Southport Stabbings

Before I continue, I should point out I was brought up in Southport and lived there many years. I lived a couple of roads away from Hart St and have a friend who knows a relative of one of the stabbed children.

It's truly astonishing how some people dismiss mainstream media with its established journalistic standards, only to swallow whole the unverified drivel found on Facebook and Twitter. It seems the allure of a poorly worded, anonymous post far outweighs the value of credible, researched news for them.

When you analyse the profiles of those who engage in spreading rumour and falsehood, believing it to be truthful, you find a phenomenon called confirmation bias - only seeking out views that align with their biases and prejudices.

I spotted posts giving a totally incorrect name for the perpetrator, along with claims he was from Syria or Afghanistan. He's British, for Christ's sake - born in Cardiff. More British than I am, as I wasn't even born here.  

Individuals who rely on social media for news tend to have lower media literacy, are often younger, and are more likely to engage in echo chambers that reinforce their existing beliefs. They generally trust peers over experts, prefer the convenience of quick, bite-sized information, are drawn to emotionally engaging content and believe, with no evidence whatsoever, that media organisations serve the interests of elites. This group also shows a higher susceptibility to misinformation and often has lower trust in traditional institutions. 

Their actions led directly to the unrest in Southport in which 39 police officers were injured. They're ideological ghouls.

Trump, Farage and Tommy Robinson know them well and prey on them..

Another Project

I have another project to work on. Well, more accurately, both Hay and I have a new project - a micro camper.

Through my part-time work I have the opportunity to buy a Peugeot Partner van. The company I work for has a deal with a local car parts delivery company to buy their old vans, which are high mileage, but well maintained.

It's 8 years old, has 180k miles on the clock and has a 1.6 litre diesel engine, rendering over 50 mpg. It has a hideous knock, but I believe, from the location, that it's nothing more serious than a loose exhaust bracket. I've driven it for well over 200 miles and it behaves perfectly.

Hay wants to convert it into a daily car that's also a day van micro-camper. 

At £2k it's well under the retail price and therefore worth doing. Not being renowned for my wood butchery skills (except for veneering), we both agree that using the expertise of our tame builder and neighbour for making the carcase of a bed and a utility cupboard would be better than leaving it to me. In any case, Hay has some ideas about exactly what she wants, so a ready-made conversion kit wouldn't be suitable. It's already lined with plywood, which reduces the cost of conversion. 

Watch this space - if I buy it. We're first going the check out the source of the knock and confirm it's nothing expensive before shelling out.

Breakdown

I broke down on the M5 the other day - a Vauxhall VRX I'd collected from the BCA Bridgewater auction. It's only the 4th time ever that I've broken down in 52 years of motoring. That's me on Waze in the image below.

The first time was on the M1 in an MGB I rebuilt, but the problem was carburation, which was resolved by myself without the need for a call-out. The 2nd time was when my Lotus Elite overheated and I just about managed to make a fuel station on the East Lancs / M6 junction from where it was collected by my mechanic (I had to hitch from the East Lancs Road to London via Oxford and got to my flat in London at around midnight). The 3rd time was when a sensor on Hay's car packed up on the M5 (she was driving, so it wasn't really me who broke down). And this time in the VRX - the cylinder head gasket blew.

I didn't really want to pick the car up, as my OBD reader showed a crankshaft sensor problem, but I was instructed to bring it in anyway. One-Eyed Pete had to be called out to collect me and the car. He does the odd pickup with his car transporter for us when we get into difficulty, which isn't that often.

Oh, I tell a lie - I broke down in an Jaguar X-Type I was collecting from a deceased's estate in Wales - the alternator had failed and Pete had to come out to pick me up, so that's 5 times. However, when you do as much driving as I do, and in auction cars, it's not surprising.

Time was when it wasn't uncommon to see a broken down car on the hard shoulder of motorways every 5 or 10 miles, but cars are so reliable these days that it's a rare occurrence.

Government of All the Talents

Like Gordon Brown, Starmer has appointed Ministers with expertise in various areas, such as the Prisons Minister, James Timpson, who is not even an MP.

A brilliant appointment would be Feargal Sharkey as Minister for the Environment. The man's a legend when it comes to water company pollution.

How about Dale Vince as Energy Secretary?

Can't say I agree with Starmer on the 2 child benefits cap, but some think he's getting the unpopular stuff out of the way as early as possible and leaving the vote winning stuff to nearer the next GE. However, scrapping the 2 child benefit cap is a no-brainer, lifting 400k kids out of extreme poverty. If I were a Labour MP I'd have rebelled against the whip too.

