I am not sure I am impressed with his domestic performances – however he is proving his worth on the international scene. He is showing negotiating skills way above others who trade sound bytes! Whilst Trump trills away about having done nothing to end the war (technically correct) Starmers measured responses have been welcome. Trump may believe he can bully his way to a financial dividend up of Ukraine but Europe may not be as divided as he seems to assume.
At home the press are still banging the tired BREXIT Drum, this time regarding migration of young workers within the EU. Farmers still whinge about the end of farming (I still think putting no sale inheritance notices would work – if subsequent generations sell land then they have to pay back dated inheritance tax at the full rate paid by everyone else.
Papers have conflicting information about the economy- tax income was lower than expected; firms are hiring more than expected or not hiring due to Nationl Insurance increase. This last one seems to imply that companies have a god given right to maintain/increase profits regardless of societies needs. I get that a farmer reliant on labour to pick crops may have to increase pices to remain in business, but I will shed no tears for the likes of Tesco’s bemoaning the fact that their profits have taken a hit – one which is unlikely to be reflected in executives pay or shareholders dividends!
Trade Wars – should Trump start our response should be easy. A money made by trading in the UK will be taxed according to UK Law – no loopholes. Tax will be due on sale/transaction. This would be true for Amazon, and tech companies like Apple and Meta. Attempts to hike prices should result in fines.
Water companies have been allowed to syphon money off and fail to meet legal commitments. Prosecutions should ensue and companies allowed to go bust. Re-Nationalisation should ensue with commercial style commitments. Perhaps making every homeowner an owner of the companies on a regional basis, with larger companies broken up. Current shareholders could be given a 10% share in lieu of debt. (which they could not sell for 10 years _ and then only by offering shares to current homeowners first!
What else – sun is shining – new washing machine in, car sorted. I will plant some chilli tomorrow although it might be a bit too cold still? and is the day long enough?
And as no one reads this nonsense I might as well go personal! I an 71 (birthdays matter less now days). At this age one considers ones mortality although one does not have the medical care of royalty! I can honestly say that I regret nothing – yes I made some fucking awful decisions but how can I regret the mistakes that lead to Maz and Mart and Tams and then Erin, Adam and Corinne and Ottilie? Would my life have panned out differently – of course, for better or worse is irrelevant. Maybe I should stop here! No regrets