WHILE I THINK OF IT...

I visited a farmers' market yesterday.  Held on a monthly basis in a field behind a buzzing Surrey village centre, it was akin to being part of a time capsule.  Stalls neatly laid out selling all one could ask from such an undertaking.  From locally grown vegetables, home-cured meats to cheeses and fish, plus beer and candles, the market was heavily supported by villagers and visitors alike, many bringing their dogs with them.  It felt as if the epitome of Englishness had gathered for the morning.  From ladies dressed in expensive outdoor clothing to so-called designer attire, men sporting straw hats to those of a more rustic calling, it evoked memories of a more gentle age, certainly an England one would prefer to still be part of on a daily basis.  A neatly decorated caravan selling cream teas and other home-made delicacies round off the proceedings.  Tables and chairs full of the chattering classes taking tea with friends while dogs sat alongside without recourse to barking.  It was a very 'native' scene.  Not one ethnic face was spotted amongst the visitors, though a black Labrador appeared looking totally relaxed with its surroundings, but then it would do.  The canine world is not overly-populated with dogs of a black hue - lab or mongrel!

It was interesting, therefore, that an article in The Guardian caught my eye concerning a black female MP by the name of Dawn Butler - elected in 2015.  No, you wouldn't know she wasn't a native by her name.  There is a picture of a group of black women, all of whom have apparently been elected to serve their constituencies and more importantly, their constituents. Thankfully, it should be some time before they are likely to be representing the constituency in which I reside!  The sub-heading, placed above the sea of smiling, seemingly self-satisfied faces,  states:  MP says she 'won't be silenced' after posting on social media to celebrate ethnic diversity of her Westminster cohort.  The article is written by one Aletha Adu. The main thrust of this apparent excitement is that Ms, Miss, Mrs (delete as necessary) Butler has been reported to the police for 'showing off the melanin'.  Now, I have absolutely no idea as to what 'melanin' is when it's at home. Sadly, or more probably fortunately, I have not experienced the assumed pleasure garnered through the art of 'showing it off'!  I suspect I'd have to be 'ethnically inclined ' in order to perform that feat.  A reader responded to the lady's post on X by asking:  'Just imagine if a white MP celebrated the lack of melanin in a group photo..?'  The 'Butler' - and it's not a job I could see her applying for once she is hopefully relieved of her well-paid House of Commons seat - was elected to serve ALL constituents, not just the ethnic majority of Brent East.  This attitude does her no credit at all, though it comes as no surprise of course.  The ethnic shoulder chip is evident and such arrogance is displayed for all to see.  (Melanin, so I have just read, is a substance in the body that produces hair, eye and skin pigmentation - so now I know, having just looked it up!) 

How sad that standards have dropped so far and that those with 'racial agendas' can rise to such exalted heights.  Still, with mass diversity now playing out in such numbers in the once-hallowed corridors of Parliament, is it any wonder that 14.8 % of the voting public put their cross against the Reform Party?

As Lee Anderson, Reform's newly-elected MP for Ashfield pleaded, 'I want my country back'.  For a moment yesterday, in that quintessential Surrey village, I was back there, proud and relaxed to be part of an England I recall with warmth and fondness ...

                                           MR. STARMER AND AN OMINOUS FUTURE

That's the United Kingdom's future over the next five years I'm referring to, not the newly-elected Prime Minister. For him it's heady and bright, the tarnish is yet to come, but come it will!  Having read of his not-unexpected cabinet appointments, the one that fills me with dread and not a little loathing is that of Yvette Cooper as Home Secretary.  I never took to her or her other half, Ed Balls, during the 'Expenses scandal'.  They, along with dozens of MP's from all parties, were embroiled in claiming a wide-ranging and imaginative wheezes in order to inflate their income at the taxpayers' expense.  

Claims for second homes, false accounting, nannies 'moonlighting' as secretary's,  dubious gardening services and,  of course, the infamous 'Duck house'.  You can still 'read all about it' on Google ( other mediums are available!).  The list of culprits is long and head-shaking.  Messrs Blair, Brown and Cameron to name but three leaders who grubbied their mitts in the 'Trough of plenty'.  Unlike virtually all investigations of both MP's and House of Lords members that were upheld along with the appropriate repayments and admonishments, the case against 'Balls & Co' were dismissed.  Hopefully that served as a warning to the pair, though no smoke without fire,  I say!

