Morgan McSweeney podcast.

 On the Political Thinking podcast by Nick Robinson, we had the former chief of staff to the prime minister Morgan McSweeney being interviewed. And it was very revealing about the - political thinking going on behind the scenes, before the general election in July 2024. He accepted that they were - ill prepared for government and for the depth of the problems facing the country. Moreover not sufficient thought had gone into the impact politically of the cancellation of the - winter fuel payment to OAP’s. This had a serious detrimental impact on their core supporters and allies. They never fully recovered from this faux pas - which did them great harm. He has no intention of returning to politics any time soon and resigned his position earlier this year. 

What type of legacy?

 As Keir Starmer, prepares to leave the stage to Andy Burnham, what will his - long term legacy be? Two years ago when he entered Downing Street - the nation was in a parlous state and the government finances in deep trouble. Despite this difficult inheritance he has done relatively well. Nevertheless there is still much to do - not least in defence and the burden of welfare. We are spending too much on the welfare and insufficient on defence. How can this burden be drastically reduced and cut back? Too many young people are stranded on - long term unemployed and welfare, especially sickness benefits. How has it come to this ridiculous situation? Radical social policy is necessary to change this status quo and bring sanity into the public finances. Will we remember Starmer in a few years time or will he be forgotten - like so many recent occupants of Downing Street? 

A local hero.

 As Harry Kane said after the match win against the Democratic Republic of Congo “hero moments”. And he certainly did that last night in Atlanta - where we won 2/1. It wasn’t an easy game and they scored within a few minutes and made it difficult for us against a very good and inspired goalkeeper. Nevertheless the old expression a ‘game of two halves’ was very appropriate - as we went on to win. Harry Kane, again being the - local hero by scoring two outstanding goals. One a header the other from an acute angle that went into the top of the  net. Relief at last. Now for the next match against Mexico in Mexico City on Monday. I cannot see us getting much further on this level of football skill and ability. Another World Cup passes us by. Will I ever see us win again as I am 83 and the next World Cup in 2030? 

It’s ’all fur coat and no knickers’.

 In other words the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) isn’t all it appears after further investigation and interrogation. The new defence secretary Dan Jarvis, came to the House of Commons and presented his DIP expecting a warm reception - for his apparent largesse, but after cross examination - it wasn’t all that substantial an increase over the parliament. The Ministry of Defence, never has enough money and you can understand the reluctance of The Treasury to resist any more demands for extra cash. They are notorious poor at their procurement and over the years, have managed to waste many millions of pounds, but they always want more, no matter how much they get. It’s safe to say the generals and other military top brass will send around the - begging bowl before the end of the current parliament. Will the next prime minister agree with the budget for the DIP or not? 

Number 10 North.

 In a speech in Manchester, where he was mayor until recently, Andy Burnham set out his vision if he was to become prime minister in the next few weeks. Essentially it’s moving the centre of gravity away from London to the various parts of the country and in particular Manchester. For too long the epicentre has been on London and the south east of England and that has to changed in order to bring prosperity to the regions. A new nerve centre for Downing Street will be established in Manchester where more decisions can be made and acted on. This is a bold idea, but will it work? Time will tell, but it’s worth trying as the old system doesn’t work. 

An interesting faux pas.

 An old friend from my time at the London School of Economics in the early 1970’s and I were planning to meet for lunch tomorrow in Mayfair. The restaurant has had very good reviews and is now a fashionable place to eat. I decided to reconnoiter the place as I was in town the other day. It’s certainly very à la mode with a large and spacious eating area. However, he booked for their sister restaurant in Manchester and not London. An innocent mistake. Thankfully he was able to rectify the faux pas and we eat in London not Manchester.

 

Roasting in the sunshine ☀️.

 It was back in the summer of 1976 - some 50 years ago - when we had the last major heatwave. I remember it well as at the time I was working at weekends in a rather chic restaurant in Holland Park to finance my psychoanalytic training and analysis. In addition I had a full time job as a - psychiatric social worker in adult psychiatry. Fortunately I was used to hot temperatures as I worked in Israel at Ein Gedi kibbutz by the Dead Sea. The kibbutz sits about 400 mitres below sea level, so the heat gets - trapped and it feels as if you are inside a cooker. So temperatures only 20 miles away could be less severe. I remember going to the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967 and staying in a monastery on the Via Dolorosa. I slept on the roof and was awoken to the Muslim call to prayer at sunrise. It was a magical experience. I have very good memories of my time in Israel working in the kibbutz and at a beach bar in Eilat for a couple of months. So long ago when I was only 24.