Christmas celebrations may be an antidote to the dour predictions of Brexit or could be only a temporary diversion. Desperate alternatives to the current deal range from David Cameron's announcement of a return to politics to the suggestion that Noel Edmunds should get involved as the expert at Deal or No Deal. However he is now off to Australia to feature in 'I'm a Celebrity Get me out of Here'. Less risky than trying to compromise leavers and remainers.
Some centrist Labour voters think this is the time for the return of big-brother Miliband to rescue the nation. This is not very likely for many reasons, including the announcement of his pay and benefits deal as President and Chief Executive of IRC, International Rescue Committee, an American organisation. His package is $708,000 (£545,000), which is not bad for working for a charity! And compares very favourably with what any British politician can earn. Though rather less than Tony Blair hauls in as an omniscient former PM and World Leader. Tony is now sharing with us his pearls of wisdom as the prophet of doom.
Christmas is of course the time to commemorate messianic birth, depending on one’s faith. Political correctness enthusiasts continue to try to weaken the legitimate faith basis of Christmas. The central message ought to be maintained rather than the materialistic hype of presents, food and drinks. The wholesome much awaited message of the John Lewis Christmas Advert brought us a celebration of the arrival of a messiah, but it turned out to be Elton John.
There were many memorable Remembrance events, particularly as this year’s was the 100th anniversary of the 1918 armistice and the 80th anniversary of Kristalnacht. I had the honour as DL of laying the wreath at the ceremony in Washington which was very well attended and impressive.
Disappointing to see that Jeremy Corbyn, experienced wreath layer as he is (from Tunisia to the Cenotaph), managed to display his notorious disrespect at this year’s Remembrance Sunday. Turning up in a £79 M & S light blue hoodie was no doubt to foster favour with the hard left and to show again his pacifist roots, having announced he did not support the celebration of the Great War’s centenary. It was a shameful use of an important occasion to make a cheap political gesture – and a waste of the sombre dark overcoat he managed to wear last year.
There remain concerns that the Beast from the East, the uncharacteristically cold temperatures (no doubt sent from Barnier and Merkel) have had a detrimental effect upon the pomme de terre harvest, prices being up 186% compared with last October. With a similar story of the rising cost of carrots, Brussels sprouts, turkey and wine, the cost of Christmas dinner may have soared. Surely there will be an economical version with all the ‘trimmings’ available from Amazon Prime or Just Eat.
Insomniacs have long obsessed over fears that lack of sleep is linked to dementia, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes and inflammatory disease. They wake up tired and go to bed wide awake. They can find comfort in the Leonard Cohen line: ‘The last refuge of the insomniac is a sense of superiority to the sleeping world’.
Now some science to the rescue. Australian researchers in Adelaide have reassured the 770million insomniacs worldwide that there is no connection between sleeplessness and mortality and no empirical link that non-sleepers die early. If they are still unconvinced there is the latest book for Christmas, which is guaranteed to get even the most inveterate insomniac to sleep – the Prime Minister’s 585 page Brexit Draft Deal. Too important an issue to joke about, but this will help you sleep on it.
As a great piece of escapism, I recommend you to see A Star is Born. A magnificent film with actor Bradley Cooper, showing that he can sing while singer Lady Gaga can certainly act. This will definitely feature in the Grammy’s and the Oscars.
And finally there is the case of Ding Dong Merrily on High, which ended not so merrily for campanologist Steven Tomsett at St Helen’s Church in Abingdon. During bell ringing practice, he was propelled 20ft into the air, broke both ankles and injured his back. Something to do with not muffling the clappers and not following the health and safety guidelines of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers. He is now suing the church for compensation for industrial injury and is looking for a ‘no swing no fee’ lawyer. It may end up in the Court of Peals.
