Crime and migration

JD Vance, the man married to an American woman of Indian descent, the US vice-president, blamed the appalling murder of the British teenager Henry Nowak on mass migration.  Technically, immigration causing murder is something that Native Americans would have every right to agree with. So, when it comes to the USA, he is right.

I have discussed race and migration before. In summary, our Royal Family are descended from immigrants. Immigration benefits our nation and countries with low immigration rates then not to do as well as those which make the most of managed migration. 

Soon, England will be playing in the World Cup. Many of our players are not ethnically white British. But few would want Saka out of the team.  Our nation is stronger thanks to immigrants and their descendants. Not just with The Royal Family, not just with sport, but with so many areas.  

I want our nation to take advantage of the Trump presidency to attract talent to the UK. And of JD Vance becomes President, I want to take advantage of that as well. 

Ava Santina, grooming gangs, rape, religion and race

First of all, let me say that the murder of Henry Nowak is wrong, the actions of the police officer in handcuffing him appears to be inexcusable, and all rape, no matter who engages in it is wrong.

The issue of ethnicity/religion and crime was to be the topic of my post before the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa made the news.  I think it is important to point out, that there is a huge bias in some when it comes to reporting certain crimes, while overlooking others.

I recently had a discussion about the Grooming Gangs and the initial lack of an investigation into them, despite there being an investigation into them, in fact, more than one.  In that discussion, I was accused of ignoring rape by stating that there has already been an investigation.  Doing this is an argument by many to try and occupy the moral high ground on flimsy terms.

Religion and child abuse are linked.  People have quite rightly looked at those who claim to be Muslims who have engaged in appalling acts of grooming and rape. What I have not seen are investigations into the cover up of child abuse over a far longer period of time by both the Catholic church in the UK and the Church Of England.  Some do not care about this, and instead just want to focus on Islam.  

I have disagreed with Ava Evans in the past, notably when it came to having a Minister for Men, as I think that having one will help to combat the evil influence of the manosphere. I disagreed with her in this interview about how someone who is racist can repent as well. 

But, I do not think that she should get abuse, again, for what she did in the interview.  The irony of those on the Far Right (or patriots as they call themselves) wanting to protect our girls when so many are domestic abusers is sad.  Let alone how many of them defend a stalker who has convictions for assault, fraud and travelling on a false passport.  

In summary, rape is not confined to just one religion, but only one religion has been investigated.

How do I get onto the Reform UK blacklist?

My daughter, being back in Colchester was happy to get post. It was addressed to those in the house who can vote, which made me think it was from the council about voter registration. She was shocked to see that it was Reform UK trying to get us to vote for them.

So far, we have been blacklisted by The Tories (I debate them) and Jehovah’s Witnesses. I want to know how we can get Reform to block us as well. I do not believe in being rude to them, I believe in robust debate to hold them to account, which, as I have posted before, is something our media do not do. 

Should Palestine Action be allowed to protest in ways that the Far Right should not?

Palestine Action are in the news again.  Many consider their actions to be just, and I have discussed how I disagree with this before.  They have engaged in direct action to vandalise companies which have been helping Israel murder Palestinian civilians.  But they have also engaged in direct action which has done nothing to aid those being murdered in Gaza, and may have helped Russia instead. 

We would be wrong to compare the actions of Palestine Action to the Farage Riots.  But we can compare their actions to those who want to prevent refugees seeking asylum in our great nation.  

Palestine Action have engaged in acts of vandalism, one of many examples being where it smashed windows and sprayed red paint at the Milton Keynes premises of the German insurance firm Allianz, claiming alleged links to an Israel-based defence company. Does this mean that acts of vandalism against services helping refugees such as in Peterborough and Merseyside are equally justified? Should the masked men who were found in a hotel housing asylum seekers have been allowed to engage in peaceful direct action? 

Allegations have been made that Palestine Action have engaged in harassment of staff, just like allegations have been made about the harassment of those helping asylum seekers. Comparison’s have been made with The Suffragette Movement, but while I celebrate and treasure many of their actions and achievements, some of their actions were unacceptable. 

