I can understand the frustration of voters with Labour misfiring like a bean fed child, with the Conservatives for the damage they have done to communities; but Farage! An arrogant rich privileged white man leading a racist party of tax dodgers and knuckle draggers – NO! Ok I get the reduced tax bit; but do these idiots like pot holes in the streets, youths roaming aimlessly due to closure of youth clubs and sports facilities; ignore the hypocracy of moaning about the mainly white queues for health services whilst waiting to see an immigrant doctor. I understand the benign philosophy of old style conservatism so ruthlessly destroyed by Cameron onwards. Are they too thick and obstinate to recognise that Brexit was a disaster with severe consequences for the economy and society; are they too biggoted to accept the demographic facts of an ageing population and declining healthy life expectancy.; too ignorant to accept the facts about global warming; too insular to recognise the increased intolerance in society. Lastly – do they think that Farage and cronies give a shit about them? They will line their pockets wcash from anyone.
DUTY
Individually I and most of us have little influence over the machinations of the state that rules us. However every few years we do get to cast a vote that will contribute to our future well being or not. I was not one of the misguided or stupid people who voted for Brexit – and I hope the majority of people will not vote with racism and fascism, bigotry and intolerance. So never vote Reform, preferably not Conservative either. Who else you vote for, may the best candidates win!
DESPERATION
I used to have some respect for the Times newspaper – not any more! On their front page they published a poorly constructed article that stated that Zac Polanski falsely stated that he was a Red Cross spokesman some time in the past- omg and who gives a fuck anyhow. Farage accepting and not declaring £5million from a foreign donor is irrelevant to the rich newspaper owners. Elsewhere there is a campaign to burden the greens with accusations of anti-Semitism, with 4500 candidates it is inevitable that some will have made ill advised comments regarding Israel. Racism and therefore anti-semitism is a pre-requisite for the Reform Party and to a lesser extent the Tories. Corbyn was crucified by the press for unsubstantiated anti-semitism. The guilt complex that led to the foundation of Israel is no longer relevant and recent actions have rendered the whole concept untenable.
Trump postpones the end of the ceasefire as he desperately looks for something, anything that could be spun as a victory! Basically he has screwed up big time – the leadership in Iran has possibly been strengthened rather than destroyed, the nuclear issue is unchanged, the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, China’s world standing has been enhanced, the world economy has taken a hit and food production has suffered. Air fares will rise, cancellations will bring well publicised crocodile tears from correspondents gagging for a sob story.
Election time tomorrow – will the stupidity of the British public be revealed to the world (again – last time 52% proved their gullibility and self inflicted a economic and social wound on the UK by voting to leave the EU). This time the number is down to just over half that national embarrassment and hopefully the people of Scotland and Wales will vote for independence, London vote Green and the rest of England split its votes. Turnout will be interesting and with a potential 5 way split could we see councillors elected with less than 10% of those entitled to vote? And who will be whinging about unfairness most – my guess is that it will be the Reform candidates robbed by voters with a brain!
First roses in bloom -tomatoes coming on, chillies looking good, and herbs – I have lots. My feeling is that this summer in Somerset will be hot with record temperatures but also flooding from thunderstorms. This prediction is based on zero facts (which will appeal to flag shaggers) apart fro knowledge about El Niño!
EL NINO
Meteorologists are predicting this to be ‘an El Niño” year. El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, occurring every 2-7 years. It triggers global climate shifts, including increased global temperatures, drought in Southeast Asia and Australia, heavy rain in South America, and warmer, drier conditions in parts of North America, typically peaking around December.
So I am predicting a hot summer in the UK followed by a cold winter. So my tomatoes and chillies should flourish. And the solar panels being installed on houses should start paying back almost immediately. Why are right wing politicians so anti green technology? At present carbon burning provides 50% of electricity generation and 75% of total energy. So we are already providing ourselves with energy free from geopolitics. We can and will do better – and petrol is likely to remain at high levels £1.60 ltr yesterday. Iran has nothing to gain by a quick settlement and has shown that it can still control the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the wealth of the USA and the trillions poured into its military, it seems unable to create a safe passage for the 850 vessels trapped – it escorted 2 ships through the Strait yesterday. Airlines in the UK are being allowed to keepnlanding slots if they cancel flights -expect much whinging in the press about cancelled flights. Charter flights should be ok as they are usually full, but scheduled flights where there are multiple flights a day seem vulnerable. Will private jets be subject to rationing? Will cheap flight offers become rarer?