Where would the money come from, I hear some say. A 1-2% wealth tax on those with over £10 million would raise up to £24 billion a year. Closing corporate tax loopholes used by oil giants would raise £4.4 billion a year and making capital gains tax rates the same as income tax rates would raise £16 billion a year - far more than the cost of scrapping the 2 child cap, with more than enough left over to adequately fund public services a lot better.

Don't know about you, but I think junior doctors demanding a 32% pay rise is silly. It's partially the fault of their negotiators for having let the inflation gap get so large.

As for funding an 11% public sector pay rise, what most don't realise is that despite a cost of £22bn, £10.5bn would be clawed back immediately through additional tax/NI and an additional £5.9bn in VAT. Then the additional spending power of lower paid workers, who tend to spend their money on things that keep the economy going, would raise another £3bn through what's called the multiplier effect. So, a £22bn outlay would actually only cost roughly £3bn.

Valves

Yesterday Hay pulled out something I'd never seen before, despite it having been nestled between some books on the bookshelf for years - a radio her dad had made when an apprentice electrician.

There are connections for two batteries, one of which was used to warm the valves. We want him to update it with connectors for modern batteries, rather than accumulators.

De-Banking

Not satisfied with closing branches, banks are now reducing the number of ATMs available to their customers. It's almost as if they don't consider their customers.

Both of these ATMs in Yate used to be double up, but have been reduced to singles. The lower one (Tesco) was actually out of service. It's obvious on the NatWest one that there used to be another, and the give-away on the Tesco one is the plural ' Cash Machines'.

One wonders why?

Pushing In

Approaching Bristol from the south on the M5 there are two places where 3 lanes become 4 and then narrow back to 3 again.

Without fail, someone will race up the outer lane and, with less than 100 yards to go, try to push in at the last possible moment to gain an advantage.

I'm not sure why, but the self-entitlement of these drivers makes me incandescent with rage. I'm certain that the Venn diagram of those who engage in this activity and those who support Brexit is a perfect circle.

Last time this happened to me, the car that was trying to push in had no success with me and transferred his attention to the car ahead of me. He got in but, when another car tried to push in ahead of him, he wouldn't allow it in. 

Culturally Connected Songs

The other day I was listening to Sweet Home Alabama on the radio while driving a car. It made me think about other such American songs, like Wichita Lineman, Walking in Memphis, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, Hotel California and many others.

However, they just don't work for British locations.

• Sweet Home Yorkshire,
• Burnley Lineman,
• Walking in Jarrow,
• By the Time I get to Milton Keynes, and
• Hotel Kent.

Nah.

That's not so say we don't have any similar songs. One only has to think of:

• Waterloo Sunset,
• Penny Lane,
• London Calling,
• Baker Street,
• It's Grim Up North,
• Wokingham Town, and 
• Fog on the Tyne.

Yet the romanticism and feeling of spiritual and cultural connection is not as strong.

Endorsement

As of this morning, I still haven't heard Obama endorse Harris.

I'm of the opinion that Obama hasn't endorsed Harris because he's waiting to see how the runes fall and, if there's to be a competition for the Democratic nominee, Michelle Obama will announce she's putting herself forward.

Many political commentators and members of the public have suggested Michelle Obama as a strong candidate who could potentially defeat Trump. Despite this, Michelle Obama has consistently stated that she has no intention of running for office, citing the impact such a decision would have on her family and personal life​. However, Obama has a 50% approval rating among Democrats, versus a 42% rating for Harris.

Let's wait and see; however, it's currently looking like Harris is a shoo-in. There's always the possibility of a Michelle Obama running mate, although would she be interested in playing 2nd fiddle? I doubt it.

Tesco Job Creation Scheme

Old bloke rant alert!

For years I've been going to the same place in Tesco to obtain what they call World Foods - foods associated with foreign countries. Invariably I'm after Eastern European pickled vegetables, which come in a startling array of varieties that Brits don't seem to have cottoned on to. They were conveniently placed near to the Brit varieties - beetroot in a hideously acidic vinegar and pickled onions. "Sensible," you may conclude, as did I.

Last week I searched high and low for the World Foods aisle - it had been moved. I finally located it sandwiched between Biscuits and Cereals, which defies logic. Perhaps they want to isolate foreign muck from pure British pickles.

World Foods is a bit of a misnomer - it's all food. Apparently the World Foods aisle is one of the most popular in Tesco, according to The Grocer - even more popular than the Wine aisles, especially among younger shoppers - but shoppers are confused by the category.

The reason World Foods is more popular among younger shoppers could be because of the Eastern Europeans, which are a younger cohort - coming over here, taking our jobs while simultaneously, and mysteriously, claiming benefits and eating all our World Foods.

