British politics

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The Rise of the Deplorables: Part 2

The symbolic power of the flag has undergone a renaissance over the last decade or so, particularly in the UK and America and, currently, your response to your national flag, more often than not, reflects your political outlook and societal values. In both the UK and America the national flag has become synonymous with patriotism and aggressive right wing politics. The above quotation refers to false patriotism camouflaging self interests and hidden motives. The accusation of a lack of patriotism and glorification of a country’s national flag is used to to undermine the loyalty of left leaning people and, in effect, is a stick to beat them with.

This is a typical tactic of the right to simplify the attack on thinking people and reduce essential issues to emotional jingoism. Populist, rabble rousing politicians and associated activists do not want the populace to think: they want them to feel. To consider issues objectively, with reference to agreed facts is anathema and to be absolutely avoided. Study the public addresses of megalomaniacs or autocrats in history and it will clearly demonstrate their power to arouse emotions and direct hostility towards particular target groups. Trump is the latest iteration, Nigel Farage, a minor UK example.

An associated tactic is the spreading of conspiracy and deep state theories. These work on many levels. The susceptible person or group is subject to information on the internet which, on the face it, purports to be scandalous, sexually outrageous, harmful to victims and decent law abiding society at large, unfairly financially rewarding or undermines trust in institutions. It doesn’t matter if the details are bizarre because the secret elites act in concert and have no respect for normal societal rules. They are powerful and capable of anything and need to be rooted out. State control should shrink drastically and personal freedom restored if the ordinary, hard working, decent person is to flourish. Out with woke nonsense and the nanny state. People’s precarious financial positions, inability to pay for their health needs, unemployment, lack of education, poor housing, lack of employment rights and failure to advance themselves gain little traction or objective analysis, at least amongst American Republicans and assorted right wingers. The stoking of fear, anxiety and hostile emotions, often towards demonised groups like immigrants or minorities, successfully deflects attention elsewhere. BUT Trump is the deep state. The obscenely rich fascist tech bros are the deep state. Who, but the comprehensively deceived, would trust highly dubious multi millionaires and billionaires and those with a vested interest in promoting paranoia?

In the UK we tend to put our trust in Conservative posh boys. The showman and charlatan Boris Johnson being the best example. Usually educated at the most prestigious fee paying publc schools, politicians like Johnson ooze confidence and self assurance. Their education provides the highest degree of articulacy and persuasiveness. We are mesmorised by their charm and easily manipulated. Boris Johnson’s comedic talents ensured style over substance won hands down.

In the UK we are far less into conspiracy theories but we do excel in demonising immigrants, welfare benefits claimants and taxing the poorest people in our society. Oh yes, and pretending we have influence on the international stage, another boys’ game for appearing to care about principles and creating a lavish spectacle. We have a Labour government at last, but there are formidable dark forces lined up against it. It doesn’t help that the government are perceived to be stumbling from one crisis to another. It all feels a bit like The Lord of the Rings.

Still running around 25-30k weekly. No further injuries. I’ll be rejoining a gym soon to get some upper body strength back. I ran the Epping Forest 10k trail run in October which I found challenging and I also fell over. Interestingly other runners usually ask if you are okay but run on before they receive a reply. This time several runners actually stopped. Fortunately I wasn’t injured and carried on with greater care. I think the course was chosen for the greatest density of trees with the maximum of exposed roots. It was a very enjoyable run and I’ll do it next year.

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The Rise of the Deplorables: Part 1

On Saturday, September 13th, in London, up to a 150,000 people responded to Tommy Robinson’s call for a mass protest against immigration, the Labour government, the censorship of free speech and condemnation of “the great replacement”, the belief that migrants outside of Europe are in the acendency and are being given resources, privileges and preferment over indigenous white people, particularly Muslims. Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) is a well known extreme right figure who is widely described by media, charities, campaign groups and courts in civil findings as anti-Muslim and Islamaphobic and as having spread racist adjacent rhetoric. He has served time in prison for mortgage fraud and possession of a false identity document with improper use. He has numerous convictions for violent assault and contempt of court. In 2024 he was sentenced to 18 months for contempt of court. Robinson was one of the founders of the English Defence League, a far right street protest movement, notorious for anti-Islam demonstrations.

Most of those marching will reject the accusation of racism or xenophobia and will wave thousands of Union Jack and England flags to indicate their patrotism and commitment to British values. They will not appreciate that their march has been organised and coordinated by a convicted thug and career racist. They will not be able to articulate what they mean by describing themselves as patriots other than by acting because they feel their community is threatened. Threatened by foreigners with whom they feel no sympathy and designate a physical menace.

