I was in London yesterday to go to theLast Night of the Proms. It was a great atmosphere, with people enjoying a good mixture of old and new music, classical and popular. The favourites were the traditional sea songs and the patriotic rendering of Land of Hope and Glory, Jerusalem and the National Anthem.
It is true we had to make our way through childish pickets trying to get us to take free EU flags in some colonising move to impose themselves on a very British tradition. It was best to ignore them , though some took their flags to throw away. The songs that were sung needed the Union flag and the flags of the four countries of the Union as backdrops. This was one of those days to just celebrate being British. That was why the show gets such a large international audience. The UK has much to be proud of in its past contribution to the world and in its rich musical and literary culture.
On our way there some people who had been on the lunchtime demonstration from Waterloo to Whitehall wanted to talk to me. One showed me photos of a large peaceful demonstration enjoying being in Central London and saying it with flags. Will the government listen?
They were saying they are proud of our country and want to be free to display our flag, just like the promenaders last night. They cannot understand why some local and national officials want to tear down our flags and why they seem ashamed of our country. The country which gave the world a model of freedom and Parliamentary government, an economy which gave the globe the prosperity of the industrial revolution, the culture that gave Shakespeare and the English language to the many should not be run down by its own progeny.
Those on the demonstration resent the way law abiding UK citizens are treated by our own government. Flying the flag says to them control our borders,put UK people and interests first, respect our traditions. Why does every decent peaceful protest have to face a counter protest? Why does government give priority to foreign law? Why do illegal migrants get better treatment than people born here who are down on their luck? Why is our money given away to foreign countries and not spent on us at home? Why is it thought a good idea to close down our oil,gas, petrol car manufacture, petrochemicals and so much else, only to import these products from abroad.
So listen and watch, government.The flag waving yesterday was from people who love our country and want you, the government, to treasure it too.Our flag is not the symbol of a narrow political group or party but the symbol of a great nation. Those who disliked the protest or want us to wave other flags should try to join us, not try to divide us.
September 14, 2025
It is frequently claimed that the cost of wind farm juice is 4 times higher than that produced by gas. As far as I’ve been able to establish this ridiculous suggestion has it’s origins in Richard Tice and his “net stupid zero” interview with GB News in Feb 2024
The energy industry acknowledges that the best way to measure the different costs of electricity production is the “Levelized Cost of Electricity” (LCOE) method. This is the average cost of the lifetime of the plant per MWh of electricity generated
For renewable technologies, particularly onshore and offshore wind and onshore solar the LCOE is significantly lower than fossil fuel alternatives like gas, with BEIS estimates suggesting they could be half the cost of CCGT by H2 2025. While figures vary – depending on source and how the input data is manipulated – recent government analysis show substantial cost reductions over the years with ongoing falls expected, making a renewables-dominated system much more cost-effective than gas-based systems.
While the LCOE is a useful comparison tool, it is important to consider the full system cost, which as Sir John points out includes factors like energy storage and backup power needed to handle the variability of renewables. The rankings below were produced from a reasonable set of such assumptions taken from the government’s own estimates for 2025, source link below
LCOE estimates for projects commissioning in 2025:-
CCGT “H” Class – 114 £/MWh
Offshore Wind – 44 £/MWh
Onshore Wind – 38 £/MWh
Large Scale Solar – 41 £/MWh
Geothermal – 51 £/MWh
Which can be compared to LCOE estimates for projects commissioning in 2035:-
CCGT “H” Class – 165 £/MWh
Offshore Wind – 43 £/MWh
Onshore Wind – 36 £/MWh
Large Scale Solar – 32 £/MWh
Geothermal – 54 £/MWh
Source :-
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6556027d046ed400148b99fe/electricity-generation-costs-2023.pdf
September 14, 2025
“It is frequently claimed that the cost of wind farm juice is 4 times higher than that produced by gas” This is not frequently claimed by sensible people what is often claimed is the electricity in many countries like the USA is 1/3 to 1/4 of the UK costs. The reason for this is market rigging, Ed’s moronic net zero agenda, taxes, the extra costs of back up and networks…
Planet Normal podcast last week has a sensible energy consultant who explains this rather well. Renewables when you add on the costs of storage, grid connections, back up… are generally far more expensive than coal or gas produced electricity or would be without the vast government market rigging and subsidies.
