Showing posts with label Election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Election. Show all posts

Friday 5 May 2023

Vote for Coronation


I awoke early, I usually do in Spring when the light shines in, and was greeted with the not surprising news that Labour had won all three seats available in our ward.  As far as I can tell the Conservatives are still in control, but now only by 8 seats.  The Independents, who are doing well in the villages, the Greens and others have filled gaps left by departing Tories.  
The result has been similar throughout the country.  This election only covered England, and so far Labour have won about 200 seats, the Liberal Democrats 60 or so, and the Tories just lose everywhere, especially in what is called the 'Red Wall' seats.  These are areas once totally committed to Labour, but which sold out at the last General Election to Boris Johnsons lies.  They now regret this decision.
We expect the usual statement from the various parties but Greg Hands has topped the lot.  In an interview this morning he claimed he had visited 33 wards and met on the doorstep a great deal of support for what Rishi Sunak is doing.  The implication is that Rishi is not like those who have gone before.  It was put to him that, at the time of the interview, around 150 seats have been lost.  His reply was to state that he found no support for Keir Starmer!  The people, in his view, are supporting the PM by voting against him, and dislike Starmer so much his party has already won over 150 seats.  This interview is a classic of ignoring reality.
In 1968 the SNP won well over 360 seats in the local elections of that year, on TV late at night the head of the Scottish Communist Party was interviewed.  "Our victory tonight," he said, "shows that the Scottish people realise that only the Communist Party has the answer for our troubles."  His party had won one single seat, in Inverness I think!  
I thought our seat would be counted today, but this occurred last night.  However, the majority of seats are being counted today, and thus the damage to the Tory Party will be immense.  There is still support for the Tories, mostly in wealthier areas, but when you consider almost all local elections carry only a quarter of the population to vote, and the nonsense about personal ID has turned away many Tory as well as other voters, there is no doubt this election has been a shambles for them.  By late evening we will know just how bad this has been.


Saturday sees Charlies big day.  After a lifetime of waiting, longer than I have lived, just, he now has the chance to fill his destiny.  The reactions to this are interesting.  The Mall is lined with the usual collection of women of a certain age, some men and a lot of foreign types, awaiting a glimpse of the royals as they pass.  Quite what motivates some of them leaves me wondering.  
We also see an immense, and not very worthy, amount of cynicism regarding the monarch and the coronation.  How much genuine thought has gone into this I suggest is limited in scope.  Once again we see the 'divide and rule' at work, where genuine patriots will support the monarch, and non patriots will refuse.  There is no nuance in this.  Age is one part.  Many royalists are "cough," older people, many opposing, young whippersnappers.  
The war left a large impression on those who lived through it, including the children.  While children usually enjoyed war, many interesting happenings almost daily, they grew up in a patriotic culture, a culture impressed on such as I, in the years after the war.  The passage of time amended many understandings of royalty, and Scottish Independence adds to this, and it is a long time since many of my generation 'respected' royalty by doffing the cap.   For those born in more recent times with no memory of Empire, little connection to those who ran it, and with absolutely no understanding why it existed, they can be excused for wondering about all the pomp of a coronation.  
The pomp goes back into history, mostly English, concerns a variety of kings and queens, mostly of dubious morality, and reflects the imperialist attitude of the English mind.  Scotland of course, is still nothing more than a colony under English rule.  The coronation reveals the constitution crafted over many years, entwining the king (because of the mad Henry VIII) with the church, and obliging many an unbelieving monarch to play as head of the church.  Such is the confusion over the constitution that to separate church and state would be a bonanza for the lawyers, take many years, and cost Billions!  
This also does not take into account of attitudes on far off one time colonies.  Their opinion is not sought. 
I am not one to throw eggs at the King, he is there, this is how it is, and if we wish to change it this must be done by debate, not middle class wee boys with placards.  Neither those who support the monarchy, for whatever reason, or those who oppose, will find support from me.  The monarch debate will begin now, especially if Charles dies within 10 years and his dumb son and wife take over.  That really will be the end.
I will watch the coronation, for historical reasons, and to cogitate over those attending at the side of the road or elsewhere.  A procession is always worth watching, and who knows what will happen?


 

Thursday 4 May 2023

Vote! But not for Gas!


