Brexit Update 1 - Transition Period

Guardian: Reports " Fears Brexit talks could collapse in June but UK still optimistic...‘Limited progress’ in bridging gaps on fisheries, health, environment and workers’ rights  "

Lets Get Real:

The Guardian/BBC elite still do not get the message, the UK voter has been very CLEAR, it wants OUT of the EU, there have been numerous reports about the idea of an extension to the transition period, all coming from the London urban elite, who still do not understand the 2016 vote or the results of the 2019 general election.  In the area of BREXIT, it's the British who have the final say not the EU or the regional Governments.  The SNP wants to leave the UK and join the EU and give more power to the EU, the SNP is a busted flush, they just do not get that fact.  In Wales the Labour Assembly is trying to avoid what happened to Labour in Scotland, who would have thought that the Conservatives would have more MPs in Scotland than Labour.  PM Boris should be firm with the EU, its our way or the high way, your choice.

Bars and Pubs could be OPEN by JUNE! - Update - 2 - Health

Daily Mail: Reports " Britain should begin easing lockdown from Monday and 'see what happens' then reopen pubs and schools by end of May if there's no large spike in Covid cases, British ex-WHO advisor says  "

Lets Get Real:

The question is how much pressure will the UK Treasury place on No 10 to get the UK economy moving.  How much Billions will be added to the national debt by COVID - 19.  Will the Conservative backbench MPs start to worry about 2024 and the general election.  The PM has had COVID - 19, he knows how pressure it places on the body and how long it takes to recover.  The PM does not want a second wave of COVID - 19 that could be worse than the first wave was, that is what happened with the Spanish Flu in 1918.  It is better to be careful than find you want more body bags in October.  At least the Labour Party under its new leader is an effective Opposition, it has to be careful that it does not jump to far ahead of the public, that could be dangerous in political landmines terms.

Data from COVID - 19 - Update 1 - Health

Sky News: Reports " Another 586 people have died in UK hospitals after contracting coronavirus - bringing the total to 21,678.  "

Lets Get Real:

In the past two days the numbers of deaths in UK hospitals had gone down, now it has gone back up to 586 over the past 24 hours.   The PM is right to keep the lockdown going, the lockdown can only be lifted in parts once the numbers have fallen on a daily level.   The UK economy is important, but the health of the UK must come first, the question is how long the UK public will put up with these restrictions, the pubs have to open before Christmas or the small ones will just close for good.  There is only so much money the UK can spend, before it becomes silly money.   The economy fall should not be that deep, the UK Treasury has spent billions on wages, loans and other measures, let's hope that it is enough.

Covid - 19 - Update 2 - Health

Sky News: Reports " Will government accept COVID-19 deaths so it can lift the lockdown?...Politicians have a choice to make as the cost of the COVID-19 crisis will be counted in both currency and lives.  "

Lets Get Real:

It is the HARDEST political decision that PM Boris will face, how many deaths can the UK take to open up the economy, will a lockdown lifting cause a 2nd spike in COVID - 19, even worse than the present one.  At the end of the day, the UK has to get the economy going, if there are no jobs, then there will be negative health conditions.  Also its political, the UK will be a Great Recession if not Great Depression by the end of COVID - 19.  It took World War 2 to get the US out of the Great Depression and that was due to great spending, the grandchildren of today's generation will be paying back debt in their time.  Life is not FAIR. 

PM Boris back at No 10 with a message on Covid - 19 - Update 1 - Health

BBC News: Reports " The UK is at the moment of maximum risk in the coronavirus outbreak, Boris Johnson has said, as he urged people not to lose patience with the lockdown.  "

Lets Get Real:

The UK voters will be happy that PM Boris is back at 10 Downing Street, and the PM's clear message will be heard clearly, this is not the time to go easy on COVID -  19.  The question is how long can the PM keep this message up, the economy is going down the toilet, there won't be an economy to return to if the lockdowd goes for ages.  This will be the biggest decision of Boris' time in power, when does he risk there being a small peak in the death scale while opening up the economy, one sees it everyday out of the window, more traffic, whe the UK public move it can be fast, when will PM Boris see the lights turning from RED TO GREEN and move with the public. 

