Knife Crime

 28th September 2023

Knife crime is rampant in the UK.

It’s out of control.

It has been for years.

And it’s getting worse.

Yesterday, saw the latest needless and devastating death by knife, on the streets of Croydon.

A 15 year old girl, on her way to school, stabbed to death by a 17 year old male, who is now in custody. Witnesses described a large ‘sword like’ knife or a machete.

A MACHETE !!!

Why the hell is a 17 year old male, carrying a machete ?

There can only be 2 reasons. Defence or Attack.

SORRY, THAT’S WRONG, THERE ARE NO REASONS.

Only excuses.

And this is not just a ‘London problem’.

It’s in the villages, town and city’s right across the UK.

It’s in the streets near you.

It may have already come to your street.

If it hasn’t yet, IT WILL.

Unless we turn the tide, unless we tilt the balance.

NOW.

So what do we do ?

Let’s consider :

• DETERRENTS :
• POLICE : Criminals feel confident to commit crime because they feel there is little or no chance of them ‘running into’ a police officer in advance of or during the criminal act. This is not just knife crime, it’s mugging, burglary, assaults including sexual assaults, guns crime and other types of crime including murder. WE MUST TILT THE BALANCE BACK IN FAVOUR OF LAW AND ORDER AND GET MASSIVELY MORE POLICE NUMBERS ON THE STREETS, RETURN TO COMMUNITY POLICING, TO A POINT WHERE PEOPLE ALMOST ALWAYS SEE A POLICE OFFICER WHEN THEY ARE OUT AND ABOUT, RATHER THAN ALMOST NEVER.
• STOP & SEARCH : Stop & Search has been a hot potato over the years. I believe that it has not always been used fairly and effectively. We must put aside cultural concerns, demographics, concerns of bias etc Getting knives, guns or other weapons off the street saves lives. Simple. WE MUST TILT THE BALANCE BACK IN FAVOUR OF LAW AND ORDER AND GET TO THE POINT WHERE PEOPLE OUT AND ABOUT EXPECT TO BE STOPPED AND SEARCHED. IN FACT WAY PAST THAT, WHERE PEOPLE WELCOME IT. WE MUST IMPLEMENT MASS STOP AND SEARCH. IT WILL GET WEAPONS AND CRIMINALS OFF THE STREET.
• ZERO TOLERANCE : Too many crimes are not investigated, or not investigated fully and to a conclusion. Probably because of lack of resource, changing priorities and flavour of the week policing. WE MUST TILT THE BALANCE BACK IN FAVOUR OF LAW AND ORDER AND INVESTIGATE EVERY CRIME , WHETHER SO CALLED LOW LEVEL OR HIGH LEVEL, TO A CONCLUSION. AND WHERE EVIDENCE SUPPORTS LIKELIHOOD OF PROSECUTION, THAT MUST BE PURSUED. FOR EVERY SINGLE CRIME !.
• ONE STRIKE : These crimes are serious, and often result in life changing physical and mental injury, and death.They must always be treated that way. It’s clear that a large number of crimes are committed by a small number of people. Even IF they are detected they are often not prosecuted. When they are, they are not learning a lesson, they do not change their ways. They do not fear the judicial system. WE MUST TILT THE BALANCE BACK IN FAVOUR OF LAW AND ORDER AND IMPLEMENT A ONE STRIKE AND YOU ARE OUT APPROACH. PROSECUTE FIRST CRIMES, PROSECUTE SUBSEQUENT CRIMES. TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW.
• SENTENCING : Criminals no longer fear the law, they don’t fear being caught, they don’t fear prison. They don’t fear their sentences. We have become too liberal, too lenient. It time to change that. WE MUST TILT THE BALANCE BACK IN FAVOUR OF LAW AND ORDER AND BRING BACK FEAR. WE MUST INCREASE SENTENCES FOR CARRYING WEAPONS (GUNS, KNIVES etc), INTIMIDATION WITH WEAPONS, AND USE OF WEAPONS.  THE EXACT LENGTH OF SENTENCES CAN BE DISCUSSED, BUT WE COULD AGREE AND IMPLEMENT A STRONGER APPROACH. MAYBE 25 YEARS WITHOUT PAROLE FOR CARRYING A WEAPON, LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR KILLING.

• SUPPLY OF WEAPONS : We can never STOP the availability &  supply of weapons, And bad people that want weapons will always be able to get them. But, we must try harder to stop their availability. WE MUST TILT THE BALANCE BACK IN FAVOUR OF LAW AND ORDER AND IMPLEMENT THE LAWS AND POLICING NEEDED TO REDUCE AVAILABILITY OF WEAPONS. STOPPING IN PERSON PURCHASE, IMPORTS, ON LINE PURCHASING, AND BANNING SPECIFIC AND MORE GENERAL WEAPONS.
• UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES : It’s difficult to solve problems without fully understanding the causes. In trying to understand the cause of these crimes and attitudes, EVERYTHING must be discussed, everything must be on the table. Without making any judgement here, we must consider at least Policing priorities, Policing numbers, the Judicial System, Prisons (Yes, lets build more prisons if we need them), gangs, drugs, alcohol, supply of weapons, lack of respect for the law,  parental responsibility, absent dads, family breakdowns, strong male role models, community support, social services, stop & search, lack of discipline, Social Media, the list goes on. WE MUST TILT THE BALANCE BACK IN FAVOUR OF LAW AND ORDER AND DO THE HARD YARDS TO UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES, TO THEN DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTIONS  WE NEED TO STOP THESE CRIMES.

