Goodbye Mac … Part 1

2nd May 2023

After over 15 years of using Apple Mac’s as my primary home computer (supported by various Apple iPads’s) my most recent iMac gave up the ghost last week, and just refused to connect to the internet anymore, where by WI-FI or Ethernet.

After 6 years of use, it has served me well, and was still more than meeting my needs, but I did expect and was hoping that I would get another year or two out of it.

I am pretty sure it cannot be repaired, although I am sure that there would be someone, somewhere that could repair it.

Having a regular backup schedule meant that my data was safe, and this episode was more of an inconvenience than a disaster.

TOP TIP : DO YOUR BACKUPS

But sometimes, things happen for a reason, and, for me, this provides an opportunity to change my approach to home computing.

I have closely followed discussion in computing Community’s, especially various Apple Community’s for a while, on whether Tablets can become laptop or desktop replacements. 

And of course the answer is, it depends on what you want to do.

As a regular user and big fan of iPads, I am pretty certain a high spec iPad would do the job for me.

In the next Blog I will document the thought process and result.

Thanks for reading.

Graham

Twitter : @apple_shwn

Please add any comments to my Twitter post at @apple_shwn

I Believe

13th February 2023

It’s all too easy in life to criticise other people, to criticise other people’s words and ideas, to destroy. 

Or perhaps in today’s terminology to cancel.

And it’s often done without providing alternatives.

So, let’s draw a line in the sand.

This is what I believe.

I believe

… in a Country where people have equal opportunities and achievement is gained on merit and hard work, not quotas and the ‘old boy’ network

… in a compassionate but fair Country, where people live with a sense of responsibility rather than entitlement

… in the importance of work. People working must be the expected, the default, NOT an option. Key to this is an attitude of hard work (rather than entitlement), education and aspiration. People can have all the opportunities possible in front of them, but they will not be achieved if people are not willing to put the effort in and aspire to a better future. Work matters. Work can provide a sense of dignity, a sense of purpose, a routine, a framework for development, professional & social opportunities, achievement points, a sense of responsibility, and contribution to a better Country. The principle MUST be that those who can work MUST work and those who choose not to work when they are able should lose benefits

… that the time for Working From Home (WFH) has now passed, and that ALL public sector workers who are still WFH MUST now return to their usual workplaces. This includes GP’s and other members of the NHS and all other Public Sectors. I have blogged about WFH so will not repeat that argument in this blog. By the way, the argument also stands for the Private Sector. It’s time for everyone to get back to their office and stop this WFH nonsense

… a far greater emphasis and encouragement must be made for work place apprenticeships, leaning while earning.  There has been far too much emphasis in raising the number of people going to University. And for some people and some jobs University and a degree is the right option. But not for all.I suggest that aiming for approx 20% of school leavers going onto University would seem about right, with the rest taking other routes into work after school

… in a low and lower tax system, both commercial and private, and a tax system that encourages aspiration and entrepreneurship

… in a smaller but better targeted welfare state, that provides a a time limited safety net for those who need it, but encourages people to take responsibility for their own outcomes

… in a Country where we love our older generation, respect the contribution they have already made, and value their experience and the contribution they can still make. A Country that treats its older generation with dignity, and an old age pension that provides a decent level of income (pension) for them

… that people can CALL themselves whatever they want, but that doesn’t mean they inherit the rights of whatever or whoever they call themselves. I called myself a BILLIONAIRE for 2 weeks. It didn’t make me one !

… in law & order and a strong but fair Policing & Judicial System. I have blogged about this previously and provide a link to that here rather than repeat it. I believe its time to have a full and frank national debate about the Death Penalty, followed by a UK wide referendum

… in a small / smaller Government, and that Government should, on the whole, stay out of people’s lives

… in a small / smaller Public Sector, with an emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness, and a laser like focus on delivery and achievement. A Public Sector with a smaller number of staff of extraordinary ability who are accountable for their performance and actions. A Public Sector that understands its role to undertake the work they are assigned, to the best of their ability, where personal political views are not part of the workplace or the discharging of assigned activities

… in a NHS that always remains free at the point of use & need, but is supplemented by private providers as and when required or desired. The NHS must challenged and reformed to provide the best medical provision in the world. Better medicines, better treatments, better equipment, better infrastructure & better people with better training. Our Country & our people deserve it. We must no longer hold the NHS on a pedestal. 

