No Truth, No Justice, Who Cares?

No truth or justice for Orgreave. Miners were beaten with truncheons, excessively and on camera, policemen admit falsifying reports, under orders so to do, but no truth or justice for Orgreave. Innocent men were held and tried, but because they weren't convicted, no truth or justice for Orgreave. So says Amber Rudd, Mrs May's Brexit promoting henchwoman. Well, it helped her career so why do what's right, when as with most politicians you can do what is expedient. Another political disgrace.

At least Christmas is coming!

Nissan And The Noddlers

Two bits of news to celebrate and I would actually prefer to celebrate than be down about things. One, our GDP, that's the gross domestic product of the UK is up, a tiny amount but it's up, especially in relation to post referendum forecasts. The second bit of really good news is that Nissan has announced its intention to build two new models at Sunderland, thus securing the jobs of thousands of workers for some years, both their own workers and others in the supply chain and local economy, so that's great.

Now the caveats. GDP is up because services grew more than expected, unfortunately manufacturing, agriculture and construction are all down, which is serious, especially if you work in one of those sectors rather than banking for example. Another caveat is that the figures are more or less backward looking, that makes them real, but not necessarily a reliable indicator. People are still spending, which you would ordinarily say is a good thing, but the caveat is that personal loans and credit card debt are growing at the fastest rate for thirty years. That's a fragile bubble and nothing to do with a so called metropolitan elite.

Debt's all well and good if you can afford the repayments and are happy to live in the red, personally I think you'd be off your noddle to want to love like that, also it's not so good if your job in manufacturing, agriculture or construction disappears. It's also a problem if historically low interest rates don't last and inflation returns. When I was paying a mortgage, those interest rates briefly peaked at around 17%, 15% lasted quite a while. Add the difference on to your current mortgage and gauge the risk you might be running in an uncertain future.

Even though interest rates are at an historic low, we still see television advertisements for loans at over one thousand percent, which is immoral, dangerous, profiteering from desperation and, much as I don't like to see government dictating prices to businesses, really should be legislated out of existence.

Final caveat on the good news about Nissan is that one has to wonder what Mrs May has promised Nissan, the boss of which company was recently in Downing Street for a private tête-à-tête with her secretiveness herself. Can whatever was promised be delivered if negotiations don't go as one country wants but as twenty seven countries want? Government needs to be even handed and to be seen to be even handed, political meddling always leads to disaster, be it relationships with doctors, education or business. Therefore what Nissan gets, others should get, watch carefully.

I see that the pound has not shot up to previous levels, or even at all, on the back of all this good news, maybe I'm not the only one thinking there's a bigger picture here. For all that well done Nissan.

My gifts for car enthusiasts if you're still spending or looking to Christmas.

Go On Shake Things Up A Bit Richmond

Zac Goldsmith, he of the silver spoon who couldn't connect with Londoners in general has stood down as MP for Richmond prompting a by election where he will stand again as an independent. The Tories won't put anyone up against him to split the vote and let the Liberals in. Labour will run, despite the opposition of some of their own members and MPs; they cannot win Richmond, but might well help rich boy grim get back in.

Goldsmith stood down over the Heathrow expansion decision, a controversy which will run and run. Richmond was heavily in favour of Remain in the recent referendum, Goldsmith was a 'leaver'. The situation is very interesting. The Tory majority at the general election was massive, but look how well the Liberals did in Cameron's former constituency. Maybe a miracle will happen. Dear Richmonders, if you want change and if you believe in Europe then please vote Liberal.

Even Liam Fox is in a bit of a panic after Wallonia blocked Canada's trade deal with the EU. What chance is there of us getting a good deal?

Britain's government is in crisis, but the UN is serving the wider world no better.

Wonder Woman

UN staff, womens' groups, and many others are offended that the United Nations is using a fictional character who is overtly sexy as a female ambassador for the organisation. They're right it's a huge error of judgement AND the UN should have more important matters on its mind because there are far greater issues which need addressing!

Fifteen Minute May

Mrs May can be as clear as she likes about what she wants, doesn't mean she'll get it, it's about the other twenty seven now. If she's right that the others want Britain to play a full part until we leave, why does she think they only gave her fifteen minutes to speak over coffee?

Malcolm Snook - Author and Blogger

If like me you believe the United nations is failing the world, sign the petition.

Lie Down Boris, Lie Down

I have been reminded that liar in chief Boris said he'd lay down in front of the bulldozers if the airport expansion decision is not the one he wants. We can but hope!

Aviation enthusiasts might like this!

Finally I've Taken Action Myself.

I have repeatedly blogged about the failures of the United Nations and so finally I have made the effort to change things by calling on the UK Government to resign from the UN Security Council and to campaign for a new, post cold war UN constitution which has some chance of bringing about a United Nations that works.

Please view and read my petition here and if you'd like to see world peace given a chance please sign the petition.