My home city of Birmingham, run by a Labour Council, has declared itself bankrupt. The Council leader has apologised to the city but has not resigned. This whole situation highlights the essential difference between the two opposing Parties. Labour has always seen itself as the ‘nice’ Party, championing those in need, and dubbing the Tories as ‘nasty’. The current Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, is seen as a non-charismatic, middle of the road manager, dubbed ‘Mr Hindsight’ because he spends more time responding to the already-happened rather than proposing radical, innovative policies. Rishi Sunak, the PM (like every other country in the world) has the unenviable task of overseeing the inevitable economic fallout following the pandemic shut down of the whole country. But, as we rush headlong to the next General Election, what do we see? Labour is promising the earth, e.g. a childcare revolution but, like Birmingham City Council, has absolutely no idea of how they’re going to fund it. And the Tories, like accountants everywhere, are desperate to balance the books. As the ST put it, parodying Blair “things can only get bitter”.
11th September 2023
The G20 leaders are in India but their individual competence is a lottery. In the US, to stand for president requires lots of money. In the UK, anyone can choose to go into politics but with little assessment. The job of prime minister/president is the most important in the land, so it’s crucial we choose the right contenders. Nothing to do with personality, all to do with ability. Each election candidate should first be tested via a vigorous educational assessment, at least degree level attainment, including comprehensive, proven political knowledge not just of the candidate’s own country but globally too. Vocal skills and quick thinking should also be tested alongside a sound psychological assessment. These attributes should also be mandatory for each member of the leader’s Cabinet/team. The current Shadow Labour deputy leader in the UK has no school qualifications at all! She should not be allowed into politics. As a writer, I have written about the lead up to the last war in Germany, France, Poland, Austria and China, with another similar work in progress. So many past leaders were psychologically deranged, causing the deaths of millions. If we are to avoid another world war, we must choose more able leaders!
3rd September 2023
Tomorrow, it will be 54 years since I gave birth to our beautiful daughter. The 60’s teenage revolution was still in full swing. The Times They Were A’Changing, including my life. Elvis, The Rolling Stones and Marvin Gaye were in the charts, and there I was with a beautiful baby to nurture. There was no Google to consult in those days, nor extensive family support to advise and guide me, just a local welfare clinic. Yet, over those crucial early years of motherhood, somehow I survived. At four years old, when she first came home from infants’ school with a tin containing words to learn, I helped and guided her, glorying with her as she successively over-achieved at every stage. At 10, a year early, she passed for the exclusive King Edwards High School, followed at 18 by acceptance to read languages at St Andrews University. Today she’s Vice President of a big insurance company on Park Avenue, New York, and was a recent finalist in New England’s Funniest Comedian contest. Still over-achieving. I am a very proud mother. Happy Birthday Julie.