… in strong defence, where our Country can defend our people, assets and principles  anywhere in the world, working with international partners and allies as appropriate, but strong enough to act on our own when required

… in BREXIT. And the fight for Brexit is not over, will never be over, because many Remainers, remain supporting Political Party’s and the left wing Main Stream Media will never accept Brexit, will never accept democracy and will continue to try to overturn it 

… in the Country that is kind and compassionate to those in need, genuine asylum seekers,  who come to this Country fleeing war, persecution or natural disaster. But the UK is not here to solve the problems of the whole world, we can’t and shouldn’t even try. We must do our bit (and no more), in co-operation with other nations, and within the bounds of resources and common sense    

… in the strong and complete sovereignty of the Country, where our laws, our people, our resources, our money and our borders are controlled by us, and managed by the democratic framework that we have in this country. ANYONE coming to our Country illegally must be returned to their Country of origin or another safe Country IMMEDIATELY. No exceptions. Protecting our Borders is of utmost importance

… it’s time for massive reform of our political establishment, which is clearly dysfunctional and doesn’t support the people of the Country. Top of the list for reform or even removal must be the House of Lords

… in being proud of our Country, and our people & Culture. Does that mean being proud of EVERYTHING. No, but it means accepting the the UK is a remarkable place, with remarkable people, a remarkable culture and history.

… the UK is a great Country, the greatest in the world

… it’s time we ask not what our Country can do for us, but what we can do for our Country (with thanks to JFK) 

There are many other things I believe, this is the start ! 

Who AM I ?  

I am Male.

I am White.

I am Welsh.

I am British.

I am a Conservative.

My name is Graham.

These things I believe.

Thanks for reading.

Graham

Twitter : @apple_shwn

Please add any comments to my Twitter post at @apple_shwn

James Bond - 6 Actors / 6 Films

5th February 2023

So, very rarely a day goes by without seeing a James Bond film on TV. 

For James Bond fans, this is just how we like it.

The most recent Bond film, No Time To Die, has now had its Network Premiere, although by that point I am sure that most people that have wanted to watch it have already done so at the Cinema or on digital download

I am a big fan of James Bond, the books and the films.

For me, one of the most fascinating aspects of the Bond franchise has been how the character and style has developed as different actors have played Bond.

And its always interesting to see which of the Bond actors and Bond films people like.

Just for fun, if I had to select my favourite film by EACH of the 6 James Bond actors (to date) and rank them, the list would be as follows :-

6. Goldeneye - Pierce Brosnan

5. The Living Daylights - Timothy Dalton

4. OHMSS - George Lazenby

3. Live and Let Die - Roger Moore

2. Goldfinger - Sean Connery

1. No Time To Die - Daniel Craig

I wonder what your selection would be ?

Remember though, this is just for FUN !

Thanks for reading.

Graham

Twitter : @apple_shwn

Please add any comments to my Twitter post at @apple_shwn

Government Priority 2 - Brexit

31st January 2023

As always, there are a huge range of issues that the Government need to address as we move towards the next General Election. 

Some of these will be addressed as part of other Blogs.

However, I believe that there will be 2 KEY PRIORITIES for the Government going into the next General Election. And if the Government can make significant progress on these Priorities then the electorate may well consider supporting the current Government for a further term in power.

This Blog focuses on the 2nd of the Key Priorities.

BREXIT

The United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, commonly referred to as the EU referendum or the Brexit referendum, took place on 23 June 2016 in the United Kingdom (UK) and Gibraltar. 

It asked the the electorate whether the country should remain a member of, or leave, the European Union (EU). 

The result of the referendum was as follows :

The UK formally left the EU at 11pm on 31st January 2020.

Defending BREXIT

The decision has been made.

The problem is the decision has not been accepted by many of the people who voted Remain, and it’s these Remainders that have continued to undermine the decision, continued to undermine democracy, and continue to disrespect the electorate.

A better name for this group of people, perhaps, is Remoaners.

Chief among  these Remoaners is of course Sir Keir Starmer the current Leader of the Labour Party, who now claims that he accepts Brexit and in government would try to make Brexit work. This position just doesn’t make sense.

