UK General Election, July 4th - NOT amateur radio

Why is it that all major parties make promises in the run-up to a general election, but always find a reason to break them? In my old age I must be getting very cynical, but I do not trust any of the big parties.

With a month to go in a seat that is staunchly Conservative, I shall probably vote Green. It is almost certain they will not win, but it shows the way I think.

Starter homes - NOT amateur radio

From the start of the UK election campaign, I'd like to be as neutral as possible. I am a floating voter and have still to decide.

We all know only too well that politicians of all colours make promises that are unlikely to be kept. It seems to me that most politicians become politicians to "feather their own nests" rather than for the common good. There are a very few exceptions.

I was dismayed to read on the BBC News Page that an independent watchdog (the National Audit Office) has concluded that the present government's promise to build 200000 starter homes has completely failed with not one being built. Caveat emptor.  Pie crusts come to mind as in "promises are like pie crusts" i.e. thin and easily broken.

With over a month to go to the UK election, I forecast a hung parliament with Boris Johnson's Conservative party forming a minority government yet again.  So, the mess continues. Whatever your views on BREXIT are, this is like a stuck record.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50296672

UK General Election on Dec 12th - NOT amateur radio

So here in the UK we are set for a general election before Christmas.

Although this is largely about BREXIT, I fear the outcome could result in even more of a muddle!

The people in the country, and most parties in government, are largely divided over BREXIT. What my gut tells me is no single party will win an overall majority and the party forming a government will have to consider coalitions, or at very least consider working with the smaller parties. This is not a recipe for strong, decisive government. What might happen is a softer BREXIT.

One thing is certain:  nobody knows what will happen.

UK Election and BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

This could be a momentous week in UK politics. Firstly on Monday, only if passed with a two-thirds majority, we could have a General Election on December 12th. On October 31st we are meant to be leaving the EU.

Somehow, I suspect neither will happen.

USA Presidential Election - NOT amateur radio

I have no intention of getting involved in the debate, trusting my friends over there to vote wisely. Neither candidate is exactly a saint, but I am surprised by the number who follow Trump. Perhaps to many he represents the "American Dream" - a self-made billionaire who has made loads of money and who promises to make America great again. All I can say is both Trump and Clinton are politicians who are playing to the audience. Rarely does what is promised become reality. The current president was going to close Guantanamo Bay - that was eight years ago! It is still open.

All I ask is think before you vote. Whoever is in charge has their hands on the nuclear trigger for the next 4 years. The safety of the whole world matters. The USA needs to lead by good example and the world is watching.

USA Presidential Election - NOT amateur radio

This is a "democratic" election and I am only observing from afar. Mind you, you need to have millions or billions to have any chance. Neither candidate fills me with joy but I am truly amazed that the republican candidate is so popular.

Come the outcome, the world may be a different place if the USA takes a more isolationist stance in the world again.

Here, in the UK, we are electing some local and semi-local politicians. Here in East Anglia we are just voting for a new Police and Crime Commissioner for which I have received no data at all, so I am not voting for this QUANGO which must be costing UK taxpayer's millions.

Police and Crime Commissioner - NOT amateur radio

On May 5th we have elections locally for a new Police and Crime Commissioner. I have received no postal correspondence, haven't a clue who holds the post currently, and frankly don't care. I shall not vote as I feel I have no data on which to base my choice. What a shambles! The sad thing is this probably cost us all millions which could have been better spent.