Andy Burnham spoke at the Labour conference today, a well scripted show with no option to disagree, unlike in times past. I did not listen, I long ago realised what a farce these confernces are, but the reaction on Twitter tells us much.
For one it shows he still does not understand Scotland, he refers to the water company problems in England as 'Britain.' Scots water is already nationalised and does not have the problems England is drowning under. He appears to have had a swipe at the First Minister of Scotland, refusing to accept that he (Andy) will be the last Prime Minister of the UK. This may be true, Andy may not last past Christmas right enough.
The rest appears to be the usual promises of reform, advancement and change, all put off until 2030. In other words nothing has come out of this speech, nothing of importance has been said. Gaza was ignored, the Blackshirts ignored, and waffle folled the air once again.
That is why I find better things to do.
The other night we were informed of a possible terrorist attack near RAF Fairford. Far right agitators, yes Nigel Farage I mean you, were quick to rise up and inform us of the Iranian terrorists attacking the base, as he says, 'I have warned before.' Speculation mounted, while the police said 'Don't speculate.' And soon the announcment was being attacked in the US media by senators and members of the public. CNN and ABC Twitter feeds were full of all knowing Yanks decrying the UKs inability to avoid such attacks.
Soon, we knew better.
Terrorist do not drive three transit vans back and forth around an airforce base. Terrorists work in the dark, quietly, avoiding attention, and do the job and disappear quickly. Clearly this was not terrorism.
The most likely cause was five young men chancing their luck by visiting a farming factory. Here they store large machinery that require much diesel fuel. The robbers would seek out the massive diesel containers and withdraw quietly thousands of gallons into the three drums stored in their vans.
Returning to London they would then sell this to haulage men and others on the make, each of the five men making about £1000 a go from their adventure. This is not terrorism, though the farming factory may differ here, but straight forward theft.
Thus, the police took all the details they required and released the men on bail. Bail under the Law of England and Wales does not mean you are guilty, and does not mean you are innocent, but awaiting possible charges.
The US outrage at 'Bail for terrorists,' was funny. Funnier was the egg on Nigels face after his 'Iranian terrorist' Twitter feed. Not that he will care, stirrring trouble and causing division is his job, the one he gets paid for, and paid well.
So the whole escapade exposes Nigel's ignorance, Twitters folly, and the poor defences at RAF Fairford.
However, nothing will change.
