vivweb01blog

  On present evidence, and despite a welcome shower or two in late July, I think we just might….. Those of us old enough to remember the excesses of the 1970s will recall one of the most notable of its meteorological ones - the ‘great drought’ of ’76. Contrary to popular belief, this was even more extensive and prolonged than the current one, with both a dry autumn and winter in 1975 and a dry spring in 1976 contributing.   In June 1976 there was actually a period of two whole weeks where maximum temperatures in southern England never fell below 32oC, and we haven't seen anything that prolonged this year - yet. The prolonged nature of the 1976 heatwave, and the following dry, hot period which continued until early August, resulted in severe consequences for crops and domestic  water supplies, with taps in some areas actually running dry. This culminated in the Drought Act being rushed through parliament on 5 th August. This legislation   included more draconian...

  There is no doubt that exposure of young children to online porn and other such 'adult' material can be harmful, whether it occurs by their own choice or by accident. The advent of the ‘always on’ internet, along with ready access to personal smartphones for some kids as young as 4 years old, has created a ‘perfect storm’. A number of cases in the media where problems have been highlighted has brought matters to a head recently. Older pre-teens and teenagers are also at risk of harm, but for different reasons, and access amongst older groups is rarely accidental. The key question is – how do we manage the problem as a responsible and caring society ? The government has seen fit to introduce a requirement for age verification via OFCOM in an attempt to restrict access to internet pornography and other 'adult' sites for anyone under 18. It has already encountered opposition as the 'thin end of the censorship wedge' and an infrigment of free speech rights...

I first published this blog immediately after the last general election when Labour were seen as the peoples' choice and the best hope for the future. What a difference  day year makes.... Given the Labour Leadeship's abysmal popularity ratings, Reform's success in the local elections on May 1st was anticipated, but it's extent certainly wasn't. It's obvious now that this wasn't just a 'punishment vote' against Labour, but a wholesale rejection of the old 2-party system with its perpetuation of periodic swaps between the two 'old guard' major parties to the exclusion of the others. Even the Lib Dems did barely more than tread water this time.  The message is a clear one - the UK electorate are clearly desperate to see an improvement in their morale and fortunes after a prolonged period of decline - if the old guard can't provide it, they will simply vote them out and try someone new.  The caveats: It remains to be seen whether Reform c...