Gloucester Saint

Agree with much if not all of that. As far as the Mail and Rebekah Brooks/Rupert Murdoch are concerned though, he did prosecute phone hacking and corrupt illegal payment from police to their journalists, the staggering extent to which is STILL being fully uncovered. Not a coincidence that by far the worst bile comes from the likes of the Mail and Talk TV. Not a Starmer fan either, but that is the honest truth of it.

You’d think the Parliamentary expenses scandal in 2009 would have been a turning point. But no, it wasn’t. Politicians should be subject to the same rules Joe Public are. It’s the sheer volume of tax evasion as well from the very wealthy, HMRC’s recovery rate is appalling, or it was last time I looked. As you say, it’s very unfair for most of us who do the right things and pay our way. American big tech companies are just as bad, filleting entry level jobs for our kids whilst Trump ensures they don’t have to pay levies for retraining and regional development as they rake it in. That said, the public turn hostile when politicians are honest eg if you vote for a Brexit, it’s a hard Brexit and you’ll pay more tax to maintain the public services you expect. Nigel Lawson had a classic quote - ‘the public want North American taxation levels and Western European public services’ with the clear implication that this required rather a juggling act and there was electorate immaturity. He was right at the time, and since 2020, when you cut 6% off your GDP it makes it harder still. Don’t recall Vote Leave mentioning that.

And they are no different in terms of corruption and seediness - arguably far worse. Today’s example https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/5455823/dundee-reform-suspended/ Another reason why their poll ratings are slipping back below 25% and in rapidly reverse gear. Plus recruiting the very worst of the previous government (Sewerella). 80 year Kate Hoey isn’t exactly a catch either.

Could be worse, neighbouring Worcestershire (Reform) 9% increase https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y68r40yzgo Not easy, this governing lark

Not too bad with an annual membership - and the cafes aren’t that expensive comparatively these days. Loads of NT properties around here so we get our value out of it.

If you’re ever in South Devon, you have got to go to Coleton Fishacre. Overbecks is very good in Salcombe but the road up to is a 🐷 if you’ve got a bigger car. But if you like 1920s style and spectacular coastal scenery, you can’t beat Coleton. Croome is on our spring visit list - excited about that.

Tim Davie was pushing them hard via Chris Mason but since the Trump court case I’ve noticed a bit more criticism of Farage - bar Mason himself who is a true convert.

Agree with that, although Farage has been firing off at YouGov for doing their poll modelling properly https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/nigel-farage-yougov-polling-reform-support-fall-404005/ John Curtiss says their support is definitely subsiding 🤞

Par for the course https://www.itv.com/news/border/2026-03-19/reform-candidate-urged-to-apologise-over-appalling-social-media-posts

Nigel Redknapp really will do anything for money https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xyxje7n29o

Hardly a surprise when they are spending 4x all of the other parties put together, from funding sources even Portsmouth FC supporters would reject as far too shady and toxic, plus the infamous Candy brothers. Ditto Rupert Lowe, there’s 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 NF-inspired business cards being handed out with club logo in one corner, Stop the Boats in another corner, and Lowe’s face. Elon funds that and football casuals distribute them.

Along with Holmes & Watson’s - you naughty pair.

And beer festivals

Gianfranco Zola was pretty good. As a player anyway.