More Pondage

Using solely the homemade box filter and the 110W UV-C steriliser, the pond is now almost crystal clear and I can actually see the bottom. It's a massive difference from the green miasma from just over a month ago where you couldn't see deeper than a couple of inches. 

However, it's so clear that I managed to see 8 small koi shoaling in the shallow end. I always thought Hay was spinning me a yarn when she swore she's seen 2, but she was right. Two of the 3 adults have managed to reproduce. I also saw one koi that was clearly a new resident, but about 6 inches in length, so that must have hatched last year and remained hidden in the green goo.

You can just see the tiddlers in this video:

Now a pond the size of ours can only support 7 or 8 adult koi (30cm each) that feed off whatever is in there, without adding fish food. We already have 3 that size and it will be a while before the rest get to that size, a couple of years probably, but a bit of culling will be required at some stage.

I may have to issue fishing licences to keep stock levels at a reasonable level, or introduce a pike. Medieval monks kept pike, trout, bream and carp in their fishponds to eat. Koi are not generally considered edible as they have a muddy taste, although if carp were considered edible, I can't see why anyone would balk at koi - they're the same family.

The box filter is no longer getting clogged with green algae and I've removed the fleece media, allowing the more porous stuff to take over and become colonised with beneficial bacteria. I've also bought some alfagrog, which is a pumice-like material that the beneficial bacteria can also colonise as the water runs over it. The stuff sounds like an alcoholic drink for The Hulk.

I may not even need to use the large filters I bought, but we have nevertheless taken the decision to build an 8 foot x 10 foot shed next to the pond to house whatever I do decide to use. It will also be a useful store for the various bikes we have scattered around the premises. This is the one we've ordered for arrival by the end of July. Colin, our tame builder and neighbour has been charged with making a suitable sized concrete pad and erecting the shed.

Hay wants to create some areas where she can grow watercress, which will require unfiltered water running through a gravel bed in which the watercress can thrive. The watercress roots will also assist in keeping the ecosystem sweet, obtaining nutrients from the unfiltered water, although that will require a separate pump from the filter pumps. Using filtered water would strip any nutrients from the water that the watercress roots would be in.

It's looking good, but there are still a lot of weeds around the pond that Hay has to cull. Not my job!

Knitted Chips

We went to Hay on Wye in the motorhome again last Friday, simply to stay one night and visit a very good tapas restaurant we ate at a few weeks ago. Long wat to go for a meal, but we thought it worthwhile. It's an old pub which has discovered it can make more money from serving reasonably priced tapas than beer. A meal for two, including drinks, came to no more than £70. Tapas are hideously expensive anywhere else.

We took advantage of the fact motorhomes and campers can stay for free overnight (6pm to 8am - one night in seven) in Powys council car parks. It was quite busy in the car park when we arrived, but by 6pm it was quiet as a grave and we had a good sleep. This is something we're going to take more advantage of in future. Quite enterprising of the council, as it brings tourist money to the town from infrastructure which is not used at night.

Near the car park is a post box with one of those knitted covers that have become popular.

It's a seagull and, if you look closely, the chips are knitted too. Neat!

Parked next to us in the was a camper, owned by a Dutch couple, that really intrigued me. It's based on a Land Rover Defender, but is kitted out for safaris and the like. The living accommodation is a self-contained pod with no access to the cab.

There's a garden in a housing estate that we walk past on the way to a favourite swimming spot that Hay enjoys. 

Totally out of place with its surroundings, but a joy to behold.

Going back to the free, motorhome car parking, there's a trial of a similar scheme going on in Pembrokeshire called Pemb Stops, but it's facing opposition from local traders. One of the objections is that motorhome users will empty their toilet cassettes into the local sewerage system. I can't really see the logic of this objection, as if the tourists stayed in an AirBnB or caravan park, where would they go to the toilet? Would they not have a pee or a poo while they're staying there?

Another argument is that it takes business from local hotels and caravan parks, but it could just as easily encourage more money to be spent locally by people who would not normally go there.

Rather than object on the basis of what could happen, surely they'd be better off making evidence-based objections on the basis of what's happening in Powys and at the end of the 18 month Pembrokeshire trial. The objectors are sounding like the Tory press when they comment on Labour's new policies - this could happen and that could happen, no matter the probability being next to zero. The whole purpose of a trial is to monitor results and see what DOES happen.

Two Up

Guess what I've gone and bought?

I found it on Facebook Market in Dursley, which is some 30 minutes away from us. Been after one for a while.