The baleful influence of Trump, Putin, Netanyahu and other hardline Nationalist leaders and their enablers has normalised hate speech and encouraged blatant prejudice. Social media has promoted and intensified aggessive feelings, hostility against groups and individuals, encouraged conspiracy theories, and given widespread dissemination to misinformation and disinformation. This very disappointing UK Labour government has capitulated to the Brexit mentality and right wing populism and generally runs scared of calling out right wing rhetoric, fearing political backlash .

Why are large swathes of populations so susceptible to extreme views and charismatic, seemingly convincing politicians? Why do people believe so easily and uncritically? Why do evidence and fact often lose out in debate? In recent months, the UK media has focused on illegal small boat immigration from France, crossing the English Channel and landing on the UK coast. The UK has a backlog of asylum applications and many of the asylum seekers are housed in small hotels across the country. In some areas this has caused friction and has been the focus of protests. One such incident occured in Epping, Essex, following reports of an asylum seeker being accused of approaching a 14 year old girl and trying to kiss her. The hotel was beseiged by protesters, many from outside the local area, demanding the hotel be closed down. Following a court case, it was ruled the hotel should be closed and a number of local authorities also made similar applications. The ruling was later defeated on appeal. The media continues to concentrate on illegal immigration organised by gangs across the Channel.

Interviewed protesters cited they were worried about the safety of children and women and strongly felt asylum seekers should not be accommodated in hotels in the general community. They were concerned about possible criminality, the proximity of the hotel to several schools and a care home, that residents in the hotel are not vetted and stated local residents did not feel safe. There were clashes with the police.

The asylum seekers were regarded as an existential threat to the local people and a drain on housing, the NHS and other resources which they felt should be directed to the local community. There was no expression of concern, compassion or charity for people who have gone through dreadful experiences. They singled out an incident that involved an asylum seeker but were oblivious to the several hundred reported cases of violence and sexual offences, in the Epping and Ongar area, in April and May 2025, as shown in published data.

Despite their protestations and self serving explanations, I believe that the vast majority joining in the Unite the Kingdom march and shouting outside immigrant accommodation hotels are racist and xenophobic. Large numbers also espouse fascist views. It’s a moot point to suggest, in mitigation, they have been manipulated and inflamed by far right media. At best they are dangerously credulous. Flags in the UK, depending on the context, are now synonymous with racism and far right values, not a love of one’s own country. These flag wavers are not patriots. They bring British values into disrepute.

How is my running going? Quite well. I’ve kept free of any further episodes of atrial fibrillation and I’m injury free at present. Currently running around 25k weekly, sometimes more, and regularly doing 5k parkruns. I’m massaging my knee, calves, foot and toes each day and my legs feel much better for it. Occasionally I try to do a few plyometric exercises but I am wary of my right knee suddenly snapping into a hundred pieces, I exaggerate, of course, but arthritic changes have made it feel stiff and weak. I can still run up to 16k easily enough but plyometric exercises may be a demand too much unless I go carefully.

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The UK General Election : a fine example of all parties appealing to the lowest common denominator

The above strapline, composed in June 2024, was intended to head my next blog, following on from the previous one in April 2024 (no-one can accuse me of being prolific). I’ve decided to retain it because I feel it’s a fair comment and this current Labour government continues to run scared of populist right wing criticism and bigotry.

The removal of the winter fuel heating payments for previously eligible pensioners and restricting the allowance to those entitled to pension credits, was badly handled and the rise in National Insurance contributions for employers resulted in a spectacular, well organised backlash. Add in the own goal of Starmer and others accepting gifts and freebies and the hostile press and social media had a field day.

The UK Labour government clearly feels boxed in by an aggressive right wing agenda and is being targeted by the openly neo-Fascist duo of Trump and Musk. It is such a dangerous time. Populist politicians and rabblerousers with no moral compass have learnt they can say anything they like, however damaging or untrue, without consequences but with the intention to harm. The truth becomes what you believe or what you feel. The UK government has to negotiate this terrain.

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My running is going okay. No further health problems since my last April 2024 blog with the exception of an episode of high blood pressure. I’m already on cardiovascular and anti hypertension medication so this was a disappointment. The sense I made of it revolved around getting too cold, both in the cottage and out running. I have now remedied this and also apply some simple breathing techniques to relax.

I’m currently running 25-30k a week which seems to suit me. I have given up going to a gym unfortunately, so upper body strength work has taken a hit. Perhaps in the future.

How lucky am I to have access to a polytunnel? Very lucky and profoundly grateful. I’m able to grow flowers and vegetables from seed and overwinter tender plants. I lead a little gardening group, Green Minds, and if the weather is poor we can sit inside. It’s in the middle of a small allotment which is situated in a field. So many people do not have access to a garden or a nearby park or green space which are recognised features substantially contributing to good mental health and reducing stress. To non gardeners sowing seeds, tending to their care and watching their growth may strike them as uninteresting, boring or irrelevant. Or the activity of old people. That’s a pity because they miss out experiencing a sense of wonder and achievement. Don’t miss out on the the feelings and emotions that accompany creating living plants and observing nature work.