YC's appointment, that of being in charge of the police and immigration, does not make for a confident start to life under the new regime.  The Rwanda plan is dead.  I see no problem with that -  I always saw it as a costly and unnecessary exercise.  Labour will always see it as an 'inhumane' exercise, although without a publicly-mentioned alternative to the burdensome problem    Ms. Cooper will no doubt open the flood gates if her previous stance on letting in the wastrels, the undeserving and the unwanted is anything to go by.  Released into our society to claim from our very generous benefit system, flout our laws and involve themselves in crime on a regular basis, it appears to fly in the face of Mr. Starmer's announcement that too many people are in prison!  My lack of faith in the Labour Party as a governing body has never changed despite internal swings from left to hard left and back again.  They are, and always will be the party of the the benefit claimant, lapdogs to the unions and weak on law and order.

I do hope the Labour Party will not assume that their large majority is in any way related to their popularity and turnout.  Their percentage of voters was 33.7% whilst winning 63% of the seats.  The Tories accrued 24% of the vote and 19% of the seats.  Whilst proportional representation would have been extremely beneficial to the smaller parties, I still favour 'First past the post'.  It's simple, and frankly, you know where you are, it's not difficult to follow.  However, one can sympathise with both Reform UK and the Green Party - that is if one could ever sympathise with the Green Party, who in my books are an exaggerated and far more worrying version of the Labour Party, in other words, not something to be recommended!  Luckily for those sporting 'common sense' and a 'sense of justice',  we Brits will not have to worry about the 'Greens' other than putting them to one side of the political plate for a while yet.  They did manage 7% of the vote and are up from one MP to four.  Reform UK ranked third in terms of voters  - 14% of the share -  but have only 5 MP's to show for it.  The Lib-Dems however, appear to have done their homework and now have a heady 70+ seats, which is quite a remarkable success when you bear in mind they only attained 11% of the share.  To me, both Labour and the L-D's are punching above the popularity rating.  I do hope they remember their share when preening like peacocks and crowing like cockerels. The problem with politicians is that they believe that their self-indulgent success will carry them through the next five years. They could do worse than to remind themselves of the Tories demise through similar failings.

The one aspect of British life that thankfully never fails is our ability to see the funny side of disasters, and that includes elections. I received several humorous pics and cartoons leading up to, and post result.  One was a poster advising: 'Vote Rick Astley for Prime Minister', with a photo of him beneath the headline.  Below are the lyrics listed as bullet points alongside 'tick boxes':  'We will never' - 'Give you up',  'Let you down',   'Run around',  'Desert you',  'Make you cry',  Say goodbye',  Tell a lie' ' Hurt you'...  How quick these quipsters are!  

Another pic saw Rishi Sunak in a takeaway clutching a carrier bag.  The caption reads: 'New Deliveroo driver on a practise run before starting 5th July.'   One pic appropriate to our new government's attitude to crime and punishment shows the rear panel of a white van pleading:  'DON"T steal my tools. I need then to pay for your BENEFITS!'.  The last is my favourite.  It shows  Mr . Starmer outside No.10 with the caption:  'It's not often a white family gets rehoused at the expense of an Asian family.'   Cue wry smile...

Until the next time, enjoy learning of the policies the Labour Party didn't make public until it was safe to do so!

                                         ALL OVER BAR THE INFIGHTING

With just six seats left to declare, the United Kingdom faces the certainty of a Labour government.  As I commented upon in an earlier post and supported by Conservatives MP's and interviewees as the results came in, the party's desire to spend countless months of public squabbling finally nailed the lid on their time in office.  If only the Tories had looked outwards instead of inwards they might have seen the frustration on the voters' faces and got on with governing for the betterment of the country.  I had a chance encounter with Jeremy Hunt late last year.  During our five minute meeting I endeavoured to get across to him the despair, disappointment and anger felt by so-called 'ordinary working people'.  I mentioned the uncontrolled immigration - both legal and illegal -  that is swamping our landscape.  Why are we paying £9 million a day to house these would-be settlers, I asked?  I said that most people, given the choice, would prefer to see the money spent on the NHS.  The lack of doctors and subsequent appointments, dentistry, the closure of services, community centres, youth clubs etc were making this country an unhappier place to live in with every cost saving measure.  And yes, I did mention the continued rape of our land for housing without the support facilities to go with them.  To be fair to the then Chancellor, he did not attempt to interrupt. His answer was party-line and predictable, certainly not inspiring.  Totally out-of-touch, I felt.  Ah well, it all came out in the wash, at least he retained his seat, albeit by less than 900 votes.