As it happened, I had a customer car to drop off in Dursley and arranged for Hay to pick me up in the Galaxy, without telling her that I was collecting a tandem on the way home. I just managed to get it into the back of the car with the front wheel removed. Hay was actually quite pleased with it.

The chap who sold it to me has a tandem hire business and hires them out to disabled people. How the hell disabled people ride a tandem is beyond me, unless the front rider is fully abled, which is probably the case. He sells off old ones for £100, which I think is a bargain. This one's a Dawes, which is a decent make. Hay, however, wants to replace the drop handlebars with something more upright. Might be a bit difficult, given the brakes and Tiptronic gear changer are integral to the drop handlebars. 

Riding a tandem is not straightforward. The front rider is termed the pilot and the rear rider the stoker. The pilot performs all the control with the stoker being passive. Problems occur when the stoker tries to control the bike.

Those who cycle competitively have the seat really high in order to maximise leg leverage and come off the seat before stopping. I'm not used to that and would simply fall off, as I prefer to be able to touch the floor while seated. The pilot's seat therefore had to be lowered substantially, which was only enabled by cutting about 4 inches off the seat post, as it wouldn't go down any further than in the photo before coming to a stop.

It will join us on trips in the motorhome when taking the Mobylette is not practical. Now for figuring out how to mount it on the bike carrier. I seem to spend half my life trying to fix things to the bike carrier.

I ordered a pair of rail extensions for mounting tandems on bike racks, as seen in the publicity photo below, for £43.

However, I'm not sure I actually need the extensions. I can rest the lower frame bar on the existing rail and a few straps can easily secure it, as you can see from my photo below.

As luck would have it, I received an email from the extension rail seller the same day saying they'd sold out and they were refunding me. I actually think they realised they were £20 cheaper than all the other sellers on e-Bay and had underpriced it.

Zero Hours Contracts, H&S and Ageing

 Oh my God - yet another serious post. This is getting boring.

The government banning zero hours contracts smacks a little of ideology, if you ask me.

• Zero hours can allow employers to be a bit more flexible, enabling them to employ people in times of high demand and lay them off when business is bad. This stimulates short-term growth.
• In the longer term it can embed economic inequality.
• For some people, zero hours contracts work wonderfully. Anyone who is self-employed is effectively on a zero hours contract.
• It's quite possible for someone on a zero hours contract to identify as self-employed and invoice the person(s) they perform work for, thereby overcoming the ban.
• The NHS nursing bank system is basically zero hours and, if these contracts were to be banned, the NHS would be in an even worse condition than it already is.

I have a compromise whereby the risk, rather than being solely on the employee, is shared. 50% hours contracts. I'd say that was fair. Another suggestion would be to allow them in industries where they're much needed - such as hospitality.

Now for the American Secret Service not being in the roof of the shooter because of Health and Safety concerns. It strikes me that throwing yourself in front of a current or ex-President to shield him isn't too safe either. I wonder what the H&S people have to say about thet?

In another story, scientists have identified an ageing gene in mice which, if blocked, results in the mice living 25% longer. The drawback in humans would be having to work 25% longer, possibly on zero hours contracts.

 

Trump & Ukraine

Damn! Another serious post.

Some things to consider in regards of Trump's isolationism and the desire in some quarters for a peace deal with Putin over Ukraine.

1. Ukraine will not accept an exchange of territory for peace, because
2. Any peace deal with Putin will merely be a step toward an eventual, full annexation of Ukraine.
3. Don't underestimate the power and sway of the American Military-Industrial Complex (MIC), which likes wars and American bases all over the world.
4. The MIC has more sway with the Republican Party than the Democratic Party, if only by a smidgin.
5. Russia's defence spending is miniscule compared to the USA, Europe (or the EU) and China.

Comparison in Absolute Terms:

• United States: Approximately $800 billion.
• Combined EU Countries: Approximately $250 billion to $270 billion.
• China: Approximately $225 billion.
• Russia: Approximately $86 billion.

If the Americans were to pull out of NATO and cease supporting Ukraine, the Trump government would have a hell of a difficult time spending the same amount internally, which would annoy the MIC.

I don't think for a minute that the MIC would allow Trump to pull out of supporting Ukraine. In the 2022 election cycle, the US military-industrial complex contributed a combined total of $10.2 million to members of Congress. Of this amount, $5.7 million went to Republicans, while the remainder went to Democrats. These contributions were particularly focused on members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, who play a crucial role in determining the annual defense budget. For instance, the Senate Armed Services Committee members who voted to increase the defense budget received a total of $7.2 million, with Republican members receiving slightly more than their Democratic counterparts​.