Breaking news: Elon Musk has just posted on X stating Nigel Farage “doesn’t have what it takes” to lead the Reform UK party, presumably in response to Farage distancing himself from Musk’s support for Tommy Robinson, a far right “activist” who is presently in prison. What a crew!

 

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Walk, run, think (kindly thoughts)

Ball mobiles are on hold at the moment. I’m currently working on aluminium and brass wires supporting flat aluminium paddles or end pieces, attached by rivets. Like most worthwhile activities, all it takes is time, focus and application. Irritatingly, these tend to elude me. I need to get a grip and create a more disciplined daily schedule. Even so, it’s still difficult to fit in. I’m spending more time running, walking and going to a great gym. My health is good and I can even afford to pickup a calf injury, stopping me running, because of some reckless gym work. Sitting and inactivity are the new smoking equivalents. You gotta move to stay healthy and alive. It’s all about balance, literally.

I’m also spending perhaps too much time thinking and arriving at conclusions, an activity in many countries that is fraught with risk. Many people do this publicly and thanks to the internet and social media we are inundated with information and perspectives which can feel compelling and convincing as well as alarming and anxiety provoking. It’s a minefield. How do we make sense of it all? By what we encounter in our lives. Our experiences, relationships emotions, our upbringing and by persuasion rather than logic, reason and the general public good. Right wingers excel at perceiving threat or condemning. They tend to have a narrow focus on personal liberty, and self and class interest. Left wingers look towards the interest of the larger community and also of minorities within it. Consequently the left is vulnerable to mockery and demonisation when they champion groups whom the right regard as undeserving or illegitimate.. In the UK. as in the USA, the popular politics of emotion and feeling currently garner huge swathes of support, entirely untouched by common humanity or compassion for the vulnerable except for the purposes of lip service. The Christian/Evangelical Right, surely a clear oxymoron, have more in common with Fascism than the teachings of Jesus.

Whether it’s the UK Tory government or Trump’s America, their politics are addressed to the peoples’ basest fears and prejudices. Where’s the humanity? Where’s the compassion?

 

Rating: 1 out of 5.

The Rise of the Deplorables: Part 2

The symbolic power of the flag has undergone a renaissance over the last decade or so, particularly in the UK and America and, currently, your response to your national flag, more often than not, reflects your political outlook and societal values. In both the UK and America the national flag has become synonymous with patriotism…

oscardiamond's avatar by oscardiamond

The Rise of the Deplorables: Part 1

On Saturday, September 13th, in London, up to a 150,000 people responded to Tommy Robinson’s call for a mass protest against immigration, the Labour government, the censorship of free speech and condemnation of “the great replacement”, the belief that migrants outside of Europe are in the acendency and are being given resources, privileges and preferment…

oscardiamond's avatar by oscardiamond

Walk, run, think (kindly thoughts)

Ball mobiles are on hold at the moment. I’m currently working on aluminium and brass wires supporting flat aluminium paddles or end pieces, attached by rivets. Like most worthwhile activities, all it takes is time, focus and application. Irritatingly, these tend to elude me. I need to get a grip and create a more disciplined…

oscardiamond's avatar by oscardiamond
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Returning to Alive and Running. Heart firing on all cylinders (combustion engine metaphor)

Where was I? Atrial fibrillation started in June 2022 until I had cardioversion to shock my heart back into normal rhythm in November 2022. This was successful. Three months later I had a catheter ablation procedure which requires a line to be inserted into a vein or artery, in my case, in the groin, and manipulated until it reaches the heart. Cells responsible for the electrical misfiring are then destroyed and hopefully normal sinus rhythm returns. This was also successful and should be a more permanent solution to stopping a return of atrial fibrillation.

These procedures were straightforward and painless . My anxieties were on the high side these but, on the day,I felt much more relaxed and reassured. I’m very lucky to have Addenbrookes and the Royal Papworth hospitals on my doorstep.

With regard to running, it’s now much less effort compared to when I had AF. Previously I was doing up to 35k a week. now it’s more like 15-20k. I’m still wary of pushing myself and my Garmin is very useful in checking my heart rate. All in all I’m happy to be back running without problems.

The icing on the cake is that parkrun has returned to Milton Country park, formerly known as Cambridge parkrun, three weeks ago, following a three year pause. What a joy to meet up with old running friends. Everyone was visibly happy to be back and there was great atmosphere. Lots of people put a huge effort into organising its return to Milton Country park and I’m very grateful. Exactly why it stopped and how it came back remains a mystery to most people.