It is, however, what it is.  Labour have a thumping majority, the Tories have the least number of seats in its history and Reform have taken around 15% of the vote.  Unfortunately that sizeable percentage did not turn into more than four seats, but from little acorns...  The Lib-Dems, who I class in the same category as Lord Longford, Elton John and Sadiq Khan, such is my loathing and disdain for the aforementioned trio, did impressively well garnering over 70 seats.  My breakfast, which consisted of two slices of toast topped with Waitrose apricot conserve, accompanied by tea and tablets, was very nearly brought back up when confronted by the sight of their leader, 'Odious Ed Davey', 'Dad dancing' to 'Sweet Caroline' at their post-result celebrations. This type of action, when shown of TV to an unsuspecting public, should be preceded by a eye-catching warnings.  It was not an edifying sight by any strech of the imagination - and mine can be stretched quite considerably given a fair wind and 'Our Carol' talking about 'cold fronts' approaching from Urals - but that's another fantasy!   

In four to five years time, when the Labour Party has had its elongated moment of glory and Momentum are the driving force with the trade unions dictating policy, the phrase 'What goes around, comes around', may be very apt!   With Mr. Starmer struggling to maintain his grip on a party ever more embroiled with its Muslim supporters over Palestine, arms sales and support for Israel, uncontrolled immigration, yet-to-be-disclosed tax increases, inflation at record levels, Uniting Ireland - and more - the immediate future for our sceptic Isles does not make for comfortable thought.

I will rely on the true opposition, in the shape of Mr Farage and Mr Lowe (newly-elected member for Great Yarmouth), plus their fellow Reform compatriots to table questions on behalf of the British people that will make for awkward moments in th House of Commons.  

As for the coverage of the elections on television last night, it was without doubt the most amateurish and shambolic I have ever witnessed.  I watched the BABC for the first few hours before turning over to ITV to see if their coverage was any better.  Sadly, it was not. A return to the Beeb witnessed Clive Myrie 'umming' and 'arring' constantly.  For a seasoned journalist and broadcaster he looked and sounded totally uncomfortable. Not being the greatest admirer of Laura Kuenssberg, I have to say she should have been left to do the job by herself.  She was the consummate professional and could easily have held it together with Chris Mason as the political analyst by her side with guests coming and going during the night and early morning. What didn't go unnoticed was the large number of black and Asian reporters out and about. Other than the overly-excited Jeremy Vine, striding the length and breadth of the UK in his quest to show the projected state of play on his digitally-produced maps and models, (surprised he didn't cycle!). there were very few white males in evidence.  Such is the left-wing wokery of the BABC.  Oh for the days of David Dimbleby and his ilk.

Spare a thought for the likes of Liz Truss, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Penny Mordaunt and Grant Shapps, to name a few of the high-profile ex-MP's and Ministers who will be networking as I type, seeking out directorships and executive positions on boards within industry and commerce.  They will still never have to wait for a doctor's appointment, seek out an NHS dental appointment or find themselves trapped at a  railway station due to union strike action.  

And that is why they are no longer in power...

                 AN ELECTION COMETH   PART TWO - ALMOST THERE!

While Messrs Sunak and Starmer travelled the country mustering waverers to their cause, Ed Davey, the leader of the eleven seat-holding Lib-Dems was last seen doing exercises in a hall. Naturally placed in the front row for publicity and fame - within his party of course - he swerved and swayed to the music as regular members thought about this non-magical moment they shared with someone who will never make a blind bit of difference to anyone's life other than his own and that of his family.  To be fair, whether to have beef or duck as a Sunday roast is the stuff, not to mention stuffing, of family decisions!

In France, meantime, Marine Le Pen is making headway against the establishment, an establishment that has turned its back on the true French, their ideals and their traditions.  Politicians do that at their peril.  This coming Sunday's  second and final round of results could see the biggest shift in policies ever witnessed in modern times.  I am surprised it has taken the French this long to wake up from the acutely apparent threats to lives and French society in general.  

