Interesting. The start of the piece:

“This is the first in an exclusive two-part series from the book, Making the Weather: Six Politicians Who Changed Modern Britain, by Professor Vernon Bogdanor, who has taught one or two prime ministers.

Making the Weather is the story of six postwar politicians, all of whom exerted an outsized influence on our political life —an influence greater than that of most prime ministers.

Vernon Bogdanor’s cast includes three figures from the political Left—Aneurin “Nye” Bevan, Roy Jenkins, and Tony Benn—and three from the Right—Enoch Powell, Keith Joseph, and … Nigel Farage.”

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Our thanks to Jeff for this. An extract:

“Sarah Pochin, the presiding magistrate and chairman of Cheshire East council, acknowledged Derbin’s distress before fining her £120 and ordering her to pay a further £133 in costs and a victim surcharge.

‘We can see it has been very distressing for you, said Pochin. ‘It is a horrible thing to have happen. [J4MB emphasis: What a statement of female unaccountability / lack of agency.] But it could have been worse. [J4MB emphasis: Always the case, and irrelevant.]

‘No one was hurt. It is what it is. Do not be too hard on yourself. Unfortunately, we all get ourselves into problems.’ ”  

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As a keen photographer and drone pilot, I’m always interested in affordable high-quality image stabilisers. I think this (video, 33 seconds) ticks both boxes, and also delivers eggs.

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Wonderful news in The Guardian. An extract:

“A forensic accountant has become the first female Countdown champion in 26 years. Fiona Wood prevailed in the series final on Friday after correctly identifying the conundrum word as “lassitude”, meaning a state of physical or mental weariness.”

Ironically, “lassitude” is what I feel whenever I hear or read the words “first female” or “first woman”. Another extract:

“She said she applied after the show’s host, Colin Murray, and the lexicographer Susie Dent appealed for older contestants and more women. She added: “I have absolutely no regrets about applying and would encourage other women to give it a go.” “

What is wrong with women, that they have to be “encouraged” to do things that men do without any encouragement?

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Good news. Toby Young was nominated by Tory Party leader Kemi Badenoch, which may explain this statement from him:

“I look forward to working with the Leader of the Opposition on how to restore free speech to pride of place in our democracy and repair the damage Keir Starmer has done to this vital human right when she succeeds him as our next Prime Minister.”

If Starmer is succeded by another person at the next general election – as already seems likely – it will more likely be Nigel Farage (at the head of a Reform UK government) than Kemi Badenoch.

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Our thanks to Jeff for this. Aviva’s CEO Amanda Blanc infamously boasted that no senior white men could be hired without her personal approval, a matter we covered at the time. A tweet about it came to Elon Musk’s attention, he replied:

“People like Blanc are racists, plain & simple. Ironic name if there ever was one (laughing face emoji).”

How could Musk – or one of his people writing on his behalf – have missed the obvious point that Blanc is also SEXIST?

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Our thanks to Jeff for this.

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Enjoy.

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