Higher taxes will not raise more money, Arthur Laffer warns Reeves
Leading US economist says fresh Budget raid on workers and businesses will be self-defeating!
Correct. The NI tax grab, minimum wage increases (another back door tax grab) and net zero rip off energy have already done huge harm to growth and the economy Rachael!
September 14, 2025
People and journalists very often assume that the best level for taxes rates is the peak of the Laffer Curve that point that raises the most tax. In fact the best point for the country and the population is way below this! Raising about 20% of what would be a rather larger GDP is about the right level. Reeves is way above the Laffer Peak already spending heading for 50% of GDP and most spent appallingly too much doing net harm.
A labour spokesperson this AM. “We are stopping tenants being evicted from their homes for no reason”.
Weasel words as usual from politics of envy socialist as 1. it is not their property it belongs to the landlord. 2. the “reason” is their tenancy has ended and the actual owner wants it back. If you rent a car for a month would you say “the car rental company can evict you from your rental car for no reason” when the agreement finishes? Rayner’s appalling bills will not help tenants or workers let alone landlords or employers!
September 14, 2025
@LL – just think a government doing what they expect the rest of us to do ‘budget’. If the take was 20% and that is what they had to spend some though may go into what they are doing
In the UK the Top 1% pay 28% of all income tax, Top 10% pay 59%, Top 50% pay 89%. From then on down the system appears to fund everyone else, that is probably being disingenuous as some, but not all, need help from others – but 50%. Every on wants facilities, not want, but feel entitled to, paid by someone else, no one wants to contribute equally. That’s Socialism. Laffer as far as his headlines goes doesn’t differentiate between the different sectors contributing just the overall balance. But he is pointing out the blinding, ‘common sense’ obvious situation, that every penny taken from the economy (tax) is 1penny less in the economy. It is wrong to think and promote that Government spending is the economy – at best it is money down the drain. There is very little the Government needs to fund, but they just choose to splash other people’s cash to blackmail them in time for the next election.
The UK’s real problem other than a runaway government, with no control on expenditure, is the reliefs, the subsidies, and so on that come from an ill thought our tax system. So many intertwined layers that then have to offer compensation as the believe they are punishing the wrong people when the system is at fault, as such the system becomes overburden with administration and administration costs
September 14, 2025
You quote as if Solar and Wind are available round the clock! So what do we use for power after sunset and until after breakfast time? What do we use when the wind doesn’t blow or is such bad weather that that the sails have to be stopped?.
September 14, 2025
A wish & a prayer
September 14, 2025
SG
Your post is a classic example of how making up this odd definition of energy cost measurement can be used to give a result you want.
Of course the industry uses LCOE as it helps the billions in State subsidies to continue to be diverted into their companies.
Meanwhile heavy industries depart the UK burdened by some of the highest energy costs in the world and people struggle to afford their energy bills.
I’m not opposed to new clean energy sources but stop pretending that they will bring us abundant and cheap power.
September 14, 2025
How can you work out the lifetime costs when no windfarm has yet run its full lifetime and the cost of new ones is constantly going up as instanced by the strike prices being offered? Also wind is so variable that it is impossible to show what it produces over 25 years or so. Does it also include the cost of dismantling and replacing at the end of life? Another manipulation of figures to try to prove that this is practicable and economic by blindsided zealots. It’s all a con for making big money for big money people at the cost of the poorest who simply cannot afford this lunacy.
September 14, 2025
@ Sakara Gold
“The energy industry acknowledges that the best way to measure the different costs of electricity production is the “Levelized Cost of Electricity” (LCOE) method. This is the average cost of the lifetime of the plant per MWh of electricity generated”
Not flying a flag, in your case its a kite.
For this costing calculation to be valid it needs to be ‘per MWh of electricity SOLD’
‘Every MWH generated’ is disingenuous, for that which is lost, exported at a loss or simply run to ground is not correctly included in the calculation.