Once again we get the exciting opportunity to vote!  
The franchise allowing the common people to vote only began in 1832, and that amongst much opposition and was given to remarkably few.  Many more received the opportunity when the franchise was widened in 1867, thus allowing Alf Garnett's grandfather to vote.  Men such as him, owning a two up, and two down small house worth a rateable value of £7 could now vote, and many took advantage of this to change the world around them.  The 'Working Class Conservative' began at this era, fooled into thinking the 'upper classes' wanted them to join them in running the country.  This was never the intention!  
After the Great War the franchise was extended, men such as agricultural workers, could now vote, as long as they were 21.  Women of 30 and over also could now vote, and it is interesting to consider that the majority of men fighting during the Great War could not vote!   Much loud noise is made concerning the women demanding a vote, we forget the men who also were unable to elect a man of their choice.  
For centuries, since large cities developed, the common man has been led, with an occasional riot to express his opinions, or vague forms of democracy as in ancient Greece.  The vast majority down through time, and possibly today, have little opportunity to cast a vote one way or another, many have died attempting to offer such a freedom.
This morning, just after 8:15 am, I entered the Polling Station, and fought my way through the crowds taking advantage of the privilege of voting.  
There was no-one there.
In front of me were two tables, as is normal, staffed by council two beings with an array of paperwork in front of them.  Being from the council it is difficult to call them human ones.  Either side ranged the actual Polling booths, designed for private scribbling, and all with thick black pencil attached strongly to a rope!  It is always thus!   
As the polling is conducted in the museum hall and the Presiding Officer is the man who runs the museum I knew there was going to be no problems here.  Not only that, another lass, standing at the side reading a magazine, is also always in attendance at elections in the morning.  I suspect similar patterns are found throughout the nation.  
I presented my credentials, the lass looked for my name on the lists, and struggled to find it.  For a moment I wondered if the council, run by Tories, had cut me off.  However, my name was found, correct ID handed over to a man who had to identify me even though he has known me for ten years, and a slip of folded paper with several names was offered to me.
I was also informed I could vote for up to three individuals, so I asked if any were Revolutionary Communists, or Marxists-Leninists, but was informed searching out the individuals was my job.  So, muttering 'Mussolini?'  'Engels?' and so on, I headed for the booth, choose three names, two to avoid the Conservatives, and one because I knew her and consider her to be an able woman, very capable of doing this job for her area.  She may be the only one to get in.
I returned to the tables, folded and posted my ballot, peeked inside the box and muttered "There's only three in there," which may have been about right.  We chatted for a few minutes, not one soul entered.
I had noticed only one leaving as I came up the road.  And as I left, making sure I had my ID and that the boss had not nicked it, I went over to Tesco's.


Tesco's was very quiet.  
I have never seen it so quiet.
I was able to wander about without being run over by trolleys or children.  IN fact only one schoolboy entered for some shoplifting, usually at this time there are many.  The checkout girl chatted, I paid my dues, and limped back up the road, satisfied with my day.  It was not yet 8:45 am when I reached home.  
My day is over thought I.
No more clambering up stairs.
Then I remembered I had to put the rubbish out, and check the gas meter.
Much later this I did.
The rubbish and recycling bags were taken down and placed in appropriate places.  I then scanned the area around hoping for something interesting to occur, it failed to do so.  So, once again upstairs in spite of the muck left by the man plastering next doors ceiling.
Then I remembered the gas meter!
Fool, that was one of the reasons to go downstairs.
So, back down, check the reading, scribble it down, and once more clamber Edmund Hilary like, up the stairs.  I entered the reading on the Rip-Off British Gas site, noticing that last months had been estimated.  My reading was 08567, their estimate for last month was 08999, the word 'crook' crossed my mind for some reason.  I await their response, which may be delayed by someone being King for a day and the Holiday Monday afterwards.  It may be interesting reading.


Monday 4 April 2022

Election Gas!

On May 5th there is a local election.  I still have not worked out if it affects me as yet.  This is a shame as I like to vote.  These local elections are a bit of a waste of time, round here the Tories always win!  You would think that with the mess Brexit has made of everything, with Boris and his 'Partygate' crimes, with 180,000 dead from incompetent Covid handling that the Tories might suffer, however, they will still win round here.  Encouraging housebuilding appears a good thing, but only the Tory voter can afford the £450,000 for a house!  Even rents of one bed properties, such as the one below, are near £800 a month!  How can anyone buy, or indeed rent these days?  
The mess in the country, the NHS sell off, and the Tory voter needs them more than the young, Brexit, and Boris's lies do not appear to have lessened the Tory vote enough.  The Ukraine ramblings have won Boris some votes, but while many will not vote in protest most will, sufficient to win this area again.
Many are happy with Boris, many support his er, policies.  Many want him to stay hoping all will be all right in the end, so they vote.  You can see the vote holding up in recent by-elections, some seats lost, but not many, in others the Tory vote has increased!  It is all very worrying.


I sent in my Gas meter reading in Friday, though I used the link they offered rather than the main unworkable site.  Today I was asked for a meter reading. 
This is considered to be a regular post rather than a real request and I almost ignored it.  However, in the rain, I took a reading.   I then attempted to post this but the new password demanded under great strife on Friday did not work!  So once again I spent time trying to insert a new password, one that did not work, one that was incorrect, the same one which worked but did not match....eventually it all worked and I entered the numbers from Friday rather than today, not that it makes much difference.  In a month or so I am moved onto the next tariff, this one runs out then, I await the new high price and begin to stock up on foodstuffs now!


