U Turn when you have to
May 14th, 2008Another week, another Budget. We can be under no illusion whatsoever about the reason for the Brown/Darling U turn - splits in the Labour Party. Unlike Denis Healey’s 1976 scenario, this bizarre somersault was not the product of international economics, but was the symptom of domestic turmoil within Labour. The canvass returns from Crewe and Nantwich will be dreadful for them, I am sure, so the oddly-timed Cheshire contest will have been a factor in this decision.
Mr. Brown’s Queen’s Speech ”trailer” shows that he and his Government now have no pride when it comes to appropriating policies. Once our indignation subsides, we should be rather proud that all of sudden he has decided to adopt some of our policies. Is there anything he can do to reverse the slide, or is it in fact the case that anything he touches turns to lead?
An active few days; was able to help out at a litter pick in Shaw Forest, West Swindon, on Sunday morning. As the years go by, it becomes more and more difficult to imagine that the area was once a tip. In Mediterranean conditions, a group of about fifteeen people cleared litter from the more well-worn tracks up to the large playing field. We spotted some deer and took in the tranquility of the place. Sadly, some youngsters had been out causing fires and using young plants and stakes in the process. Broken bottles and litter marked out their mayhem. The offence of criminal damage is being committed, but the usual problems in obtaining evidence of the culprits loom large.
The sentences in the Henry Webster hammer attack trial were passed on Friday of last week, with the main defendant being sent to prison for eight years and most of the others being jailed. The end of one important chapter in this dreadful story, but there are still other issues to be resolved before the family will feel that all matters have been dealt with.