Brexit Update 2 - Transition Period

Guardian: Reports " Britain running down the clock in Brexit talks, says Michel Barnier...EU negotiator expresses frustrations at UK refusal to discuss key issues of transition  "

Lets Get Real:

The left wing Remain Guardian of course takes the side of the EU, the Guardian/BBC Elite see everything that is negative for the UK, why should UK waters be fished by EU fishermen if the UK is no longer part of the EU.  The UK could grant concessions, on OUR TERMS, our fish our water.   Any concessions should interest the UK more than the EU, that is the part the REMAIN ELITE do not want to understand.   The UK should STAND FIRM on our RIGHTS.  The UK voted to leave the EU, the UK Government gets to decide our waters policy and the power of the European Court of Justice, not the other way around. A phrase from Dad's Army comes to mind, " They do not like Up them " that is the UK is a sovereign power and will remain so for the future. 

US Economy and COVID - 19 - US Election 2020

Sky News: Reports the following on the unemployment in the US since Covid - 19 broke, " That brings the total number during the last five weeks to a scarcely-believable 26.5 million - about one million more than the entire population of Australia.  "

Lets Get Real:

No wonder POTUS is going slightly loopy at his press briefings with the press, he sees himself joining a very small club of one term Presidents in the modern ear, that is Hoover, Carter and Bush 41.  The No New Taxes pledge of Bush 41 was tested and he was seen to let down that pledge by agreeing to tax hikes.  Very un Reagan.  President Trump is his own worse enemy, when things are going good, he does not know when to STOP TALKING, very much like Bill Clinton.   At least Bill Clinton can say he was a two term President, while Trump looks like a bad one termer.  It is no wonder that Trump wants to re-open the US economy, he can see himself being trounced by VP Biden in November. 

Brexit Update - Transition Period - Brexit

Finally back to Brexit, about bloody time.

BBC News: Reports " The progress made in post-Brexit trade talks between the UK and EU has been disappointing, Michel Barnier has said.  "

Lets Get Real:

The EU seems to have lost the plot, nothing is moving because of COVID -  19, the UK General Election of 2019 showed what the UK voted wanted, the voter wanted to cut ties with the EU. A clear break.   The EU still thinks that PM May is in power and can make demands and expect the UK to follow suite.   The May Parliament has gone, all the HARD REMAINERS either left or were forced out.   The UK has to be firm with the EU, it's our way or the high road.  Why is the EU so slow, are they still listening to the the Hard Remainers in the UK, if so they are out of touch. 

COVID - 19 Update - Update 1 - Health

Sky News: Reports " 'We are at the peak' of COVID-19 outbreak, Matt Hancock tells MPs....The health secretary thanks the public for their "steadfast commitment" to lockdown rules - but says they won't yet be relaxed.  "

Lets Get Real:

The First Secretary of State and the Cabinet will not take a decision on lifting the lockdown in till the PM is back at helm, the PM is recovering from COVID - 19, that can take a couple of weeks to recover from.  The UK economy could face a great depression, the UK economy needs to get back to work.   That decision will be important when it comes to the NHS and the economy, get it right and the UK can get on moving, get it wrong, and more deaths, slow economic recovery and giving the Opposition the chance to attack.   That is why the Cabinet is waiting for the PM to come back, no one want their fingerprints on the final decision. 

Trump appeals to his BASE - Immigration Ban - US Election 2020

BBC News: Reports " President Donald Trump has said he will halt applications of foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the US because of the coronavirus crisis.  "

Lets Get Real:

The Trump Oval has nearly twenty million Americans who have registered for unemployment since the outbreak of COVID - 19 and the lockdown of the US.  POTUS is looking at November and must worry, thus his call for the US to re-open before the General Election.  As stated in my previous post the Trump Oval would like it if the Democratic Governors on the West and East Coast opposed opening up the US, the Republicans could then argue that the Democrats want people on welfare, as then they will vote for the Democrats.   Thus expect more moves by Trump to please his base and show the Democrats in a bad light, ruthless politics but good politics. 