Thursday 6 May 2021

Jab, Vote and Home

 
Last night's sunset as seen through the filthy window in my filthy living room.  The bright sun glowing over the horse meat factory in the industrial estate, industrial as in closed by Brexit that is, and brightening the evening sky.
Today, as I looked out the window, clearing away the lunchtime crumbs, I noticed dark clouds pushed past by the wind eager to drop rain as they knew I was about to hobble up to the hospital for the second Jab.  I was not pleased, it was cold, wet and windy, so l donned my winter garb, prepared myself for the jab, and walked out into bright, indeed, hot sunshine!  Typical!  I sweltered as, being late, I rushed gasping along the road.  Almost twenty minutes it took to get there and I had to get there on time.  Strict time is an important part of these Jabs.
There was the well usual organised set-up.  A minutes wait, questioned by the volunteer Stasi, then a short socially distanced queue before being sent in to Nurse Number 2.  Efficient and capable, both nurse and admin, swiftly I was questioned, jabbed, informed and thrown out the back door so as not to upset the ones waiting outside.  Simple efficient and no hang up's, so far.
And I then had to go elsewhere. 

 
I hobbled round to the museum Hall, used as a Polling Booth to vote, followed the instructions and waited at the door chatting to an attractive, efficient young woman, who was acting guard.  However, I was choking as walking down the street unmasked I swallowed a fly, or some such object, and was none to pleased with life.  Neither indeed were the people trying to avoid me as I coughed, all of them thinking I had Covid when in fact I had a wee beastie trying to kill me.  So, uncomfortable as I was I entered to meet the usual crew, including the Museum boss who acts as local election agent.  Money goes to money!  Marking my X in the required spot, the spot marked 'anyone but a Tory,' I placed both forms (County Council and Police Commissioner) in the box knowing both would support the loser.  The Conservative sheep were slowly passing through, all placing their X dutifully for the man who would soon vote to remove all the amenities they use because 'the Council cannot afford them.'  Their expenses will increase soon enough mind.
 
 
 
So it was time for home, food and WHAT!?  No football tonight?  This canny be right!  But it is.  The end of season means so few games left now.  One or two leagues still to finish, one or two play-offs to go through, then nothing!  
I may start seeing spiders climbing up the wall soon.   
Dearie me, even Fridays have little, only an English game there.  Tsk!
 


Friday 13 December 2019

The Hangover



These are the people responsible for Boris's victory, the sheep! By the million they came out in their plastic macs and braved the rain to destine the UK to disaster.  While Boris celebrates many of his voters are found to be informing those of brown or black hues that "We won, you are going home!"
This is unfortunate when home is south London or Doncaster, I wonder where the council will get all the houses from?   While a bit of a joke in some areas it reveal the deep reason the majority voted fro Brexit, race!  Thirty years of lies from the right wing press pandering to their xenophobic attitudes and English supremacy, added to by the fear of an Islamic take over, has resulted in a fear of the EU and a demand to end immigration before our 'white state' has been removed.  Now many thinking people consider the EU a bad idea but the power of the vote was emotion and the sheep fell for it.  The media set them up and they followed on.  
Now we await Boris!
Already he has told Nicola she cannot have an independence, her reply would have been put in a full and frank manner to the lying incompetent but I am sure he got the message.  His friend Trump and other such gangsters would have been called by Boris, hopefully in making and receiving all these calls he did not accidentally phone one of his ex-wives or girlfriends by mistake.  Address books can be complicated can they not?  
So while we head for destruction the Labour Party sort themselves out, 'sort themselves out' being Labour Party talk for 'infighting.'   The squabbles within Labour have always been deep and full of resentment, no matter the cause, and while the Tories offer a pretend unified front the Labour Party have never bothered with that and grumble openly.  This could take some time.   
The reasons the non sheep had for voting for the Tories is unclear.  Some did not wish to leave the EU but voted for a known liar anyway, others considered Corbyn unfit, and the oppositions lack of policy also aided the movement of voters.
Worryingly the end of 'unity' is at hand.
After the second world war there was an agreement that things must change, allowing for different parties view on how such changes ought to come about, this attitude remained until Thatcher in many ways.  Her money first idea killed that and encouraged selfishness, always available in society, and developed this individualistic approach so much that the sons of Thatcher have made use of this to get to the top.  Divide and rule, encourage blame, point the finger at the cause, whatever that may be, and at no time offer a real united front against the real cause of any problem.
Worse still, the brandy got knocked over...