Back in Blighty, I for one received an impassioned plea in the shape and form of an e-mail promoted by Alan Mabbutt on behalf of the Conservative Party.  It was addressed 'Friend', which isn't as friendly as one's actual name, but as I don't know the fellow, it's about as good as it will get!  Anyway,  Several 'bullet points' are made about the evils of an incoming Labour Government. On taxes, it states that they will rise by £2094 per year for 'every working family',  Pensions will be raided by a retirement tax and motorists will be hit with pay-per-mile charges.  Our voting system will be 'rigged' apparently.  In Alan's words, 'allowing 16-year olds, prisoners and EU migrants to vote'.  I have heard nothing about these extremely important issues being discussed when interviews have taken place?  I certainly do not pretend to have listened to every debate or interview, there is only so much 'bull' one can be subjected to before it becomes a Japanese high-risk gameshow!  Could the media - BABC especially -  be avoiding any subject that might not go down well with their prospective masters?  Bearing in mind the Tories general lack of faith in both broadcasting bias and the continued funding by licence payers, perhaps there is a policy of not rocking any political - let alone migrants' -  boats until after the honeymoon period is over.  

Three points made in this e-mail are, however, crystal clear and sadly supported during interviews I have seen with Mr. Starmer.  One: Our borders will be opened up to even greater uncontrolled and unlimited immigration.  (If only the Tories realised that by plugging loopholes and stopping the boats they would probably be re-elected). Two:  Labour despise middle England, the middle-classes and they will do their damnedest to concrete  over the remaining green and pleasant lands of the Home Counties. Three:  Nuclear deterrents will be up for debate and the extreme left (Momentum) will take on the persona  of rabid dogs as they go for the left-of-centre jugular.  

The Tories have only themselves to blame for the mess they, and we,  are in.  Fourteen years to get just a couple of things right would have given them more than a fighting chance - NHS waiting lists, NHS dentists, doctors appointments, raising the income tax threshold to a meaningful level, cutting net migration so that services might cope, and not being hell-bent on destroying our countryside. Something memorable that the public could hang a vote on, but no.  If ever there was an example of clutching defeat from the jaws of success, it will be this election.  Perhaps a move to France may be the answer, let's see how next Sunday plays out huh?

          AN ELECTION COMETH!  PART ONE - HANDED TO YOU ON A PLATE         

The 4th July, a date yet to be fully remembered as history isn't usually written until after the event.  This Election Day will see a change of party governing the United Kingdom for the first time in 14 years.  When discussing the potential outcome with friends over dinner some eighteen months ago, I envisaged a hung Parliament, similar to the Conservative/Lib-Dem coalition headed by David Cameron and not-overly-ably supported by Nick Clegg, or Clagg as a friend of mine referred to the fence-sitting cove.  Like all retired politicians, Old Nick has gone on to headier financial success with Meta.  He is currently President of Global Affairs responsible for decisions affecting users of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and Oculas (which I'd never heard of!).  Then again, I use WhatsApp sparingly but have never felt the need to sully my phone with Fast Buck - as I think of it - or the other two mentioned.  Just for the record, I'm not on 'Twatter' (Latterly known as X) either.

When you look back at the Tory years in power, they had it easy, up until Covid of course, the tide then turning against normal governance.  With Jeremy Corbyn at the helm of the only true opposition party, the Tories were on a never-ending roll.  The road to continued electoral support was theirs for the asking and taking.  Dave the Brave went all out for support with his deal for Britain against the might of the EU negotiators and comes back seemingly doing a very good impersonation of Mr. Attlee on his return from Germany waving his piece of paper whilst declaring 'Peace in our times'.  The 'Brave' side of Dave, was tested with his announcement that there would be a referendum on the issue of our staying or leaving the  Euro-Club, the 'Trough of Plenty', as I see the unwieldy and unrepresentative behemoth.

Sadly for our Dave the vote did not go his way and he resigned, only to pop back into our lives several years and a fortune made through business and the speakers circuit later, as Rishi Sunak's Foreign Secretary. (I recall President Biden referring to our publicly-unelected Prime Minister as Rashid Chinook - or am I dreaming that?)  

