It would be interesting to know how many of the protesters “having fun” whilst disrupting everyone else –
Travel by diesel bus, train or taxi, or own a diesel car.
Have a wood burner
Buy anything from China (main polluter) or the US (whose president denies climate change)
Buy anything in non-recyclable packaging
Work for an employer who uses heavy goods vehicles.
Just a thought.
In a private ceremony, heavy with emotion, the silences broken only by muffled sobs, two friends, inseparable in death as in life, departed this life having served faithfully, resolutely and without complaining about retirement benefits or pension shortfalls. They weren’t ill, simply worn out after a lifetime of devotion to their employer. They weren’t downtrodden or dismissed as servile as many of their contemporaries often are, but treated with respect for the important role they played. But now time had overtaken them. They could no longer provide the standard required.
So, as a lone piper played a lament on a distant hillside, the inevitable took place, as my loyal, comfortable, but hole ridden slippers were consigned to the bin.
Apart from hoping that the imbecile who coined the word is safely incarcerated in the Tower, what a misleading word it is. From “Britain’s exit” or “British exit”, it is plainly wrong. I can only assume that Northern Ireland is seen as a tiresome add-on that will have, at some point, to be included in whatever is finally agreed.
Even Ministers who should know better mix up the words to describe the place where we happen to live.
Britain, or Great Britain as it used to be called, is England, Scotland and Wales.
The United Kingdom consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as the full name suggests – The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Ministers and others even refer to “what is best for the country” – which country? England, I suppose.
Here are just two examples of how a couple of businesses brought unwelcome reviews.
A cafe in Wolverhampton served just one sealed butter portion with a toasted tea cake, nowhere near enough to cover the surface, let alone provide some taste. When the customer politely asked for another butter, she was brusquely told, “Yes, but we’ll have to charge you for it.”
A group of four ordered tea at an upmarket hotel in Dorset. When it arrived they enquired whether biscuits were available. Exactly four biscuits were produced – for £2!
The cost of providing the biscuits and butter “free” would have only cost pence, but more importantly would have avoided bad reviews and the customers would have departed satisfied, rather than disgruntled, something they would have undoubtedly passed on to others.
The decision to raise the National Insurance contributions for people who are self employed is nothing more than a kick in the teeth from a Chancellor, and Government, that is supposed to support enterprise and entrepreneurship. Those who choose the self employed option, and some who are forced into it by unscrupulous tax dodging employers, enjoy nothing approaching the benefits which are guaranteed to those who are employed. The obvious ones are statutory sick pay (if you don’t work, you don’t eat) and holiday pay, but there are more.
The army of self employed people forms the backbone of British industry, and from that army springs some of the world class businesses of the future. This short sighted move by the Chancellor will deter many from embarking on the self employed path, fearing further penalties to come.
This budget is further proof that the Westminster I’m-all-right-Jack elite are not interested in Everyman, and they can can go to hell in a handcart, as long as it’s not diesel powered.
If 2016, and 2017 so far, has proved anything, it’s that many so called experts don’t know what they’re talking about.
The airwaves are awash with ‘experts’ analysing why so many opinion polls and forecasts were wrong in 2016. The answer is simple – the people spoke!
I will give you a castiron forecast for 2017. Those who talk will waffle on for months, going round in circles. Those who “do” (as opposed to talking) will simply get on with it as usual, wondering what all the fuss is about.
I had the privilege of meeting this great man when he came to Dudley in, I think, 1983 to open a particular establishment close to where I was working . A large crowd began to gather as the expected time arrived. Those of us on site had a prime position at the front of the hundreds who wanted to see him. As the door of his limousine opened there was an eruption of sound to welcome him. As he stood to acknowledged us, he simply placed his index finger on his lips, and a hush immediately followed, such was the respect this great boxer commanded. A brief conversation with a few of us and then he was whisked away.
Muhammad Ali was so much more than a boxer. May he rest in peace, free from the ravages of the cruel disease that took over his body.
I don’t know whether anyone can enlighten me, but I’ve lost count of the number of things that the politicians tell me are going to materialise by 2020. Is there something magical, of even sinister, attached to that year or number? If, indeed, all the promised things do come to pass, it’s going to be a wonderful year. Not sure if I can hold my breath that long.
I have today received the Government’s much heralded and equally criticised EU leaflet.
Apart from telling me nothing new, the information is worthless, because no references are given for the sources of the statistics used, so verification becomes difficult, time consuming and, for the average person, very off-putting.
No, I’m not biased. I still haven’t made up my mind.
Robert Snaith's blog 