Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Somalia – probably not the best choice) – but certainly none have been particularly successful. Although I suppose that depends on the term successful? Although it would take a Tory member of Cabinet to state what an unlimited success these campaigns have been!

Russia has a compliant population big enough to sustain this war for years; its sales of oil and gas will ensure that whatever economic sanctions are taken , are fruitless. India, China, African countries will. take up the slack and ensure the roubles roll in.

So it comes to a need for a diplomatic compromise in which the UK is massively unable to participate in. The present government is only schooled in confrontational politics. The USA is fucked up to the eyebrows with abortion, Trump and gun laws. China is keeping out. NATO/EU needs to back Baltic states.

Meanwhile the climate crisis is being ignored by all. Sorry this is another mega issue that I will address separately.

Anyway, if you would like to pop round anytime – let me know. Cake and tea/coffee always available. And s ever I love the discussion! Discussion recently seems to be polarising to a y/n which I personally believe to be pathetic!

Interesting start to the football! Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea from London looking good; ManC and Liverpool (after a shaky start will be up there). Will ManU spend enough to turn their season into one of hope? Southampton did OK today, but the chances of them doing a Leicester are so remote. I suppose that is rampant capitalism for us? There is no chance of the likelihood of Ipswich, Notts.Forest or Derby winning the league again – ever; or even Aston Villa, Everton,

And I have not got onto the water and energy debacle. Or the farcical tory leadership race, democracy, unions, environment, teaching and education, NHS, respect for others, Daily Maily and other shite papers, railways, post.

So you are welcome round and will go home with organic jams and produce.