Archive of Postings to June 2017 |
Midsummer Meltdown |
Later today the Queen is set to formally kick off the next session of parliament which is, this time, scheduled to run until 2019. The speech today will set out a much changed agenda from the Conservative manifesto of just weeks ago. A manifesto that must go down as one of the most misguided and least appealing on record. Considering the amount of work required to clear up Brexit and the inherited EU legislation - who thought it was a good idea to reopen old wounds with such a non-critical issue as fox hunting? And who decided they would win more public support by threating pension cuts or disruptions to social care?
Sadly Her Majesty’s official opposition have not condemned the march, its motives or its supporters - simply hoping take cover until the trouble has passed. Then to emerge from their bunkers and claim the political crown. Certainly some shadow Labour ministers are encouraging unions to maximise disruptions until they have forced themselves into power - especially if they fail to vote down key parts of the Queen’s Speech in the coming days. So not much point in voting if the losers try to grab power through threats and violence. Perhaps the UK is now heading towards the dope-fueled anarchy that some citizens want ... And that’s some legacy for Grandads to contemplate. |
tags: unrest, summer, strike, agitation, trouble ahead |
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Would You Believe It? |
After the shock success of the DE election prediction Grandad has had no option but to reassess his views. So now we are totally confident that suntan lotion, cold beers and loaded barbecues will be all that we will need for the next three months or more.
What next? The EU asked to appoint a competent negotiator to act on our behalf - with Guy Verhofstadt as acting Prime Minister? Excalibur is found in a lake and used by Cornwall to declare independence? Greece finds a hidden stockpile of bullion and pays off all its debts? Tony Blair descends on a golden cloud and saves us all? Who knows ... |
tags: weather, prediction, politics, success, failure |
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From Frying Pan To Fire |
“But just imagine what could happen if we wake up tomorrow to the prospect of a hung parliament or a change in government ... Gawd help us!” We really do need help ... big time. Not sure whether to just add a 1000s column to our Brexit scoreboard and wait or make our escape while we still can ... |
tags: election, voting, headline, disaster, political, misjudgment |
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Little Progress |
Back at our Leaving The EU Scoreboard not much has changed. In terms of regaining our independence from the EU that is. Another fifty days have gone by with the UK’s political parties spending their time - and our money - canvassing for our votes on their big issues; or at least their small issues made to look big.
However all parties seem to be working on the notion that we have until March 2019 - or even later - to sort out a deal. Yet the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, was reported as long ago as last December as requiring a deal by October 2018 - to allow time for all sides to ratify it. Considering that almost a full year has been wasted on diversions and squabbles, things do not look promising for a well thought out solution by then. And even though some actual negotiations are due to start this month there are already new excuses being found for more delays. For example the state opening of parliament has now been called for 19th June - the same day as the promised start of EU negotiations - and the German federal elections fall on 27th August so blocking any meaningful EU progress [Correction; 27-Aug was the earliest allowed date. The actual date is now set as 24-Sep]. But with the UK parliament due to have their summer break from July to September that’s just one more diversion. Meanwhile millions per day in EU payments are still being given away; with little regard for our ever increasing national debt. But just imagine what could happen if we wake up tomorrow to the prospect of a hung parliament or a change in government ... Gawd help us! |
tags: Brexit, EU, progress, promises, elections, time running out |
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Not Just Weather Predictions |
The Daily Express has built-up a well deserved reputation, over the years, for silly weather prediction headlines - and a good line in wacko science fiction reports - but its political stories are just as far fetched. But Grandad could be wrong, the DE spin could be proved right - and UK voters could cause another political surprise. We will see by the end of next week. |
tags: election, voting, headline, fake news |
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Foreign Grievances |
November 2015 - The terrible events in Paris on Friday night ... July 2016 - The terrible events in Nice on Thursday night ... May 2017 - The terrible events in Manchester on Monday night ... NO MORE!
Using English, treating men and women as equals and obeying our laws would be a good start. Hardly unreasonable requirements for living here - yet ones it seems that many object to. Arguments that religious laws over-rule national laws are utter rubbish. All laws - religious or civil - have been written, and enforced, by the people in authority at the time. Followers of any religion can claim that their gods have directed their prophets, if they wish, but it changes nothing. Arguments that British foreign policy is a valid excuse for attacks in Britain are also rubbish. Anyone in Britain has the democratic right to object - but criminal and treasonous acts should expect much harsher treatment going forward. |
tags: culture clash, fatal consequences, enemy within |
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The Angry Old Men Gang |
This gang are apparently shaping the future of the country against the inclinations of its youth - according to guest speaker Ian McEwan at an anti-Brexit conference last week. He reportedly went on to further rubbish oldsters with - By 2019 the country could be in a receptive mood: 2.5 million over-18-year-olds, freshly franchised and mostly remainers; 1.5 million oldsters, mostly Brexiters, freshly in their graves. Charming.
Now if these views had come from a broad survey of youths they might have been more understandable - even if wrong. But coming from anyone in Ian McEwan’s age group suggests that they have failed to grasp the irony of their own situation. Mr McEwan will be 69 next month; so being eligible for angry old men gang membership himself - along with other old men of the same opinion. Certainly Bob Geldof (65), Ken Clarke (76), Richard Branson (66), Tony Blair (64) and even Alastair Campbell (60 this month) could all join him in any oldster gang. All they need is a suitably clever gang name ... suggestions on a postcard to Gina Miller please. |
tags: Europe, European Union, Vote, sore, looser, ageist |
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Meme of the Day |
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tags: EU, Europe, European, Union, Vote, Leave, demand, money |
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May Day Loan |
It’s May and in Europe it’s time for another performance of a major annual event. No, not the Eurovision Song Contest, but negotiating another urgent loan for Greece.
So why should the UK be overly concerned? This is an issue for Greece and the Eurozone nations alone ... or is it? Well even the casual observer may be able to guess that Greece may simply default - possibly before Britain leaves the EU. A situation where our Eurocrat friends will need to find someone to pass their toxic debt parcel on to. And who may still have that prize mug, Britain, ideally placed to be their captive fool. So don’t be surprised if that EU bill for Britain’s future commitments gets another massive increase as a result - or just in case it may be needed. |
tags: Europe, debt, common, market, Greece, ECB, IMF, UK |
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FOOTNOTES |
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