Wednesday, January 24, 2024

I have a simple but easy way of solving the immigration issue. Never mind the Rwanda nonsense, a scheme so ill thought out, so out of step with the British people, unfair, unjust and down right nasty. My solution, spend the money to process asylum seekers at a rapid rate, determine whether they have a genuine right to asylum and if not send them back. Instead of wasting money on an unworkable 5 year agreement with Rwanda, spend it on something practical. It would take some time to set up and there has to be the will to see it through.

Mr Sunak and his pathetic government must understand that neither the asylum seekers or the criminals will be deterred by schemes and threats. Maybe if you were determined to stop the boat smugglers at source, with a ruthless campaign, you might get somewhere? If you are fleeing for economic reasons or fear for your safety and Britain is where you want to be, no amount of threats and barriers are going to stop you!

Process them efficiently and quickly. If they can stay, they can work and contribute and lets face it we have enough shortages in our workforce, especially as the our own indigenous population are not keen on doing many of the jobs that are available! It is pointless having these refugees kicking their heels in accommodation waiting interminably to be processed, unable to do anything.

We are a country that has traditionally welcomed people from all over the world and whilst it has not always been easy to integrate, can you honestly say that any of us have got a family history that is pure British, whatever that means?

The refugee problem is only going to get worse, look around the world at all the conflicts that are currently happening. Climate change will cause further migration. If it was you and your family would you want to stay where you maybe killed of can’t get enough to eat!

It is easy to appeal to a certain part of our electorate, who mistakenly fear the influx of immigrants, it is nothing new, it has been a thread of our history for my entire lifetime! I often write that it is the old imperial powers that have historically caused much of the world’s problems,  you reap what you sow and they have come knocking on our door asking to be let in!


Stay well

Monday, January 15, 2024

 Cynicism is the standard reaction to almost every bit of news that gets reported, thats not to say none of it is accurate but it is difficult to trust reports and particularly ones that predict the coming election. Admittedly the projections by their very nature are nothing more than speculation. At present there is a lot of predictions that are giving a huge victory to the Labour Party. There is even a local one that predicts that our MP (Conservative) will be unseated, here’s hoping! Naturally I hope the Tories get a massive spanking at the general election, it is no more than they deserve after their appalling tenure over the last 14 years. 

Polls are also predicting a big loss for the SNP and after the leadership scandals, that comes as no surprise. Polls and predictions should be read with a healthy dose of cynicism, after all we have seen how inaccurate they have been in the past. The Labour Party have momentum and frankly if they can’t beat the Conservatives after their behaviour of the last few years, then they never will! Personally I think the election will be much closer than many pollsters are predicting, indeed I have a nagging worry that the Conservatives might just sneak back in, albeit it with a very reduced lead, maybe even a hung parliament. Starmer and his front bench need to ramp up the pressure on Sunak and be much more forthright in their approach or they risk letting their lead evaporate. 

Democracy across Europe is shaky at present as the “right” of many countries have made their voice heard in a number of countries, including those where we it would be unheard of only a few years ago! All I would say to those who listen to the rhetoric of these right wing advocates is be careful what you wish for! 

The wheel always turns, unfortunately too much damage can be done before it turns round. 

Vote for whomever you want but please vote, your tick in on that ballot paper counts!

Stay well

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

I seem to write about the state of our country and the world and who could blame me judging by the state of both! 

However, there are things going on that are positive and inspiring. People all over the world are achieving and helping others in all walks of life. I’m sure in your own lives each day brings positive vibes or some small happening that makes you smile. Our granddaughter Hannah is already 18 months old and watching her energy curiosity and smiling disposition is a delight (in spite of her temper when the mood takes her, a family trait!) I can’t wait to hold a conversation with her and impart my considerable wisdom😂! At the moment Bluey is her favourite and I already know several episodes by heart. she was also completely fascinated by the Robin Hood pantomime on the Ceebeebies, oh yes she was! When you’re a parent the minute detail of your children’s development sometimes passes you by as daily lives, work and running your home consume your day. As a grandparent you can spend every minute with the child, on those days we look after her, you notice every little thing and laugh at her throwing food on the floor or emptying stuff everywhere! Best of all as been said by grandparents for years and years you can hand them back to their parent and tidy up! 

We all have wonder and tragedy in our lives, that after all is the human condition but make the most of your children and grandchildren they are the future and just maybe they will put right the mess we are leaving behind!

Stay well 

Saturday, January 6, 2024

 2024 are you looking forward to it? General election? Change of government (please)? Some peace in the world (please)? We trundle on seemingly unable, unwilling or incapable of do much about anything! the problems seem insurmountable and yet if the leaders of the world came and spoke to Wendy and me, we could solve all the problems! Of course we don’t know all the intimate details but like us do you sit there and think if only they did this or that things could be different? Sometimes it is just having the will and the bravery to take action but we have been wrong and misguided so many times, ending up in disaster, that our collective bravery has become eroded and ultra cautious! It is hubris of the worse kind to think the  “West” is the arbiter of all the worlds ills. We have cocked it up so many times, it is no wonder we are reluctant to get involved. 

You may ask yourself how do we end up with the power hungry perverted leaders we seem to have at present? We give labels like popularism and right wing to these protagonists who have an agenda that is far removed from the peaceful tolerance that I believe most people want. Having said that should we trust any of them, whichever side of the divide they are on? There are voices of reasons and restraint but at present they are over cautious and not able to get their message across as effectively as those who seem to shout the loudest, like Trump. How is it that in a violent gun obsessed country like America, some lunatic has not assassinated this orange candy haired arsehole?  

There are so many conflicts currently that it is hard to know where to begin. Some never get more than a mention. 2024 has already started with shootings int the USA and we are not even a quarter of the way through January! The Israelis continue to pound Palestine and Netanyahu seems oblivious to even the will of his own people who have condemned his actions.

Putin continues his madness in Ukraine and that conflict trundles on in its never ending circle of stalemate! 

We should have an election this year and finally the Tories hopefully will be ousted but what a mess Labour will inherit, who could envy them having to clear up the shambles that 14 years of Conservative governance has left? This country among many others needs radical reform both of our parliamentary systems and public institutions. they are not fit for purpose, most importantly the NHS, which needs a root and branch overhaul to update it for our different needs and an increasingly changing demographic!

It is not just about money, it is about the will and the intelligence to think clearly to implement change. 

As you eat your breakfast this morning you can ponder why they just don’t ask Wendy and me, we can solve all of it, just ask!

Stay well