Chris Whiteside's Blog

 

" After Saturday's terror campaign & rampage by Hamas in Israel, I’ve authorised the deployment of UK military assets to the eastern Mediterranean The Royal Navy task group, RAF patrols, and wider support will bolster regional security, deter escalation & aid humanitarian efforts." Uk Defence secretary Grant Shapps , who also published this statement:

My quote for today is the letter below, which appeared in a British newspaper this week, republished on Twitter. To anyone who imagined that Anti-Semitism is no longer a problem in this country - please note. It is a tragic shame that children on their way to school have to hide who they are.  Regardless of your opinions about what is going on in the Middle East - I have made mine very clear in other posts so will not repeat then here - there is no place for Anti-Semitism in Britain. It is completely unacceptable for anyone to threaten the Jewish community in Britain or make them feel unsafe. We stand with Britain's Jewish community.

New ONS  data   released today shows  the UK economy grew in August ,   but there's more to do to grow the economy and build a brighter future. Following the ONS’s revised UK growth figures, showing UK GDP is 1.8 per cent higher than before the pandemic – 2 per cent higher than previously thought the economy is continuing to grow. The latest official statistics show that the UK economy grew in August by 0.2 per cent, showing the UK economy is still resilient as we continue to deliver on the British people’s priorities by securing economic growth and halving inflation by the end of the year. While this is good news, we know there is more to do if we are to secure the long-term future of the British economy as we work to make the UK a securer and more prosperous country.

Britain's Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, has published on X (formerly Twitter) a powerful call to the media to call Hamas what they are - terrorists. It is worth quoting in full. "Words matter. A number of media organisations have editorial guidelines directing them not to use the term 'terrorist' in their reporting of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.  These guidelines may be borne out of well-intentioned aspirations to appear accurate and impartial. But there is a point at which the failure to use the term 'terrorist', is itself a failure of accuracy and impartiality.  The depth of the terror that Hamas has inflicted upon innocent people across Israel in recent days is not in doubt. The murder of babies where they sleep is not the act of a 'freedom fighter'. The performative desecration of dead bodies for the benefit of social media, the rape of women and the beheading of civilians in their homes, are not the acts of 'militants'. The tr...

The horrific events in the Middle East should not distract us from the threat posed to the whole world if Putin's unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine is seen to succeed. That's why continued support for Ukraine is important and why the UK government has today  announced a new internationally funded package of military support worth £100 million , demonstrating our continued and unwavering support for Ukraine.  Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine must be stopped, and we are totally committed to supporting Ukraine in their fight against the Russian invasion. That is why Britain has announced an additional £100 million for Ukraine through the International Fund for Ukraine which will see additional military equipment provided to Ukraine, including mine field clearing equipment to help soldiers breach Russian lines. The people of Ukraine are fighting for democracy and the international rule of law – we will continue to stand side by side with Ukraine as they stand up to Put...

Daft socialist on Twitter:  "You obviously are just tweeting what CCHQ are telling you to do, things must be bad for you all." The person he sent this to responded: "I am CCHQ!" Greg Hands , Conservative party chairman.

Today (10th October)  is  World Mental Health Day 2023 . World Mental Health Day (10 Oct) is  a day to talk about mental health and show everyone that mental health matters. It’s also a day to let people know that it’s okay to ask for help, no matter what you’re going through.   As the theme of World Mental Health Day highlights,  ‘mental health is a universal human right’ .

 

Last night Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joined the Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, at Finchley United Synagogue, standing in vigil with the local Jewish communities following the devastating terrorist attacks in Israel. We stand with Israel at this difficult time. Terrorism will not prevail. The Prime Minister visits the Finchley United Synagogue | Flickr

United Utilities has announced plans for a record £13.7 billion investment plan to deliver cleaner rivers, more reliable water supplies and extra support for customers struggling with bills in the North West. This would be the biggest investment in water infrastructure for more than 100 years and support 30,000 jobs across the region, including 7,000 which would be new jobs. At the same time the company is planning to double its financial support for those who need it, with a package of £525m to help one in six customers who may be struggling to pay their water bill. United Utilities says it has engaged with more than 95,000 people across Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Manchester and Cheshire to help shape the plan which addresses the things people said matter most to them. From 2025, the company is planning to deliver the best quality tap water by investing in aqueducts to safeguard water supplies for more than 2m customers and improve water quality for a further 1.4m. More than...

"As a Salvadoran with Palestinian ancestry, I'm sure the best thing that could happen to the Palestinian people is for Hamas to completely disappear.   Those savage beasts do not represent the Palestinians." - Nayib Bukele , President of El Salvador

Yesterday,   the Prime Minister spoke with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , following deadly attacks by Hamas against Israel. We stand with Israel unequivocally against these acts of terror. The Prime Minister offered Prime Minister Netanyahu any support Israel needs. The Prime Minister outlined the diplomatic work the UK is doing to ensure the world speaks with one voice in opposition to these appalling attacks. Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked the Prime Minister for the UK’s support.  The Prime Minister also stressed his commitment to ensuring the Jewish community in the UK feels safe and secure at this time. The leaders agreed to stay in close contact as the situation develops.