The BLAME GAME over the ECONOMY - Update 2 - US Election 2020

BBC News: Reports " As Covid-19 continues to spread across the US, President Donald Trump has given governors guidance on reopening state economies in the coming months.  "

Lets Get Real:

POTUS could be setting a trap for Democrats, the Democratic Governors will be accused of wanting the economy to dive, as in their view it helps their vote in November.   If the Democratic Governors on the West and East coach take their time they will be accused of being more interested in politics than the economy well being of the US.  Trump has a very LOYAL BASE, at around 42% of the country, if he can make a plea that will stick that he can get the US economy going again, if will be HARD for Democrats to beat him.

US Unemployment and the November Election - Update 1 - 2020 Election

Sky News: Reports " The US recorded 5.2 million unemployment claims last week, taking the total over the past month to more than 20 million.  "

Lets Get Real:

It is up to the Democrats to LOSE the November Election, IF Trump was a great thinker he would think of his predecessor President Hoover, who lost re-election in 1932 due to his failure to deal with the Great Depression, at least the Trump Administration and the US Congress is trying to put some money in to the US economy to help small US business companies, the problem is that the money has run out, and Congress may need to add another 250 billion to the economy.   Also Trump wants to get the US out of the forthcoming recession/depression before it starts, he wants business to open around the US.   The Democrats have to be careful, they can not be seen as wanting to see people on welfare, and rooting for COVID - 19.  One only hopes that VP Biden is up to taking on Trump, the President is a political street fighters from NEW YORK.   The Democrats will not find it easy to remove him from the Oval Office. 

Back to Brexit - Update 1 - Brexit

Guardian: Reports " EU and UK government to resume post-Brexit talks next week...The two sides only managed one round of negotiations before coronavirus intervened  "

Lets Get Real:

The BBC/Guardian types are already pushing for the Government to request a transition extension to the Brexit talks.   They have NO SHAME, they will use COVID - 19 in attempt to stall and weaken the UK position.  When PM Boris comes back from his recovery he needs a firm hand on tiller, the HARD REMAINERS will apply pressure through the Guardian and BBC.  Newsnight tonight was the start of the push for a transition extension, the show reported that the civil servants in Whitehall are under the impression that PM Boris will call for an extension, the PM needs to come back when he has recovered, he needs to remind the civil service and the HARD REMAINERS he won an election in 2019 on getting the UK out of the EU.   THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO DELAY. 

Is POTUS trying to force march the US in to opening during COVID - 19 - Update 1 - Economy

BBC News: Reports " President Donald Trump says the US has "passed the peak" of new Covid-19 cases and predicted some states would reopen this month.  "

Lets Get Real:

President Trump is seeing his chances of winning re-election in November going in to the bin.  The virus has thrown millions of people on to the DOLE, Obama has just endorsed former VP, Joe Biden.   The question is can the Democrats manage to lose this chance to defeat Trump.  The Trump Oval will push his authority as far as he can, if the Democrats are seeing to want the US economy to be in the bin, it could cost them the election.   The November general election will be the dirties EVER, Trump wants to keep the Oval as to avoid being dragged in to Court.  Expect a dog fight in the trenches when it comes to the Rust Belt States.

They are blaming OUR DOGS for COVID - 19 NOW - Update 2 - Health

Daily Mail: Reports " Stray dogs may be the 'intermediary animal' that spread coronavirus from bats to humans rather than pangolins, study finds "

Lets Get Real:

This blog has great respect for the boffins out there, but I draw the line when boffins start to say that Dogs are to blame for COVID - 19, dogs are the best friend a man can have, always listens, always wants attention, and can be a good guard dog for you ( None of my dogs were any good at being a guard dog, they just liked affection to much ).   It can be argued that China gives dogs a rough time, they even EAT dogs in China, slaughter them in the marketplace, a total disgrace, if China looked after its dogs, then the Gods of Karma would treat China well, if you mistreat a dog, or blame a dog for a bat problem, then you lose me, a puppy is the best thing in life. 

