Temperatures are dropping and to looks fairly set for the next week or more. Very cold doing the papers in the morning but no frost here yet although Winscombe had frost last Thursday.
Xmas lights are now up.
BREXIT
I am fed up with talk about greater independence, sovereignty and non existent trade deals. And the leavers then try to blame the EU. We left in the economic hope that the EU would be happy to let us gain an economic advantage over them. What a surprise – they have said no! Controlling freedom of movement has meant a decline in experienced workers in this country and a labour shortage. Dealing with the EU now means red tape and increased costs. None of this is unfair or unexpected. Holiday makers complaining that they are treated like the foreigners they are and having to queue at customs.
Is there a logic in the fact that most people now believe we were wrong to leave the EU, but a majority say we should not rejoin? Is it embarrassment at the decision they made in 2016? of course the EU has many faults, but we are unlikely to be welcomed back as full members anyway – why would they. However agreeing full trade terms with them should be feasible. It would also protect the warped politics of Northern Ireland.
COOKING NUT ROAST AND APPLE CAKE
Very cold this morning with breeze from the east. Ordered new computer as this one is getting dodgy.
Apple cake on BBC good food, I added some raisins soaked in brandy!
STRIKES
When will the government stop blaming the Unions for strikes? Rail workers being told to work on their rest days and do more overtime seems rather unreasonable from a party whose members go on TV shows for a month and holiday in the Caribbean in term time! Ministers hide in Whitehall whilst stopping deals being done. Yet they make no comments about how the water companies (debt free at privatisation) have racked up nearly £60 billion of debt costing £1.5billion in debt interest. Add this to the average £2.1 billion dividend payments and inflated salaries for executives and only half of our water rates goes into providing our water/sewage and investment. Oh and 70% of profits go abroad. Privatisation or corruption?
Sage and onion twists
Makes 12-15
olive oil 50ml
red onion 1, finely chopped
bread flour 400g
fresh sage 2½ tbsp, finely chopped
black pepper ½ tsp
fast action dried yeast 1 sachet (7g)
salt 1 tsp
lukewarm water 200ml
sesame seeds 1 tbsp
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small saucepan and fry the onion over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened. Set aside to cool. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, fresh sage, black pepper, yeast and salt. Make a well in the centre, pour in the water and the remaining olive oil and stir to make a shaggy dough.
Turn the dough out on to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is soft and smooth. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover and let the dough rise for 1½-2 hours or until doubled in size.
Once risen, turn the dough on to a lightly floured surface and use your fingertips to flatten into a rough rectangle. Pour the cooled onions on to the surface and press them into the dough. Give the dough a brief knead to incorporate all the onions – this part will be a little messy and if any onions fall out just knead them back in.
Heat the oven to 180C fan/gas mark 6. Let the dough rest on the work surface for 10 minutes before dusting a rolling pin with flour and rolling the dough out into a large rectangle, about 25cm x 35cm.
Slice the dough into thin strips about 1cm wide, take two at a time and twist them around each other. Place each twist on a baking tray, brush with a little more olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt and sesame seeds. Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden. Serve warm or at room temperature.
CAPITALISM
BREXIT
You leave a club because you can change rules to make it easier for you to compete against the club. Then get upset at the club not letting you have free access to facilities without payment. FMB – nobs.
WORLD CUP R3
What a brilliant performance by England. Rashford especially. They look very good on the attack against rather weak sides (Wales and Costa Rica) and we will see how they cope with stronger opposition. If they beat Senegal it is likely to be France. European sides have done well with only Belgium under performing, given that Germany are very likely to get through although if Spain lose 1-0 to Japan Germany would need to win by 7 (I think). Group C is close with Argentina and Mexico through if they both win, whilst Saudi Arabia and Poland will go through if they win – and other permutations available.Group D is Australia to go through with France unless they lose to Denmark.
DECEMBER 2022
This could be a big month for Sunak to survive. He faces challenges, mainly from within. On migrants he believes the public wants a crackdown, but the dilemma is that essential NHS services are dependent upon them. Asylum seekers are a soft target but the press is running out of steam. The right wing hate his budget yet cannot offer a viable alternative. MP’s concerned about their seats are looking for local projects and refusing the whip. Police are being told to clamp down on demonstrations that block roads, but also to cut down on crime. Which is fine until they realise the court system is broken and that prisons will fill up. Education has received a temporary bailout but strikes are in the pipeline.
On strikes Sunak wants to take a strong line, but even with the MSP backing there is a lot of public opinion in favour of the strikes. And with cold weather peoples heating bills will soar. It seems inevitable that voters will turn against the government. Many MP’s are apparently looking to jump ship before it hits the rocks!
Foreign policy for the UK is a bit of a joke really. Sunak is telling the Chinese off – I bet they are scared.
The DWP is encouraging people to work more despite the fact that they lose 55% of any increase in income. Why not tax the rich at this rate? Or more. I have never understood the RW argument that lower taxes = more investment. We have some of the lowest taxes for companies over the last 12 years but investment and the economy has plummeted? I think the rich just take the money and run! Pictures of that Mone woman on a yacht exemplify this. If I had the money I would run a photo version of the Byline Times! Just photo’s with a comment! Or in some cases a list of MP’s who voted against (as in the law about landlords having to provide habitable rental properties).
SHAMBLES
Johnson got rid of competent members of the Conservative Cabinet and replaced them with incompetent Brexit lackeys. Truss added a few more and Sunak shuffled the weak pack. Ministers attack labour at every opportunity and yet have no credible policies on improving life in Britain. The underfunded Police Force is accused of being too woke whilst having to cope with the mental problems of people forced out of health care by the underfunded NHS (again the blame is on woke). Problems for those in blue are mounting as poverty hits the poorest areas.
Planning rules that have been loosened are now in disarray. Expensive housing of debatable quality going up on Greenfield and even green belt sites requiring motor transport as bus services are shrinking (and too expensive). An idea, provide people like me (single retired) with a £50000 (or maybe £20000 per bedroom released) incentive to downsize. Councils could do the same? This sounds generous but it would take this much for me to even consider it. Result would be more 3 or 4 bed houses available. Some could become shared rents so it would help the housing market. Most of the money would be invested thus providing the money for investment/growth so beloved of the right wing! water companies have stated that the lack of planning rules is not allowing them to function properly – hence sewage releases (I am not sure that this is a get out clause as they are guilty of under investment too).
Transport is in chaos – 30% of Trans-Pennine trains were cancelled or curtailed over half term. There is no proper train service at Manchester Airport.
Onshore wind turbines could be functioning this time next year with government help thus slashing fuel bills. Make it easier for small scale hydro schemes to produce electricity for the grid. Time has come to think local not global.