The Pathways Horizon project

One of the many things said about Starmer and gender issues is that he is the enemy of transgender people. Those who say that forget his spat in PMQ’s with Rishi Sunak from 2024. In addition to his comments on bathrooms, they cite restrictions on care for transgender children (or those aged under 18 who consider themselves to be transgender).  However, thanks to Starmer and the Labour government, The Pathways Horizon Project is to take place to look into this to see if this is safe or not. In the UK at least, concerns have been raised over the care provided to those under eighteen by those working in the services. 

Despite the Cass review calling for more research into this, there are those who feel no more research is needed into this topic on both sides of the debate, one stating that it is safe, the other stating that it is unsafe and should be banned. Which means that Starmer has united both sides of the debate again! 

The Map That Leads to You

This is a film that we watched as a family yesterday.  I really liked it.

First of all, my daughter and I went for a walk earlier in the day with our dog, the dog loves it the more people walk her. After that, I rested before taking the two children to Freeport to get some shoes and trainers. The kids did spend money, but we returned without either.

Arsenal played well but our injuries will make the game next week even more daunting. Our striker scored, and a fifteen year old looked amazing! But it is early days and The Scum have almost the same record as us. 

Now for the film. It was enjoyable and I think it was worth three out of five, as opposed to the two stars given by The Guardian. Watching it as a family, we could talk to my daughter who has spent parts of this year travelling. Yes, the ending is predictable, but it is a sweet tale which I will compare fondly to my memory of a similar film which I watched many years ago.  I doubt I will watch it again, but it is worth watching, despite what those with a stone heart may say. But unlike the review on the image, it is not a good enough to be unforgettable. 

Materialists

This was meant to be a date with my wife, and then a family film out as both children wanted to watch it. In the end my son did not come as he felt ill. We started experiencing the film when eating our dinner in the foyer. A couple met, the man bringing in roses, the woman not being pleased with this. After drinks, he was trying to be nice, she left, for a bit, taking her coat and leaving the flowers. She did return stating “I don’t know why I came back.” 

The film, allegedly a rom-com was one that I liked. For an American film, it was shot really well. For a man, I thought that it dealt with dating really well.  This is a film I would certainly watch again, and like we all did, this includes watching until the last credits have finished. The reviews are interesting but while they rate this three out of five, I am tempted to give this four. It was funny in bits, but I would not call it a romantic comedy. 

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. 

We (Arsenal) were lucky

I watched the highlights of the game, we were lucky in that I do not think that our goal should have been allowed to stand.  Saying that, we have had our share of decisions go against us, and we were playing Manure, so I will take the result!

My mother and her hospital stay

My Mum has been in hospital.  She went in on Thursday, but my youngest brother went in to keep her company.  I popped down on Friday morning and waited for her to be discharged, but there was a delay in this so we went down on Saturday.  When in the area, we visited my in-laws.  I offered to collect my mother from the hospital, but she insisted that she would wait for hospital transport.  It was only when she realised that there could be a huge delay that she let me collect her.  Which was the right thing to do.  That transport now can be used for someone without family who can take her home.

When there, we got to chat with her lodger.  Hopefully she will recover well at home.