Data from COVID - 19 - Update 1 - Health

Sky News: Reports " Another 778 deaths in UK hospitals takes total past 12,000....Figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest the true death toll is higher, with many dying in care homes and hospices.  "

Lets Get Real:

Every day at 2pm we get the grim news with the latest death totals from the different nations of the UK, it is so depressing, every figure is a person who is lost their partners and family.  It is like reading the death notices in the Times during World War One.  When COVID - 19 comes to an end or the death rates are in single figures the UK Government will need to investigate why the UK was not ready for the virus and what it is doing to fight the next virus, it might be next week or in a 100 years time.  The UK took its eye off the ball with COVID - 19, WHO were slow to see the problem, one gets the impression that the WHO did not want to annoy CHINA, it has annoyed Trump and is stopping monies support from the US to WHO.  This should never happen again!!

The ECONOMIC COST of COVID - 19 - Update 1 - Economy

BBC News: Reports " Chancellor Sunak warns of 'tough times' for UK economy  "

Lets Get Real:

At some point when PM Boris has recovered the Cabinet and himself will have to decide when to open the UK again for business.   The depression could be the worse in three hundred years, but that depends on many facts, if the closedown is short, the the UK can recover, if it is longer, then it could be worse.  The Government should plan to open the UK on May 2nd, after the bank holiday.   Also the Government should start to make its mind up on if it wants to extend the EU transition or go for broke at the start of the year.  The UK will bounce back, it always does.   At least the Government has five years to fix the economy and no one can blame them, it came from China and was around the World is a few days. 

Trump's re-election chances - Update 1 - US Election 2020

Now for something else, for a change!

Guardian: Reports " Trump's poll numbers dip over handling of coronavirus pandemic...Republican allies and advisers said to be concerned...Biden leads in head-to-head match-up, CNN poll finds "

Lets Get Real:

Due to the coronavirus the US in the last few weeks has lost nearly 17 million jobs, and that is just those that could get online to apply for benefits.  Biden has been confirmed at the Democratic nominee when Sanders threw in the towel.  Thus the 2020 election SHOULD be a walk over for VP Biden, the US Congress has spent the US in to nearly being broke to secure the economy, how long will China buy US bonds, if they see their investment turning in to paper money, will they either not buy US bonds or start to sell the bonds they have already.  This blog is not writing off Trump, that would be a mistake, politics is an ART not a science, one suspects that Trump will try to get the US lockdown lifted before November, and push the US Congress to spend more money on the problem.   At least US politics is more fun to watch, as CNN and the New York Times become arms of the Biden Campaign while trying to say they are being fair and balanced.

What matters most the ECONOMY or LIFE ? - Update 3 - Health

Daily Mail: Reports " Ministers might have to choose between deaths from economic misery and coronavirus, admits Matt Hancock - but he says decisions on lockdown will NOT be taken yet "

Lets Get Real:

No politician wants to put his head on the chopping block and get this wrong, it's either the economy or the virus, when the PM gets well he will have to return to make the final decision, he will have the time to consider when the LOCKDOWN has gone on for long enough and take the risk.  As he is recovering from the virus the PM will be in a position to say that he after going through the process understands the arguments on both sides, and that he has decide one way or another.  The UK economy will have to wait, the Government does not want an early lockdown release then after a 2nd wave of the virus to put it back in to place.  Politics is sometimes about luck not science. 

Data from COVID - 19 - Update 2 - Health

Sky News: Reports " New UK deaths surpass Italy and Spain's worst daily totals...The figure surpasses Spain's highest daily total of 961 - as people are urged to stay home over the Easter weekend."

Lets Get Real:

As the article points out, nearly 980 people died during the previous 24 hours, and nearly ten thousand people have died in the UK due to COVID - 19.  The Police should be wary of their new powers, there have been reports that some policemen have been checking the shop baskets of customers, this must not happen, that is a fast way to lose public confidence, and cause people not to follow the rules.   The PM and the boffins have be VERY CLEAR, people should stay in, there are very limited reasons for going out, shopping, keeping fit, and going to help people.  The UK people understand that they are in this for the duration, the duration might be months or god help us YEARS. 

