First, Boris Johnson was driven from office because even his own MPs could no longer tolerate his lies. Then we suffered the Liz Truss disaster, resulting in chaos in the markets, threats to pensions, increases in mortgages and rents, and the highest tax burden in 70 years. It’s easy to see how Tory MPs mustContinue reading Falling Apart
Happy New Year
I liked the tone of the first Christmas message from King Charles. His emphasis on service and consideration for others, values too many in public life ignore these days, appealed to me. He credited his mother, our late Queen, for encouraging his beliefs. As he talked of light from darkness, a concept common to mostContinue reading Happy New Year
Fed Up with Footie Politics
The World Cup is our greatest sporting event after the Olympics. It’s usually played in May/June and often an excuse for a few days off work or last-minute purchases of giant TVs. This year it’s in a very hot Qatar just before Christmas, but the weather’s not the only problem. The tournament’s mired in controversyContinue reading Fed Up with Footie Politics
Lest We Forget
I’ve been attending Remembrance Sunday events since I was a youngster in the Boys Brigade. It’s one of those things I still look forward to all these years later, unlike some who see world wars as having happened a long time ago and ignore such traditions as belonging in the past and nothing to doContinue reading Lest We Forget
End this Game of Thrones and let the people decide
I didn’t think I’d be returning to this so soon, but Tory leaders change quicker than football managers these days. Just six weeks after telling us Liz Truss was the answer, we’re inundated with Tory MPs claiming Rishi Sunak, whom they rejected in favour of Liz Truss, is now the answer. I wish theContinue reading End this Game of Thrones and let the people decide
End of an Era
I had planned to write this week about changes and new beginnings but on Thursday we learned ofthe passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second, the cruellest of signs of changing times andsomething many people hoped could be put off. It’s true that, despite average life expectancy for a woman in the UK beingContinue reading End of an Era
Government feeling heat
News last week that Labour had taken a 15-point poll lead, biggest since 2013, may have surprised some but there’s a simple explanation. People have spent the hot summer relieved at not having to think how they’ll cope when winter comes. Later this week Ofgem, the regulator supposed to help consumers, will announce a secondContinue reading Government feeling heat
Peril of failed outsourcing
WHAT’S the fascination with outsourcing that makes so many managers and consultants offer it as the solution when they’re asked to make improvements or find savings? Public is not always best but there’s no guarantee private is either. There have been some spectacular government failures with prisons, probation, and tagging of offenders. In Birmingham weContinue reading Peril of failed outsourcing
Steve McCabe MP visits local fire station
Steve McCabe MP visited the local constituency fire station in Billesley recently, to check in with staff during this summer of intense heatwaves and the cost-of-living crisis. Steve had an informative chat with the station staff who stressed that not only are the recent scorching temperatures affecting the risk of fire and hazard, but theContinue reading Steve McCabe MP visits local fire station
Cost of Living Help and Support
Many families have got in touch with Steve in recent weeks and months about the cost of living, this has led to families across the constituency facing hardship. Steve’s team have put together some resources to help you if you and your family are struggling: Birmingham Household Support Fund April 22 to September 2022 SupportContinue reading Cost of Living Help and Support