Sunday 15 February

The British Museum has removed the word Palestine from displays about the ancient Middle East following “concerns” by a UK-based Israeli advocacy group. Via Al Jazeera

Tuesday 17 February

President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that any aircraft, regardless of its origin, will be allowed to land and refuel in Mexico if its final destination is to deliver aid to Cuba.

Nick Cullinan, the new director of the British Museum, has confirmed to Scottish historian William Dalrymple that the story put out by the Daily Telegraph about the museum cancelling the name Palestine is a complete misrepresentation of the facts of which he was not immediately made aware.

Wednesday 18 February

The Representation of the People Bill is not good enough, although there is some good news. The government has been forced to U-turn on plans to cancel local elections for over 4 million people.

The bill will not restore the independence of our elections’ watchdog. The government of the day will keep the power to meddle with the running of elections.

Foreign billionaires like Elon Musk will no longer be able to donate to our political parties but billionaires based in the UK will still be able to buy influence with no limit on donations.

Millions of eligible citizens will be registered to vote through Automatic Voter Registration but there is no move towards a fairer voting system.

Via Unlock Democracy

Thursday 19 February

I doubt whether the Andrew formerly known as Prince will be having a very happy 66th birthday following his arrest by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of “misconduct in public office”. His nephew has a property on Dartmoor that is currently unoccupied.

Friday 20 February

ITV News reports that Cur Starmer is demanding that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor be removed from the royal line of succession. A pointless gesture as he is presently only 8th in line. I doubt whether the monarchy will survive for another generation.

Prize for the most insane comment on Trump’s ‘Peace Plan’ goes to Mike Huckleberry, US ambassador to Israel, who thinks Palestinians should pay for the bombs that have destroyed their homes and murdered their children. He does not explain how they will pay, or why the they should pay for building Trump’s riviera from which they’ve been displaced!

Sunday 22 February

Democratic lawmakers in New Jersey are introducing sweeping legislation to protect the state’s sizable immigrant population in what they call Fight Unlawful Conduct and Keep Individuals and Communities Empowered act, or F.U.C.K.I.C.E act. Department of Homeland Security have responded by portraying ICE agents as victims, calling the New Jersey legislation a “disgusting” bill “meant to demonize our officers who are experiencing a highly coordinated campaign of violence.” How sad 😢

Monday 23 February

The USS Gerald R Ford has everything it needs for an attack on Iran but for one thing: enough few functioning toilets for 4,600 sailors! The problem is worsening daily and there’s no chance of fixing it without returning the ship to the US dockyards.

There was an event in York organised by Compass which I was unable to attend because of transport problems. Media and Communications Officer understood the problem and thought it was something that could be raised at the event. He got back to me today to say he was interested in reading my blog about my experience of public transport, which I have sent to him.

There is a Green Party social on Sunday in Selby when there’s no bus service, daytime events are no problem now. I’ve only just joined the Greens and I’m sure we’ll be able to sort something out soon.

Tuesday 24 February

The first thing I saw when I came online was a response to a post of mine on Bluesky. I was a thread by someone who had witnessed genocide in Rwanda while serving with US military and offers this as evidence that what is happening in Gaza is not genocide. Give me strength 🙏🏻

Wednesday 25 February

Some good news: Edinburgh councillors have unanimously rejected plans for a huge new AI data centre which would have used 213 megawatts of power – roughly equivalent to every home in Glasgow and Edinburgh combined. Its estimated annual carbon footprint is comparable to the total emissions from Edinburgh Airport.

Now that the weather is getting warmer I need to get fit enough to give my mobility scooter a run. First priorities are appointments with barber and optician.

Friday 27 February

Gorton & Denton by election results:

Greens 41% 14,980 votes

Reform 29% 10,578 votes

Labour 25% 9,364 votes

“Oh, and I think the Tories and the Lib Dem’s had candidates. But no one noticed.” Jamie Driscoll. Labour’s vote share halved in 18 months and Tories lost their deposit.

Heidi Alexander: if you add the Greens vote to Labours vote, we won. 🤣🤣🤣

Jeremy Corbyn is set to be named parliamentary leader of Your Party after the election of its first central executive, with a mission to get the troubled party “back on track.” Via Morning Star. https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/corbyn-set-lead-your-party-commons-after-executive-vote-win

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is allowed to appeal the decision which ruled the Palestine Action ban unlawful. An order to quash the ban is suspended pending the appeal. Via Huda Ammori on X.

Saturday 28 February

“The IDF and the U.S Armed Forces have launched a broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time.” @IDF on X

Houthis have just announced total closure of the Red Sea with no exceptions in response to the US/Israeli attack on Iran, which Trump undertook without consulting either the UN Security Council or US Congress.

Germany, France and the UK, true to form, have condemned Iran’s retaliatory attack on US bases in neighbouring countries rather than the preemptive strike which killed 80 children.

An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council has been called for this afternoon (New York time).

Sunday 1 March

I’m taking a step back from politics for next week’s blog, I’ve been doing more autobiographical writing. I have one blog drafted and one already published, but I thought it appropriate to share this one first.