Basically, I want to ask supporters of Palestine Action, should The Far Right have the same restrictions and freedom when it comes to to protest as Palestine Action? 

Does it matter if Tommy Robinson likes to be intimate with men?

Last year, on one of my many long Twitter debates, the topic of Tommy Robinson spending time in jail was discussed.  During this, I suggested that he did not need to spend time in jail to meet men when there were other options. It turns out that I may have been right. 

Tommy Robinson has been outed as having an interest in gay love.  Personally, I have no issues with it.  But it appears that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (his real name) has, as he deleted a tweet where his interest was exposed.  He should remember that there is nothing wrong with men who are intimate with other men and men should not be ashamed if they are.  

Families affected by the Hillsborough disaster where helped by the UK signing up to the ECHR. Is Farage right to want to leave it?

Nigel Farage, along with other politicians, want us to have less human rights than those in Europe.  The ECHR has been used to win cases for those seeking justice. The Hillsborough families were able to get justice because of our membership of the court.  

I like having human rights.  I do not want to have more human rights when on holiday in France, Italy or Spain than I have living in the UK.  I do think it needs reform, but that is best done with other members of the court, not by leaving it.

Farage brought about Brexit, which has damaged our nation.  He should not be allowed to harm our great country again. 

Farage, making excuses for Russia and how he admires Putin

Anyone who follows my blog will have worked out that I am not a fan of Nigel Farage. I think that Brexit has harmed our nation, so much so, that most political parties in Europe who wanted to leave the EU, seeing the damage it has caused the UK, have dropped this idea. Sadly, it looks like the man who sold us Brexit will be our next Prime Minister.

But, it looks as if Russia will be pleased if that happens. James O’Brien on LBC has spoken really well on this issue about his former colleague and there is a great video detailing how Nigel Farage appears to have made excuses for Russia and Putin.  To be fair, many on the left have said similar things, but those on the left who did so, do not have a colleague has pleaded guilty to bribery charges relating to statements in favour of Russia in the European parliament.   

Making racism great again

Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin said seeing adverts of black or Asian people ‘drives me mad’ in a comment that has been seen (rightly) as being racist.  I have listened to people argue that no offence should be taken as she did not mean to be racist.  In fact, I have listened to too many people trying to minimise the racism in her comments.  

I think that it would be wrong to have lots of people of colour in historical drama’s but shows like Bridgerton and My Lady Jane are fiction. I do not understand how people can be annoyed with a series which has a black King but are okay with it having a lot of the population being able to turn into animals! I think that the TV adaptation of The Witcher missed out on having a more realistic take as they could have had different nations having people of different colours.

I do think that it is okay to say or have the view that there are too many darkies on the television, in that someone who states that is allowed to be racist.  But rather than deny their racism, they should be proud of it, not ashamed. 

Protect our women and girls

Listening to The Rest Is Politics they raised a very good point about the recent protests to protect our women and girls. Basically a large number of those engaging in protests have been felt to be a danger to women themselves. 

The Newsagents had addressed the matter of how the protests seem to be happy to ignore threats to women and children from white people, and it is right that this issue is raised properly. 

Lucy Connolly and Ricky Jones

Lucy Connolly has been released from prison and people are making comparisons between her and the case of a Labour councillor who had called for the throats of the far right to be cut. Personally, based on what little I know of both cases, I would have found both guilty, but only one of them said they would use mental health issues as an excuse for their actions. 

I know there will be many who argue that she was exercising her rights to free speech, but all nations have limits on free speech, and even Nigel Farage agrees that limits should be in place. 

How Starmer shows that we have More in Common

Everyone appears to hate Starmer. This report is from The Guardian and was published on the 8th of August, describing how In Altrincham, Greater Manchester, protesters and counter-protesters were separated by a busy road outside the Cresta Court hotel. In a rare moment of unity, the far right began singing “fuck Keir Starmer” to the tune of Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes and the anti-fascists joined in. 

