This is Northumberland Calling 27.10.23
Searching for the glimmers of hope...
Hello America! This is Northumberland calling.
Late breaking news – Reputed Hamas apologist and self-confessed user of sex enhancing poppers Conservative MP Crispin Blunt has been arrested on suspicion of rape. Blunt is one of the very few pro-Palestinian Conversative MPs and he thought he get self-id in through backdoor lobbying. After coming out as gay in 2012, the former Army officer and former Justice minister has been tireless in his support of all manner of social justice causes... https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/10/26/prominent-conservative-mp-arrested-suspicion-of-rape/ or https://archive.is/fTBLW
This week saw Baroness Falkner, the head of the EHRC who was ‘investigated’ after she overruled staff regarding the need for sex to be defined as biological cleared on all counts. Funny that. As the Times of London leader pointed out – bullying can come from below. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/human-rights-chief-cleared-after-trans-rights-row-tjs2f8vrs or https://archive.ph/jbWEb
The FCA is now investigating NatWest with regards to its behaviour towards Nigel Farage after the ‘independent’ law firm indicated that there were some failures but on balance it was a commercial decision. Farage released the latest tranche of emails he obtained through a Data Subject Access Request. When will people start realizing that bad mouthing and other unprofessional behaviour on What’s App and company email may lead to embarrassment or even fines for the company? Of course though the employee may have believed they were on the ‘Right Side of History’ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/10/27/fca-city-watchdog-review-natwest-nigel-farage-debanking/ or https://archive.ph/jzccv
Cambridge Library clearly believes it is on the Right Side of History as it has a commission looking for ‘problematic’ books in its collection as a part of a ‘decolonialisation drive’. Troubling as they are a British Repository library and making lists tends to lead to some sort of culling or blacklist. A Cambridge librarian stated that they did not blacklist or censor books unless they were illegal. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/10/21/university-of-cambridge-national-library-book-blacklist/ or https://archive.ph/jWqBg
There was a very good piece about antisemitism in the Critic and how people have often turned a blind eye. https://thecritic.co.uk/dear-eddy/
The fallout from the pro-Palestinian march in London last week continued to be felt. Kemi Badenoch did a great turn at the dispatch box as women and equalities minister on the subject and how she will be writing to all public institutions reminding them of their duty. The portion of the speech she put on twitter showed her on cracking form.
https://twitter.com/KemiBadenoch/status/1717236624390508652
There are now over 64,000 people who have signed the October Declaration indicating that they stand with British Jews including 2 cabinet ministers and Sir Tim Rice. Rishi Sunak indicated that he stood with the sentiments but did not consider it appropriate for the Prime Minister to sign.
https://britishfriendsofisrael.org/
if you have not read the declaration and wish to sign.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/10/26/gove-signs-october-declaration-supporting-british-jews/ or https://archive.ph/CwLAX
I discovered the ‘Whispered in Gaza’ project this week. I highly recommend the videos, particularly the one of the former Arabic folk dancer. Hamas has banned singing and dancing as well as walking the dog. The erosion of women’s rights under their totalitarian rule is astonishing. The monograph which accompanies the series is hugely interesting. https://www.peacecomms.org/gaza
My editor got back to me re my latest Viking yesterday evening. She wants some clarity on the backstory and a few other things which are very doable. My hope is to have that done by next week. Sometimes I think people just need to escape into books and I always think historical romance provides a good escape.
Re: NatWest Affair ... From the archived Telegraph article (thanks for including these!)
"The review argued the decision to close Mr Farage’s account was largely for commercial reasons and suggested comments made by Dame Alison Rose, the former chief executive of NatWest, to a BBC journalist about the affair amounted to an 'honest mistake'".
Well its seems you Brits have your own swamp and the swamp creatures - Travers Smith, etc. - quickly gather round to protect their own. An "honest mistake" my backside. Here's hoping the FCA inflicts some punishment on these toadies, though the recent share price cliff drop will definitely hurt some.
Hello Northumberland! This is Central Ohio calling. Calling on a black, rainy day. What was supposed to be the last beautiful day of Indian Summer. Ah well...
I'm very heartened to see that the Baroness was cleared, as should have happened. But I hafta agree with Nigel Farage that the so-called investigation by the law firm into the banks actions appears to be a whitewash. But very glad the FCA will do further investigation. Glimmers of hope, as You "said."
I'm sorry to hear about the Cambridge libraries. I agree it sounds '“sinister, Orwellian and alarming” and said the books were being “blacklisted”.'
As You say, Kemi on cracking form. TY.
The "Whispered in Gaza" was interesting, tho I didn't get into it sufficiently.
Nice to see Your bounty, and especially pleased to hear about the results from Your editor. I'm glad it will come together so quickly. I agree with escapist fiction in principle, as well as in actual practice. I put Terry Pratchett in that category, and have been enjoying in a lot in the most recent two books I've been reading.
Once again, can't thank You enough for Your efforts. I haven't been following the news as much lately, and always find Your articles enlightening. TY muchly.