They still don't get it, do they?

The debates are over. There is less than a week to go. And they still don't get it.

This item from last night's Question Time says it all. The young lady could not have put it better and it is no wonder that she got a huge round of applause. Our politicians treat us like children. My plea to everyone is that we rise up and poke them violently in the eye on Thursday next. And it was especially nice to see that weasel Ed Balls being the one who was on the end of the young lady's tirade. Bless her.

Working with Robin

Not our daughter, but with the Robin who owns our front garden (amongst others, I suspect). The borders in the front have become clogged with weeds, so today I took some tools and hand weeded the most visible stretches. Within 5 minutes, I had been joined by a small robin who explained, by a tilt of his head that I should pause in my grubbing around in the soil every so often so that he could have a turn. He was clearly not frightened of me and so long as I sat on my stool and kept my tools out of his way, he was prepared to sit and wait, while I cleared some weeds, then he hopped onto the soil and fished out all the tasty grubs he could find, before indicating that it was my turn again.

For most of an hour he was within two feet of me and quite often, I could have stretched out a hand and touched the little fellow if he had let me. As it was I kept still while he ate the grubs I'd uncovered, so we got on very well. As I slowly moved along the bed moving my stool along the tarmac, he would occasionally fly off but would return in a few seconds to check on my progress and indicate that he should have a turn.

The noise of passing traffic and people simply ceased to exist as I got lost in wonder at his presence, and thanks to his company, I stuck at the task for longer than I would have done otherwise.

Risk Management - Where Was It?

The reaction of the authorities to the ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano has been interesting. The initial reaction to ban all flights was probably the correct thing to do. It gave everyone time to assess the scale of the problems caused by the ash and see where the winds would take the cloud. However, it has taken chaos and a Dunkirk spirit to apparently cause people to think and do a proper assessment of the risks and hazards of flying. The airlines, who need to stop losing money at the current rate, finally got round to sending up some planes and pilots to see what flying with ash in the air was really like. Result - modern planes, well flown to avoid the worst of the ash, cope very well.

Now all we have to do is work out how to get all the poor souls who have been stranded back to where they want to go.

Seriously, after day 1 and, perhaps, 2, this has not been one of the finest hours for the aviation authorities of Europe. I can't help thinking that our American cousins would have managed it differently.

Use it or Lose it.

Life seems to be hectic at the moment. There are a number of projects on the go, and while nothing has gone wrong, I'm finding managing them is causing brain-ache. While I was working, I'd have walked it, but the old grey cells have not been used for this kind of activity for a while, and hence I am out of practice. I'm not used to working this hard.

Pathetic!

Some months ago, I signed up to the Power 2010 campaign. I contributed to the choice of the the five changes that would be thought to bring about the most profound and needed change to the political system in the UK.

The 5 things are:

1. Introduce a proportional voting system
2. Scrap ID cards and roll back the database state
3. Replace the House of Lords with an elected Chamber
4. Allow only English MPs to vote on English Laws
5. Draw up a written constitution

Together these form the Power 2010 Pledge. As part of the campaign, we were asked to email the prospective candidates in our constituency and ask which of these they support. The outcome here in Solihull has been quite instructive.

The Tory Candidate does not support any of them, even no 4 (!) - somehow, this response comes as no surprise.

The Lib-Dem candidate supports them all as they are Lib-Dem policy

The Labour candidate has not replied (somehow this doesn't surprise me either).

My reaction is that the response of the two major parties is PATHETIC. It is enough to make me weep. Rise up, fellow voters and give the two major parties the most tremendous kick in the goolies!

Public Sector Waste? Of Course There Is!

The first two years of my working life were spent in the Civil Service. From 1974 onwards, I earned my crust in the commercial world. I was always convinced that the public sector wasted resources in a way that a commercial enterprise could not have countenanced. As the debate hots up in the election campaign about the Tory claim to be able to save vast sums of money by making the public sector more efficient, I admit to being convinced. This article in today's Times helped to convince me.

