Update 42
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Ten months in, it feels like time for a resumé of the different tumour symptoms I’ve experienced: firstly there was the challenge of my hearing sounds that were not actually present along with my own voice coming over as that of a real Cockney, secondly, I found it hard to form my words and then my lower jaw shook uncontrollably for a few minutes, thirdly I lost my sense of taste and production of saliva dropped significantly. It has taken a while to find the right level of steroid consumption to balance these different experiences. Physically my hands are not as stable as I’d like and my legs are pretty weak. I can move around short distances with the support of a stick, and up to say 500 yards with a rollator which will support my whole weight, and has its own seat if I need to rest.
It looks as though the split in the Conservative Party is formalising into those who support Conservative Campaign Headquarters ( CCHQ) against those who align with the new Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO). CDO is the upstart body led by Lord Cruddas and whose conference speakers later in the year will include Jacob Rees Mogg, Nadine Dorries and Pritti Patel. Their aim is to decentralise the party and to deselect candidates like former deputy PM Damian Green whom they accuse of not being true Conservatives. We should note that Crudass has been consistent in his support for Boris Johnson, and probably still believes there is life in the old dog yet.
Do your remember when as PM, Theresa May announced her plan for a Festival of Britain kind of event? It was going to be called ‘Unboxed’ and would be our opportunity to celebrate getting Brexit done. Well apparently it’s happened but most of us failed to engage with the events and activities that were organised all over the UK. I found reference to ten projects costing a total of £120 million. Apart from three activities that were televised, The ‘Festival of Brexit’ failed to attract much public attention, let alone cash-in on any general feeling that Brexit deserved to be celebrated.
For years I’d wanted to be the owner of a John Deere ‘Gator’ a vehicle that comes in many different configurations, none of which I’ve been able to justify even when we had 3 acres of garden. So when we stayed at the excellent Falcondale Hotel in Lampeter I was excited to see one in action. I hung around and talked to the lovely lady who owns and runs the hotel, Lisa Hutton (for it was she who spotted my tongue hanging out) and asked if I would be interested in “having a go”. Since he who hesitates is lost, I seized the moment and away we went. So I never got to own a Gator, but thanks to Lisa, I have driven one and here is the evidence:
May 4th is approaching and with it the next round of local council elections. Cheltenham has 40 council seats of which the Lib Dems currently hold 30. There are 5 Conservative seats, 2 ‘People Against Bureaucracy’ and 3 ‘non-aligned’ in one way or another. In recent by-elections two Conservative seats have fallen to the Lib Dems and so others may still be vulnerable. Commentators have referred to the impact of national voting intentions having an effect on local voting patterns but my experience is that local issues will have the greatest impact on local results and that nothing should be taken for granted. LD canvassers will be knocking on Cheltenham’s doors every day up to and including May 4th.
One of you asked how many readers currently subscribe to this weekly update? I asked son Simon and the answer is 139. It started at around 60 or 70 back in June 2022 and has grown steadily across the unanticipated months that have since passed - thank you for giving me the ongoing excuse to share my thoughts on everything from standards in public life to steroids in people’s brains.
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