There are times when we are wise to count our blessings. This is one of them.
By all means criticise Sir Keir Starmer’s shaky start to what was billed as Labour’s decade of change and renewal.
But consider the alternative : a Tory government under hard-faced Kemi Badenoch or Trump-loving Nigel Farage – or possibly both, in coalition. And think twice.
With the UK teetering on he brink of a new financial crisis, and the NHS under intolerable strain, all this poisonous pair can think of is weaponising historic child sex abuse.
They call for a national inquiry, seemingly ignorant of Professor Alexis Jay’s investigation, set up by Theresa May. This inquiry sat for seven years, at £188 million cost, and made more than twenty recommendations in 2022, which the Tories totally failed to implement.
Even by their cynical standards, and those of Mrs Badenough’s odious, publicity-seeking sidekick Chris Philp MP touring the TV studios, this is vicious, opportunist political propaganda.
Know them by their friends. Farage is (or maybe was, they appear to have fallen out) big pals with big-mouth Elon Skum (I think that’s his name)
The US billionaire bigot accuses Starmer of failing to pursue historic cases committed by gangs mostly of Pakistani heritage. Not true. He did initiate successful prosecutions.
And Trump’s biggest cheerleader sticks up for Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, aka Tommy Robinson, jailed for contempt for risking the collapse of a grooming case.
The scene is now different. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is legislating to require those in authority like social workers to report all cases of child abuse or face criminal sanctions.
Professor Jay proposed this practical measure two years ago, and the Tories did nothing. Labour is acting.
That’s the difference between this government and what we would have if this lot get the keys to Number Ten. Let’s not forget that.
Caffeine hit
COFFEE in the morning, good for the heart, say American boffins. Coffee the rest of the day, bad.
That’s a relief. I need a heart-starter caffeine hit first thing, to fire up the word-making faculties.
Thereafter, it’s scalding-hot tea, sometimes if I’m lucky with ginger snaps. I’d like to say this is a health regime, but I just drink what Mrs R brews.
Streeting’s distress
Patients are being forced to wait for up to 48 hours in A&E to get treated, as the NHS grapples with a winter flu crisis.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is “distressed and ashamed” at the suffering. It’s good to see a politician feeling the impact of his enormous responsibility for the nation’s health.
But he shouldn’t blame himself for the state of the NHS. It is where Labour found it, and £22.5 billion of new money is going in to make things better in the short-term.
Worked-up Wes promises a fresh start with a radical ten-year Health Plan in the Spring. It had better be good, because the survival of Labour in power as well as the nation’s health is at stake.
Clegg’s no Blair
SIR Nick Clegg (remember him?) fancies himself as a global statesman like, er, ahem, Sir Tony Blair.
He’s back from California, after stepping down as an apologist for Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg, who’s cosying up to Trump.
‘Friends’ (ie the man himself) say Sir Nick could rebuild UK relations with Europe and avert a trade war with the USA. Ahahahahah!