Is president Putin, runing out of road?

 It’s now over 4 years and six months since president Putin, decided to invade Ukraine. According to most reports from the front line - things are not going according to plan. The international company Wild Strawberries - the Russian equivalent to Amazon - has been hit by drones several times. Moreover the Russian mainland has also been hit, thereby bringing the - war to the Russian people. Unfortunately president Putin, isn’t up for compromise. He has put all his - chips on the Roulette wheel coming up trumps. The innocent people of Russia are suffering and many of their young men are being thrown into the - meat grinder - with no escape. However, some are either deserting or leaving the country. Nevertheless many are trapped in this unforgiving war. We can only hope that - Putin will realises he made a serious error of political and military judgment - by invading Ukraine in 2022. In addition the economy is contracting and isn’t too robust to suffer shocks. Perhaps there could be a coup against him? 

Why is Ukraine so corrupt?

 There are a number of reasons for the systemic corruption in Ukraine. During its long history Ukraine has been dominated by Russia and ruled by it for centuries. As a consequence it was - who you knew that counts. Back handlers for government contracts, everyone was in on ‘graft’ if you didn’t pay a bribe, no contract. No rule of law - the judges are also corrupt and benefiting from ‘graft’. No history of responsible government accountable to the people through democracy and finally Covid, super charged the corruption, by giving ‘bogus contracts’ to friends and family. So the whole system is rigged and corrupt and the general public knows it, but - what can they do in a war? Perhaps, one day things will be different, but not now. Don’t hold your breath. 

The one off and true star of - Country & Western music Dolly Parton, has died.

 It’s no e exaggeration to say that Dolly Parton was truly a great Country & Western singer. She has died at the age of 80 - she performed at Glastonbury back in 2014 age 68 - for the first and only time. She was the headline act on the Sunday afternoon. There was a crowd of around 100,000 people keen to see her and she was star gig on the Pyramid Stage. This is the one and only occasion she appeared at Glastonbury and she was by then 68. She wrote over 3000 songs and many of them great successes for example: 9 to 5 and Jolene - she stands alongside other great Country & Western artists like the late Jonny Cash and still going Willy Nelson. She once famously said in an interview “it takes a million dollars, to look this trashy”. The one and only Dolly. 

Harry and Meghan are coming back to Britain in the next few weeks.

 The Tabloids are full of - bile and hatred towards the fact that Harry and Meghan are coming back to Britain. Basically at a very deep level the - British media are racist towards her in particular. The royal family - and William won’t be happy about the idea. The general public are not over concerned, but many are thrilled by the idea. Apparently the King, wasn’t consulted about the idea. Following his book Spare - which told just how totally dysfunctional the ‘firm’ is. According to some reports - she is about to be staring in a film in the next few weeks. Whatever the truth behind these rumours -  it one adds to the sense of an ongoing - soup opera for national entertainment.  Who takes this narcissistic couple serious - they are beyond the pale? Their time in the west coast of America, has only added to that feeling of - entitlement and privilege. God knows what the King thinks of this indulgent couple? How will prince William and Kate react to the - toxic Americans are coming back to - haunt them, like Banquo's ghost. 

Sue Gray.

 Sue Gray, was a senior civil servant and was highly regarded and respected for her forthright manner and honesty. She was the go to person if a - prime minister had a particularly serious problem to address. She came to public attention regarding - the so called Partygate scandal in 2022. To understand her better there is no better place to start than the Political Currency podcast. She was interviewed in depth by Ed Balls, who knew her well as a cabinet minister in Gordon Brown’s government. She is now Baroness Gray of Tottenham and has retired from the civil service. 

The Media Show - on BBC Sounds.

 Over recent months I have been enjoying the weekly programme on BBC Sounds on Wednesday afternoon at 16.15. It’s never dull and generally entertaining. This week was an in depth discussion with - a number of veteran journalists. The issue for discussion was the - death of the Cambridge University black academic, Dr Jason Arday. His death has caused much - wringing of hands and speculation about what was - the eventual cause of his death. Cambridge University, doesn’t come away - smelling of roses. The underlying problem is - why was he employed at such a prestigious university, with a PhD from a not distinguished university - John Moores, Liverpool. Over the last three years, since his engagement at Cambridge, there has been endless speculation about the - bona fides of his place teaching the Sociology of Education. A well known - Mickey Mouse degree, that doesn’t require great intellectual rigour. However another issue is the - illegitimate attacks on - black academics in general. They are being - collectively scapegoated by some in the media - with a racist agenda. 

The poll of polls - suggest?

 The other day the - Poll of Polls was published and they say the following: Reform on 24 per cent. Labour on 24 per cent, Conservatives on 20 per cent, Greens on 12 per cent and the Lib/Dems on 11 per cent. Sir John Curtis, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, suggests that Reform are being squeezed in two ways. To the right by Rupert Lowe and his party Restore is stealing points from Reform, by 3-4 per cent of the right vote. We also have a rejuvenate Conservatives with Kemi Badenoch, doing relatively well, especially when parliament is sitting. In addition with a new prime minister in Andy  Burnham, a far better communicator than the disastrous Starmer, Labour are on the up. The Greens have clearly lost their way and Zac Polanski - appears a bit too naive and gullible. The public have - sussed him out and don’t like him as a result. Consequently there is all to play for and in particular the budget in October. Can the chancellor John Healey - create a sense of purpose and optimism? We shall see.