Euro Elections

Whatever spin you put on the results of the U.K. Euro elections, however you add the percentages to determine leave or remain, the fact is the political landscape of our country is a giant mess! Perhaps just perhaps this political shambles is in the long term exactly what was needed?
Brexit (how I hate that word) has brought into sharp relief the divide in both the population ,our parliamentary representatives and politicians in general. Is there now an opportunity to bring people together? The underlying feelings that have been festering within society have surfaced into the light, might we have the chance of doing something about it? I know these issues have been talked about, discussed and around for a long time but Brexit has shone a torch 🔦 highlighting nearly all of the the broad range of attitudes across the generations. It has brought out the worst and given a platform to many, most do not want to hear from, the racist, bigots, misogynists, anti-semites, isolationists etc but has also shown there are many who care passionately about society and their country.
So with a nod to what could be misguided optimism, maybe we can use this time to grasp the change that is obviously needed and get a consensus on how to go forward. It will take time, probably a long time but it must be worth the effort because we cannot go on as we are!

P.S. I find it rather ironic thar Nigel Farage a man who clearly despises the EU has been a member of their Parliament for three decades🤪

Monday

I have tried very hard to be optimistic and upbeat in recent weeks about everything and generally have succeeded. It’s not easy given the state of the world. The people in charge at the present time are frightening. I have always erred on the side of looking for the best in people, albeit with a healthy dose of cynicism but it is difficult with the Trumpster and 
May’s in power. I am not going to harangue you about them, I’ve made my feelings very clear in this column!
So something to gladden your Monday. I’ve recently volunteered to help at a homeless shelter in Northampton. It is a men only facility and takes up to 17 residents. 
Homelessness is a huge problem and my poor understanding of it has been disabused by the training given prior to starting. The cause of homelessness are many from the obvious of drink and drugs through bereavement, divorce, loss of employment, mental illness and much more. It happens to all ages, rich or poor, men and women. 
The shelter opens at 9pm and empties again at 9am. A resident can leave their gear. When you return at night a hot meal (all supplied by charity and everything is free) and drink is available. You can have a shower. Charge a phone. If you want to talk fine, if not fine. 
Now this is not a place just to sleep at night, the whole idea is to encourage , help, assist in  anyway to help get them back to normality, jobs, homes etc: but off the street. Sometimes it takes a while and may not succeed straight away. 
There is a whole network across the county and country of all stripes that can be part of the path back to life off the pavement. 
Unfortunately the problem is increasing and the resources reducing, so I encourage you to help if you can.