Defenceless

 As we approach the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 24 February - we should be thinking of our own preparedness for war. According to The Spectator we are defenceless and unable to repel Putin’s Russia, should it be necessary. The prime minister has promised to increase expenditure on defence, but there is no definite timetable for this to occur. However our neighbours in Europe, including Germany, Poland, France and other nations are starting to do the - heavy lifting. Our armed services have been hollowed out to such an extent, we could hardly offer much resistance. It’s Dad’s Army all over again. The prime minister fails to comprehend the urgency of the situation and hasn’t pursued the chancellor Rachel Reeves, this is now required for national security. Moreover it may be necessary at some point in the near future to introduce some form of - conscription. Are young people prepared for this - emotional and psychological shock - should the call come? I fear not. So we remain defenceless. 

Sir Mark Tully 1935-2026.

 The veteran journalist and broadcaster Sir Mark Tully has died. If you wanted to understand the life of modern India, he was the person to go and listen to. I often enjoyed his mellifluous voice on the BBC Sounds in From Our Own Correspondent each Saturday morning. He reminded me of another great journalist Alistair Cooke (1908-2004) and his weekly Letter from America - which I always enjoyed. These impressive story tellers are a rare breed and must be celebrated and unfortunately are dying out. 

The international elite.

 Those in the Epstein international elite are apparently immune to the ordinary - ups and downs of the man in the street. This network of men abusing women and girls across the world. They are power structures that have inoculated these men as part of this elite. How has this been allowed to continue for so long? The reason is that - they occupy positions of power and influence in the structures. This is a cabalistic system - almost Masonic in nature. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 

The shit hits the fan.

 This morning Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, was arrested on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. He was arrested on - suspicion of misconduct in public office. This is the first arrest of a member of the royal family, since King Charles I - during the  Civil War in June 1647 and we know what eventually happened to him. The current King Charles has said that “the law must take its course”. It was only recently said by a government law officer “no one is above the law”. This process of the investigation will take many months to be completed. Meanwhile, Andrew is in - deep shit. This wouldn’t have happened if the Queen was still alive as she protected him. 

Given this serious development in the investigation - how will this impact on the broader Royal family? The problems with Harry and Meghan are ongoing in addition there is the stress and strain on other members of the family. This is potentially a dangerous time in the life of the family. Can they survive this unacceptable behaviour of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor? The public in general may feel that the - whole system is untenable and should be abolished. So a difficult time in the role of the monarchy and constitution. 

Annus horribilis: this could turn out to be a very bad and horrible year for King Charles - as his brother faces the full force of the law. How will this affect the perception of the royal family? There is also the way in which this could affect the rein of William? There are no easy answers or solutions to this nightmare. The best way forward is - complete openness and transparency and giving up on their clandestine opaque - monetary arrangements. Something they are not use to.

Prince William and mental health.

 Prince William, talking to BBC Radio 1’s Life Hacks said “we need more male role models”. He was talking in a panel discussion about the issue of - male suicide. As someone who founded the first male consciousness raising group in the UK in mid 1970’s - I endorse this idea. In addition I worked as an adult psychoanalyst for many years and had many male patients. A common theme was the unconscious anxiety and fear about expressing emotions as this - might be interpreted as weakness. Today that is manifest in the virulent misogyny of Andrew Tait and his brother. The current crisis in the wake of the Epstein files is a further example of the depth of the international abuse of women in general and under age girls in particular. There is a serious crisis today - in the way in which men and women relate to each other. Too much time in the unreal world of the internet and - swiping right is creating a profound malaise in the way in which we relate to each other. Only exasperating the feeling of alienation and anomie. 

 

 

A cover up, of a cover up.

 It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the Trump administration is - trying to avoid an open discussion about the Epstein scandal. Pam Bondie, the attorney general had a splenetic outburst last week at the congressional oversight committee. According to The New York Times today there is information about president Trump, in the files. This could therefore be the reason for the obfuscation and delaying tactics by Bondie and others. If this is the case, this will be disastrous for Trump at the midterm elections in November? This scandal isn’t about to go away anytime soon - a cover up of a cover up. 

The beginning of the end.

 Never a day goes by, but we have more revelations about the conduct of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. He has brought the whole institution of the monarchy into disrepute. We have not only the information regarding Jeffrey Epstein, but also his actions when a - trade envoy from 2001/2011. This was a privileged role and he appears to have abused the trust invested in him. Despite the fact that he is - now in exile on the Sandringham estate, he is still causing immense public opprobrium. Moreover the - whole family are being dragged into the gutter. There is a lack of public scrutiny of the royal household and that must now change. For too long they have hidden from public scrutiny. Time for light to - shine on this opaque institution - otherwise this is the - beginning of the end.