One year ago today we went into lockdown in the UK. There’s been a minute’s silence at midday, to make this a national day of reflection. The prime minister was going to observe this silence privately, whatever that means. At least it means we won’t have to watch him stand on the doorstep of Number 10 looking solemnly dishevelled. They’re also going to light up landmarks at 8.00 pm, just in case we forget to reflect, I suppose. The radio news just told me we are asked to stand on our doorsteps and hold a light to create a “beacon of hope”. Gestures!
We’re not likely to forget here in Greater Manchester. This is from the Manchester Evening News:
"Most of us here have been banned from meeting one another either indoors, or in gardens, ever since, meaning Manchester and many other places in the North West have only been free from restrictions for 25 days of the last year.”
That’s a long time to be under restrictions.
In the meantime, there’s this:
“The government has acquired a second, brand new plane painted in the colours of the union flag to be used by the prime minister and other dignitaries for short-haul trips.
The government faced criticism last year when it emerged Boris Johnson’s primary plane, the RAF Voyager, had been repainted with the union flag at a cost to the UK taxpayer of £900,000.
A government spokesperson insisted the second aircraft, which it said had been repainted with a “Global Britain livery”, represents “value for money”. They declined to comment on the cost of the lease or new paintwork.
The aircraft will be used when Mr Johnson, cabinet ministers or members of the royal family are making short or medium-haul trips, with a range that could take them to destinations elsewhere in Europe or even as far as the US east coast. The larger RAF Voyager, an Airbus A330, will continue to be used when ministers or royals are flying further afield.”
Another sort of gesture!
It all sounds unnecessarily presidential to me but some people must appreciate it as it seems that Mr Johnson’s ratings are still going up. Some people must be seeing things that I am missing. You would almost think he had personally and single-handedly made the vaccine himself. And that seems to have wiped out memories of all the wasteful stuff that has been going on for the last year - wasting both time and money.
So here is something Phil found for me that could well be applied to the gang of friends and cronies running the country at present:-
Oliver Cromwell’s speech dismissing the Rump Parliament – 20 April 1653 :
“It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonoured by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice.
Ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government.
Ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess?
Ye have no more religion than my horse. Gold is your God. Which of you have not bartered your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?
Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defiled this sacred place, and turned the Lord’s temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices?
Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation. You were deputed here by the people to get grievances redressed, are yourselves become the greatest grievance.
Your country therefore calls upon me to cleanse this Augean stable, by putting a final period to your iniquitous proceedings in this House; and which by God’s help, and the strength he has given me, I am now come to do.
I command ye therefore, upon the peril of your lives, to depart immediately out of this place.
Go, get you out! Make haste! Ye venal slaves be gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors.
In the name of God, go!”
Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!
Yup. Politicians never change.
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