It mustn’t be forgotten that Starmer was the architect of Labour’s Brexit Policy going into the 2019 General Election, a Policy that supported a 2nd Referendum, essentially an attempt to overturn the decision. During this time Labour continually attempted to thwart Brexit legislation in the House of Lords & House of Commons.

This is a deep seated belief in Starmer and runs deep within Labour.

Those of us who accept democracy need to remember this and actively fight the next General Election with supporting & delivering the benefits of Brexit as a Key Policy. 

We must close down any opportunity of the anti democracy of Starmer & Labour ever getting the keys of N0 10.

BUILDING ON BREXIT

On this, the 3rd Anniversary of leaving the EU, it’s time to focus on Brexit.

Northern Ireland (NI)

During negotiations the EU and UK agreed a Northern Ireland Protocol and that there would be no new checks on goods crossing the border between NI and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). 

The protocol aims to:

• avoid a hard border between NI and the ROI
• make sure of the integrity of the EU’s single market for goods
• facilitate unfettered access for NI goods to the GB market, and the inclusion of NI goods in free trade agreements between the UK and third countries

As a result of the protocol, NI has in effect remained in the EU's single market for goods (England, Scotland and Wales have left the EU's single market for goods).

However, it is clear that the NI Protocol has its problems. 

The Government has set out the issues and proposals for solutions here - 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/northern-ireland-protocol-the-uks-solution

Urgent work is required to read a mutually beneficial agreement.

Removal of Retained EU Law

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill is currently going through Parliament at the moment. The Proposal is that Retained EU Law should be reviewed, amended or removed by December 2023.

Of course, opponents of Brexit, who are actually opponents of democracy, will fight this activity and Bill every step of the way.

An Impact Analysis of the Removal of Retained EU Law has been published by the Government.

Click here - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1121410/retained-eu-law-revocation-reform-bill-2022-impact-assessment.pdf

A Government Dashboard will be available to see progress.

Click here - 

https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/governmentreporting/viz/UKGovernment-RetainedEULawDashboard/Guidance

ECHR

Although the ECHR is not strictly relating to the EU, the UK currently remains part of the ECHR for several international treaties.

A huge pillar of Brexit was and remains ‘taking back control’ and for those that voted for or support Brexit, it is essential that UK Laws should never be overruled by Laws from elsewhere. UK Law must have precedence.

Whether the UK removes itself from the ECHR and/or embeds legislation we require into UK Law is a matter for Parliament and the Lawyers. 

But Legal supremacy within the UK must lie within the UK.

Further information on ECHR is available here - 

https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/questions_answers_eng.pdf

UK Bill of Rights

Taking back control must also include establishing a UK Bill of Rights, and repealing the Human Rights Act (1998).

Far better discussions that I could make have already been made on this, and I provide a link to one of many below.

https://ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/the-bill-of-rights-bill/

The Benefits of Brexit

The Government has set out various documents about the benefits of Brexit, and how the UK is and will realise the benefits.

One such document is here :

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-benefits-of-brexit

Make no mistake, many Remainers will never accept Brexit, will never accept democracy.

Democracy must be defended and respected, otherwise there is no democracy.

And the next General Election must again be about Brexit. 

Thanks for reading.

Graham

Twitter : @apple_shwn

Please add any comments to my Twitter post at @apple_shwn

Government Priority 1 - Protecting UK Borders

29th January 2023

As always, there are a huge range of issues that the Government need to address.

 

Some of these will be addressed as part of other Blogs.

 

However, I believe that there will be 2 KEY PRIORITIES for the Government going into the next General Election. And if the Government can make significant progress on these Priorities then the electorate may well consider supporting the current Government for a further term in power.

 

This Blog focuses on the 1st of the Key Priorities.

 

Protecting  UK Borders

 

Stopping illegal immigration & controlling our borders will be a KEY PRIORITY at next General Election.

WHY ?

We know the cost of allowing tens of thousands illegal immigrants into the UK each year. 

