I was struck by how thin Mr Sunak is compared to the bulk of Therese Coffey, the Environment Secretary. Last week’s Sunday Times hinted at the probable reasons. Prof Tim Spector’s research proves the diet industry is wrong. Along with genetics, it’s the unique mix of bacteria, the microbiome, in your stomach that affects how your metabolism works. It’s been obvious for so long. There are families who eat the same foods, but some members are thin whilst others are fat. His research on identical twins showed that, even with the same genes and eating the same foods, often one twin is fatter than the other. For years we’ve been told to count calories, switch to low fat foods, use sweeteners instead of sugar etc. That’s all wrong. And the advice from Prof Spector? Avoid low-fat foods, which contain harmful chemicals. Eat real foods: whole fat milk, a little whole fat butter (not low fat varieties), pure honey, lots of natural (whole fat) yogurt, berries, colourful veg, mushrooms, broccoli, natural porridge oats. Eat less but high quality meat and fish. Exercise, not by running a marathon but moving around a lot. No food supplements. Cook for yourself. Choose not by price but by quality. It needn’t cost a lot. Baked beans are cheap but full of fibre and nutrients. Use small plates. Methinks - sounds like he’s been talking to the French!
23rd October 2022
21st October 2022
The political turmoil continues. So, as an ordinary Conservative voter, here’s what I think. Which PM candidate is most popular with ordinary voters nationally? Answer: Boris Johnson. But, what about the Partygate affair? Answer: it was largely orchestrated by a far too intrusive media, exacerbating what was essentially a meeting of those whom the PM was working with all day anyway (as was happening in companies globally). The UK should follow what happens in other countries, keeping the private mechanisms of government away from the media. So, my preferred Cabinet? A mix of public popularity, strong political ability, high educational background, natural warmth/personality, and hands-on stability: Boris Johnson, Ben Wallace, Jeremy Hunt, Rishi Sunak, Penny Maudant. Do we need a general election? No. The ones calling for one are the opposition Labour party and the SNP, for self-serving rather than national interests. How to help the suffering, lowest members of society? The King should consider selling off some of his many unused properties to help the nation, by forming a new King’s Fund to help the homeless, the long-term disabled, and first-time buyers.
16th October 2022
A week of political turmoil here in the UK, with the new PM’s job ‘hanging by a thread’. How did all this come about? First, the media forced out the previous PM, the still-popular Boris Johnson. Thinking back, what other country would have allowed cameras into the home and offices of the head of government? Can you imagine US media arguing over who pays for new wallpaper in the White House? Vague Covid separation rules proved impossible to legislate against, intrusive cameras yet again allowing the public to observe private staff meetings at No. 10, forcing Boris to resign. So then emerged Liz Truss, a woman with a more-wooden speech style than Theresa May. But her problems, and that of Kwasi, her previous chancellor, go deeper than that. I remember, at work, instances when colleagues whom we all knew were of low acumen, were promoted above their level of competence. One such was promoted because she ‘worked hard, and was always on time.’ Totally wrong. Admirable though her qualities were, promotion should be on high ability only. So too, then, with Liz Truss and Kwasi. Jeremy Hunt is at least more able at the helm. UK politics are like a soap opera. Next episode streaming now.
9th October 2022
Are we heading back to the 1970s? Yesterday there were no trains running here at all. Also threatening strike action, blackmailing the government and seriously inconveniencing the general public are: barristers, postal workers, nurses, container port workers, BT, teachers, and refuse workers. Yet again, it’s union action over pay and conditions. Unlike the General Strike of 1926, none of the above are on the bread line, average starting salaries being c.£35000 p.a. Listening to union leaders like Mick Lynch, who say that their members are facing real increases in the cost of living, I can’t believe my ears. The fundamental rule is that you get paid for what you do, not what you need. Socialist models of the past too often led to communism, keeping all workers in poverty. Millions of workers in the private sector understand that. Added to the chaos, we’re warned of gas/electric shortages this winter. Remembering 1972, I was 9 months pregnant, with a toddler in the house, having just lost my dear mother, no heating, no electricity, a candle flickering in the draught. I can’t believe the selfishness, yet again, of union leaders. Google the 1970s and learn from the past.
