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Come on, that was all about Labour trying to prevent the SNP's motion on Gaza.
In fact the government, not having a clue how to deal with the large pro-Palestinian demonstrations, has tried to encourage violence. This was seen when Home Secretary Suella Braverman tried her 'come and have a go if you're hard enough' to try to get Palestinian marchers to divert to the Cenotaph. The whole thing backfired when the gang of hoolies she summoned ended up fighting with the police at the Cenotaph.
1. Prior to the election I kept asking myself: are we witnessing the crisis of a political party (the Tories), or the crisis of a social system? Most commentators talk as though austerity and decline merely have been lifestyle choices of the Tories.
2. On the whole the people who want to see changes underestimate what will be necessary to make those changes. Many assume that those changes can take place within the existing social order. I felt that quite strongly during the Corbyn craze, but it also applies to ideas like the Johnson's 'levelling up agenda'.
3. We live in very strange times when politicians no longer promise to do anything. In fact they make a great virtue of out not promising to do anything.
4. Gaza. I can't remember an issue like this that has so compromised the ruling class, day after day
a. It has exposed the complete unity of Labour and the Tories in support of Israel, at a time when it appears that the majority are opposed to Israel's actions. b. There is no longer a safety valve (previously provided by the Labour left) within the major parties. In the past, when there was an apparent left in Labour, people could imagine that somehow that left was going to one day take over Labour and change its policies. That was one of the reasons why the left was tolerated in the Labour Party. c. Anti-semitism, Labour's weapon of choice against its internal enemies, is crumbling as a credible charge. The beauty of anti-semitism from Starmer's point of view was that you didn't have to get into discussions about Socialism or any aspect of policy, you could just purge without question. d. Humanitarian intervention has been the Western justification for war for decades. That cover has now been blown.
After his tirade against Starmer, Lansman arrives at the following conclusion:
'But Lansman also said that he did not think Corbyn should stand for parliament as an independent at the next election. He said he thought Corbyn would have more influence if he remained a Labour member. And Lansman said he would not campaign for Corbyn if he did run as an independent because he wanted Starmer to win the election.'
For the last couple of months I have been experimenting with using Santander bikes to make journeys through central London (not having ridden a bike for over 30 years). They are pretty convenient for certain journeys (as long as there is a bike docking station where you are going), and often quicker than public transport. The Santander bikes are a lot cheaper than Lime bikes.
One thing that is really good is that are certain roads that are fairly quiet, convenient for cyclists, but haven't been cordoned off as separate cycle paths. One is cycle route C27 (see link below) which goes through central London north of Oxford street (e.g. Weymouth Street). Most of the main roads like Edgware Road and Oxford Street have dedicated cycling crossing points, away from the main junctions e.g there is one on Edgware Road at Harrowby Street next to Rymans, which takes you into Tyburnia. Another part of the C27 takes you from Royal Oak to Shepherd's Bush (via Talbot Road and Blenheim Crescent). There isn't that much traffic on Talbot Road (one part is blocked off except for bikes, so it can't be a rat run). Talbot Road crosses over Portobello Road by the Rough Trade shop. You get a different view of London travelling this way.
One problem with Santander bikes is not being able to drop them off if the cycle docks are full. I cycled from near Paddington to Shepherd's Bush in April for the Preston game and planned to drop the bike off at Westfield Library Corner, but that was full. Fortunately there was a single space left at Westfield Ariel Way, otherwise I would have had to backtrack towards central London to find a space. Wood Lane is as far west as the scheme runs, so maybe more prone to getting full as people have to end their journey west there. The Santander app does tell you if there are no spaces left.
The other problem I have had is when it's windy: there seems to be a lot of grit in the air which can get in your eyes. I mentioned this to a mate who cycles a lot and he thought it might be pollen.
My perception of cyclists is that they are primarily a danger to themselves. Not that many have fluorescent jackets or patches, many don't have lights, so if it gets dark or overcast it's pretty hard to see them. Also, I saw a kid of about 10 or 11 on a Lime bike who completely misjudged the lights and went across a junction as the lights were changing. Fortunately the motorists waiting at the junction were keeping a wary eye on him and he didn't get run over.
If I may make an attempt to answer the question of Colback's high win percentage...
I think he is quite skilful and has a bit of nous. I noticed this early on in the season when we had a corner, and the ball came out to him, and he just pinged it out to the wing first time without having to take the ball down first. It was simple, but a lot of players can't do this. He also scored a couple of goals just by keeping his head over the ball and striking the ball cleanly. When Dozzell scored that goal against Middlesbrough it was Colback who instantaneously laid off the ball to Dozzell to set him up for the shot.
I was a bit more worried by all his yellow cards earlier in the season. Now I suspect he needs one every game to get himself going.
Come all you young fellers so brave and so fine And seek not your fortune way down in the mine It will form as a habit and seep in your soul Til the stream of your blood runs as black as the coal
Merle Travis, Dark as a Dungeon (1946)
The 1962 Journeymen version (featuring Scott McKenzie, later of Are you going to San Francisco fame):
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