With the most recent case being in London, the London Mayor would do well to clear his desk, stop talking about ULEZ, HS2 and other PR opportunities and start dealing with this in HIS city. TODAY.

TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ACT !!!

TIME FOR THE PUBLIC TO DEMAND ACTION !!!

What do YOU think we should do ?

Thanks for reading.

Graham

Twitter : @apple_shwn

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What’s Next for Boris ?

 10th June 2023

So, Boris stepped down as a Conservative MP yesterday. 

It was a shock. A massive shock.

The Left Wing blob and the main stream media media we determined to get their man. 

Not content with forcing out of his job as Prime Minister, they could not even have in as an MP, such was their fear of his popularity.

A man that gained a massive 80 seat majority in 2019, that turned seats that had been Labour for decades to Conservative. 

A man that promised to GET BREXIT DONE and he did.

A man with a massive mandate from the UK voters.

And it was his electoral popularity that scared them so much, and a need to punish him for Brexit. And make no mistake, the next General Election will be about saving Brexit and stopping the boats.

There is no reason to go into the detail here of the coup to remove Boris. That’s all been documented elsewhere. There are many tweets about this on my twitter profile.

However, the note that Boris issued on standing down as an MP is important to include below.

Looking forward, the telling phrase for me is ‘It is very sad to be leaving parliament - at least for now - …’

And we should remember that his political hero Winston Churchill returned to the role of Prime Minister for the period 1951-55, after leading the UK through the war as Prime Minister between 1940-45.

Winston did it, so can Boris.

So, What’s Next for Boris ?

There are countless opportunities open to Boris now, below are some options, you will have other ideas, and as we know Boris very often surprised us.

For the 8 opportunities I have listed, I have also included a % chance of that happening, in my view, and listed them in most likely to least likely order.

1. A future within the Conservative Party ? - There may still be a future in the existing Conservative Party. Many Conservative MP’s still support Boris and understand that he is the ultimate electoral asset. He gets votes. Lots are vocal about their support, some less so, for obvious reasons. He still has support of many members and ex-members and support in the electorate. He could well decide to stand in another by election, or bide his time until after the next general election, an election the Conservatives seem determined and likely to lose badly, and mount a comeback then. Nothing is beyond the realms of possibility - CHANCE : 25%
2. Unite to unite ? - Could Boris look to join forces with an existing ‘Right-of-Centre’ Party. Well, there are plenty of advantages in doing this, both for the Party and for Boris. The blocking factors are what role would Boris want and managing the egos of those already in that party. But Boris would bring publicity, support, money and the prospect of MPs - CHANCE : 20%
3. New build ? - Boris forming a New ‘Right-of-Centre’ Party is definitely a possibility. He has the knowledge and experience, he has the support of many MPs that would perhaps defect to a new party led by Boris, he has the support of millions in the electorate, he would surely have the support of major financial backers. It would be a long road, but sometimes building something new is easier than changing something with a deep seated way of working.  - CHANCE : 15%
4. An Independent future ? - Boris could stand as an Independent in a future election, and a carefully chosen seat would surely see his selection. But the route to real power would be difficult - CHANCE : 10%
5. Move to media ? - A future in TV ? Yes, he could do it. Easily. I just don’t see that being enough for Boris - CHANCE : 10%
6. Writing & Lecturing ? - Boris, of course, is an accomplished author and journalist. A continued career writing on politics and history could well be the way forward. Throw in a clear high demand that would exist for Boris on the lecture circuit, and a fulfilling and highly lucrative career could still lay ahead - CHANCE : 10%
7. Big Job for the ‘Big Dog’ ? - There are many political big jobs available around the world. I really wouldn’t be surprised to see Boris appointed to something high profile - CHANCE : 5%
8. Enough is Enough ?  - Boris could quite easily retreat back to a well deserved family life with Carrie and his children. After the trials and tribulations of the last few years, who could blame him. I couldn’t. And if that’s the choice he makes then his family, his friends inside & outside politics and his countless fans and supports must and will wish him well and health and happiness in his future, wherever that leads - CHANCES : 5%

Only time will tell, its never boring with Boris.

Hang on to your hats, it’s not over until it’s over.

I am 100% certain that politics is NOT finished with Boris Johnson, and I am equally certain that Boris Johnson is NOT finished with politics.

I am sure that he will be Prime Minister again, IF HE WANTS TO BE.

And he will continue to have my support and the support of millions in the UK and around the world.

Watch this space.

Thanks for reading.

Graham

Twitter : @apple_shwn

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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

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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

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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

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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

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