July 12, 2019
by Liz
Comments Off on Brexit Betrayal
Nigel Farage is keen to promote a Brexit betrayal narrative. He claims people feel betrayed by parliament because they are obstructing the delivery of Brexit and denying the will of the people.
But the no deal Brexit he is now demanding is nothing like the Brexit he and other advocates for Leave tempted voters with in the run up to the 2016 referendum.
Continue Reading →June 17, 2019
by Liz
1 Comment
Anyone campaigning for People’s Vote or the Pro-EU parties in the recent elections is almost certain to have been called unpatriotic, lacking faith in Britain or in more extreme cases, a traitor.
Of course I disagree. I believe that attempting to stop Brexit or at least giving people a chance to decide if they still want it now the consequences are more apparent is the patriotic thing to do.
Continue Reading →June 13, 2019
by Liz
Comments Off on Democracy in the time of Brexit
Last week I went to an “Anti Trump” demo in my local town and stood in the rain for an hour listening to the heckling from “the other side”. Laughter erupted when one of the women opposite shouted: “Trump doesn’t hate women. He’s married to a woman.”
Continue Reading →June 1, 2019
by Liz
Comments Off on Better Writing
Every summer the running club of which I am a member organises and stages a series of off-road/multi-terrain races in and around the picturesque North Staffordshire countryside. Our Summer Series is extremely popular and known for its venues, friendliness and its welcome to all ages and abilities.
Continue Reading →May 25, 2019
by Liz
Comments Off on Brexit Stereotypes – a creation of and justification for Brexit?
In January Theresa May came to Stoke on Trent to make a speech in a bid to gain support for her Brexit deal. She was hustled in and whisked out and was probably back in London before most of us could catch the bus home.
“To the government and the media the only thing that defines us is Brexit.”
She didn’t stay to look around. She didn’t speak to any but a carefully selected few. She didn’t visit a food bank or meet people whose jobs are at risk or who can’t afford a home. She didn’t walk around the town and see for herself the potholes in the roads, the boarded up shops and the homeless people. Continue Reading →
June 30, 2017
by Liz
Comments Off on Sham BT Technical department continues to call
Last year I wrote about a conversation with scammers claiming to be BT Technical department. They haven’t given up and continue to provide amusement.
A few months ago our BT land line was practically unusable. It crackled so much conversation was almost impossible, rather defeating it own purpose. We called BT (the real BT) to report a problem. It took several attempts as the line was so bad the call centre agent couldn’t hear us. Continue Reading →
June 23, 2017
by Liz
Comments Off on Lies, damned lies and dereliction of public duty
A year after the EU referendum I am still dejected. I made my views clear before the vote and they have not changed. I have not heard one convincing argument to persuade me leaving the EU is the right choice and I will exercise my democratic right to continue arguing for remain. The entire handling of the referendum and its consequences has been nothing but lies, damned lies and dereliction of public duty by government and parliament. Continue Reading →
March 13, 2017
by Liz
Comments Off on Joining and leaving the Labour Party
I joined the labour party the day after the 2015 general election and resigned on 19th January 2017. Jeremy Corbyn’s stance on the Article 50 bill was the final straw but I had been feeling uncomfortable for months. Labour should have been a natural fit, the more so for some of Corbyn’s policies, but it wasn’t. What had gone wrong? Continue Reading →
August 31, 2016
by Liz
Comments Off on BT Internet Scam
I am on holiday from work this week. This morning the phone rang while I was lazing in bed reading the news and finishing a second cup of tea.
“This is BT Technical Department”, announced a distant voice in an accent that sounded Indian, “we are calling to tell you that due to problems with your computer you will be disconnected from the internet for three months”. Continue Reading →
May 22, 2016
by Liz
Comments Off on EU Referendum
In 1975 I voted for the first time. My first vote was to stay in the EEC. On 23rd June I shall vote to remain in the EU.
I feel European. I work for a large global corporation and in such an environment, being European, not British or English, matters. The people I work with are from all across the globe. Many I have not met, but I know their voices and have seen their photographs. We work together with trust and confidence just as we would if we were all in the same office. The cultural diversity, the different perspectives and variety of ideas makes working in a multi-national environment stimulating, educational and rewarding. I belong, I feel welcome, I feel part of a community. A global community. Continue Reading →
