Make or break in Makerfield.

 In the next few hours the people of Makerfield, will be voting in the local by-election on Thursday. Can Andy Burnham - win this historic election and start the race for Downing Street? Many of the general public have - turned their backs on Starmer as he appears to lack charisma and ability to communicate effectively - his overall vision for the country. It could be closer tomorrow than many pundits predict. Nevertheless I predict a win for Burnham and eventually kicking Starmer out of office. How well will Reform Party and the Green Party do? This could be critical. 

The American Revolution.

 On BBC Four there is this brilliant 4 part documentary about the American Revolution and is excellent in every regard. Was it inevitable that eventually there would be a revolution against British rule or could a more rational and sensible government in London - got a better result? However cateris paribus the British government and the prime minister Lord North, plus King George III - were too stupid and politically naive and thought force and violence was the answer. A fatal mistake. The battle at Concord in 1775 was like crossing the Rubicon and there was no sensible way back. As one witness said ‘we were fighting in order to be free’. The British Red Coast were out numbered and out gunned This was a tragedy waiting to happen. I look forward to seeing the other three episodes. 

Here we go again.

 Tonight we play against Croatia in our first game in the World Cup. It’s imperative that we get off to a good start in this L Group of countries that also includes: Panama and Ghana, two formidable teams. In an interview for BBC Sport Kelly Somers - spoke to the England manager Thomas Turchel and he emphasised the ‘good bonding as a team’. It’s 60 years since we last one the World Cup against West Germany in 1966 - can this German manager get a second victory? It’s been too long a wait - come on England. 

John Healey.

 The former defence secretary, was withering in his damnation of the chancellor Rachel Reeves, in the House of Commons today. He claims she is ‘unwilling to spend what is necessary to keep the nation safe’. Could there be a more coruscating assessment of her role in government? Be in no doubt if Wes Streeting, Andy Burnham or Al Carns, become prime minister - she will be despatched very quickly to the - back benches - where she can lament her demotion. Wes Streeting, was on - manoeuvres today sketchy out his vision regarding the state of the nation’s defence. 

Carnage at the BBC.

 According to The Financial Times today the  BBC News department can expect serious job losses. The new director general Matt Brittin, has said that there needs to be at least 2,000 as the company must make serious financial savings. The.News department has in the region of 20,000 staff. Many therefore will be feeling rather anxious about the prospect of losing their jobs and careers. In addition there will be further downsizing over the next few months. So a career for life, similar to the civil service is not a prospect now - for new recruits to the corporation. Will we the public recognise the dramatic change in the status quo? I have often wondered - why there were so many, for example - reporter’s in North America? However in this turbulent - time we need reliable and trustworthy journalists to provide objective nonpartisan reporting and analysis. No doubt the right wing media will be cheering this bad news, but for those who value the Reithian tradition of: to entertain, inform and educate - this is without doubt a sad day. Moreover the Royal Charter, comes up for renewal on 31 December 2027 - so serious discussions about the future of the corporation will be inevitable. 

Al Carns aged 46.

 Al Carns, MP is increasingly seen as a potential candidate for becoming prime minister. I listen to his interview on the Daily T podcast today and was greatly impressed by his forthright opinions, expressed with clarity and authority. He is the MP for Selly Oak in Birmingham. He resigned last week, because the prime minister and chancellor - were not prepared to spend what is necessary to keep us safe. He had a successful career in the military and spent 24 years in the Royal Marines and also in Special Forces and reached the rank of colonel, before leaving and becoming an MP in July 2024. He was awarded a MC and was mentioned in despatches. He must be taken seriously as a possible prime minister in waiting. If he decides to run in next few weeks, he will be a formidable opponent, especially for Andy Burnham. 

Shooting yourself in the foot .

 As we approach the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote on the 23 June - it’s time to take stock of the national balance sheet. Despite the dire warnings of the Treasury and other economic pundits, we decided to - shoot ourselves in the foot. According to The Guardian today we are seriously worse off as a nation and this is particularly true if you are in a low skilled working class job. The immediate effect was a collective shock psychologically, but now we can see the impact on the economy longer term. The GDP of the national economy is smaller, than it would otherwise have been had we remained in the EU. Moreover inward investment into the country is far less, than it otherwise would have been. Some experts have suggested - that we are roughly between 6 to 8 per cent worse off. So when we complain that there isn’t enough money for the NHS or defence - remember we decided to shoot ourselves in the foot 10 years ago and we are therefore living with the consequences of this disastrous decision. So a collective - mea culpa is necessary. Unfortunately people like Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, Nigel Farage and others - haven’t been held to account for this Brexit nonsense. They of course aren’t worse off.