Because They Aren't Coming From War-Torn Countries

 

Garang*, 18, is one of thousands of refugees recently caught in the crossfire of French riot police, who threw teargas and beat them with batons when they boarded dinghies to travel to the UK. He is a victim of a war in his home of South Sudan – and one being fought on France’s northern shores. He borrows a phone from anyone with credit who will let him try to call home, where his family is displaced. Garang doesn’t have enough money on the £10-a-week allowance from the Home Office to make a long-distance call. All he wants is to speak to his mum, to hear her voice, and let her know he is alive and safe in the UK despite the violence he has faced.

How nice of the Home Office to extract some of the money I pay in taxes for the upkeep of the country to gice a criminal a mobile phone... 

On Thursday, stopping more people like Garang from reaching the UK in small boats topped the “to do” list of the prime minister, Andy Burnham, and the French president, Emmanuel Macron, when they held talks.

And talk is all they are likely to do about it.. 

How much further can the war on refugees go?

Much, much further, of course - it's hardly a war, it's little more than a skirmish, and we're losing! 

The UK government is increasingly using military terms such as “surge” and “neutralise” in relation to small-boat crossings.

Timr to drop the 'terms' then, and use military forces instead. 

These images have fuelled anger, with some Britons believing that most refugees are shunning other countries to beat a path to our door.

They clearly are, because you've just proved that point, haven't you? Why did Garang not phone his mum in Sudan to tell her he was safe in France?  

In fact, the number of irregular arrivals to Europe in the last year has dropped significantly, and the UK ranks 16th in Europe per head of population for asylum claims. According to this newly released data, a majority of asylum seekers do not arrive in small boats – 41% were already in the UK and held a visa or other leave prior to claiming and 20% arrived by other routes, many likely to be clandestine means, such as lorries.

In other words people lie on entry, or when their visa runs out? Why would we be happy to keep people like this in thr country? If you invite friends over for supper, and they decide they aren't going to leave and annouce their intention to live in your house instead Diane, is that acceptable to you or would you be calling the police to have them removed? 

Nigel Farage and Reform UK have poisoned the public discourse on people fleeing war, people who run because they don’t want to be killed or to kill others.

If they've decided they 'don't want to kill others' it's not for long at all, is it? So many of them find the urge again that the government finds it polically useful not to keep track.

If They Weren't Essential, Would They Be Doing Them?

The British army has been ordered to halt non-essential training exercises in an effort to save money. Troops preparing to be deployed or on deployments, those who are on standby or in a quick-reaction role will continue to train as normal. But collective training exercises for UK-based units are being suspended for most of this year amid budget pressures.

I assume any training the Army gives its recruits is essential...

Andy Burnham is under pressure to increase defence spending to 3% of national income by 2030, rising to 3.5% by 2035.

Well, this is the wrong direction to go, Andeh... 

The chancellor, John Healey, resigned from Keir Starmer’s government as defence secretary in June, in protest against what he argued was the then prime minister’s failure to adequately fund defence.

 And we all cheered a principled member of Starmer's government at last. We should have known better!

But in his new post in No 11 Downing Street, Healey has made clear he will wait until next year’s spending review before presenting a plan to meet Labour’s pledge of devoting 3.5% of GDP to defence by 2035.

 Guess it wasn't such a deeply held belief in the necessity of our armed forces after all. Just another ruse for promotion. 

That Tune's Familiar: Parody Songs

Wasn't sure whether to include this one, as the tune's original and not a skit on an actual song, but the animation is spot on and it’s so bloody fitting for 2026  I’m including it regardless!

Ouch!

 

...finger on the pulse, that's our Matt!

Sunday Funnies...

 None of these should surprise me, given my own job, and yet, No1 does! 

What Else Are They Supposed To Do With Them?

The proportion of secondary school students in England removed from class and placed in “internal exclusion” as a disciplinary measure has almost trebled in three years, according to new data.