Theresa May took charge and despite her 'Remain' credentials a lot of us thought she would make a fist of it.  Remember, JC and his box of left-wing nowhere-near-delights were the only true opposition -  in other words, absolutely no opposition at all.  The election in 2017 was there for the taking. It was a one-horse race that should have cranked up Mrs. May's ratings and secured a larger and politically more emphatic majority.  Instead, she accomplished exactly the opposite,  having announced a range of measures that would severely affect the wealth of those very voters the Tories relied on, the dyed-in-the-ballot-box, blue-rinse-in-the-shires aged between 50 and dead!  Unfortunately, she became a nag instead of a thoroughbred and the Tories lost 13 seats overall, whilst Labour picked up a net increase of 30.  Not for the first time Conservatives shot themselves in the foot when the target was easier to hit.  The Lib-Dems had a new leader from 2015 in the shape of Tim Farron, a weak looking chap who never inspired but appeared amiable at best and bland at the other end.    Vince Cable took the helm. He consumed an oversized slice of the political debating pie,  bearing in mind their round dozen seats out of 650 or so.  Hardly worth arranging meetings with that amount of public support, perhaps someone with authority in the party should have ordered a jigsaw as a team bonding exercise. 

2019 saw a change of Tory leader once more.  Mrs. May surrendered her position and the graves marked 'Failure' were further enhanced in the 'Cemetery of Unfortunates' upon TM's arrival.  JC was still leading the Labour Party and  as unpopular with the majority of the UK population as he had been since elected leader in 2015.  His airy-fairy weak political stance meant he remained the Tories best advertisement for never voting Labour!  Bring on Boris, the Big Gun, he who will make mincemeat of Europe and swashbuckle his way to glory and everlasting appreciation from a grateful public. That year's election saw the Tories returned with a massively increased majority - 365 seats to Labours 202 it really was a pasting and gave the Tories the mandate and confidence to govern with optimism.  If you remember, the Lib-Dems had a new leader of their own in the form of Jo Swinson who announced that once elected to govern the country, her party would seek a further referendum in order to get the result they wanted and not the one that the public voted for!    Having secured 11 seats, one less than two years previously, the lady departed and I for one have never heard of her since.  Always thought she'd make a good Akala, a position I would imagine giving greater satisfaction than fronting a party that will never see government itself, traditionally there at every election to make up the numbers. But then, three has always been a crowd.  I feel that  Lib-Dems  are a group of individuals, lost souls who have found a political church in which they find friendship, social self-help and self-pity, whilst never straying from the delusion of unattainable power.  That jigsaw should come in handy!

Covid, Ukraine and the Tories excelling at public infighting saw the best Prime Minister since Churchill forced to leave office and be replaced by a multi-millionaire in the shape and form of that diminutive Asian - Rashid Ch...   sorry,  Rich Sun...  sorry,  Rishi Sunak!

More  thoughts during the week methinks,  as the slagging-off, the accusations, the counter accusations and the downright lies build to a crescendo of  euphoria for some and an avalanche of despair for others.  It will be interesting anyway!  Enjoy the countdown to five years of Labour misery...

         JUST STOP OIL - ANOTHER NAME FOR MISGUIDED INADEQUATES...

For seemingly intelligent people, varying in ages spanning three, maybe four generations, there must be a common link - or kink!  Protesters used to display care, passion and a commitment whilst seeking to change the world, their country, their town, their park, and all for the better.

Signing partitions, demonstrating outside the premises of those you feel needed a wake-up call, standing as a candidate at local or national elections were the time-honoured means of attracting attention.  Sadly, we are forced to witness countless disaffected morons of supposedly high moral standing,  displaying all the tactics and charm of mindless vandals out for a day's self-gratification.  

Surely you win over support by informing those ignorant or unaware of your cause in a manner that would make them feel sympathetic to you and your fellow like-minded souls?  Sadly, what we have is a cold collation of youthful ideologists, seasoned campaigners, disruptors and vandals seeking a platform on which to make their mark.  They are akin to dogs peeing against a wall!  The dog, however, is not as needy or anywhere near as attention seeking.  Indeed a pet asks only for love and affection,  oh, and a walk obviously, but not disdain or rejection.