• the current policy of housing illegal immigrants in the UK, whether in initial assessment centres, hotels and privately rented accommodation dispersed around the UK runs to billions of pounds per year
• the impact  of additional people coming to the UK in an unplanned and uncontrolled manner is immense. It leads to huge additional demand on local services like the Housing, NHS and Education
• mass migration changes the host country. Tens of thousands of people each year with different cultures, different languages, different behavioural norms, different religions, different attitudes to the law, different attitudes to the people of the UK, in particular women & children, will surely change the culture of a country. Not always for the better.
• the predominant method that illegal immigrants journey to the UK at the moment is via dinghy’s across the Channel, which can be extremely dangerous. Indeed, many have already died making the trip. And many more will die unless illegal immigration is stopped
• a sovereign country MUST be able to decide who has a right to come here and who doesn’t

So, we have to stop illegal immigration.

Here are some of the critical aspects of doing this.

 

Legislation

 

As a matter of urgency, the UK needs to ensure that UK law and its Courts have primacy, by

• fully implementing the provisions in the Nationality & Borders Bill
• withdrawing from the ECHR
• exit the 1951 Refugee Convention 
• repealing the Human Rights Act 1998
• development & implementation of the UK Bill of Rights
• writing, re-writing or removing UK laws as required

 

A nation must be free to define its own objectives and policies and be able to implement its own laws and processes to achieve them, without the prospect of being overridden by others. 

This must NEVER be allowed to happen again.

 

THE UK MUST TAKE BACK CONTROL

 

 

Definitions

 

 

Part of the legal framework to deal with ‘Asylum Seekers’, ‘Refugees’, ‘Legal Economic Migrants’  and ‘Illegal Economic Migrants’ is to have clear, unambiguous, well understood and well communicated definitions of these terms, and the laws & processes to enable their control.

 

It seems very obvious to me that many people, such as the Main Stream Media, Politicians, Human Rights Charity’s, Human Rights Lawyers and other groups with vested interests, mix up the definitions of these groups of people, and often use the terms interchangeably. 

Some I am sure do this because they simply don’t get the difference, while others choose to do this to confuse and mislead for their own purposes.

Some openly want open borders, and are happy for the whole world to be able to turn up on UK shores. 

Yet, when questioned, and I have questioned many, after some evasion they ALWAYS finally admit to locking the front door of the homes. Feeling the need to protect their borders, but wanting open borders for the country. 

 

Another critical part of the legal framework should be the clear and agreed definition of a ‘SAFE Country’ and which Country’s should be considered SAFE.

And this definition should extend to both Country or Origin AND final Country of Departure before arriving in the UK.

This can be done very quickly.

 

TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WE MUST BE VERY CLEAR WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

 

 

Reducing the DRAW FACTORS for Illegal Economic Migrants

 

Clearly, the most urgent need at present is the management and control of Illegal Economic Migrants.

 

These are the 1000’s that cross the channel each week, leaving the safety of France to make a perilous journey on often unseaworthy dinghy’s, and pay people traffickers thousands of pounds to enable this. They are predominantly young men, with no Identification papers, we just don’t know who they are. Sometimes we know where they have come from, mostly we don’t.

 

Why do they come to the UK ?

• the UK legal framework is just not suitable anymore to dealing with this situation
• Illegal Economic Migrants are now big business. Many charities and legal company’s gain huge amounts of work, and therefore revenue, from this business. The migrants have a lot of help to remain in the UK
• the belief has grown amongst these migrants that once they arrive in the UK there is little or no chance of them ever being removed.
• we look after them well, they are now being housed in expensive and luxurious hotels, at taxpayer expense, and other accommodation is being considered, like empty holiday camps, cruise ships etc. 
• usually they are not held under detention conditions, they are usually free to come and go as they wish
• they receive free accommodation 
• free & readily available healthcare 
• free money
• food
• free legal advice and support

 

One of the most important factors is that once here, it is extremely difficult to remove Illegal Economic Migrants, and they know it.

 

Removals including implementation of the RWANDA proposal would act as a severe deterrent and would certainly reduce the draw to the UK. 

 

So again, Why do they come to the UK ? 

The answer is simple. Why wouldn’t they ?

 

It is critical then that the draw factors need to be fully identified and removed, this can be done easily

 

THE UK MUST BE LESS ATTRACTIVE TO ILLEGAL ECONOMIC MIGRANTS

 

 

People Trafficking Gangs

 

People Trafficking is one of the biggest businesses in the world.

It’s also illegal.