Thursday 12 December 2019

Duty Done


I did the dirty deed and entered the rather quiet polling station and placed my cross in an appropriate box.  The pace had been steady, busier early on, but voting was proceeding quieter than I expected in UKIP land.  The rain which had started just before I entered I hoped would put the sheep off voting and give our man a chance to remove our sitting MP.  Little chance as I see it, his majority might be dented but too many sheep for him to lose sadly.  We await the result trembling as always. 
Before voting I coughed my way up to 'Biscuits' to meet my museum friend.  Over expensive coffee and chocolate cake, she had a brown lump of something, I avoided this, we then put the world to rights, exposed faults at the museum, blamed the correct people but avoided the discussing the vote.  She sadly is a sheep, blind to anything other than Brexit like so many around here.  Logic does not change them, emotion leads, nothing Boris can do will alter their vote.  This is beyond the normal pattern of voting for a party, this runs much deeper and is a kind of blindness.  I talk here of thoughtful, wise, intelligent souls, many in the church are included, who follow blindly whatever the result.  A most interesting situation. 
Tonight I will lie awake, possibly brandy sodden, while listening to the drivel on the radio as results begin to arrive.  This may lead to more brandy than I stock!  My friend met me this morning as she is one of those who counts the vote.  So she will be abed by now, resting while preparing to count sheaves of papers correctly.  As our man is James Cleverley, a minister, they have been informed to wear white as the TV will be on hand to record the result. 
I thought the combination of 'Polling station' and 'Dinosaurs' went together rather well myself... 


The election, morning coffee, feeding myself and sleeping off the stress of voting has meant nothing else has been done.  There again there appears to be nothing happening elsewhere, the rain does not help, it is teeming down, and with no political mentions on TV because of the vote, I fail to see this stopping the right wing press offering advice as to how to vote however, there is little of interest occurring.  I think I will go back to bed....



Tuesday 10 December 2019

The End Nigh, Brandy, Mouse....


Tuesday: Two days till we vote for the wrong government!
From then on we will despair of the mistake, blame them for it, not us, and ensure 'I never voted for them, no matter what I said before the election.'
The leaders are telling greater porkies than ever, Boris ignoring children on hospital floors more than ever, everyone offering billions here and there with no accounting and yet, when it comes to the vote, it is clear the vast majority appear willing to vote like sheep!
A couple more days of screaming headlines, lies mostly, misinformation, accusations and then the great climax.  A hung parliament.
Then we go through it all again in a couple of months...
Sadly the lying incompetent Boris looks like he might win, although there is hope in Uxbridge where he might lose out to a local man.  If only!  I wonder if he hopes to lose out so he can avoid responsibility for his mess?  Very like him, also like him is an arrogant approach that takes victory for granted so choose which you prefer.
All this rot takes a back seat to the news the Heart of MIdlothian have got a new manager and now the world, well Edinburgh, is filled with hope.  That is good news.

 
Up again last night coughing.
Felt not to bad during day and cleaned many things and sorted much out.  Then had to sit up all night.  Blasted thing will not go away.  Nothing helps.
So I opened my Christmas gift to myself, paid from those Sainsbury vouchers, in a bid to see if this helps.  In no way does it help but it tastes better than cough mixture. 
Weather rough, people rough, wind howling along.  
Good news on the mouse however.  The screams from next door indicate the mouse cannot break through my defence line and has moved back there.  John, the workman was in yesterday telling me she had been afraid it was a rat!  She went home to mother, her man obeyed her and followed.  We now await the next move by the mouse.  I lie awake, well I probably will tonight, coughing, and l will be listening out for teeth cutting though aged wood.  However I think we have won!


Monday 2 December 2019

Xmas.



'Tis the season to be jolly!'

'Christmas comes but once a year
 and when it does it brings good cheer!'

There can be no doubt these words were written by a madman!  
Today is the first Monday of December, most of my Christmas cards have been posted, most will have arrived by today.  This not only avoids the Christmas rush it reminds those at the other end to send me one also!  As they collect their post guilt and panic will begin to arise and then the consideration of cash while a rushed list of names is scrawled somewhere.  A list that will be amended when the forgotten are remembered later.  
I reckon I require one or two small gifts for young kids of my acquaintance, nothing expensive as they will already have too much, just tokens, and possibly one for an adult and some things for my sisters parcel, full of junk usually.  Most disappointed with the charity shops this year, nothing suitable was found at the weekend.  I may have to visit those in town before finishing my Xmas shop.
I hope you have started yours...


There is little positive to have come from the Terrorist attack of Friday bar removing the election from the front and indeed middle pages of the media.  A lone attacker, influenced by a minority reading of Islam kills two people working in rehabilitating those caught up in crime and terrorism.  Some degree of irony in there.  
Sentenced to 16 years, but allowed out in 8, and freed early on licence because he was not considered a threat has allowed the politicians to spend much time blaming one another rather than finding a mere secure way of dealing with such persons.  
Personally I would suggest let him serve his sentence, that however might be too radical for some.  Cutting his sentence half way through could be dropped, but some would object.  Not letting him out on licence early might also be an approach but again that makes me sound like a 'Daily mail' reader, and that would never do.  Still had such a situation been followed two useful people would still be alive and being useful with several others no longer wasting time in hospital and missing useful work.  
To suggest spending more on the constabulary, prisons, probation service and anti-terrorist work might be seen as expensive.  This is true, however the cost to society and individuals with such incidents occurring might be greater, but not however recorded in government fiddled statistics.  Had this been the case we might have better prisons, less re-offending, more rehabilitation and less terrorists walking the streets.  Just saying like...

