It’s almost the end of August. Today I saw a notification from I ❤️ Manchester that said “Christmas returns to Albert Square this year - after 6 years”. (There has been extensive work going on at the town hall which has closed off Albert Square.) I’m also seeing pubs and restaurants informing us that they are now taking bookings for Christmas. I know this happens every year but it still seems shockingly early! I think it was Granddaughter Number Two who protested that “they could at least wait until we get Hallowe’en out of the way”.
Traditionally August is a quiet month for political news, despite the conflicts continuing all over the world. Warmongers don’t take summer holidays but politicians do, whizzing off here and there, hoping that they won’t need to be called back home away from the beach (or the villa some rich person has loaned to them) for a crisis. This fact has prompted this article in the Guardian about the continued presence of Nigel Farage, who has cannily had press conferences early each week, thus ensuring his name being in the papers for most of the rest of the week.
Here’s a letter commenting on that:
“August has hitherto been known in political circles as the “silly season”? Now that Nigel Farage has taken (back) control of the agenda, I’m with the late Edna O’Brien: “August is a wicked month”.
Les Bright
Exeter, Devon”
And here’s a related cartoon:
Another name in the news this week has been Tony Blair, still a sort of golden boy pundit in the political world but to some of us a big disappointment, despite his acclaim as a peacemaker. Now he’s back in the peacemaker role, involved in discussions about the fate of Gaza when or if the war (killing) comes to an end. Here’s Michael Rosen’s comment on that:
"So Mr Blair, what are your qualifications for talking about Gaza?"
"I bombed Iraq."
"Fair enough."
Meanwhile here is Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey explaining why he plans to boycott a dinner for Trump at Buckingham Palace. He said the invitation to state banquets was “one of the great privileges of being the leader of my party” but on principle he’s turning it down. Will Nigel Farage be invited as the leader of his party? I wonder. Incidentally, there are currently 72 Liberal Democrat MPs in parliament as against 4 Reform UK MPs but we know who gets the most media coverage.
Here’s a cost of living item:
“A “significant” jump in the cost of grocery staples such as eggs and butter is stoking food inflation, according to data pointing to a renewed cost of living squeeze.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said prices had risen at their fastest pace for 18 months, with food inflation hitting 4.2% this month. This was up from 4% in July and the highest reading since February 2024, according to its monthly shop price monitor.
The BRC chief executive, Helen Dickinson, said the rapid rise added to the pressure on people already struggling with the cost of living.
“Staples such as butter and eggs saw significant increases due to high demand, tightening supply, and increased labour costs,” she said.”
Here’s a letter to The Guardian in response:
Due to the rise in the prices of eggs, butter and chocolate (Report, 26 August), it seems I am no longer allowed to have my cake or eat it!
Stuart Harrington
Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
Somehow a very British response.
Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!
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