But enough negative news – we are in May and everything is blooming here – hawthorn (may blossom) is dying back, my wisteria is blooming and the honeysuckle is adding to the fragrancy. Rosemary is in bloom and attracting insects. Lemon balm is gorgeous and looking and smelling beautiful. And my youngest daughters glamping business in Cornwall is blooming, as it should it is quality! Tylda Tents. visit and enjoy.
HOPE IS MANDATORY
There is a difference between want and need. As a country we need hope. For too long we have had suits dictating economic austerity and bullshit. We need a vision where our hopes and dreams can prosper, not Ed Davey like but with an energy like that shown by Hannah Spencer. For too long the country has been ruled by those who believe that their ‘want’ is paramount – the rich kids from Eton and Harrow and Dulwich want the riches that their parents have bought for them, but whatbthey need is a dose of reality – people are born equal. Fortunately only 1% of the UK population buy or read a newspaper so the doom mongers of the printed press are just pedalling to the converted, and GB News is making a loss too.
Be happy vote green
THE JEWISH ISSUE
Can we have a sensible discussion – difficult in our polarised society – regarding the Jewish Issue. And this government continues to make it an issue. By talking about anti-semitism as a seperate issue they create it as a topic differentiated from general bigotry and racism, religious intolerance and the persecution of other minority groups. Jews have been welcomed on pro-Palestinian marches and often given a place when speeches take place. They (those who attend) certainly do not feel in any way threatened. Marching against genocide is an honourable activity and should not be proscribed by law. The Golders Green stabbing involved 3 victims – 2 jewish and 1 muslim. Why has it led to such outpourings of grief from the jewish community? As ever the fascist loving Daily Mail has a go at Zac Polanski, a jew, saying his family relatives are planning to leave the UK for their safety. Any opportunity to fan the flames of hatred. Much is made of Green Candidates with supposed anti-semetic views – how many reform/tory candidates could be held accountable for their beliefs on the issue.
So I would encourage tolerance of communities with different faiths and beliefs. The reason jews are particularly identified at present is due to the actions of the Israeli government and it genocide in Gaza and elsewhere. Why are the media so fanatical about anti-semitism and yet silent about discrimination towards muslims, hindu’s, Sikhs, gypsies and even women? Is it the wealth of the Jewish community? Of course money = power and influence. And I have questions, one in particular. Why have the Jews suffered from pograms and discrimination throughout the last millennia, and across the world? Is it jealousy … or what? Jews were banned in the UK from 1290 (when Edward 1 seized their wealth until Cromwell authorised their return in the 1650’s. I am not aware of other religions being identified and vilified in recent times. The UK has a history of tolerance despite those attempting to undermine it, usually by the skin colour! Badenoch and especially Farage are keen to blame minority groups for any excuse, and the press stays silent – even about an illegal £5million donation to Farge from a billionaire living in Thailand.
Why is it that the media, GB News, Daily Mail, Daily Express, Daily Telegraph can pedal lies that incite hatred, but granny holding a sign opposing genocide by Israel is treated as a criminal? An estimated 180 out of 650 British MPs (roughly a quarter) have accepted funding or sponsored trips from pro-Israel lobby groups, individuals, or state institutions during their careers, according to a 2024 investigation by Declassified UK. This funding includes over £1 million in donations and trips, with significant influence in both major parties. [1, 2, 3]
Key Findings on Pro-Israel Funding:
Individual Donors: Pro-Israel business people, such as Trevor Chinn, have donated hundreds of thousands to Labour frontbenchers, including leadership campaigns, note Declassified UK and Facebook.
Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) is the largest donor, with approximately 80% of Conservative MPs being members, and they have funded 118 sitting Tory MPs for 160 trips to Israel over the last decade, totaling over £330,000.
Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) has 75 MPs as members, and the group has funded 32 Labour MPs to travel to Israel, spending over £64,000.
A friend just asked what has been gained by the war with Iran – the only answer was the diversion from Epstein and the horrific photos of Trump with pre-pubescent girls! May maggots infect his groin before he dies a horrible death – he is evil. I am generally a nice person with liberal views! He has also stated that Iran has not suffered enough – presumably he means its population? Who by the way are already preparing for a clamp down by their regime!
NO U TURN
Polanski showed us his mettle as a Party Leader. His apology for comments for possible police brutality were not misguided – they are completely justified but maybe social media was not the place to air them – but nor was a public letter from the Commissioner of Police appropriate. ICE policing has no pace in the UK; as do any laws preventing peaceful protest
Basically it comes back to the setting up of the state of Israel in a huge guilt trip by Europe. It was not equitable then, and recent Israeli incursions on the West Bank have proven it to unviable now. Basically it is a two state option or eventual evisicration of the state of Israel?