Friday 15 November 2019

Cold, Cheerless, November


Deep joy and happiness were not in abundance as I ambled across the park.  Slight joy was to be found in obtaining, at £2 a time, some Christmas cards to complete, I hope, this years lot.  There can be no doubt when I fix them up someone will be forgotten, a sister or cousin or someone you never meet.  That sort of person.
There was a kind of thrill watching Portugal play football last night, not a thrill from the football, their 6- 0 win was understandable, but watching the Portuguese crowd wrapped in heavy overcoats, hiding from the chilly rain that is sweeping across Iberia.  No open necked shirts, dark glasses and t-shirts on show.  Anoraks and expensive rain wear the order of the night.   Somehow this surprised me.
The thrill today continued when I hoovered the floor with the broken Tesco hoover, thus annoying the man downstairs who was sleeping after a heavy night shift.  I would apologise but that would mean waking him up again and he might not like that.   
The Polling card arrived today.  This tells me where to vote, when to vote but not who to vote for.  This may be difficult this year.  Our man always wins, the Tory sheep will vote for a monkey in a suit if it wore a blue rosette, but the 18,422 majority might be in some danger.  However I note there are three independents one a one time councillor, and two nobody's with only the deposit to lose.  This means the Labour and Lib-Dem will be fighting to come second.  If only one withdrew and supported the other, we might lose this man! 
The man had a 3000 increase on his majority as the UKIP folks ran off and joined the Tories, what will they do this time, the Brexit man has had to stand down!  Thanks Farage.  Looks like the Labour man has the best chance, the others too far behind, and the ex-councillor might take votes from the Tory boy but I doubt that will mean much.  It all depends in this 'Daily Express' 'Leave' area what the people wish for.  I hope the 'remainers' turn out...

Wednesday 6 November 2019

Sloth, Boris and the Middle East


Thursday and nothing has been done.
Sloth has impaled me.  
Reading William Dalrymple has not helped.  I picked the book up and am a quarter of the way through already!  That includes searching online for pictures of the places he passes through.
The enfeebled parliament has not helped.
With the shouting matches only beginning most has passed me by.  Indeed, as we know what they are saying there is little point in listening.  
I awoke today to my MP obfuscating on the 'Today' programme.  Nick Robinson, a well known Tory, could not get him to admit offering a false impression of an interview of a competitor online was wrong, could get no apology, and could not get a straight answer.  My MP then went to SKY and refused to appear.  Kate Burley then apparently asked an empty chair the questions he would not answer.  She got similar replies to Nick.  My MP stood by 15 feet away but would not appear.  
Add to this a 'row,' possibly encouraged by the devious advisor Dominic Cummings, caused by refusing to publish a report every legitimate authority says ought to be published, has been unwise. The report may well indicate Russian interference in elections, possible payments to the British Conservative Party or may just be another distraction from all the other corruption we are all so used to. 
Meanwhile, Farage, the rabble rouser with no purpose, screams loudly in the background.  Possibly he is afraid Brexit might happen, then how will he earn money for doing nothing?


This book was written after the writer travelled around the middle east in 1994.  In some ways it becomes dated by this but in others it lets us into the area today as it has not really changed much for four or five thousand years, just the names, tribes and religious beliefs changed.
The Turks and the Armenian's love one another just as much today as they have done in the past, at least those that live.  Islamic groups shoot and kill just as efficiently as the PKK in Kurdish areas.  The army or police take bribes and assault with ease and little fear of reprisal.  
I suspect it is similar today. 
Only a quarter of the book so far and now heading into Syria.  
I bet he would not go there today!


Thursday 31 October 2019

Election ZZzzzz...


I have been looking around but failed to find any photographs of Boris 'Dead in a ditch.'  Once again his promises have failed us.  This I must say is a disappointment.  Now I am not the kind who wish to see politicans 'dead in ditches' but he did promise, just as he is promising vast financial input into the NHS, education, police, prisons and everything else, I did think that as he did so he could at least keep one promise, the 'ditch' one, and show how trustworthy he is.  He has failed to do this and I am somewhat disappointed.
There has been the usual weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth as several women MPs have decided to stand down.  The fact that many more male MPs are 'leaving is of course ignored as this does not sell the grubby papers.  Amber Rudd, in spite of her Tory credentials could have been a successful minister but did not appreciate having Boris as boss, that reveals her intellect.  On the other hand, muttering about the difficulties of the job, pressure and abuse Nicky Morgan has also stepped down, this less from abuse one feels than from the fact her career has reached an end and off she will go using her name to line her pockets at some Bank, financial institution or business somewhere.  Not much of a politician but knows where the money lies.
The Bigger 'Beast' among those leaving, either by choice or Party opposition will appear regularly on TV and radio, enjoying retirement while keeping their opinions well to the fore as whoever ends up in charge hears their mistakes and lies being analysed.  Ken Clarke will lead these, although the Lords is where he will end up, Hammond and others may well join him there.