Tomorrow, May 6th, is showbiz time. King Charles 111 will have his Coronation and the nation will lose its collective marbles.The unthinking, manipulated masses will marinate themselves in fawning adulation and obsequiousness and the rich and powerful will fall over themselves to demonstrate new levels of sycophancy. This is a hideous spectacle I can’t miss. I’ll be watching on TV, shaking my head, tut tutting and struggling to take in the enormity and wrongfulness of the event. It is a supreme example of privilege, wealth, power and class. For all his laudable charity work and supposed outspokeness on specific matters, you’ll not see Charles doing shifts at a Food Bank or urging the return of the Sure Start Children’s Centres or decrying the cost of living in any meaningful way. He’s a relatively safe pair of hands who can deliver gravitas to speeches convincingly, receive respect and admiration, appear very rich but “hard working and devoted to duty,” and can maintain the whole edifice of a royal fantasy. It’s showbiz and celebrity culture aided and abetted by public money.

God save the King. God save us All

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Compassionate, caring Tories? Not with this Cabinet.

Balls patiently waiting for levers.

We supported Liz Truss winning the previous Whose Gonna Be The Next Prime Minister competition because we predicted she would sink the Conservative Party. She amply demonstrated her lack of understanding of conventional economics in the leadership debates and correctly anticipated that Conservative party members innate racism and credulity would see her through. The party members duly disengaged their brains and didn’t vote for the right winger who wasn’t promising tax cuts and also had the disadvantage of having a brown skin. The fact that he was reasonably competent and economically literate failed to be a pertinent issue.

With Liz Truss’s demise, Tory MPs acted quickly to neuter a second crazy decision by party members and rapidly voted for Rishi Sunak despite a last ditch attempt by showman and chancer Boris Johnson to regain office.

Now Sunak, as Prime Minister, is appointing his cabinet and revealing his true Tory credentials. Shockingly he has reappointed Suella Braverman as Home Secretary and Therese Coffey has become Environment secretary. Braverman, at a fringe meeting of the recent Conservative Party conference, laughingly commented that her dream was to see a headline Telegraph picture of a jet carrying immigrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda for out of country processing and decision making. Therese Coffey in her former role of Health Secretary made a mockery of her position by openly smoking, revealing she shared her own unwanted antibiotics with friends and suggested nurses could leave the profession if they weren’t happy with their pay rise. She also asserted the UK could recruit nurses from abroad. Oh yeah? What havoc will she reap on the environment? Gavin Williamson has been appointed Minister Without Portfolio, or, in other words, cabinet teaboy.

Sunak himself, this year, cheerfully stated that he thought there was nothing wrong with transferring money away from poorer areas to more well off areas.

Steven Baker becomes Health Secretary. Another right winger with a record of voting for underfunding, and setting unachievable targets for, the NHS.

Twelve years of Tory rule, partisan class politics and tepid economic growth. We are again faced with another swingeing round of cuts and austerity on top of a cost of living crisis. Tory economic policy has failed disastrously. They should call an election immediately.

I went for a 5k run yesterday after I decided to cut my bisoprolol from 7.5mgs to 5mgs a few days earlier. It had tripled to 7.5mgs following onset of atrial fibrillation but I felt I was more breathless on exertion and more tired with the increase recently. The run felt less of an effort and I feel I have a little extra energy. I’m taking my blood pressure several times a day and it remains within healthy limits. I probably would do parkrun again if I had more motivation. Part of the problem is that Milton Country Park did not bring parkrun back after the covid lockdown and the other runs are some distance away. It shouldn’t be a problem but for the present I seem to have lost my running mojo.

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Conservative Party voluntarily rotting from within. Shameless chancer Johnson bows out of latest Tory contest for Prime Minister leaving another rich public school boy to pull the wool over the electorate’s eyes.

Eight levers loosely fixed to check balance and movement.

Atrial fibrillation still persisting. I’m on two waiting lists. One for cardioversion and one for ablation. Doesn’t sound too good, does it? Well, it’s not particularly bad. The first procedure resets the heart with a small electric shock and the second procedure threads a line up to the heart and knocks out specific cells causing the fluttering heart beat.

I’m still running but only up to 5k and only 2-3 times a week. Could be worse.

The Conservative party members, salivating at the prospect of tax cuts and beguiled by the hypnotic mantra of “Growth….growth….growth,” chose someone with no presentation and little grasp of economics to lead their party and the country. The reality was they didn’t want a brown skinned man as Prime Minister. It wasn’t an issue that he was competent and a relatively safe pair of hands. A shining example of racism and greed.