I don't think that Gordon Brown's assertion that business leaders have been mislead hold water either. These people didn't get where they are by being easily fooled - unlike some of our politicians.

Respect for the Police

Recently, I bought a second-hand copy of the book "Editor" by Max Hastings for our youngest son. I took the liberty of reading it, and enjoyed it hugely. In the book. Max contrasts the level of intellect displayed by senior Police Officers with that of senior Military Officers, the military being, in his view, far more impressive.

A number of incidents starting with the killing of Jean-Charles De Menezes at Stockwell Tube Station have increased my concern that our police service is an example of "Lions led by Donkeys". This story is another example. Surely, any well led organisation should have processes in place to ensure that behaviour such as these officers does not happen. I accept that every organisation will have a few rotten apples, but this is another story that will erode respect for the police.

None of the Above

Well, the great race for Government has started.

Half of me wants to trash the TV, cancel the papers and fix the radio tuner to Radio 7 - the other half is fascinated by the choice we are faced with. I have nearly finished reading Andrew Rawnsley's book "The End of the Party". It was recommended by a good friend. It should be required reading for all of us who intend to vote.

Sadly, I suspect that David Cameron's style would be very like that of Tony Blair, so it looks like Nick Clegg and Vince Cable for me.

With Friends Like These....

.......GB must be doing his nut. One of his government ministers has a go at Joanna Lumley who feels the need to defend herself in a press conference. Minister, and Prime Minister hastily try to retract what they allegedly said. Honestly. What a bunch of numbskulls. Ms Lumley, as a result of her campaigning efforts won a just deal for those who put their life on the line for this country. She is almost certainly trusted by the public more than all government ministers put together. To try to do down such a person must rate as shooting yourself in both feet.

I do hope that Kevin Jones gets the "hairdryer" treatment from No. 10, because if ever anyone deserves it, he does. What a pillock.

Something of a difference

Today I've had an opportunity to contrast the attitudes that prevail in the public and private sectors. The council operate an attractive looking scheme at the local tip which is akin to a loyalty card scheme. For each load of green waste you take to the tip, you get a card stamped and with 5 stamps you can claim a free bag of compost. When I enquired, I was told "We haven't got any cards, and we haven't had any for months". So it was home to phone the council who said earnestly, "Ah, they shouldn't be saying that, I'll get some one from the waste management dept. to look into it". They took my phone number and I shall be amazed if I hear any more.

In contrast, a double glazing company called on the dot of the time agreed on Friday, clearly keen to get a quote in for a job and make a sale.

The public sector need a good shake up.

Another Good Night

Last evening we attended a a performance of Variety Lives, compered by Arthur Smith. I've always wanted to see him live, and having done so, it only reinforces my opinion that he is one of the funniest men around. His introductions only came slightly unstuck when he attempted a Knock, Knock joke. In response to the Knock, Knock opening line, there came a very loud "Hello" from a lady in the audience. This brought Arthur to something of a half and he declared that this was the first time that he had ever encountered such a response and admitted that it put him distinctly off his stride. He then declared that it was a splendid response and he would use it himself from now on in an attempt to unsettle his fellow comedians.

A conversation followed with the lady who had derailed the joke and it turned out she was Italian. Arthur recited the only bit of Italian he knew and asked the lady to translate it. "Oh No, it's far too rude" was her reply. Big laughs all round.

Also on the bit were Ruby and Noah, (and her voice is amazing), Luke Wright an extraordinary performance poet, and Hattie Hayridge, who is best known for her performances as Holly in Red Dwarf.

I certainly came away with a big smile.

Get on with it Gordon.

Well, Alistair Darling has spoken. And I'm none the wiser. The budget does nothing for me - in all senses of that phrase. At present, I can see no reason to vote for any of the political parties. This is a dilemma, because I fervently believe that I should vote. Our democracy was a hard won right, and I have a duty to exercise my franchise. I just wish I could work out who to vote for.

Come on, you miserable bugger Gordon, call an election and then, maybe, someone will spell out a compelling argument that will attract my vote.