Tomorrow people will be wondering why on earth they spent so much money on halloween.  Most have no idea where it started nor why, most see it as a kids party, few comprehend the waste of time and money involved yet this commercial event brings in the cash.  One absurd night a year costing how much?  Consider the time spent in shops stocking the tacky items on sale, the time putting them out, then hiding them the next day.  Consider mums forced to shell out for plastic tat by kids who tomorrow will mutter about plastic pollution! What a waste of time.  
Of course we went in for it as kids...

Wednesday 30 October 2019

Sick of it Already!


December 12th, a time when my Christmas shopping has been done, the cards sent off, the wallet empty, and a trip round the corner to vote for a loser in the General Election. 
Last night, around 10:10 pm, I switched off the radio.  A Tory MP, no idea who, they are all the same, was refusing to answer a question, any question, while spouting the Tory line whether he agreed with it or not.  I could not take any more.
For 43 days we must endure lies, counter lies, newspaper lies, slanted reporting, more lies and a huge growing number of 'experts' explaining to us what is actually going on, all of course giving different answers.  Luckily we all know what each and every MP is saying, "Goes a Job!"
Brexit, the good of the nation, the nations future, all these take a back seat as prospective MPs tell you what you wish to hear even though they know they are lying, you know they are lying and yet they lie in the desperate hope the majority of crosses on the ballot paper will be theirs.   
People of course vote emotionally, not logically, they vote for the party the 'Looks after us' rather than a thoughtful consideration of what is best for the nation overall.  This time many will vote for Brexit, many others will vote against, there will be changes in some areas because of this.  Brexit of course, as I was told yesterday, is only opposed by the 'intelligentsia.'  Naturally I concurred and bowed my head in acceptance.  This is the first time I have been referred to amongst such company.
It may be the last.
Intellectuals, the dumb, the sheep and those who vote for the first time, will all be steadfastly reading every word pushed in front of us during the next few weeks.  I will not.  We know where the parties stand, most know their MPs opinion and only in marginal seats, or those where a change is possible, will folks really take an interest in the half truths and lies on offer.  I need not, our man will be returned, the sheep will come out, however his huge Brexit majority will be diminished as he has put advancement before the constituency and will suffer for this.  He will however keep his well paid job.
I am now off to avoid the papers...


The Tory MPs allowed themselves leave to guffaw at the green tie worn by Corbyn at Prime Ministers Question Time.  They thought this a good reason for ridicule.  Theresa May apparently was less keen and was noted hissing at them to take note, the tie was green in respect for 'Grenfell' and the dead from that fire.   Imagine Tory MPs being out of touch.  One was so far in touch he made it clear the reason the Conservatives beat down the desire to give the vote to 16 & 17 years old's was a simple one, "They will not vote for us!"  He understood.


Thursday 23 May 2019

MEP Vote


I went out today expecting to meet with foaming at the mouth wild eyed loons muttering "Farage for King" but when I entered the hall there was nobody inside!  Indeed instead of two tables only one was in place and on enquiring I discover no more had voted for an MEP than voted at the last election for a local councillor.  Shocked was I as I had anticipated the elderly 'Daily Express' reader would be desperate to vote.
So I made my choice (only one cross allowed today and that for a party, not an individual though all names were mentioned) placed it in the near empty box and was then forced to make coffee for the girl at the desk to keep her awake.
If this is reflected across the 'East' region then it will be 'remain' types who get in.  The usual mob were on the ballot paper plus 'Change UK,' the 'Brexit Party' and one independent who apparently wishes to teach us about 'Healthy living.'  I am not sure he will win...
Having then sat in the museum chatting to the young ladies before being turfed out as unwanted I perused the shops, spending little, and wandered home to upset the neighbours by doing the laundry and shaking the house, they were in when they ought to be out paying for my pension, serves them right!
I await the results of this vote with interest and hope that nice Mrs May stuffs her party before leaving by announcing a 2nd Referendum.  That will end things but it will possibly keep her in office for a while.  Boris will be upset.

There was more to say but I watched the Dundee United v St Mirren play off instead...  
 

Wednesday 22 May 2019

Vote Daily Mail?

