Age of insecurity #133
A combination of Covid and the storm has changed things for people in the North East and other parts of the Country. Not that I would compare our minor troubles with those of people in conflict zones and climate change areas.
We should learn to count our blessings and be grateful for the fact that we eat every day, have somewhere to live, and have many of the consumer durables that just aren’t there for much of other world’s population.
Amble caught some storm damage, especially to roofs. No doubt all will be restored in the fullness of time.
Scenes of Christmas shopping filled the media recently. One considers what someone born a century ago would make of the world of Amazon, Twitter, smartphones and tablets. We’re told that there are 13 million people in G.B. who are left behind.
Energy is becoming ever more expensive. Check the cost of filling up the car. Of course, the oil companies are not profiteering or the gas and electricity companies, for that matter. Reality check in order here!
As I write this, Boris Johnson has hit a very bad patch. Credibility is the hallmark of any durable politician. The only way to achieve it is to tell the truth and nothing but the truth.
By the time this goes to print our political landscape may have changed. Funny old business, politics. Or is it really just a game played by people who want to be respected, admired, even loved? All the politicians I’ve met seemed to me to be honourable. Has Twitter age made that less likely?
Lockdowns have come and gone, with possibly more to appear over the horizon. Our NHS is at full stretch, and it has been for some time. One wonders about the long term future of a service free at the point of delivery. I have an appointment tomorrow, will it take place, or will it be cancelled?
There are signs of Green Shoots. The number of people in work is rising, even when those same workers do so from home. New cars are selling apace, only outstripped by the efforts of the second hand market.
We remain Two Nations: those who have houses that they own and those who don’t. The future will bring what it brings for individuals, communities, nations and empires.
A good leavening of Hope will help us all through.
Harry McQuillen
