Nobbut Laiking, by Ross Brewster
One horror story seems to follow another these days.
It’s difficult to know where to start when it comes to scandals. The Post Office inquiry into an injustice that shames our country; the interminable delay in bringing Grenfell Tower cases to court; the disgraceful spewing of sewage into our rivers and lakes and the infected blood products report which highlights the greatest scandal of them all.
The infected blood inquiry concluded that patients were “knowingly exposed to unacceptable risks” and accused the NHS, doctors and governments of trying to cover up the scandal which saw 30,000 people infected with HIV and Hepatitis C between 1970 and 1991. At least 3,000 deaths have ensued.
British people are reticent to complain. We like to think we can trust those in authority. It hurts us when we discover we were wrong.
The message from Sir Brian Langstaff’s infected blood inquiry report is that power demands a duty of care. And in that regard a lot of people have failed us, not just now but over many decades of closing ranks, covering up and lying to protect their own self-interest.
All too often it’s left to people like Alan Bates whose persistence uncovered the shocking injustice affecting hundreds of innocent postmasters who lost their businesses and in some cases their liberty and their lives.
It was left to families of the blood infection victims who spent years exposing the extent of the catalogue of failures which descended into calamity.
Even now whistleblowers have to think twice because they know, even if they are proved right, they will be shunned and black listed.
We British are basically good people who just want to live our lives knowing we can rely on the authorities and organisations that are supposed to serve us.
We are polite. Trusting. We just don’t know how to shout loudly enough.
Vennells is the election’s biggest winner
Just a few days into the election campaign and already the first result has been declared. And the winner? Ms Paula Vennells representing the Post Office.
I’ve heard of politicians burying bad news. When they have something unpalatable to reveal they wait for a day when the media have got their minds well and truly on a good story elsewhere then slip it in. Just like that. An older trick than any of Tommy Cooper’s.
As a tearful Paula gave her unconvincing evidence, Rishi Sunak emerged in the downpour, speaking from the lectern in what in future will be known as Drowning Street, to declare that we’re going to the polls on Thursday, 4th June.
He even had this columnist fooled by his remark that we could all take our summer holidays safe in the knowledge the election was coming later in the year. Fortunately I never bet on politics. Well, would you trust them?
For the religiously-minded Ms Vennells this was manna from heaven. Not exactly a miraculous intervention. But a major diversion from the worst of the publicity that was heading her way.
Even the tears and soggy tissues were not strictly necessary. Not when you have the Prime Minister unwittingly on your side.
Painting the crown red
Have you seen that new official portrait of King Charles? It took artist Jonathan Yeo three years to complete and will hang in the Drapers’ Hall in London alongside portraits of other monarchs including George III and Queen Victoria.
The King reputedly expressed himself “mildly surprised” when he saw it. The artist said he wanted something “dynamic and contemporary.”
It is supposed to be King Charles bearing a sword and dressed in the uniform of the Welsh Guards with a totally red background.
It makes me think of our noble king being first on the scene of a motorway accident in which a lorry load of tomato ketchup bottles has overturned and they’ve all smashed.
Charles is depicted emerging from a haze of tomato puree to ask if everyone is all right.
National Service plan will never happen
Are we all going to do our bit for King and country and join up then?
Not a bad idea in principle, getting young people over 18 into gainful public and military service.
But it will end up like probation or community service with bunches of layabouts weeding grass verges and picking up litter.
How long do they think it will take to grab today’s youth off the streets and turn it into a fighting force that will terrify the Chinese and Russia?
Sorry, but I’m not having some refugee from a juvenile detention centre with his finger on the nuclear button.
It’s an election headline grabber. It won’t happen. Which is a pity because I quite fancy a few weeks in the military. A former colleague, a bit older than me and once eligible for National Service, spent two of the happiest years of his life as a press officer in the army.
Perhaps readers could form their own regiment. The Penrith and Keswick Pals. I bet 99 per cent of those who read this column are over 18 so we qualify on age grounds.
I’m ready to answer the call. I see myself now, on a poster pointing and saying “your country needs you”.