UK's PM's Recovery from COVID - 19 - Update 1 - Health

BBC News: Reports " Boris Johnson is taking short walks between periods of rest as part of the care he is receiving for coronavirus.  "

Lets Get Real:

This above will be good news for the Country, the political helm of State is held by PM Boris, the news that he had been taken to hospital and then to the ICU was a major shock to the UK system and people.  The PM should taken his time to recover, the Foreign Secretary and the Cabinet can stand in for him while he recovers.   The major question for the Cabinet is when to open the UK ECONOMY again, it can not be placed in the freezer for months on end, if that happens, there will be no economy to return too.  It will be a difficult decision and one that will define the Government, the Cabinet should wait for the PM to come back, the election victory was his, he is supported by the UK VOTERS.

Dominic Raab the Acting PM - Update 3 - Health

Daily Mail: Reports " Dominic Raab takes the reins: Foreign Secretary is called on to 'deputise for' stricken PM Boris Johnson while he is in intensive care "

Lets Get Real:

If Boris is removed, through ill health or worse, the question is who will follow him, the 2019 General Election mandate was for him, not for the Conservative Party.  The question is who in the Cabinet has the support of Conservative MPs and can LEAD the Country.  It should be noted that Raab was a candidate for the Conservative leadership after PM May was forced out.  The question is does he have the presence to to LEAD the UK through the COVID - 19 crisis and will people support him.   If it comes down to it, this blog would prefer to see Michael Gove as the next Prime Minister, he has presence and is very brainy, he has showed his loyalty to Boris and has a presence at the Dispatch box in the House of Commons.  One only hopes the above does not happen, our thoughts are with the PM and his family. 

Data from COVID - 19 - Update 2 - Health

Sky News: Reports " Coronavirus patient deaths rise by 439 across the UK...Earlier today figures from Wales and Scotland showed they had seen an increase in fatalities of 27 and two respectively. "

Lets Get Real:

At some point either PM Boris or someone else will have to decide when to open the UK economy, the economy can not be kept in the freezer for moths, if so when the COVID - 19 issues passes there will be no economy worth opening up.   At some point someone will have to take a risk, open to early and the virus will get out of control, leave it to late and the economy will make the Great Depression and the Great Recession look like happy hour.  Also people will start to go stir crazy with being locked up, they will want to go out, meet friends, go to the pub, get on with life.  It will be a big decision, one hope's that it will be Boris making the decision, the election mandate of 2019 was for him, not the Conservative Party. 

PM Boris in ICU - Update 1 - Health

BBC News: Reports " Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to intensive care in hospital after his coronavirus symptoms "worsened", Downing Street has said.  "

Lets Get Real:

Our thoughts and our prayers are with the PM and his family, this news is a shock to the system, a few days ago the PM was in self isolation, still with hand on the tiller of State.  Then he was moved to hospital, after the isolation did not work, that was red flag, and he did not look good in videos and this was followed up when he was shown clapping in support of NHS.   One takes it as a give that he is getting the best possible health care, but this blog is always straight, what happens if things go worse, one does not have to be Sherlock Holmes to see where the dots go could.  Let's hope we never have to find out what happens if the story gets worse. Again our thought and prayers are with the PM and his family. 

Ten Million Americans OUT OF WORK - US 2020 Election

Daily Mail: Reports " Ten million Americans are now jobless amid coronavirus pandemic after record 6.6million new unemployment claims are filed in one week - after 3.3million last week "

Lets Get Real:

The election in November should be a walk over for VP Biden and the Democrats, Trump will join the club of Presidents who were not elected to a 2nd term, in that club there is Hoover who failed to deal with the Great Depression, Carter who made the US a laughing stock around the World, Bush 41 who had a mild recession and did not seem to understand the problems of MAIN STREET.  The Democrats would have to be complete losers to lose the election, but the we have Joe Biden, who's grip on reality has been questioned, and that is the lesser of his bad aspects, to recall what former Secretary of Defence stated about Biden, he had not been right on any national security issue in four decades.   Let's recall that Trump is a dirty fighter, he will not go down without a dirty fight. 