Their business model MUST be destroyed.

The UK working with International Partners must identify People Trafficking gangs and remove them. Trafficking gangs and gang masters must be prosecuted and given  lengthy prison sentences.

This will need to be near the point of departure to the UK (usually France) but also closer to the Country’s of origin for these migrants, and all points in between.

To do this, we will need to work closely with other international partners, both strategically and operationally.

International Partnerships

 

The majority of Illegal Economic Migrants arriving into the UK have done so after leaving FRANCE in a dinghy.

France is a SAFE country, they have usually travelled through many SAFE country’s to get to France.

 

It must be a clearly accepted principle that anyone leaving a SAFE country to come to the UK illegally and without documentation HAS NO RIGHT TO BE HERE AND CAN BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY.

The UK must develop and extend International partnership with these country’s to solve this problem.

 

RWANDA & Other Country’s

 

The agreement with RWANDA to process Asylum applications is innovative and legal. 

BUT, it will act as a deterrent ONLY ONCE IT IS IMPLEMENTED AND REMOVALS ARE TAKING PLACE. We need to get this operational ASAP.

 

The RWANDA principle must be extended, with agreements with other Country’s established. This will take time, but can be done.

 

Removals

 

Protecting UK borders must include removal of those people with no right to remain in the UK.

 

Those already here :

 

A quick win would be the immediate removal of 

• ANYONE with failed Asylum Seeker Status
• ANYONE that arrived in the UK, illegally and/or without documentation from or having travelled through ANY country designated as a ‘SAFE COUNTRY’
• ALL Foreign National Criminals at the point of sentencing, on release from prison, or those in the community
• ALL Foreign Nationals on the UK terror watch lists

This can be done very quickly.

 

 

New Arrivals :

 

Bold and tough targets need to be established and managed for the removal of those with no right to remain in the UK.

One of the major problems is that once those with no no right to remain in the UK actually step foot on UK soil, it seems to become extremely difficult to ever remove them.

To protect our borders and people, the UK must establish and operate a returns framework that swiftly returns these arrivals to the country of their origin (when known), to the last safe country they passed through (usually France) or to some 3rd party country with a partnership agreement to process and/or house people for offshore processing, WITHOUT THEM SETTING FOOT ON UK SOIL.

This must be a vital operating process in protecting our borders, and must be the aim for the UK,

Until this process is operational, which is a matter of urgency, then it may be necessary to process the arrivals in the UK. 

New Arrivals should be held in detention centres under detention conditions whilst their assessment takes place, and removed at the earliest opportunity. 

No hotels, no cruise ships, no holiday parks, no housing in local community’s, no dispersal around the UK.

Biometric testing & recording and age verification must be undertaken.

Every effort should be made to establish their country of origin, or it should be assigned as the last safe country they passed through. Anyone identified as a foreign national criminal at this point should be immediately deported.

Removals should then take place to these locations to or a 3rd party partnership country for off shore processing.

Those identified for removal must have no further opportunity for appealing the decision.

Personally, I see no reason that decisions couldn’t be made and removals implemented within 2 weeks of arrival. Maybe even less than 1 week is possible.

 

Border Patrol & Home Offince Staffing

 

Delivering ANY government Policy depends on having Civil Servants who understand that their job is to operationally DELIVER the actions required meet the Policy, to do the tasks assigned to them, and to do it to the best of their ability.

Their role is NOT to define or make Policy, and NOT to undermine it or the Government. Some Civil Servants totally forget this !

Civil Servants must be held accountable for the tasks they are assigned, and given targets that are far more in line with private sector expectations.

More training may be required, more staff may be required, and, some staff may need to be removed.

Conclusion

There is no silver bullet to solving the problem of illegal immigration.

This Blog identifies some of the things that need to happen. 

Undoubtedly there are more.

Each one will contribute to solving the problem. But it will not solve the problem on its own.

A sovereign country MUST be able to protect its Borders. 

The UK must be able to choose who comes to the UK and who doesn’t.

Protecting UK borders is a difficult subject, but it’s important and we must talk about it. 

 

But we must do more than talk.

 

WE MUST DO IT NOW!

Thanks for reading.

Graham

Twitter : @apple_shwn

Please add any comments to my Twitter post at @apple_shwn