And of course, it’s affecting the ones you could have guessed it’ll be affecting: 

Poorer children are disproportionately affected, with more than one in five (22%) disadvantaged youngsters taken out of lessons at least once in 2025/26, up from 8% three years ago – a 175% increase, according to analysis of the data. The figure was one in ten (10%) for non-disadvantaged pupils. Children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) are also overrepresented, with 18% of students with an education, health and care plan removed from class at least once in 2025/26.

In other words, the underclass and the ones unable to moderate their behaviour.

Critics say that putting pupils into internal exclusion – which varies between schools but is sometimes described as an “isolation room” – can damage mental wellbeing and result in lost learning.

Do those critics actively teach these children? No? Then why should we listen to a word they have to say? Nothing damages mental wellbeing like trying to learn when stuck in a class where someone disruptive is allowed to run riot, after all.

Unlike permanent exclusions and fixed term suspensions, when pupils are sent home, internal exclusions require children to remain on site and they are returned to their class at the end of the exclusion. While the government collects data on exclusions and suspensions, it does not for internal exclusions.

Well, someone obviously is! Who is it, and why are they doing it? Well Reader, I think you can guess, can’t you?

Arbor’s CEO and co-founder, James Weatherill, said: “Schools clearly need effective ways to respond when behaviour disrupts learning, and we know from schools that internal exclusion can be an important alternative to sending a pupil home. But the scale of this increase, particularly among disadvantaged pupils, should prompt us to look more closely at what is driving it.”

Yes, Reader, you guessed it - it’s yet another lobby organisation. 

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Internal exclusions are never used lightly but only after other avenues have been exhausted. They are a step short of an external exclusion and are designed to keep the student in school with appropriate learning support.”

You tell ‘em, Pepe! 

This Is Why We Don't Let Children Make Impulsive Decisions...

A five-year-old boy died after jumping from a 15th-floor tower block window, believing he could fly, an inquest has ruled. Aalim Ahmed plunged to his death when he fell from a kitchen window at a residential block in Plaistow, east London. The window had become 'compromised' and could tilt and turn, allowing the autistic boy to open it and climb out.

...because they don't know what they are capable of. So why did we ever think they should be allowed (or more accurately, encouraged) to believe they could change their sex? 

Mother Sahra Osman had reported safety concerns about the flat on multiple occasions. She blamed Newham Council for her son's death, saying it was 'preventable'.

It was, yes. by her taking more care to ensure her child couldn't access trthe windows. But of course, the council has deep pockets, so theres an opportiunity here. 

The inquest heard contrasting accounts about the condition of the windows. An engineer sent by Newham Council to carry out an inspection and look at overhauling the windows and handles said they were functioning when he saw them on December 17, 2023.

Oh!  

In contrast, Ms Osman had a list of complaints spanning several months, which included her fears the windows were opening too wide and she did not have a key, the court also heard. Assistant Coroner Ian Wade, sitting at East London Coroner's Court, said the windows 'were not used appropriately'.

Heh! Sounds like the council is prepared to fight this one for once, and not just roll over and hand this woman a pile of taxpayer's cash to go away, which is refreshing. 

In a narrative conclusion on Monday, Mr Wade said Aalim's autism diagnosis made him 'incapable of making reliable judgments about his personal safety and abilities'

Seems it ran in the family... 

So Much For 'Learning Lessons'

 The police farce that failed so badly over the Nottingham killer has been at it again:

Police failed to warn the families of three Nottingham attack victims that a mentally ill man obsessed with the case had been hunting for them – and allegedly played down the danger he posed.

The man, who had been sectioned and referred to the Government's Prevent programme over extremism, travelled to Somerset in an attempt to locate the families of victims Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar. He had also visited the GP surgery of Dr Sanjoy Kumar, Grace's father, after claiming he knew of a 'cover-up' surrounding the June 2023 attacks.Yet Barnaby's parents Emma and David were not told about the man's journey for 18 months, while the family of Ian Coates, the 65-year-old school caretaker also murdered by triple killer Valdo Calocane, say they were never officially informed.

