Monday
Greater than 4 years after it was established, the Publish Workplace Horizon inquiry is lastly coming to an finish. Although regardless of a hard-hitting interim report and a gamechanging (for public consciousness) ITV drama, most submit workplace operators are nonetheless ready for his or her compensation. The campaigner Alan Bates not too long ago wrote to Keir Starmer to ask what was happening. Twice. His first letter went unanswered. Regardless of £1.8bn having been for compensation within the price range, progress has been glacially gradual. One of many final individuals to offer proof this week was the Conservative chief, Kemi Badenoch, who as enterprise secretary from early 2023 to July this yr had general duty for the postal service. Most witnesses to the inquiry have begun by saying how sorry they’re for the scandal, even when they’ve later been at pains to level out it was nothing to do with them. There was no such assertion from Kemi. She will not be certainly one of Westminster’s pure empaths. Slightly, she needed to clarify she had completed all she may to expedite issues by writing to Jeremy Hunt suggesting that he provide £100k to all claimants. Regardless of the then chancellor turning her down on the grounds that it won’t provide a good deal to taxpayers, Kemi positioned the blame for the holdups on the civil service. Nor may Kemi clarify why she made no subsequent efforts to unlock compensation over the next 12 months. Not even one other letter.
Then there was the thriller of the leaking of her sacking of the Publish Workplace chair, Henry Staunton, in January this yr at a very handy second for her. Kemi appeared upset that somebody had nipped in and completed it earlier than she did. She stated she had sacked Staunton for critical issues about his behaviour. In the meantime, Staunton was adamant that he had been requested to withhold compensation as a result of the federal government didn’t wish to should account for the cash so near the election. Kemi and Staunton can’t each be telling the reality. Although, should you observe the cash, it stayed firmly out of the grasp of the submit workplace operators.
Tuesday
It was one of many worst-kept secrets and techniques in tv, however Gary Lineker has now introduced he’s standing down because the presenter of Match of the Day. And why not? It isn’t as if he wants the cash – his Goalhanger podcasts make a fortune and he’s certain to get loads of freelance telly and promoting work – and after greater than 25 years within the job, he have to be trying ahead to getting his Saturday nights again in the course of the soccer season.
Again within the 60s and early 70s, MotD was simply my favorite programme of the week and I used to beg my mom – the delicate contact of my mother and father – to permit me to wait for it. Now I barely trouble to observe it. Not something to do with Gary or his company however as a result of I now have nearly no real interest in watching video games for which I do know the outcome.
Thoughts you, I’m discovering even reside soccer a little bit of a battle lately as my means of falling out of affection with the present Spurs crew deepens. Going to each dwelling recreation – together with cup competitions – was an article of religion for me. I felt it was heresy to overlook one. However now I’m having fun with a sense of renewed company. Final Sunday we bought a beautiful lunch invite from pals and I realised I didn’t have to show it all the way down to go to White Hart Lane. So I bought my ticket. And the way proper I used to be! As a result of Spurs performed like a crew of clowns and misplaced to an Ipswich facet that hadn’t gained all season. Clearly, some fellow season ticket holders now view me as a light-weight. However I can reside with that.
Wednesday
As so usually, Leonard Cohen stated it greatest. I ache within the locations the place I used to play. Getting outdated is more durable than it appears. My proper knee first began giving me issues in my teenagers and I had my first operation – a bone graft to cease the top of the femur disintegrating – once I was in my early 20s. For about 14 years I used to be close to sufficient OK. I walked with a little bit of a limp however may nonetheless run. Then it started to crumble a bit and I had a sequence of keyhole surgical procedures to take away bits of cartilage and different tissue that had labored themselves free over the following decade plus. After that the surgeon advised me there was no extra he may do to avoid wasting the knee and the following step was a complete alternative. One thing I postpone to my mid-50s.