This financial influence helps explain the consistent increases in the Pentagon budget, often beyond what is requested by the President or the Department of Defense. In 2022, for example, the Senate voted to increase the Pentagon budget by $45 billion more than the requested amount, reflecting the significant impact of defense sector contributions on legislative decisions.

The MIC might allow Trump to use the threat of ceasing to support Ukraine, but only as a means of getting the remaining NATO countries to step up to the plate - and buy more weapons from America.

The Post-Truth World

In today's world, facts have become nothing more than roadblocks, slowing down, but not stopping  the steamroller of opinion. We live in a time where feelings and beliefs trump evidence and reality. Social media is rife with opinions spreading like wildfire, not because they're true, but because they're loud and everywhere. Complex issues get dumbed down to simple arguments, where truth is a casualty and an afterthought.

The real loser here is the truth itself. Facts used to be the cornerstone of sensible opinions, but now they're bent and twisted to suit whatever story people want to tell. This shift is dangerous because it tears apart rational debate and weakens democracy, which relies on well-informed voters.

When we stop caring about facts, we can't tell what's real and what's made up. This makes us easy targets for lies and manipulation. To fix this mess, we need to put facts back in the driver's seat and push back against the tide of baseless opinions. It's the only way we'll get back to making sense of the world and having honest, meaningful conversations.

However, mistruths can be easily spread with just a few words, whereas factual rebuttal requires more and nuanced verbiage, as well as an attention span longer than that of a gnat, and so, in the days of the short Tweet, the odds are stacked against truth. This is why Twitter (no-one calls it X) is the preferred tool of the populist liar, as a short mistruth gets halfway around the world before real truth has even got its pants on.

Oh, and before Trump supporters suggest divine intervention saved him from assassination, they need to consider parallels to historical examples of other equally contentious individuals who survived assassination attempts. 

Consider Hitler, who survived the infamous Operation Valkyrie plot I mentioned yesterday. If we were to apply the same logic, should we then conclude that a higher power endorsed his actions and deemed them worthy of protection? Such reasoning becomes absurd when considering the atrocities associated with his regime. 

Similarly, Stalin survived several assassination attempts during his reign. If divine intervention was at play, would that imply a celestial endorsement of his brutal purges and the millions who perished under his rule? 

Even on a smaller scale, notorious gangster Al Capone dodged numerous assassination attempts. Should we then infer that his criminal endeavours were under divine protection (a protection racket)? 

Applying the same logic to any such scenario reveals the flaws and biases in attributing survival solely to divine intervention. Survival can be influenced by numerous factors, including luck, incompetence of the would-be assassins, or effective security measures, rather than an endorsement from a higher power. Attributing Trump's survival of an assassination attempt to divine intervention suggests a selective and convenient interpretation of events, one that fails to hold up when applied universally to historical contexts.

Political Assassinations

I’m well aware that in our current political climate, any endorsement of violence is viewed with utmost suspicion and Biden (and other leaders) had to say what they said. Nevertheless, there are moments in history when one must peer beyond the polished rhetoric of our leaders and question the moral underpinnings of their pronouncements. President Biden, like many before him, maintains that political assassinations are never justified. Yet, history (and American involvement in political assassinations on foreign soil) provides ample evidence to the contrary. Perhaps it's self-interest that produces such statements.

Take, for instance, the Valkyrie plot of 1944. the aftermath of which is shown in the photo below. This was not some reckless scheme hatched by hot-headed militants; it was a calculated endeavour by high-ranking German officers, motivated by a profound sense of moral duty to end Adolf Hitler's reign of terror. Claus von Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators knew that conventional means had failed and that the world's future hinged on their drastic actions. Had they succeeded, the war might have ended earlier, sparing countless lives and averting further atrocities. Is it not a greater moral failing to stand by and do nothing when confronted with such evil?

Our leaders often tout the sanctity of democratic processes, yet they conveniently ignore the complexities that arise when those very processes are hijacked by tyrants and despots. Would we have been better served if someone had successfully assassinated Stalin before his purges, or Pol Pot before his killing fields? Surely, the cold calculus of political morality sometimes necessitates extreme measures.

President Biden's blanket condemnation of political assassinations ignores the harsh realities faced by those living under brutal regimes. It's easy to pontificate from the safety of the Oval Office, far removed from the daily horrors that necessitate such desperate actions. To condemn the Valkyrie plot, or any similar attempt, is to disregard the moral courage and ethical imperatives that drive individuals to risk everything for the greater good.

