Soft power and The Royal Family

I have been outspoken with my support for The Royal Family. I do not want an elected head of state, as I would much rather have King Charles in charge as the democratically elected alternative would be Nigel Farage.

Many have refused to accept the soft power that The Royal Family brings, but the state visit to the USA showed the importance of this.  

The Monarchy has flaws, not just Prince Andrew, but the way it did not speak out in defence of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, when double standards were shown to her, something many consider a sign of racism. 

Kintsu and its pairing with the Langham Wine Estate

My wife got us a table for an amazing food and wine experience.  We have been to Kintsu before, and its predecessor, Grain. The food rarely can be average, but more often it is excellent. If you have not been, and are willing to pay, it is certainly worth visiting.

We loved the food. My wife liked the wine more than I did, but she has a more refined palate than I have. However, I did appreciate the wine when I ate my food. It paired so well.

She has booked another meal there for two weeks time.  I cannot wait! 

Donald Trump his age and Jimmy Kimmel

For those who are unaware, someone tried to kill Donald Trump on the weekend during the White House Correspondents Dinner.  Jimmy Kimmel is in trouble (again) for a roast of him on a fake dinner speech, which Trump, the narcissist, did not want to face.  After all, he was not too happy when he was roasted in the past.

I believe Jimmy Kimmel when he says that his comments referred to Trump dying of natural causes.  His age and physical health has been the subject of frequent speculation.  

The truth is out there

Just listening to Seth Myers, the one who made Trump run for President.  He brought up a great point.  We know that alien life has not visited earth (or are not known to have done so) as Trump has not bragged about it.

American Carnage

This is a film that the Trump administration should never watch.  As it may give them ideas.  Released in 2022, after the first term of President Trump, it shows a bleak vision of America, its treatment of immigrants and also how birth-right citizenship could be revoked.  If I had watched it when it was released, I would have said it was fanciful, but looking at the USA of today, I cannot be so sure.

As a horror film, it is okay.  I would not recommend it for that, but I do recommend it for how it shows how immigrants, and their descendants, can be mistreated.

Maria Elia

My wife booked us an amazing meal for yesterday. She loves this chef who now has meals at her home. She missed booking a meal on other occasions and we almost missed this one. Fortunately there was a cancellation and she managed to get tickets for us. 

The setting was beautiful, the food amazing, and we met some lovely people on our table. I am so glad she managed to get tickets and it will be great if we are lucky enough to return.

Starmer, transparency and Mandelson

Starmer has come under a lot of flack over Mandelson again. Notably, if he had known that Mandelson did not pass security vetting for his job as Ambassador to the Court of King Trump.

There are going to be different views on this, some saying he lied, others backing him up. In February, Starmer ordered the release of documents relating to the appointment of Mandelson. My question is simple. Why would he do this if he knew that Mandelson failed the check? 

We can compare the actions of Starmer to that of Trump when it comes to releasing files. 

June 2024 Trump talked about releasing the Epstein files, but did talk about “the phony stuff” 

June 2025, Elon Musk tweeted that Trump featured in The Epstein files. 

November 2025, Trump was forced to release the files 

Two days after “missing” files were released, Iran is attacked.

As posted before, the files which were missing from the publication in November, contained allegations about Trump and a thirteen year old girl. 

Last of all, while many think that Starmer was wrong to sack Olly Robbins, the simple fact is that someone should have told Starmer sooner that he had inadvertently misled Parliament. Olly Robbins knew that and appeared to say nothing.