This is Northumberland Calling 27.2.26
The No blasphemy law in Britain edition
Hello America (especially Central Ohio), this is Northumberland calling.
First the bad news – the Greens ran a horribly sectarian campaign, seeking to court a section of the electorate. This is not the Green Party of a few years ago. The Conservatives did terribly which was too bad as they ran a quality candidate. I suspect a lot of tactical voting went on. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/02/27/gorton-and-denton-by-election-results-labour-greens-reform/
This is Kemi Badenoch’s statement:
The independent observers observed intimidation of family members – whole families going into a polling booth aka ‘family voting’. This sort of behaviour was made illegal in 2023.And yes I know if you think the family voting is bad – look at what happens with postal voting. Labour has ignored this behaviour for years, but now, they are on the losing side. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/02/26/gorton-denton-by-election-family-voting-nigel-farage/ or https://archive.ph/zYz1o
Certain ‘protestors’ evaded police and defaced the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square. One can only hope that the CCTV reveals who did. Churchill statue defaced with ‘Zionist war criminal’ graffiti or archive Churchill statue defaced with ‘Zionist war criminal’ graffiti
The good news is that the Court of Appeal have dismissed the Quran burning case. The FSU continues to fight for the others charged with similar offences. The Court of Appeal has very clearly told them to think again. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/27/high-court-struck-back-at-islamification-of-britain/ or https://archive.ph/JMnx1
Other good news is that Wes Streeting has ordered the Adult Gender Clinics to participate in the data linkage research. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-02-26/hcws1369
Defence Minister Al Cairns gave an interesting interview. He has led a fascinating life. His mission is to try to increase defence spending. It is why he entered politics. He is a former SBS commander. He was a kid running around on an Aberdeen estate when he suddenly discover his calling – the military. https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/al-carns-sbs-officer-tom-newton-dunn-lksdf8933 or https://archive.ph/1gnNZ
This gives a history of drone warfare. It is astonishing that things have progressed so much in 4 years. Britain is very unprepared for this new sort of warfare. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/26/ukraine-fpv-drones-evolution-precision-killing-machines/ or https://archive.ph/5l6I9
Because I visited the Shaker village last year, I was interested to see this article about the life of Ann Lee. (Hint the remaining Shakers don’t care for it) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2026/02/26/shakers-testament-ann-lee-amanda-seyfried/ or https://archive.ph/IZkmY
The documentary Man on the Run about Paul McCartney after the Beatles is now out on Prime. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/paul-mccartney-man-on-the-run-review-wings/ or https://archive.ph/vvnPJ
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They have been filming a 6 part drama based on a Graham Norton novel Forever Home in the village and in Hexham. It is supposed to be a twisty thriller about a second wife who discovers a body in the basement. The village scuttlebutt is that the filming is boring to watch. https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/25811722.stars-descend-hexham-channel-5-drama-films-town/
Spring is hurrying on at pace. The bees are flying. It is a good snowdrop year as it has been a damp winter. The winter aconites are out as is the winter jasmine. All this means that the bees can find food.
The garden waste collection starts next Tuesday. In preparation we have acquired a second bin. Both bins are now full of garden waste waiting for collection. It beats going to the rubbish tip.
Paddy is enjoying the earlier sunrises.
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"Sectarian" voting is employed because it works. Remember that all elected offices are about power, not service. That quaint notion of service in elected office died when Normal Rockwell died. This is how we get the idiot candidates who stand for election during a general election in the US (think Tim Walz, Keith Ellison) - primary elections are ignored by the general population and those commited to sectarian notions rouse their fellow travelers to come out and vote. We thus have extremes standing in the general.
This is how you get midwits like Gavin Newsom winning in California, notwithstanding that he has turned San Francisco, then California, into literal burning shitholes. This reveals a grand truth about civilization: People generally aren't that smart.
I think that the phrase "trending laterally" fits present circumstances Over There.
Nothing intelligent to add. Be well.