You have to laugh at the 'Daily Mail.'  Not just because of the 'Online Mail's' staff's inability to spell or check facts before posting but because of the desperate headlines.  Tonight for instance we once again have a headline informing us 'May to go on Friday,' which is a surprise as this morning they were claiming 'May to resign tonight.'  Every day for about three years they have claimed 'May to resign' yet she s still here.  Maybe she does not read the hacks?  Maybe it is just the DM pandering to the 'wild eyed loons?'  Either way the facts appear distant from this publication although this is not a surprise as we all know that nobody knows any facts and all is 'smoke and mirrors.'  
To make up for the loss of 'Leavers' the DM is hard at work plugging royalty.  Geordie the editor keeps in with royalty, Prince Andrew is a favourite and his benefit scrounging daughters get good coverage in the DM, also Meghan is always seen as the baddie in the soap opera, whether true or not, and today there was another 'insider' telling us who she isn't popular with.  The fact the royals do not sue might change if they annoy her, if she is the type they portray she will not withhold legal action, good on her I say.  
Further down one of the favourites, I forget which there are so many hangers on there these days, has been playing around in the 'Garden Show' and getting good PR from that alongside the kids.  I did not bother to note however.
The usual thieves, sickness (why do people rush into print about their illness?), celebs, and naked women fill the pages with sentiment high on one story and slanted anger on another.  One is left wondering what sort of people these 'journalists' are that produce such crap?  There again what does it say about me reading it?  I like to stir it a wee bit with the sheep of course but when you consider so many really believe, or wish to believe what is written therein the 'Daily Mail' it leaves me wondering about the depth of human nature once again.


Tomorrow we vote again.  The MEP's will be anxiously awaiting the word before they prepare their call to the accountant and tell him where to hide the cash.  Farage has made enough out of it already, via Aaron Banks, and will lose millions if he loses his job in the EU parliament.  Funny reaction from the Lib-Dem leader whatsisname on a broadcast with Farage, when asked 'What would be the first thing Lib-Dems would do if elected?' He replied 'Turn up and do their job.'  Farage of course never attends unless to make a wee film.
I expect the 'Wild eyed loons' will be out in force tomorrow and there may be blood on the museum steps after I go into the hall to vote.  The sheep might not like anything I say...  

Thursday 9 May 2019

Football, Elections,


There is something you do not see every day.  Two Champions League games that were worth watching and two which were also exciting at the end!  Far too many of these games are either one-sided or plain boring, such a change to see football worth watching.  Tonight the Europa Cup does not promise similar excitement so instead I will watch the play-off between Newport and Mansfield Town.  This will be better than watching Arsenal or Chelsea bore us.  Just a shame we could not see the Scottish play-off last night...


Chatting to the postman this morning hew as happy to remind me the MEP elections are about to be held.  His happiness does not arise from a care for or against the EU but instead for the delivery of leaflets for all the political parties represented at this election.  The reason he smiles is he gets paid for each leaflet he delivers, it used to be around 6p each in my day, and tonight I noticed there are 8 parties and one independent involved in the elections.  Great for postmen everywhere, not so good for us however.  
All the usual parties plus 'Change UK,' 'The Brexit Party,' and the 'English Democrats!'  I remember scaring my boss by refusing to deliver the 'English Democrats' leaflet as it was racist!  He thought I was serious...  I did it for the money you understand and the poor candidate did not do very well.  There was of course no UKIP around at that time to seriously worry the Tory who would win as the sheep come out to vote for him.  
Quite how it will go around this region I know not as while the Tory always wins the Farage scam might make a break through in this region, it is very anti-EU and some of them are terrified of all those immigrants who don't live here and the loss of old England, which has never existed!


If only the BTS commentator would read this....


Thursday 2 May 2019

Vote, Microsoft, Stupid!


Unlike yesterday morning when I climbed the highest hill, difficult around here, washed my face in the dew to keep my good looks and then found a Maypole to dance around for a while, all because it was the 1st day of May, all this before leading the 'Marx March for the Working Class,' a class he knew nothing about, today I merely voted.
This morning I wandered around the corner to the museum where my boss was in charge of the election workings.  I proffered my details, my driving licence (that I have never used since qualifying as I canny afford a car) and answered the inquisitorial questions "What is your address?" etc. 
then checked we had three votes and proceeded to the both where I made my choice. 

'Not him, not him, not him, not him, not him, not her, that leaves and independent about whom I know nothing, and independent ex-Labour (disliked Corbyn) councillor and a Green who has failed before and about which almost nothing is known.  What a way to run a democracy.


I was reliably informed that at mid morning a total of 28 persons had voted.  Of course having 7 an hour is not bad in some places for a local election but it was clear that the Brexiteers were not voting as there was no fascist standing in this ward.  Any neo-Nazi representing the Brexit Party or Ukip would have drawn out the little englanders today.  A great many are unhappy their fantasy has not arrived and economic depression arrived.  Not that they realised this would happen of course, Brexiteers thought all would be economic delight and the British Empire would return once more.
Spite has kept them indoors today.  Nobody representing their views, especially the Asian Tory, so they will not vote.  Usual excuses, 'My vote does not count,' 'It makes no difference,' etc, and while there is something in that view i still consider it important to vote even if none of them are worth voting for.  I am sure many councillors do attempt to do a job for the people and not all are taking fat backhanders so we must not be too down on the council I suppose.  There again there are those who know how to play a system...