The Havant Duck Race

The weather this morning is a great improvement over yesterday, which must have come as a great relief to the organisers of a Duck Race that took place in the park opposite my daughter's house at 11:00.

Promptly, at the appointed hour, some 500 or so ducks were released into the small stream and made their way down to the finish. It was a distance of a quarter of a mile or so. What impressed me was the atmosphere that surrounded the event. It was a real family outing with children of all ages, dogs, and family members enjoying the occasion.

Our eye had been caught by the arrival of a trailer bearing tent, cooking equipment, tables, chairs and all the other paraphernalia necessary. They started to set up at around 8 a.m. and by 10, it was all in place. Members of the scout troupe turned up early in their wellington boots, to help set up and then to release and recover the plastic ducks at the end of the race. At the conclusion of the race, tea,coffee and burgers were available, and many seemed to be using this a a substitute for breakfast.

Amidst all the stories of antisocial behaviour by young people, it was nice to witness a reminder that there is much that is good about this country.

A Night at the Opera

Last evening we enjoyed an evening of opera at the Hippodrome in Birmingham. We were kindly given tickets to go and enjoy the Welsh National Opera (WNO) production of Abduction from the Seraglio with music by Mozart.

The music was most enjoyable, but the production lacked a spark to ignite in me an emotion like awe, admiration or wonder. I admired the professionalism, and the quality of the set, but somehow it lacked something. The WNO certainly packed the accompanying programme with references to their other productions and activities, so they are clearly a lively company.

The production was set on the Orient Express in 1920 or '21 and the set constrained the piece. There was no room to move up or down, or forwards or backwards. All movement was left or right. The singers took an Act to get warmed up. The first Act was a bit flat (not in the musical sense, though my musical ability is such that I probably could not tell if the were!), but the second and third Acts were much livelier.

I came away having enjoyed the entertainment, but thinking that opera is a very inefficient way of telling a story. Perhaps I've watched the DVDs of the Bourne trilogy too often.

Trains that work and people that don't.

Another visit to London has been and gone. I went yesterday and returned this morning. If the rest of the country wants to see how a railway should be run, I suggest that they have a good look at Chiltern Railways. Marlylebone Station is clean and has everything you need (though 30 pence for a pee is a bit steep!), the trains are clean and run on time, the information boards on the platforms and in the trains work and the people are pleasant. More more could you want? Oh, and the fares are ridiculously low if you book in advance.

The people who travel on said trains don't, however, seem any more blessed with brains than the drivers at the tip last week. Why more don't print their tickets at home and save a fortune is beyond me. And why don't people who are told by the ticket barrier to "Seek Assistance" do just that? Rather, they continue to offer their ticket to a machine that has rejected it, often more than once. People pay £2.10 for coffee on the train, but they can buy the same coffee at Marylebone for £1.60 before they board the train..... I don't understand it.

Tip Rage ?

Today got off to a great start. A swim, followed by a trip into town where Boots had my drugs ready, the ticket machine at the stations coughed up my train tickets for a trip to London on Monday, and the queues in the two banks I had to visit were manageable.

It all started to go wrong when I took a trailer load of green rubbish to the tip. The people using the tip this morning all seemed to have had a brainectomy. Cars were strewn around and the standard of driving was appalling. How did these people pass a test? As a result it took me two minutes to empty the trailer, but around 15 minutes to extricate the Land Rover and trailer from the melee. It is a good job that the chief culprit (a man in a Ford C Max, with his wife as co-pilot) were having a row some distance off my trajectory as I came out, because by this time, I was beginning to think that a scratch or two on the old Defender might be a price worth paying to get them into a ditch. I suppose you'd have to call it "Tip Rage".

It was my half yearly back service at the Chiropractors and while I was waiting, I was joined by a teacher who used to teach the twins. He could hardly walk, poor man, having started to exercise and done his back in on the treadmill at the gym he has just joined. That will teach him to listen to his new wife. I do hope he is better soon, because I do have some idea of the discomfort he was in.