Home / Business / COMMENT WITH….BARRY SPEKER
Comment With...barry Speker
Christmas celebrations may be an antidote to the dour predictions of Brexit or could be only a temporary diversion. Desperate alternatives to the current deal range from David Cameron's announcement of a return to politics to the suggestion that Noel Edmunds should get involved as the expert at Deal or No Deal. However he is now off to Australia to feature in 'I'm a Celebrity Get me out of Here'. Less risky than trying to compromise leavers and remainers.
Some centrist Labour voters think this is the time for the return of big-brother Miliband to rescue the nation. This is not very likely for many reasons, including the announcement of his pay and benefits deal as President and Chief Executive of IRC, International Rescue Committee, an American organisation. His package is $708,000 (£545,000), which is not bad for working for a charity! And compares very favourably with what any British politician can earn. Though rather less than Tony Blair hauls in as an omniscient former PM and World Leader. Tony is now sharing with us his pearls of wisdom as the prophet of doom.
Christmas is of course the time to commemorate messianic birth, depending on one’s faith. Political correctness enthusiasts continue to try to weaken the legitimate faith basis of Christmas. The central message ought to be maintained rather than the materialistic hype of presents, food and drinks. The wholesome much awaited message of the John Lewis Christmas Advert brought us a celebration of the arrival of a messiah, but it turned out to be Elton John.
There were many memorable Remembrance events, particularly as this year’s was the 100th anniversary of the 1918 armistice and the 80th anniversary of Kristalnacht. I had the honour as DL of laying the wreath at the ceremony in Washington which was very well attended and impressive.
Disappointing to see that Jeremy Corbyn, experienced wreath layer as he is (from Tunisia to the Cenotaph), managed to display his notorious disrespect at this year’s Remembrance Sunday. Turning up in a £79 M & S light blue hoodie was no doubt to foster favour with the hard left and to show again his pacifist roots, having announced he did not support the celebration of the Great War’s centenary. It was a shameful use of an important occasion to make a cheap political gesture – and a waste of the sombre dark overcoat he managed to wear last year.
There remain concerns that the Beast from the East, the uncharacteristically cold temperatures (no doubt sent from Barnier and Merkel) have had a detrimental effect upon the pomme de terre harvest, prices being up 186% compared with last October. With a similar story of the rising cost of carrots, Brussels sprouts, turkey and wine, the cost of Christmas dinner may have soared. Surely there will be an economical version with all the ‘trimmings’ available from Amazon Prime or Just Eat.
Insomniacs have long obsessed over fears that lack of sleep is linked to dementia, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes and inflammatory disease. They wake up tired and go to bed wide awake. They can find comfort in the Leonard Cohen line: ‘The last refuge of the insomniac is a sense of superiority to the sleeping world’.
Now some science to the rescue. Australian researchers in Adelaide have reassured the 770million insomniacs worldwide that there is no connection between sleeplessness and mortality and no empirical link that non-sleepers die early. If they are still unconvinced there is the latest book for Christmas, which is guaranteed to get even the most inveterate insomniac to sleep – the Prime Minister’s 585 page Brexit Draft Deal. Too important an issue to joke about, but this will help you sleep on it.
As a great piece of escapism, I recommend you to see A Star is Born. A magnificent film with actor Bradley Cooper, showing that he can sing while singer Lady Gaga can certainly act. This will definitely feature in the Grammy’s and the Oscars.
And finally there is the case of Ding Dong Merrily on High, which ended not so merrily for campanologist Steven Tomsett at St Helen’s Church in Abingdon. During bell ringing practice, he was propelled 20ft into the air, broke both ankles and injured his back. Something to do with not muffling the clappers and not following the health and safety guidelines of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers. He is now suing the church for compensation for industrial injury and is looking for a ‘no swing no fee’ lawyer. It may end up in the Court of Peals.
Happy Holidays!
Related Business Articles
A Fu-ture Vision
You Don’t Need Coaching, Do You?
Northumbria Wins Share Of £2 Million Government Fund
Cashflow Is King