Tuesday 7 July

The UK government is taking censorship to a whole new level, we’re being restricted not only in what we can say but what news we’re allowed to hear! A bill is being rushed through parliament to make it illegal to receive news from certain foreign sources, and YouTube will be obliged to give prominence to ‘trusted’ media such as the BBC over independent news media. If I wanted to know what the mainstream media had to say I’ld buy a newspaper, or pay the bloody licence fee and watch TV!

Today’s breaking news is that Farago has resigned as an MP to avoid an investigation by the standards commissioner for a £5 million bribe, I mean ‘gift’, from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborn. He intends to stand in the ensuing Clacton by-election, let’s see how that plays out!

Tuesday 14 July

I haven’t had anything to note in my Diary for the last week, the news has been rather monotonous with little to warrant a notice here.

Rob Pownall, founder of Protect The Wild, intended standing in the Clacton by-election dressed as a fox, as he did in Makerfield. He has withdrawn because he fears that the important message he wants to convey would be trivialised in the circus that the by-election has become.

A significant motion in support of Palestinian Christians and other Palestinians has been passed by the Church of England General Synod despite intense lobbying from the Israeli Embassy, the Board of Deputies and vocal pro-Israel voices. This motion was before the Synod five years ago but was not passed until now because it was feared that it risked undermining ‘decades of careful relationship building’ between  the Palestinian Christians and Jews.

Wednesday 15 July

Greenpeace Africa reports that, between 2021 and 2025, an estimated 44,000 kilograms (44 tons) of gold left Cameroon for Dubai, while Cameroon customs declared only 148 kilograms for export. The value of this gold is estimated at approximately USD 3.4 billion, equivalent to the annual budget of the Ministry of Public Health for five consecutive years. 

The latest polling for the Greater Manchester Mayoral Election has Greens up 15% 👆Labour down 25% 👇 Reform not in the race, what a pity 😢 never mind!

Thursday 16 July

Andy Burnham will be elected Labour leader tomorrow and Prime Minister on Monday, despite a quixotic move by MP Neil Coyle MP to nominate Catherine West MP as a protest despite her declared support for Burnham. Coyle is a notoriously abrasive and abusive rightwinger.

Starmer could not leave office without a Parthian shot at his predecessor as Labour leader who maintained a dignified silence. He ended by declaring “this is the end of my political journey,” although he intends to remain an MP for his Holborn and St Pancras constituency until the next general election – when I anticipate him losing to Andrew Feinstein who came close to beating him last time.

Kemi Badenoch pointed out that “changing prime minister is not a silver bullet. Indeed, it may be that the Labour party’s troubles are only just beginning.” Well she should know 🙄

Friday 17 July

No point talking about politics today. The old is gone and the new has yet to be born. We’re in the interregnum. There’s nothing left to say about Starmer that hasn’t been said already and nothing useful to say about Burnham until he confirms what he’s going to do.

Ian Dunt

Andy Burnham has reportedly been persuaded to make Shabana Mahmood his Chancellor instead of Ed Milliband, despite her being the least popular member of Keir Starmer’s Cabinet with Labour members, falling below even Rachel Reeves and Starmer himself. Miliband, by contrast, was the most popular.”

Saturday 18 July

My MP has informed me that the Government has launched a consultation proposing new common-sense reforms to reduce the noise and risks associated with fireworks by restricting the loudest fireworks to professional use only. This is a start but doesn’t go far enough!

There are now 34 Clacton by-election candidates, the highest number ever recorded in a UK Parliamentary election.

Monday 20 July

New legislation before parliament means I won’t be able to say that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp has a right to protect its homeland because our government has designated it as a terrorist organisation. I say it now because saying it after the law is passed could mean 14 year sentence – which in my case would be a death sentence as I wouldn’t survive 14 months in prison!

I’ve discovered that I have one thing I common with Andy Burnham, and it’s not a northern accent (I don’t have one). We can both play guitar quite well 😅

Tuesday 21 July

Burnham’s choices for his cabinet doesn’t fill me with any confidence that his government will depart significantly from the status quo, especially his retaining Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary instead of making her Chancellor. That job has gone to John Healey, who resigned as Defence Secretary because the Treasury wouldn’t approve his budget. He now has control of the Treasury! I may have more to say about his cabinet in a future blog, but maybe not.

On the positive side, Lammy and Reeves are relegated to the backbenches.

Thursday 23 July

The Metropolitan Police has reversed its decision to close a war crimes probe into UK nationals who fought in Gaza. Via Declassified UK

Friday 24 July

I’ve had some disappointing news that friends I have met personally have fallen out over attacks on Facebook against other friends. I don’t know the details as I don’t use Facebook, but it means I have fewer friends on X with whom I should remain in contact.

Should it be all Bluesky from now on? The friends I wish to remain in contact with often don’t see my posts even if they’re mentioned. It seems quite pointless 🙁

I implore those of you not following me on Bluesky to do so, there’ll be comrades here to greet you. To those with accounts on both platforms, give us a wave on Bluesky 👋 My reasons for retaining my X account are diminishing!

I’ve just been asked to complete a form online to confirm my registration to vote, which can be confusing for someone of my age or older who is not so familiar with the internet. When I was done I was informed that North Yorkshire Council already had my details. I don’t understand why they’re asking for them again unless it’s because North Yorkshire is now a Unitary Authority whereas I was originally registered with Selby District Council. It’s not my idea of devolution!