I’m undecided if it was the guide overselling the operation or me not listening correctly, however my knee has by no means felt that nice post-replacement. It’s really been completely swollen ever since. It didn’t assist that a few years after the surgical procedure the knee turned contaminated and I wanted an extra operation, nevertheless it wasn’t as if the primary operation had made that a lot distinction anyway. However over the past yr or so it’s bought a lot worse. The ache has turn out to be rather more insistent and I discover it troublesome to stroll greater than a mile or so, and my household discover my snail-like tempo annoying.
I used to be all the time advised the alternative had a probable shelf lifetime of about 15 years and I assume my time is kind of up. Solely, I actually can’t face the concept of going via a second alternative, which even the often bullish surgeons admit might be much less efficient than the earlier one. So I’m holding out till the ache turns into insupportable. It looks like my solely possibility.
Thursday
Researchers on the College of Montpellier in France have printed a research wherein they’ve concluded that enormous canine are brighter than small ones. This regardless of small canine having bigger brains compared to physique measurement. Hmm. I now really feel obliged to talk up because the proprietor of a canine who can be labeled as medium-small. Or, because the French scientists would have it, verging on the actively dim. Now, Herbert Hound is probably not a canine Einstein however he’s not a halfwit.
Let’s take a look at the proof. First, we have to set up what we imply by canine intelligence. Researchers are inclined to assume any mutt that’s straightforward to coach have to be fairly brilliant. Herbie would argue the other. Take sheepdogs. Working round all day in fields rounding up sheep. Why on earth would any canine of their proper thoughts wish to try this? If people care a lot about sheep then they need to do it themselves. Now take police canine. How a lot enjoyable can or not it’s sniffing suitcases for traces of unlawful medicine all day? You get Herbie’s drift. Removed from being an indication of nice intelligence, the flexibility to be skilled to do the roles that nobody else needs to do is mainly an indication of stupidity. Or on the very least, excessive gullibility.
Take Herbie’s day. Principally, he has skilled my spouse and me. Not the opposite means spherical. He will get to do all of the issues he likes to do. He goes for walks. He will get fed. He will get to have a doze on our mattress. The entire of the day is his to do kind of as he pleases. Definitely since his retirement from a frontline job in No 10 for the previous decade or so. In any other case he likes to learn and watch TV. He even persuaded me to turn out to be his ghostwriter. I’d say these have been all indicators of an excellent thoughts and a life properly lived.
Friday
It’s come to one thing if you check out the appointment of JD Vance and Marco Rubio to the brand new White Home crew and assume they don’t sound that unhealthy. During the last couple of days Donald Trump seems to have been on a mission to assemble a forged of the mad and the actively harmful. Nearly as if the lesson he took away from his first time period in workplace was there was no level attempting to have individuals attempting to run a standard authorities. Now he has gone for broke by placing collectively a crew whose solely qualification for the job is absolute loyalty. Don’t put it previous him to attempt to relitigate the 2020 presidential election and alter the foundations to permit him to face for a 3rd time period.
Simply take a look at the brand new squad. Robert F Kennedy Jr in as well being secretary. A confirmed anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist. 1000’s may die on his watch and he could reckon he’d completed an amazing job. His father might be delivering his grave. In as director of nationwide intelligence is Tulsi Gabbard, yet one more former Democrat who has not too long ago made the unusual journey to the libertarian proper. Many consider she has been groomed by the Russians. Don’t overlook that Nigel Farage now argues that UK overseas coverage needs to be nothing greater than an extension of US overseas coverage. As the brand new legal professional common we’ve got the completely disagreeable Matt Gaetz, a person below investigation in intercourse, drug and monetary misconduct offences. A person who’s barely one step forward of the regulation himself.
Then there’s Pete Hegseth, a Fox Information alt-right shock jock presenter, as defence secretary. A military veteran who has swapped actual wars for tradition wars. Final however not least, the weirdest man on the planet – in addition to the richest – Elon Musk as director of presidency effectivity. And there have been we pondering {that a} shadow cupboard that included Badenoch, Priti Patel, Chris Philp, Robert Jenrick and Mark Francois made the UK appear like a laughing inventory. We’ve a solution to go but.
Taking the Lead by John Crace is printed by Little, Brown (£18.99). To help the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Supply fees could apply.