This is Northumberland Calling 22.12.23

The what a difference a year makes edition

Hello America, (particularly Central Ohio), this is Northumberland calling

At the turn of the year, and days will become longer until the summer solstice. The news is winding down as  many in Britain are starting their Christmas hols early.  Basically many people go into a food coma between the start of Christmas and New Year’s. The day of the week loses all meaning. However some good things have happened this week. I refused to do a round up because things are still happening. But compared with this week last year, things have certainly changed.

Finally the consultation document on the transition of children in schools has been published. It did not go as far as some might wish (partly because the NHS said that there were not enough qualified doctors) but it did really strengthen parents’ hand and no one can be compelled to use another’s preferred pronouns.  Kemi Badenoch did well.

https://consult.education.gov.uk/equalities-political-impartiality-anti-bullying-team/gender-questioning-children-proposed-guidance/supporting_documents/Gender%20Questioning%20Children%20%20nonstatutory%20guidance.pdf

Not content with that, Badenoch also issued the updated guidance for people in leadership positions in the public sector, explaining their responsibilities and the fact that the Equality Act 2010 is not a Positive Action charter. Also that there is no hierarchy. All nine characteristics are protected equally.  This was issued in the wake of the growing antisemitism in England. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-sector-equality-duty-guidance-for-public-authorities/public-sector-equality-duty-guidance-for-public-authorities

And the Scottish Government decided not to throw good money after bad and appeal the S35 order. They are keeping self id on the table but won’t challenge the S35 order until there is a change in the Westminster Government. Massive eyeroll  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/12/20/shona-robison-refuse-apologise-nicola-sturgeon-self-id-law/ or https://archive.is/js42k

However, all this has led to the predictable demonization of Badenoch. For example the department did not bother to feature Badenoch as a role model (even though she leads the department) in an advert for Black History Month (happens in October in the UK). Several Labour MPs were featured as well as various activists in the magazine. It could be that her politics don’t align with the proscribed view. Some have even tried to describe her as extreme Right Wing. There again I suppose centralist policies can look that way if the person is on the extreme left.  Strategic Essentialists have a hard time believing that people are capable of independent thought. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/12/21/badenoch-civil-servants-celebrate-diversity-in-advert/ or https://archive.is/uilyZ

Justice was done when two teens were convicted of murdering the trans-identifying teen Brianna Ghey in a particularly horrific manner.  They will be sentenced at the beginning of February and there can be only one sentence – life. But the depravity and callousness was something else. Girl X befriended Ghey before deciding to murder her. Both teens thought they would not be caught as the police were useless. They were wrong. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/12/21/brianna-ghey-two-bright-children-moved-to-murder/ or https://archive.is/PUeyJ

There is to be a BBC documentary on King Charles III and his coronation year, debuting on Boxing Day and one of the things revealed was that the Royal Family persuaded the late Queen to put herself first for once and to spend her last days at Balmoral. Balmoral occupies a special place at the heart of the family as they are able to go up and be themselves. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/12/22/royal-family-persuaded-queen-elizabeth-balmoral-coronation/ or https://archive.is/65Zjk

Curlews will be safer in Northumberland as the RSPB in the guise of Curlew LIFE has installed bird diverters on a remote farm in an effort to keep curlews and black grouse from being harmed by electric wires.  NB – I have done curlew counting with Curlew LIFE but this is not the farm I visit. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-67726959 

And Paddy scored a proper spaniel whistle as an early Christmas present after having the fastest bottom on the ground at gun dog class. It is 210.5 (or the correct frequency for a spaniel). Labs are 211.5 and pointers 212.5. Apparently the pitch matters. The manufacturer is Acme – my internal thought — Wiley Coyote eat your heart out. Paddy’s ears perked up at the sound and he actually seems to be listening. Progress.

Wishing everyone a peaceful holiday.