A week is a long time in politics, and this week will be no different. Doom and despair are increasingly becoming the norm. And no, I am not talking about Radiohead’s songs like Exit Music, Pyramid Song, Climbing up the Walls, Let Down, and Videotape that depict despair felt by people with the impending doom round the corner.
UN Climate Talks known as COP30 will begin but with the absence of the three most important nations, US, China, and India. It’s become an annual summit for some to have a five-star jolly at taxpayers’ expenses. With some 50000 people involved, ironically, they will contribute significantly to the pollution.
Talking of pollution, the next great global phenomenon is AI. The AI Security Summit takes place in London on Wednesday, November 12. Ironically AI uses massive amounts of energy resulting in huge amounts of pollution.
It’s Anti-Bullying Week and the theme is "Power for Good". This will be wheeled out across the nation in all our schools. How Keir Starmer will be hoping that some of his backbenchers will stop bullying him. Interestingly World Kindness Day is on Thursday, November 13. The cabal across the world will exhibit fake empathy to garner votes and ensure their grip on power remains, at any cost. And in India, Children's Day falls on November 14. It’s observed nationally, but I often wonder why the children in our gaze are often never seen.
Remembrance Day on Tuesday, November 11, commemorates the end of World War I. Whilst we rightfully remember the fallen, let us be honest and remember the huge contribution of India and Indian soldiers. The poppy shows support for the fallen, can we ask all our politician to also wear a marigold which is the official flower of remembrance for Indian soldiers.
We now have billionaires who are heading to becoming trillionaires. I have no issue with people becoming rich, they are often the job creators that help to finance millions of homes across the globe. Some are very benevolent, whilst others use their wealth to undermine democracies, undermine elections, undermine peace, and undermine equity and justice. Let’s hope those who wish well for humanity outnumber those who exploit humanity.
Talking of billionaires, Musk and SpaceX has multiple Starlink missions scheduled for launch from Florida. This man reminds me of the king with the Midas touch. I often wonder, is he aided by aliens!
Talking of aliens, there is massive discussions on chat sites across the world discussing Comet 3I/ATLAS. There is increasing frenzy that it might actually be an interplanetary space vehicle. If so, I wonder who is visiting us on this vimāna?
The world plods along from one disaster to another. We will no doubt see further twists and turns in the Ukraine and Gaza plot lines. The whims of Trump are now legendary. Regardless of the white noise surrounding these two wars, in my view the outcome is already decided.
Get ready for smoke and mirrors in the forthcoming budget. Labour is already sending signals to dampen the impact of a largely negative budget.
Brace yourself for the next major fiscal event, the Autumn Budget on Wednesday, November 26, presented by the one and only Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The chancellor has destroyed the British economy in just one year. As calls for her to resign echo for her failures, she will have to face the significant fiscal shortfall and manage the cost-of-living crisis.
Reeves faces a substantial "fiscal black hole" estimated to be around £50 billion. Just a reminder, when Labour came to power, they blamed the Tories for a blackhole of £20 billion. Which means the chancellor has managed to add an extra £30 billion in just one year. Last budget she triumphantly declared that her policies would fix the economy. She promised not to increase income tax, National Insurance, or VAT for working people. Which means the only way to raise more money will have to be via "stealth" taxes (e.g. freezing tax thresholds), wealth taxes, and closing "loopholes". I should not be too surprised if she just raises income tax for some by as much as 2p. i.e. Better to take the heat now and hope voters forget the treachery by the next election.
The one area that looks easier to hit might be wealth and property taxes. But how many times can you hit the same people repeatedly to raise more money? If there is no disposable income left, can you really grow the economy?
The UK faces high inflation relative to other G7 nations. Somehow, she will have to deal with cost-of-living challenges, maybe by cutting VAT on certain products and services, like energy bills. Don’t be too surprised if she also introduces new taxes on electric vehicles.
Labour MPs have championed rights of illegal immigrants, and Brits are asking why they are being treated like second class citizens. There are now identifiable communities who consider living on benefits to be a lifestyle choice. Welfare is obviously out of control, and the chancellor will have to tackle it head on. People are asking why we are paying PIP payments to people who are essentially fit for work.
Labour wants to rid itself of Starmer and Reeves but are also mindful they need someone to blame when they lose badly at next year’s local elections. In the words of a song by Chumbawamba, ‘Drip Drip Drip’, can Labour survive the effect of their weekly disasters? Time will tell.