Over the past few years the British public have witnessed, and been subjected to, hours of misery as they sat in their cars on motorways as educated misfits waged a war on society going about its peaceful and tax-paying business.  Those who had glued themselves to tarmac or  chained to gantries, the motorist paid a heavy price both in time, stress and often anger!  Who are these people who are allowed to ruin your day?  A business meeting, a hospital appointment, a wedding or a funeral, this waste of society's space couldn't give a fig.  There is nothing peaceful in either sitting down in a road or walking slowly with traffic piling up behind for hours on end.  Do those involved really believe their actions will sway public opinion?  In my world they would have been forcefully removed, tried, found guilty of public disorder, vandalism and whatever else in the book that could be thrown at them!   'Just Stop Oiks' feels more appropriate!

I have met only one person, a female, who supported their disruptive action.  Her political opinions from what little conversation I had with her over several months, were almost criminally left of centre.  You could surmise her stance visually, as whilst  not being in her first flush of youth, she donned pink, red or blue highlights on a regular basis!  Says it all... 

If you look at JSO on Google, you'll find an invitation for you to 'get involved' - Events, Training, Action, Volunteering.  It's all there, but are they?  Do these socially-inadequate and non-caring saps really believe that their actions will change government policy on fossil fuels?  The likelihood of a forthcoming Labour government will make little difference to overall policy.  We all know politicians lie.  The thought of oil and gas revenues plus the realisation that big business actually runs the world and its economy will make for little change in the short term.  Will these disciples of a lesser god still continue with their irritating and childish behaviour?   More than likely, it's their RIGHT! 

From smashing glass on a painting in the National Gallery to defacing Stonehenge, these are  the actions of a hybrid group of troublemakers not looking to garner public support. For them, sensationalism becomes glory!

From disrupting a performance of Les Miserable in the West End of London, to spraying paint on an aeroplane at Stansted Airport, these are the actions of those I would dearly give ten years imprisonment to with no early release for even reasonable behaviour!  The term would be served mainly in a quarry, breaking rocks, with gruel being their staple diet.  Rest time would be spent in solitary confinement with a book of etiquette necessary for equipping them for a future where, once released, they can identify with ordinary people who just want a quiet life without their journey to work or their place of employment being delayed or damaged. They would also be financially broken. Every penny it took to clean shop fronts, stonework, repair artworks and artefacts plus compensating theatregoers for their ruined evening would be taken from either their accounts and/or those at the top, the faceless ones who appear to have so little respect for their fellow citizens, but an unlimited amount of funding.

I wonder if any of these reprehensible coves work?  Their mothers must be terribly proud of them.  Those whose parents have passed away will be the more fortunate for not having the burden of embarrassment and shame.  They are supported by Emma Thompson, whose  title 'Dame' appears to be mis-spelt?  Surely 'Damn' Emma Thompson would be more fitting?. Not a lady whose political views I share or whom I would like to meet up with for afternoon tea and scones.  One awaits reading of further inevitable anti-social behaviour with tiresome loathing...

                                                     A NEW DAWN BECKONS

It doesn't seem like two and a half years since my last posting.  A lot has happened however.  I have retired from the speakers circuit, a new book has been published, and sadly, we had to have our beloved canine companion, Chris, put down at the age of fourteen.  She did well, but in the end the tumour on her liver had spread and the balance between keeping her alive whilst still enjoying a modicum of good health and suffering tipped against her and so, on Friday, 3rd May, we said our goodbyes.  

2022 saw the passing of two cousins, my best friend of sixty-eight years standing and a very good friend whom I had known for over thirty-five years.  

With time to spare, well, not spare exactly, but without spending umpteen hours a day on the M25 travelling to and from talks, I can now afford the luxury of  time at the keyboard commenting on life in general, the bizarre, the surprising and that that makes you shake your head in disbelief and wondering if the world has gone completely mad, whilst leaving you pining for a past life when things were simple and common sense and reason were everyday occurrences!

As mentioned in the first paragraph, a new book - 'Of Mice And Mann' - has recently been published - and reprinted - details of which can be found on the revised Blog post dated 13th April 2021.  Do have a look, if any, or all, of the books or CD are of interest, they can be purchased via the website:- trouser-press.biz

Until shortly - or not too long anyway...