This mystery man isn't named or pictured anywhere, so it seems we can be confident he's not white English, since that's not the sort of madman our two-tier police and NHS fall all over themselves to protect these days....but just like Calocane, he's wracked up quite a career: 

The man was later sectioned after threatening ambulance workers in London before absconding from hospital last October. Police eventually told the Webbers he was on the run, but failed to disclose his history of threatening behaviour or his fixation with the Nottingham killings.

Emma Webber said it was 'profoundly upsetting' that her family had been left without any safeguarding advice, particularly as her other son Charlie was attending school nearby. She added that the police briefing was 'fundamentally misleading' and said: 'We have been denied the right to protect ourselves.'

You'd be denied it anyway. God forbid you take measures in self defence that harmed a hair on the lunatic's head, you'd feel the full force of the law then! 

According to The Times, Nottinghamshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is already investigating failures surrounding the Nottingham attacks.The IOPC has apologised for not informing the families about its dealings with the man.

And no doubt that's the only apology you'll ever get. 

There Goes Another Old Tradition, Killed By 'Progress'...

That being 'the show must go on!'

Jonathan Bailey has announced he has withdrawn from West End show Sunday In The Park With George after his 'dearest friend' Ariana Grande pulled out last month. Ariana is performing her final ever show tonight (September 1) in London before she takes a step back from the public eye. Just hours before she takes to the stage, Jonathan shared a statement revealing his surprise exit in support of Ariana's decision to also withdraw.

He wrote on Instagram: 'Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering. 

To the point that because she is leaving he has to? And this is not a case of an actor relieved to have a reason to be out of a failing production…

'Marianne [the production's director] is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends. After much consideration, I have decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George. 

'This brilliant, introspective musical has been a real passion project for me, and I feel incredibly lucky to have shared in its journey with this team. 

It can’t have been, if it can’t be ditched for so ridiculous a reason! 

'Among many things, the story explores the deep connection between George and Dot, a beautiful, devoted pairing, and I so look forward to seeing what the two actors who will now take on these roles will create with it.

'I wish the very best to the entire company, I will be cheering them on as they continue with this production. Jonny x'

Is it me, or  does no one have any hard work ethic anymore?

The pair will both be recast as theatre bosses actively look for new talent.

Hopefully they will find some who are grateful for the chance and with the ability to stick it out to the finish. 

Nowhere IS Safe In London...

Reform UK’s London mayoral contender Laila Cunningham has told how her children are “petrified” of going to Shepherd’s Bush after a fatal stabbing there.

The mother-of-seven launched fresh criticism of Sir Sadiq Khan’s record on crime after recent shootings and stabbings in the capital including the murder of a bus driver in Clapham.

“My heart goes out to the family of the person killed in Shepherd’s Bush...and to those injured. In a matter of seconds, families’ lives are changed forever,” she posted on X.“My own kids swim in Shepherd’s Bush. They’re now petrified of going there. And as their mum so am I. “We were there last weekend. It increasingly feels like nowhere is safe. 

Nowhere is, but your children don't really fit the demographic in most danger from stabbing attack, do they?  

“Week after week it’s another stabbing, another shooting, another family getting the phone call every parent dreads.”

“Sadiq Khan can keep telling us London is safe, but that means very little to families living with this fear,” she added. 

Most of the families getting this call will only be surprised their spawn is a victim instead of a wanted perpetrator. 

But Sir Sadiq has rejected claims of a “lawless London” with high numbers of shootings and stabbings.

That's the Labour way - flat out denial of what the public can see with their own eyes. 

Earlier this week, he hit out at Donald Trump and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK who have sought to argue that the capital is plagued by crime.

He posted on X: “The loudest voices online aren't always the most accurate. 

“New data shows our homicide rate is lower than every US state, while murder rates are at record lows. 

Because our figures are massaged by Labour's liars, perchance? Still at least our cops aren't shooting donkeys, just running over cows. I'm not sure what's better, frankly. 

“The evidence is clear: our approach to tackling crime and its causes works. It’s driving down violence right across the capital.”

But then along came Carnival...