Update 45
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It’s very easy to find reasons for moaning about the generally low performance standard of our politicians, so why is that? I’d like to suggest two books that have helped me to understand why the UK’s political systems are underperforming. Firstly I commend ‘Why We Get the Wrong Politicians’ by Isabel Hardman, in which she describes the typical barriers that have to be overcome on the route to becoming an MP. Secondly I suggest ‘How Westminster Works and Why it Doesn’t’ by Ian Dunt. Between them, they will make you wonder why and how any sane person sets out on the necessary journey. To give you a sense of context, Ian’s work starts with the story of “failing Grayling’s” first role as a government minister - say no more heh? It is a fundamental requirement of our system that no minister should ever know anything about the department for which they are responsible - ministers like Grayling are the inevitable result of our system and the only surprise is that even after several hundred years we still seem happy to carry on with it. I happen to know people who knew Chris Grayling when he was failing in his earlier career as a BBC producer.
More generally I worry about the extent to which some of our most important institutions reverse their decisions far too regularly. In particular I refer to the government and to the BBC. The need to reverse key decisions frequently, suggests that too little upfront thought is being given to them - Sunak and his obsession with Maths for teenagers or the BBC and its support for British musicians.
When we visited China in 2015 we met a couple from Texas, J is a recently retired professor of AI at the University in Austin, whilst his wife Jo is an Englishwoman. We found common ground in that the four of us were among the only eight of the group who ever sought the hotel bar after some very long days, hence, thanks to FaceTime and the occasional meetings, we’ve stayed in touch and on Wednesday they came to see us for a couple of days here in Cheltenham. It will not surprise you when I reveal that they are not red necks from Texan central casting, but sensitive souls who appreciate a wide range of cultural inputs. What a breath of fresh air it is to hear their evaluation of ex President Trump as opposed to that of their right wing Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Jo, TB, MB, J
On Tuesday we learnt that good friend Igor has been stricken by the dreaded Covid - how much longer must this plague go on disrupting life in the UK? We had an invitation to go back to Tyddyn Llan next week, with Ellen and Igor as well as with Johnnie and Tiggy Walker. I anticipate that will at least now have to be postponed. Until last week I would have been able to tell you that we planned it as a trip to Snowdonia, but this week’s papers reveal that we must now refer to the Snowdonia region by its Welsh name of Eryri. (air ugh ree).
On Wednesday the hospital invited me to an appointment with Dr Sam Guglani on Friday 28th - 11wks since he committed to seeing me within 8-12 weeks, now that’s what I call “efficiency” from NHS Admin.
Watching PMQs that same day, I learned that the Conservative Party has not had a mandate in Scotland since 1955. That gives us an idea of the struggle that lies ahead not just for the Tories, but also for Labour if they too hope to win an overall majority across the UK. At the same time, it appears as if the SNP are doing their very best to weaken their own chances for another General election victory. No matter how hard we try to get excited, the truth is that most often very little changes at election time: for example, a third of parliamentary seats have not changed hands since the Second World War and the seat of East Devon has not changed hands since 1835………
Dominic Raab’s resignation letter is one of the most pompous efforts I’ve ever come across. No humility, everyone else is to blame, he has been much maligned and remains a man of great honour. Adam Tolley KC simply got it all wrong - unbelieveable. Raab is still a charlatan.
The surrender to Dominion by Fox News in a USA court has been nothing short of spectacular. The judge had closed down most of the defence arguments Fox intended to use, so capitulation - payment but with the avoidance of a trial became the most attractive option. I was so looking forward to seeing Murdoch forced to defend his company’s blatant lies under oath.
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