We must be wary of simplistic moral declarations that fail to account for the dire circumstances that breed the necessity for such drastic actions. While political assassinations are not to be taken lightly, neither should they be categorically dismissed. History demands a more nuanced understanding, one that recognises the tragic necessity of such measures in the face of unfathomable evil.

As for Trump, did his anti-democratic and insurrectionist rhetoric play a part in this? "Anti-democratic?" you may query, but part of the democratic process is accepting defeat graciously. It also necessitates truth, not 'alternative facts'.

Meanwhile, Fuhrage skips off to America to check on his 'friend', a liar, a convicted felon and an adjudicated sex offender - anything to avoid Clacton. Trump is not Furage's friend - he's nothing more than a tool to be used, a spanner or hammer. A man is measured by the friends he keeps.

Prison Dilema

I have a solution to the prison system collapsing - why not use the barge in which refugees are housed? Better still, send those convicted in the courts to Rwanda.

If the Conservatives were happy to send people who had committed no crime, other than being a refugee, to Rwanda, then they and their client media would be ecstatic over sending people there who have actually committed crimes and been found guilty in a court of law. 

It's unlikely we can claw back any of the millions already spent on the policy, so at least use what's been spent to alleviate the prison situation....

A Tale of Two Institutions

When it comes to the world of think tanks and political institutes, it's fascinating to see how different former prime ministers choose to leave their mark on society. The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change is a well-known entity, but what if Boris Johnson decided to establish his own institute? Let's take a humorous look at how these two institutions might compare.

Tony Blair Institute for Global Change: A Vision of the Future

The Tony Blair Institute is a sophisticated operation. It's dedicated to making a positive impact on the world, tackling issues like globalisation, governance, and technology. Picture an office filled with serious-minded policy wonks, poring over data and drafting lengthy reports on the future of democracy. There’s a sense of purpose in the air, with meetings that actually start on time and finish with actionable outcomes.

Blair himself, in his immaculate suit, glides through the halls, occasionally pausing to dispense wisdom about the next big geopolitical shift or the future of artificial intelligence. There's probably a framed photograph of him shaking hands with a smorgasbord of world leaders, all with that signature Blair grin. It’s a place where every word is measured, every move calculated, and the ultimate goal is nothing short of global change.

The Boris Johnson Institute: Chaos Meets Creativity

Now, imagine if Boris Johnson decided to launch his own institute. The Boris Johnson Institute for Global Banter and Bluster (a working title, of course) would be an entirely different beast. Located in a retrofitted double-decker bus, naturally, the office would be a vibrant cacophony of ideas, none of which are written down, but all of which are passionately debated over pints of ale.

 
Boris would stroll in late, his hair more tousled than usual, wearing a mismatched suit that somehow manages to look both expensive and disheveled. Instead of policy papers, the walls would be adorned with doodles and hastily scribbled notes on the "Big Ideas" of the day. Think less PowerPoint presentations and more impromptu skits and anecdotes.

The institute’s focus would be on the lighter side of life: innovative ways to inject humour into politics, quirky urban planning ideas like zip lines across the Thames, and a comprehensive study on the impact of British eccentricity on global culture. Meetings would be more like pub gatherings, with plenty of laughter, occasional bursts of song, and the ever-present possibility of an impromptu game of rounders.

Comparing the Outputs

While the Tony Blair Institute produces meticulously researched white papers that are presented at international conferences, the Boris Johnson Institute’s outputs would be more... unconventional. Expect viral YouTube videos, satirical podcasts, and perhaps an annual comic book series featuring Boris as a caped crusader, saving the world one bumbling escapade at a time.

Impact on the World Stage

The Tony Blair Institute aims to influence policy and drive change at the highest levels. Its initiatives are crafted to make a tangible impact on global governance and technological progress. In contrast, the Boris Johnson Institute would aim to inject a bit of British charm and humour into the often stuffy world of international politics. It would be less about changing the world and more about making it a bit more fun.

Conclusion: A Perfect Balance?

In a way, the world might benefit from both approaches. The Tony Blair Institute represents the serious, studious side of political thought, while the fictitious Boris Johnson Institute brings a dose of levity and creativity. After all, who says saving the world can’t be fun?

So, here’s to both Blairs and Boris’s of the world. One striving for meticulous global change, the other for a bit of a laugh. Both essential, in their own peculiar ways. 

Arrrrr

One of our neighbours has been fighting a year long battle with ulcerations on one heel, caused by Trpe 2 diabetes.

Surgeons have been trying to save his leg by abrading the ulcerations, but they kept returning. A few weeks ago he was rushed to hospital with sepsis and his leg had to come off below the knee. On the plus side, all the anxiety was over and his life was safe. On the minus side he now has to wait to be fitted with a prosthesis and learn how to walk again.