The title is disingenuous as at this time, I consider Labour under Starmer to be the best of all the other options. I wish they had done more in some areas and less in others. One example of this is with communication as few know the UK is the fastest growing economy in the G7, meeting the campaign pledge made in 2023. 

Palestine Action (again) and a comparison to The Far Right

What level of criminal damage is acceptable when it comes to protests? Does the level change depending on what cause is being protested? 

Palestine Action has been in the news again. There are many who have justified their actions which include criminal damage. I am going to just mention the issue of how their actions have aided Russia in the invasion of Ukraine as that is not my main concern.

In Epping, there have been protests against asylum seekers due to the allegations made against one. The protests have been tarnished by violence and we know what has happened to those encouraging such acts last year.

My question to the supporters of Palestine Action relates to The Far Right. I would argue that people engaged in lawful protests do not throw smoke bombs and fire pyrotechnics around innocent members of the public. If it is acceptable for Palestine Action to do so, is it acceptable for the same to happen with the anti-refugee protests in Epping? If it is acceptable for protesters to damage our military hardware, would it be acceptable to damage places where asylum seekers are housed? Should those in Epping who have damaged police vehicles have their right to civil disobedience allow them to escape prosecution? My view is that the same standards should apply to all. 

Is sorry the hardest word for Elon Musk?

Apparently, Elon Musk's company is being sued by some Telsa owners in France because his actions have caused their cars to be viewed as a symbol of the far right and have depreciated in value.  

What is interesting is the way he has offered an apology to Donald Trump, but has not apologised to owners of his cars, many of whom, being concerned about the environment, tend to be left wing.  I have an electric car and would have been tempted to by a Tesla, before he went right wing, not just because of the features, but because of the charging network.  In the UK it is better than that for my kind of EV, though I have to say, the availability of charging stations is increasing. I have even recommended them to a friend who travels a lot in their job, due to the charging network.  They declined to do so, and left Twitter before I did.  But now, I would not recommend Tesla.  Not just because of their owner, but also there are lots of competitors now and the charging network for normal EV's is better.

But, when it comes to Musk, considering the views of his father on certain matters, I am not sure if his views will change so that Tesla is considered the go-to-car for those on the left.

Londonistan, the reality

I have been having a “debate” with someone on Twitter who has referred to London being run by Jihadists and Islamists. I say debate, they just spam stuff, but they have learned not to broach certain topics.  

Listening to BBC PM today, I have listened to a representative of Israel say that “The streets of London are succumbing to Jihad” when asked about the sanctions being placed on two members of the Israeli government. This no doubt relates to London having a Muslim mayor and he is not the only one to spread lies like this. 

Just a few things, I can drink alcohol in London. There is Old Compton Street where people are openly gay (attacked by The Far Right in the past) and of course there is London Fashion Week. I suspect that none of this can take place in Kabul and I don’t know how Gay Pride can take place in London if  “the streets of London are succumbing to Jihad.” 

If you want to listen to the words, it is eight minutes into the show. Last of all, while some call London a poo hole, this video from the USA demonstrates an issue I have never encountered in London! 

Schrodinger's immigrant

Starmer has made a speech on immigration. I have not listened to it but I have read reports about it. He is right to encourage immigrants to speak English (though it can be argued they should also speak Welsh if in Wales). But the rest of the speech, not too sure about it. The UK benefits from managed migration. The NHS is reliant on it, as is care work.  Our economy benefited from immigration when we were part of the EU. Immigrants came in, worked, contributed to the economy and paid the the taxes needed for public services.  Immigration has enriched the culture of the UK. It is normal for many to eat Chinese food for example. Robin Cook made a speech about Chicken Tikka Masala, a dish made in the UK, thanks to immigration. Immigration has also contributed to sports, and with Rishi Sunak, politics as well.  While there are many other examples of how immigration has benefited our great nation, I will remind people that the Royal Family are descended from immigrants. 

