So the reaal work starts today with The King’s Speech where Labour will outline plans for new legislation. All ver positive – no diatribes about Rwanda and other failed Tory policies. The Daily Express leads with an article about boat people – who actually gives a fuck any more. We know Labour will come up with sensible policies in time – proposals for asylum visas to allow legal entry until processed seems practical and sensible and also allows management. Presumably this type of policy needs collaboration with our European neighbours, which may occur at the meeting at Blenheim Palace of 45 European leaders at the meeting Of the European Political Community. Whilst this is “yet another summit” it does allow European leaders to open up channels of communication (something Sunak should have considered when spurning D Day opportunities). This is needed ever more importantly as America seems to be headed for a period of Trump induced isolation and revisionism. Europe remains a very diverse political landscape despite some gains by the right.
What I will be hoping for are some real moves on climate change. Arguments about China’s coal power stations are irrelevant, especially as China invests heavily in wind and solar. Therewillbe announcements regarding housing and planning regulations. This will result in a right wing frenzy as the NIMBY element smacks in! I am in two minds regarding this – with the population likely to fall in next 50 years is there an argument for high quality radical temporary homes which can be expanded of dismantled relartively easily? Does evryone need their own outdoor space – a radical rethink needed before Barrat Homes build thousands of rabbit hutches in the countryside. The aspect of communting to work also needs consideration. Tory landlord MP’s voted down control of rents and minimum quality standards – can these be re-aired?
The prison situation needs urgent attention, but plans seem to be afoot as Labour has been planning for the takeover day for a year! Two more huge budgetry problems are Councils who have seen budgets cut at the expense of services as their responsibilities for care have increased. Universities also need urgent attention. Maybe a parental tax for university students? Parents are happy to pay £50000 per year for Eton, etc. but then get Oxbridge and others free! This is fraught with difficulties as I know having Tams going through University having just divorced – but doable!
Oh and then there is the water industry shit shower! I know Labour want to attract foreign investment (even home grown investment would be good -as a report decried the lack of investment in tec firms in the UK), but maybe those set to lose heavily (as they should) could be offered percentage holding in the companies that could pay out theoretically in the future? Mean time, interesting artical which suggested Londoners could/should be charged for covering gardens with concrete. Waffle style driveways and even side roads would allow infiltration and stop the subsidence that is already affecting London? I read something about London’s water table a while back which suggested that tower blocks may be facing problems as the water table reduces/
BUT I am still mega positive – the future is bright despite Trump