HOW CAN HOUSE PRICES BE GOING UP?

We keep reading in the press that property prices are now on the rise, but how can this be so when incomes are virtually stagnant?

During the first decade of the century, Britain suffered at the hands of a profligate Labour Government, that convinced the susceptible into a false sense of well-being, which unfortunately was funded by massive debt, both national and personal. There are those who, and the author is one, are convinced that we are still sleep-walking into further trouble due to the lack of control of credit. The current Government has embarked on a scheme to assist first time buyers with funds for initial deposits before they can acquire a mortgage. This is a kind of latter day 'Fannie Mae', and we all know how that affected the world's economy; when Clinton 'let rip' during the nineties with this vote winning largesse. The ongoing whinging regarding banks acting slowly in making loans to small businesses. We need to ask ourselves, whose money is it that banks should be taking a chance with, and have these borrowers got the potential to repay the debt? The money that is being offered does not really exist, such currency is purely a promise by the Government, which should read taxpayer GB.

Forthcoming attractions that will hole the economy below the water line will occur early next year, when up to 26 million Bulgarians and Romanians will be allowed to enter the United Kingdom. Rather like folk who borrow without concerning themselves about repayment, the newcomers will just enjoy the free healthcare and education, plus all the benefits, and naturally, the UK will be declared bankrupt.

THIS IS THE ULTIMATE HORROR STORY.

A SCOTTISH SOJOURN

Over recent years, the author's intention has been to visit certain parts of the British Isles, probably for the final time. We have just returned from a nine day skirmish of the western side, north of Hadrian's Wall, with a view to concentrating on the opposite flank within the next two years, age and faculties permitting. The majority of Scotland is bristling with wonderful scenery and is full of water, mostly in the lochs (lakes). The cuisine is delightful, although fairly straight forward: Succulent steaks, fresh salmon, venison, not forgetting haggis/tatties/neeps. It is also recommended to start the day with a Loch Fyne kipper.

Some Scots have the wonderful habit of drinking their ale with a whisky chaser, not advised for drivers. I indulged in this most acceptable of habits on two occasions, the first was with a familiar single malt, Bunnahabhain, which was recommended to me around thirty years ago when in a bar in Inveraray. The second was in the hotel bar earlier this week, at a place called Denholm, between Hawick and Jedburgh. The landlord recommended the delightfully smooth Ledaig (Tobermory), an almost colourless spirit, and he was right, it is excellent.

On our last leg home, we were caught up in something that could have been a mirage, a rally of Bugatti vintage cars, from drop heads to small racing jobs. There were literally dozens of them, all appearing to be right hand drive. This was a magnificent sight; finishing off a wonderful few days.

The roads are pretty good, sometimes it's possible to drive for miles without encountering a vehicle travelling in the same direction.

WE MIGHT SEE YOU THERE.

THE RE-BRANDING OF QUESTION TIME.

We have written endless articles about the deplorable BBC political (pantomime) programme Question Time. It would be unfair perhaps to say that all the younger members of the audience are completely naive regarding the subject, but unfortunately, most of them are. Enter the far from humorous comedian, Russell Brand, he who, along with Jonathan Roth, has been known to be derogatory to respectable entertainers, using BBC air space and, therefore, operating at the licence fee payers' expense. On last Thursday night's edition, Brand was on the panel, and was naturally hugely popular with the under-educated in the junior ranks of the audience. What he wouldn't do with Bankers, not to mention that we should nationalise the banks. It is impossible to imagine what would happen to our money in such an event; our savings would appear to Members of Parliament as just another pile of money to throw at pet projects, by way of buying votes. Generally, Brand continued to play to the gallery.

A far more serious topic came about regarding the President elect of Iran, Hasan Rowhani, who, on the face of it, is showing signs of conciliation towards the West; this being vehemently destroyed by Melanie Phillips, a journalistic member of the panel, and Jewish. I imagine that her response was based on the assumption, that the tough Khomeini line which is to wipe Israel from the map is to be withdrawn, and therefore caution must prevail. The simpletons in the audience could not understand this, although I suppose they might if they lived in Israel. Unfortunately, most of the powerful, oil rich nations in the area continue to use the Palestinians as 'pawns' to retain an ongoing 'running sore'.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEBATES ARE FOR THE POLITICALLY IMMATURE.

CLEGG AND THE FIFTH COLUMN.

The 'Man from Cleggoland', Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in the United Kingdom's Coalition Government, is the leader of the minority Liberal Democratic Party. As we get closer to the next General Election, his party being  left of centre and wasting taxpayers money, is now becoming much more difficult to help support the logical line regarding the ongoing savings required to balance the economy. Not unlike the Free Democrats in Germany, they are happy to form a coalition with any party, in the case of the Libdems, hoping for the opportunity to form a government, particularly one of a 'left' persuasion; to be seen giving away money that cannot be justified gives such 'dimwits' a real thrill, after all it isn't theirs. The jockeying for position is now in an advanced stage.

Clegg's latest ploy is to insist on retaining high numbers of carers in pre-school establishments, keeping the fees at a higher level than many parents can afford.

This will be only one of the scams that he will play out over the next two years, leading up to the scheduled 2015 General Election.


AFTER ALL, IT IS ONLY A GAME TO POLITICIANS. THIS ONE IS CALLED SABOTAGE.

BEREFT OF PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY.

As 'the game' that is parliament carries on at Westminster in its conniving way; in both houses of parliament, members are found to be acting outside of their remit, the current concern happens to be lobbying. So far, three Lord's members and one member of the Commons have been caught with their hands in the till. This comes about, whereby, lobby groups, on behalf of self interest parties, seek to co-opt members to do their bidding, by asking pertinent questions in either of the houses. Such practises, I'm sure, go on in all of the democracies around the world. Some nations may consider this to be legitimate, but it is unlikely that underhand payments are acceptable. Most certainly that is the case here in the United Kingdom.

Running concurrently with the 'lobby fiasco' there are rumblings of an affair that has been taking place within the environs of 10 Downing Street; although now subsided, the press will be eager to find out more. Conversely, Prime Minister Cameron, one can only assume, is dreading the possibility that this was an heterosexual liaison, since he now seems to want to promote same sex relationships.


SUCH IS THE STATE OF THE WESTERN WORLD.