TECHNOLOGY
The USA has spent at least $15 billion so far – probably a lot more. It has the freeedom of the skies and has destroyed the Iranian Navy.. It has said it has blockaded Iran ports – yet 28 vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz after visiting Iran ports with at least 2 loading up with oil at Kharg Island. How did they do that? Apparently by switching off their tracking devices! WTF! We are not talking about kayaks or canoes but merchant vessels. So either the technology of satellites and reconnaiscance aircraft is not all it is cracked up to be – or America is turning a blind eye – perhaps to allow China to get supplies? Is this an uptodate example of the economics of war espoused hilariously by Catch 22. trump announced after a few days of the war that ‘America had won the war”. In conventional terms he may be correct, but as the Vietnam experience showed – military dominence is only a part of warfare. So the rest of the world will continue to suffer as Trump feeds his ego. Will petrol at the UK pumps hit £2 litre? And will this lead to higher food prices. Maybe the capitalist economies of the west need something as drastic as this to reintroduce an element of sustainability into the market economy?
Only with a reintroduction into the EU can this be feasible. The UK is too small and can suffer from climate induced hazards that affect farms. Within Europe it should be a case of swings and roundabouts. The same goes for solar and wind power – it is highly likely that, given the infrastructure, power could be routed around on calm cloudy nights.
And the papers are full of the increase in anti-semetic crime and Starmers call for a halt to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Is he really that fucking stupid. A start would be with sanctions against Israel; then laws increasing punishment for inciting crimes of hatred. I would increase these crimes to include the press and internet companies. The press should not be able to pedal anti-migrant ‘facts’ without putting them in context. Of course there crimes committed by migrants, but as a proportion of those committed by white Britons they are likely to be proportionately fewer. These are not ‘news’papers – but pedallers of right wing bollox.
At home I have planted out cosmos seedlings and watered tomato plants – they should be able to go into big pots later next week. Greek basil is also sprouting. I am also making oat flour strawberry and lemon cookies.
WTF
Starmer says there may be restrictions on pro-Palestinian marches. The guy is an idiot. If he came out and took sanctions against Israels demonic government there would be no hassle at pro-Palestinian marches – wanker! And let the Jewish community whole heartedly condemn Israels genocide and actions in Lebanon and the West Bank. Any discrimination should be condemned – racism, misogyny, religious intolerance, sexual preferences, and who are the people behind the intolerance – fucking Reform and the Nobs Party. 2 stabbed is bad, but the thousands killed in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon is so much worse, yet the media bleeds on about the fear jews have – try listening for an Israeli jets missile to hit your home and kill your children and you. So Starmer wants to ban pro-Palestinian marches – he can just fuck off!
GREEN PARTY
Did Polanski have an error of judgement? In my view yes and no. The no relates to footage showing a police officer kicking the attacker in or near his head – this is American ICE style policing and not one that should be condoned. The Yes relates to the timing – a considered response rather than a retweet would have been sensible, but surely not requiring a full page in the Guardian which becomes more like a beacon for Israel and zionism every day! It mentions at length the 3 potential candidates that are accused of anti-semitism whilst ignoring the huge number of Reform/Tory candidates accused of racism and no mention of Islamaphobic comments .
Meanwhile Trump continues to be unstable. he claims that he no longer needs Congressional support and agreement for the war in Iran as there is a ceasefire! He has also raised tariffs on UE evehicles again citing that the EU had reneged on the deal struck at Turnbery. He has also said he will cut USA troops in Europe.
NO MOW MAY – is upon us. This is my fourth year of not mowing (or NO MOW EVER!)! Wallflowers and fennel and chicory are thriving in the driveway and pavements (and even in the gutter along the street. Despite my immediate neighbours waging chemical warfare on their gardens, insects continue to be drawn to my haven for insects. Birds are rarer, although I did have a hungry goldfinch on the seeds of evening primrose in the autumn. Sage and rosemary and thyme are thriving, as are 10 rose bushes.
However the Guardian did have an article about declining birth rates in developed countries – something that racists and Reform chose to ignore. With my generation (the baby boomers) getting old and infirm, there is the problem of both an ageing population and then a falling one to contend with. The immigration of young adults into the UK over the past 10 years has mitigated the effect in the UK (and probably the USA?), but still the negative rhetoric about migrants continues. Who is in front of you at the queue for doctors at the surgery or in hospital? What colour is the doctor? It is not just the qualified jobs that migrants fill, who is the person at the till, serving your meal, driving your bus or cab?