OK, nothing new in saying that Trump is a poor excuse for a human being, but it needs repeating that is response to Ilhan Omar was abhorrent. He stated that she probably staged it herself. His likely use of force against Iran will also result in the deaths of many civilians. I will state that the regeime in Iran is particularly nasty, with possibly around 30000 deaths during the recent protests and deserves to be overthrown. However a violent coup, and Trump has used the word violence in his comments of what might happen, is only a start of something better if there is an administration to take over. Perhaps he sees himself sitting on the Peacock Throne as Shah of Iran, to add to his titles recently acquired (Overlord of Gaza, President and ruler of Venezuela and wannabe Snowking of Greenland).
Starmer is in China and that is a good thing! With relationships with America under scrutiny it is sensible to strengthen alliances with other nations. I am sure there are good reasons to be careful in any relationship with China, but isolation is never a good idea. Meanwhile at home Labour are backtracking on just about everything. Social security changes put off, probably forever; Rental reforms to standards of accomodation delay for a decade; Pub business rates, whatever. They really seem to be struggling Announcing spending on things like SEND are not vote winners. What people need is a vision clearly enunciated (Andy Burnham where are you?). The upcoming byelection in Manchester looks like a three way split between Labour, Reform and the Greens. Reform seem to have hit a stasis with abot 30% of the electorate being too thick to understand the con. Nearly 50% of the electorate in the constituency is defined as ethnic, will Labour hold its ground (big majority last time), or will Zac lead the Greens to a memorable victory? Labour have started attacking the Greens drug policy – which is strange as it makes sense to anyone with a functioning brain! My only reservation about legalising drugs in the same manner that other places do – is where will the criminal gangs get their income from?
Sun shining but still cold and damp, more rain forecast for this area, but no floods near here.