Yes, there have been a downside to immigration, when it comes to people not speaking the native language, but this is not just an issue limited to the UK, not just in the past, but also the present, though I will apologise if it turns out that Isabel Oakeshott has learned Arabic. 

What Labour should have learned from the local elections is to broadcast what they are doing with deportations. Labour, or the Conservatives, cannot beat Farage when it comes to limiting immigration, legal or otherwise. 

Has Elon damaged the TESLA brand?

I love my EV.  I will admit that when it comes to fun, my previous Honda was better, but my current Honda EV is more practical for the family, just not for my job.  

My wife took a TESLA on a test drive a few years ago, and did not like it.  Friends of mine have refused to consider a TESLA thanks to Elon Musk, and they have been proven right as his politics have become more and more extreme.

The demographic of people who drive EV's are not really the parties that he has backed.  Admittedly, Musk has turned on Nigel Farage, but Farage has not been in favour of taking action against Climate Change.  But, the AfD in Germany are also Climate Change deniers. 

I do think that the world owes TESLA thanks for showing how electric cars can be so appealing.  But it does not owe anything else.  I wait to see if Musk will get Trump to try to make the EU buy more TESLA's but if he does, I can see that alienating people who wish to switch to electric cars. At least in Europe. His antics may not be an issue in other parts of the world.

Learning from history

Today was a day to remember from history.  Sadly, at times, it seems that the wrong lessons have been learned, an example of which is when Hamas decided to record the murder of Israeli civilians to remind Israel about the Holocaust.

On a more personal note, the rise of the far right across the west, with people like Musk trying to make it more acceptable, is another reason why we should never forget what the forces of hatred and intolerance did in the past.  I do not want to be sent to a camp in the future.  

Elon Musk and fascism

There is an argument that too many people on the left call those they disagree with, fascist. I agree with this and for a while, I felt that people like Rory Stewart were wrong to call people like Elon Musk fascist. And then Musk gave that salute. Twice. He knew what he did. He knew it would get people talking about it. And that was the straw that broke me.

In the UK, he has supported Tommy Robinson, famously calling out Nigel Farage because Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is too toxic for him. In Germany he has been supporting the AfD. I am not sure I would consider him to be racist (I have suspicions), but he does seem to be suffering from Islamophobia. 

Politics has become more right wing in the UK with Reform UK doing well in the polls. We have seen what has happened in America where they voted an adulterous abuser of women in the office of President over a woman. And I fear that Germany is going to go the same way as Austria and Italy. 

So, Rory Stewart, I was wrong about Elon Musk, and you were right. 

Jess Phillips, Elon Musk and Stephen Yaxley-Lennon

 

I think that Jess Phillips is amazing. I love the way she communicates, I love her honesty and I love the way that she stands up against intimidation and injustice.

Elon Musk disagrees. Instead, he backs a stalker who has convictions for assault. Tommy Robinson has other convictions as well including fraud and travelling on a false passport. 

When it comes to British values, I know who represents our nation best and I am proud to be born in the same nation as Jess Phillips.

Should the Conservatives blame themselves for not investigating child abuse in Oldham?

The organised abuse of children in Oldham is in the news. What happened was horrific and evil. One of those involved was meant to protect the children who were vulnerable and abused. A report was published after this, detailing how the victims were failed.

But thanks to Elon Musk, a man who is supporting a convicted stalker, it is in the news again. The Conservatives have jumped on the bandwagon, but it turns out that the Conservatives decided not to commission the investigation that they are now calling for. 

Musk has been honest in what he wants. He wants Starmer to be out of office. He has managed to weaponise Twitter (sorry, X) and a lot of people now hate Starmer and probably will not vote Labour again in the next election, unless Labour can make the change they have promised, and more importantly, show the benefits of the changes. 

For now, I think that more attention should be paid to how Musk is supporting Tommy Robinson. Remember that this man, who is also called Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who has convictions for assault, fraud and travelling illegally using a false passport. A record that people should be reminded of.