The flag of Israel was projected onto 10 Downing Street this evening as the Prime Minister proclaimed, "We stand with Israel." It is difficult to find the words to address how shocking the events in Israel this weekend are.  But it is clear that from early on Saturday morning, Hamas fired thousands of rockets at towns and cities in Israel, while Hamas terrorists from Gaza have invaded Israel and attacked both military and civilian targets, gunning down scores if not hundreds of unarmed men, women and children in their homes, and dragging about a hundred other people, many of them women and children, back to Gaza as hostages. There appears to be little doubt of the accuracy of reports of civilians being massacred and taken hostage, since the Hamas terrorists themselves have posted harrowing images of dead bodies and of hostages including children: there are also accounts of Jewish women being raped. The Israeli military says at least 700 people have died in the Hamas attacks i...

The Department of Transport has made £591,015 available in time limited grants to Westmorland and Furness council to restore bus services and increase the frequency of services. A report prepared by council officers to the council's Strategic Transport board said “Many of our local hospitality businesses and visitor attractions in Westmorland and Furness are suffering from the continued effects of the COVID pandemic and ongoing labour shortages. “Cumbria Tourism published its latest tourism tracker in March 2023 with business advisors Lamont Pridmore. The report identified that 86 per cent of businesses now say they are struggling to recruit with 59 per cent reporting it as a serious concern. “This is exacerbated by the long-term demographic challenges, lack of affordable housing and limited public transport facilities." Bus services which might be reinstated using this money include the 564 Sedbergh to Kendal route on Monday to Fridays which was previously axed earlier this y...

The area of the former Allerdale borough council has been ruled out of consideration as a potential host for an underground radioactive waste facility. Nuclear Waste Services has announced that the area was not suitable geologically for the disposal facility, known as a GDF, following study of existing data and new assessments to understand pm the basis of six siting factors, which were safety and security, community, environment, engineering feasibility, transport, and value for money, whether it would make sense for a GDF was located in Allerdale. A spokesman said: “Following a comprehensive and robust evaluation of information it was concluded only a limited volume of suitable rock was identifiable and the geology in the area was unlikely to support a post closure safety case. “Nuclear Waste Services has therefore taken the decision not to take Allerdale further in the search for a suitable site to host a GDF.” Nuclear Waste Services added that initial assessments of existing data a...

 

 

 

The Labour-run Birmingham City council has declared the local government equivalent of bankruptcy. Government action to take over the running of councils should always be a last resort, but when a council is effectively bankrupt the threshold has been reached for such intervention. So this week the government has   announced a five-year intervention at Labour-run Birmingham City Council , helping fix serious problems caused by Labour incompetence.  W here Labour run local services they run them badly – only the Conservatives can be trusted to deliver quality council services and good value for money. This week the government confirmed a five-year intervention at Labour-run Birmingham City Council, appointing commissioners to help return the council to a sustainable financial footing, after councillors were forced to declare effective bankruptcy. Local people deserve quality public services and good value for money – we are rightly taking the necessary long-term steps to protec...

"Israel has the right to defend itself. The UK supports that absolute right, as we always will, and stands with the people of Israel today - because Hamas’ horrific actions cannot be described as anything other than terrorist attacks designed to kill innocent civilians." Grant Shapps , UK Defence secretary,  "Hamas are not “fighters”. Hamas are not “militants”. Hamas are terrorists.  There is no other word to describe the brutality of firing rockets or terrorist attacks targeting civilians." James Cleverley , UK Foreign Secretary "I am shocked by this morning's attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli citizens. Israel has an absolute right to defend itself. We're in contact with Israeli authorities, and British nationals in Israel should follow travel advice." Rishi Sunak , UK Prime Minister All were commenting on the Hamas rocket attacks on civilians today. Hamas fired thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel in a surprise attack. The the dea...

 

Yesterday,   the Prime Minister signed agreements with three European partners and joined Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni to discuss plans to end illegal migrant crossings , delivering the long-term decisions needed to stop the boats. Every week, thousands of migrants cross the Mediterranean to Italy, entering Europe illegally and travelling on to the UK – we must work with our European partners to tackle this challenge and stop the boats. That is why Britain has signed new agreements with Serbia, Bulgaria and Belgium as the Prime Minister joined Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni to chair a meeting on organised immigration crime at the European Political Community Summit in Granada. These agreements will expand joint action to disrupt criminal networks, share intelligence and cooperation on border management.