   
I recently had a short Microsoft update.  I am not sure if connected but each morning something new arises.  For a few days 'Word' would not start, either restarting completely or footling about inside the machine was required to get it working.  Yesterday other things did not appear, today it would not connect to Wi-Fi.  It took for ever to get that going.  Maybe it is just me?  I look forward to whatever does not work tomorrow.  I wonder if my inability to spell words correctly can be blamed on Microsoft?  There appears to be a lot of red lines on this page...


Stupidity is possibly an inherited characteristic, I think so anyway.  You see I took pictures of the museum organic grown flowers this morning yet did not bother to check what the camera settings were.  Therefore all the colours were wrong and while I can use B&W for a polling pic I canny do that for flowers.  Subtle fiddling has not really done the job but it shows you do not need to be stupid to make mistakes, just forgetful I suppose.

 

Wednesday 10 April 2019

Wednesday Waffle


This delight was awaiting me as I came home the other day.  Only the Tories and Labour bother with our house.  Clearly they do not know the people within.  It was the phrase 'Conservative Action' that grabbed my attention.  With three years of Brexit inaction, Theresa going back and forth on her knees and the ERG knifing one another in the back there appears to be either no 'action' or too much of the wrong type of 'action' within the Conservative Party.
This area is of course very much a Tory stronghold and always has been, the 'Daily Express' sells well to people in big houses who ought to know better as well as to the 'Working Class Tory' who clearly doesn't!  UKIP made a big mark a few years ago and the people returned to the Tory vote only after an anti-EU showing, many here are not upset with them and with the MP seeking his fortune by keeping in (successfully) with the big names and ignoring his constituents his large majority will soon take a beating.  The upset voter may not bother to vote in this local election, too few do anyway, and with feelings high there is a possibility changes might occur.  
This however may fail as it is impossible to discover any information regarding the few who have put their names down as candidates.  These Tories and the usual losing Labour types apart we know nothing about the independents, it appears 'social media' is beyond them, the 'Green' candidate I have discovered works in some form of environmental work but otherwise nothing, even their very poor website did not mention him!  I say we must vote however with such a choice and such small minded voters it appears the 'democratic' election is going to be a farce.  
Funny how those who don't vote do complain mind.


I was sitting here idly watching some rubbish on the laptop when I realised I had one of these flea things chomping away at my hand.  Where did he come from?  No pets in here, I have not ventured out, so where did this brown beastie come from?  Indeed where did he go?  I flicked him away and ought to have killed him but I am now wondering where he is hiding, I may meet him again, he will not find fodder anywhere else in here.  How exciting, I have never been bitten by fleas before and now I have the chance to obtain Bubonic Plague, how historically interesting!  But stupid!

 

Friday 4 May 2018

Friday Frippery


Having struggled to do so yesterday I eventually made it to the shopping centre today to enquire about mealworm pellets to feed the birds.  I found the big shop there sells them and has plenty in stock.  However at £3:50 for a bag that costs £1 in the other shops or £2 in the wee pet supply shop I can see why they are a big national company.
I trudged home via the Marks & Sparks food hall spending my money there on overpriced foodstuffs, though I failed to see the meat I wanted, the greedy Friday shoppers had got in first.  Still I got something and the empty fridge was pleased.
Later I ventured out for bird seed and found a tub costing £5:99, from which I got 10% off as the top was broken, and a similar tub in the big pet shop cost £12:50!!!!  I am amazed!
Since then, birds happily squabbling outside, I have spent an enormous amount of time attempting to log in to the online bank.  I appear to have made a mess of the password so changed it after three attempts to log in, then after several more failed attempts I changed the next bit.  This also failed after I changed it so I am none to happy with the bank that now says I must change things again!
I went into a huff instead.
Where would we be without technology...?


The local elections did not trouble me yesterday sadly, we had no vote this time, this is disappointing as I like to  vote for someone who fails to unseat the Tory.  However in spite of the Tory press claiming victory when you stand back it is clear Labour and the LIb-Dems did well and the Tory succeeded simply because UKIP voters returned to vote for the Tory party.  The 'Swivel-eyed-Loons' are coming home.
Those Brexit areas full of Little Englanders and racists continued to vote Conservative, elsewhere folks voted against Brexit by choosing the Lib-Dem though our Conservative dominated council lost a seat and now one member of the Labour Party can be found there, that area is not a UKIP stronghold however.  
Not much change overall, no change in Tory cost cutting hitting the poorest, no change in the mess that is Downing Street, no change in the nation.  A sad day.
I did notice the  Conservative members in Peterborough in that picture.  The many Asians there are renown for their hard work and Tory approach, I wonder if they will remain loyal to the party when the Home Office visits and tells them they are 'Not British' and about to be deported back to Pakistan or India...?