Data from COVID - 19 - Update 2 - Health

Sky News: Reports " 569 more COVID-19 deaths in UK - bringing total to 2,921...In England, 44 of the 561 people who died had no known underlying health condition.  "

Lets Get Real:

As stated in previous post, the best figure for a bad case would be twenty thousand, if you remove around ten thousand for those who would have died this year due to other medical problems, that should leave around ten thousand, if the NHS can keep the numbers down to around seven thousand then according the boffins that would be a win, if you can win with COVID - 19.  One should always recall that each number is a person, who have wifes,  husbands, daughters, sons etc.   They will be missed, thus it is important that the people follow the rules of the Government, stay inside, you save yourself and other people.  No one safe, from the high to low, STAY IN. 

There are a Million cases of Coronavirus in the World - Update 1 - Health

BBC News: Reports " More than a million cases of coronavirus have been registered globally, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University - another grim milestone as the world grapples with the spreading pandemic.  "

Lets Get Real:

If this was 1918 and the World had COVID - 19 it would have the same result as the Spanish flu.  There would be millions NOW Dead, modern meds has curtailed the power of the virus, the worry should be if it mutates, then that would kill millions.   The Covid - 19 danger will pass, it it passed with the Spanish flu, the lesson is the NEXT time and there will be a NEXT TIME, the World has to be ready, it has been 102 years since the Spanish Flu, and the World was not ready for COVID -  19, next time, we should spend the years in between making sure that the Medics have what the need and do not end up playing God, having to decide who lives and who dies.  Mother Nature is an unforgiving Mistress, it demands respects and needs to be feared, in less you think Covid - 19 is an ACT of GOD, then it's his Master plan.  Covid - 19 can put you off the religious thing, so many deaths, so many young people, what kind of God does that. 

Data from COVID - 19 - Update 2 - Health

Sky News: Reports " 563 more COVID-19 deaths in UK as Boris Johnson admits more testing is needed...The number of deaths announced on Wednesday is the UK's biggest day-on-day increase as the total reached 2,352.  "

Lets Get Real:

The UK has to try even harder to get the death total down to around 7 thousand in a overall figure of twenty thousand, a boffin argued that if the UK had a death total of around twenty thousand, you could remove half of that due to a person would have died this year or next year, and thus if you get to around seven thousand dead you the UK will get off likely, it will not be another Italy or Spain.   That of course  only works if people stay inside and make sure they are in self isolation.   It can be argued that you can write off 2020, all major sport events have been moved in to next year, the 2020 Olympics, tennis, etc.  The one thing that should not be moved is the transition period for BREXIT, the HARD REMAINERS want to delay it, if it was not COVID -  19 it would be something else.  The PM has to keep faith with the voter, we want out. 

The Benefit System and COVID - 19 - Update 1 - Health

BBC News: Reports " Nearly a million people have applied for universal credit benefits in the past fortnight as the coronavirus pandemic has worsened.  "

Lets Get Real:

The universal credit system was hardly working before the COVID - 19 crisis, how will it cope will a million people wanting support.   The Government needs to stress that it is helping employers and workers with cheap loans and benefits, it as stated that it will pay 80% of wages of workers that are kept on, the other 20% should come from the employer.  For those self employed it has stated that it will pay up to 2,500 of their profits.   The worry for the Government is that companies will let go of their workers and just close shop, because they do not see an EXIT.  One can expect the left wing media to bounce on this, they will find workers, who have been left go of and are in a financial mess.  The PM is lucky the general election was in December last year, he has five years  to build up the confidence of the UK voter.  In the PM's latest video message he did not sound well, he should rest more, leave his Cabinet Ministers to deal with the crisis for a few days, better to rest and recover.