I bought him a present to celebrate coming home.

Hay thought it a bit insensitive but, being a Yorkshireman and hard as nails because of that, he appreciated it.

More Pondage

The recent cooler conditions with lower levels of sunlight have allowed the homemade box filter and UV system to get an edge over the algae in the pond. Hay and her sister have mentioned that it seems a lot clearer when swimming and have awarded me the accolade of "Pond Guy".

I've recently noticed black clumps floating on top of the pond and research has shown me that these clumps are dead algae - once the UV system has killed off algae, it tends to clump together on the surface. The slightest touch causes these clumps to dissipate, like a powder ball, and they have to be skimmed off the surface with a ladle.

Leaving them in the pond can cause further problems, as they eventually sink to the bottom, depleting the oxygen levels as they decompose. Skimming, aeration and adding beneficial bacteria prevents this. At least the UV system is working.

I'm learning so much about pond management after taking on the challenge of the algae bloom.

I've been looking around for the best place to put the Pond Shack - where I'll house the large filters I was given. These things are going to be very heavy when siller with water, so a concrete pad will be needed on which to build the shack. Also, if I end up using both filters, the shack is going to take up a rather large amount of square footage where I'll need power. It has to be done, however.

I got a composting bin which I was going to muck about with to create a stand for one of the filters (pictured upside down on a pallet), but on reflection it would buckle under the weight of the water in the filter, so a breezeblock base will be a must, unless I fill the composting bin with concrete and shape the top.

My intent will be to run the setup only during daylight hours in the spring and summer, when the algae runs away with itself. Not much point in having it running in winter, and there's the attendant risk of it freezing up.

This chap hasn't been getting much attention since I shifted my attention to the pond issue:

However, the weather hasn't been conducive to working on it and I'm still looking for a rotisserie so I can tackle the underside. Have managed to repaint the garage floor though and perform some tidying / stacking.

Crocosmia

Had our first crocosmia bloom of the season yesterday.

They surround the house on all sides and are a riot of colour when in full bloom, which is from mid July to mid/end August.

I put the corms in shortly after we'd finished building the house, and I'm glad I did. There's hardly any soil and it's mainly gravel, but they love it, despite the house foundations making the ground very dry.

I tried transplanting some corms to more fertile ground, but they didn't seem to like that.

Cleaning Patios as a By-product of Ponds

In my pursuit of an algae free pond, and having given up on the local plumbers' merchant and the Aquatics place for pump unions, I was advised to visit a place called Rio Pools in Charfield, and I'm glad I did. The bloke who spoke to me was ever so knowledgeable about pumps and connections. He even gave me some items to test out, along with a free tin of plastic piping cement.

While we were talking I saw some large, plastic canisters of sodium hypochlorite. I asked the chap helping me what it was for and he said it was a very strong bleach that's used in pools in very low concentrations to keep them sterilised. Having heard about the cleaning effect on patios, I quizzed him about its efficacy, which he confirmed. "Just spray it on, away from any plants, and let the next rain wash it off."

I bought 2 x 50 ltr canisters for £67. I then tested it on a few select flagstones that were particularly affected by algae and lichen.

The result?

It works a treat! As you can see, the original yellow hue of the flagstones came out almost immediately and there was no scrubbing. It's essentially a very powerful bleach, being at 15% concentration, which is double the concentration in household bleach. It decomposes on contact with organic material and sunlight into salt, water and oxygen, so pretty innocuous once it has done its job of grabbing organic molecules and disrupting them, so long as it doesn't hit plants (moss and weeds between the flags are OK).

The place smelled like a municipal swimming pool for the afternoon.

Hay noticed that extraneous spray also managed to bleach my trousers! That's a new pair of working trousers I now have.

Actually, a bit more spray and I could call them camo trousers.

It will need a couple of applications to the patio, and putting it on during a sunny spell allowed it to dry a bit too quickly; however, that avoids the cats walking through it while wet, but I'll certainly be using it on the rest of the patio as the weather permits. To ensure the cats didn't walk across it, I kept watch while it dried.

One 50 litre canister is enough for our extensive patios to the front and rear, with enough left over for use on the top car park as a weedkiller. so it goes a long way. It's also much cheaper than commercial weedkiller - and even my own homemade concoction.

Finally, after years of trying different things, I have a solution to dirty, grey flagstones.

Beast of an Engine

 Here's an interesting looking BMW motorcycle engine arrangement:

It's a BMW R80, which was manufactured in the 80s. The engine is a flat twin, also known as the airhead.

It was designed and marketed as an 'adventure' bike, but I can't help feeling that the engine would suffer horribly if you managed to fall off during an adventure. There again, an adventure might possibly be on softer ground than a road.

One Direction?

So, the usual suspects remaining within the rump of the Conservative Party are putting their hats into the ring for the leadership and, from the names, the contenders will be determined to neutralise the Reform vote by emulating Farage, rather than target the centre, which they vacated with Boris Johnson.

Pros: 

1. Solidifying the Base: By appealing to Reform voters, the Conservatives can consolidate support from those who are more aligned with right-wing policies, ensuring a strong and loyal voter base. 
2. Clear Ideological Position: This approach would clarify the party's stance on issues such as immigration, national sovereignty, and economic policies, making it distinct from Labour.

Cons:

1. Limited Appeal: Reform voters represent a smaller segment of the electorate. Focusing too heavily on this group may alienate moderate and centrist voters. 
2. Long-term Viability: With demographic changes and shifting public opinion, a hard-right stance might become less tenable over time, risking the party's relevance in future elections. 
3. Internal Divisions: Moving further to the right could exacerbate internal divisions within the Conservative Party. Different factions with varying degrees of ideological purity could clash, leading to a fragmented and less cohesive party. This infighting could undermine the party’s effectiveness and electoral appeal. We've already seen this in action within the far left and the current Conservative Party.

Targeting the Centre Ground

Pros:

1. Broader Appeal: By moving towards the centre, the Conservatives can attract a wider range of voters, including moderates and those disillusioned with Labour's policies. 
2. Policy Flexibility: A centrist approach allows for more pragmatic policy-making, which can adapt to the changing needs and concerns of the electorate. 
3. Internal Unity: A more moderate stance might help to maintain unity within the party by accommodating a broader spectrum of views and reducing the potential for internal conflict.

Cons:

1. Risk of Alienating the Base: Shifting towards the centre could disenfranchise the party's core supporters who favour more Conservative policies, although it remains doubtful what this actualy means now.. 
2. Identity Crisis: The party might struggle to maintain a clear identity, leading to internal divisions and a diluted message.

Strategic Considerations

1. Electoral Geography: Understanding the specific electoral battlegrounds is crucial. If key constituencies lean towards the centre, targeting these voters might be more beneficial. 
2. Public Sentiment: Gauging the overall public sentiment post-landslide is vital. If there is a strong appetite for change and reform, a centrist approach might resonate more. 
3. Long-term Vision: The party needs to consider its long-term vision and how it wants to be perceived in future elections. A balance between ideological purity and pragmatic appeal is necessary.

Internal Cohesion:

1. The party must consider how its strategic direction will impact internal unity. A strategy that minimises internal divisions will help maintain a cohesive and effective party structure.

Ultimately, the decision should be based on thorough analysis and understanding of voter behaviour, demographic shifts, and the evolving political landscape. While doubling down on Reform voters might provide short-term gains, targeting the centre ground could offer a more sustainable path to recovery and relevance, while also ensuring greater internal unity.

However, the votes of the Conservatives and Reform combined are still about 3m short of the combined Labour and LibDem votes, from which many could be garnered with more centrist, One Nation Conservative policies.

The best strategy for the Conservative Party post-Labour landslide is to adopt a centrist approach that broadens appeal while maintaining core conservative principles. This involves modernising policies, engaging with communities, addressing regional disparities, and fostering internal unity. By focusing on pragmatic solutions and inclusive messaging, the party can rebuild trust, attract a wider electorate, and position itself for future electoral success.

I won't hold my breath.

In relation to my earlier post supporting proportional representation: Considering Farage, who frequently uses the cloak of democracy to undermine institutions that hold politicians accountable (as evidenced by his support for Trump and his methods), I would add a condition to my support for PR – it must be implemented alongside mechanisms that strengthen democratic accountability and conduct in public office.

There was a referendum on 5 May 2011 regarding the alternative vote (AV) system, which is a form of PR. This referendum asked voters if they wanted to replace the "first-past-the-post" system with AV for electing Members of Parliament to the House of Commons. The proposal was rejected, with 67.9% voting to retain the existing FPTP system and 32.1% voting in favour of AV, on a turnout of 42.2%. If Farage wants another referendum - tough! He's not known for wanting 2nd referendums.

On the number of votes for Labour being lower than in 1997, it's worth noting that there was a lot of tactical voting taking place this time, with the LibDems being advantaged by loaned Labour votes (including my own and those of my immediate family) in areas where Labour didn't stand a chance, so the numbers were skewed. By how much is not known, unless a poll were to be done.