September 15, 2025
Actually even OFGEM now recognise that planning has to be based on whole system costs, which should include the effects of curtailment/added costs of storage, and other added grid costs for remote transmission at low utilisation (because of low renewables capacity factors), grid stabilisation kit and the costs of providing balancing power and backup. However for a recently closed consultation on grid planning by NESO, I pointed out to them that whole system cost planning only is effective if you use real world costs (and also if you consider what policy the next government will likely pursue). Claire Coutinho recently wrote to the CCC complaining that their Carbon Budget analysis relies on the hopelessly optimistic costs referred to by SG, and asking they revise their costings and possibly their consequent recommendations. He has just written back – and his reply is nonsense.
September 14, 2025
SG : The DESNZ “Electricity Generating Costs 2023” is well known to be nonsense. In fact the Shadow Secretary of State for ES&NZ has written to the new chair of the CCC to challenge this report. David Turver covers this very well in his substack article “CCC Dissembles in Response to Coutinho”:
https://davidturver.substack.com/p/ccc-dissembles-in-response-to-coutinho
If the LCOE of fixed offshore wind is £44/MWhr why is the government offering CfDs of £113-£117/MWhr for the next renewables auction (AR7)?
Note BTW that the £114/MWhr and £165/MWhr for gas generated electricity includes £60/MWhr and £108/MWhr respectively for carbon taxes.
The LCOE does not include grid upgrades, balancing and backup costs and the DESNZ report doesn’t include the cost of floating offshore wind, which according to the CEO of GBE will be needed because we are running out of shallow water and has been offered a CfD of £271/MWhr in the AR7 auctions. Oh, and the biggest AR6 project, the 2.4 GW Hornsea 4 project, was cancelled by Oersted citing rising supply chain costs, higher interest rates and increased execution risk. This shows that their £85/MWhr bid was uneconomic. Let alone at £44/MWhr!
September 15, 2025
+1
September 14, 2025
You are comparing numbers for 2025 projected in 2023 with fantasy numbers projected for 10 years in the future.
Secondly you ignore the artificial cost increases due to carbon taxes, which the report you cite actually identifies, and conveniently ignore the added cost of imported hydrocarbons instead of using local assets.
I am all for finding alternative secure energy provision but your fantastical, not reasonable, comparison is laughable, ridiculous even.
September 14, 2025
Fantasy LCOE numbers (especially from so long ago before we found out that wind farms get cancelled even at £85/MWh or more on economic grounds) are not proof of your claims at all. We can look at real world costs that we actually pay for CFDs in the numbers updated almost daily by the LCCC. Repeating the same nonsense doesn’t make it true.
I note that Starmer has decided not to back the Miliband plan for a hydrogen centre on Teesside, preferring a potential AI investment instead. The application window for the AR7 CFD auction round closed on 27th August. Perhaps it is a sign that the number of applications received is disappointing despite offering up to £117/MWh in current prices for regular offshore wind, as hydrogen depends on heavily subsidised wind surpluses that may no longer be coming. We may learn more as early as 6th October, when DESNZ may publish its formal auction budget notice if there are no procedural delays.
September 15, 2025
If wind and solar power were capable of providing cheap, reliable 24/7 energy, they would not have been ditched centuries ago, in favour of coal, then gas and oil.
Regressing to middle ages technology is moronic.
September 14, 2025
This says it all.
September 14, 2025
In true Brussels Broadcasting Company mide, the camera couldn’t resist highlighting the EU flags albeit through a curtain of union flags.
I enjoyed the programme but felt it lacked the power and ambition of former years.
To answer your questions you have to look into the agendas of the WEF and UN which the majority in Westminster are signed up too.
Until thesr traitorous, and that’s what they are, are removed we’re stuck in this downward trajectory which will end in anarchy.
September 14, 2025
I wrote to Sir Ed Dopey asking why Union flags were removed from lamp posts in my area. Answer came there none.
Liberal Democrat councils elsewhere pretend it is an issue of health and safety.
September 14, 2025
Health and Safety or Climate Change are the excuses for everything nowaday!
September 14, 2025
That or lack of money, this despite Government spending nearly 50% of GDP.
September 14, 2025
Neighbouring Epsom and Ewell have a lovely display of Union Flags, with a few St George flags as well.
The council is controlled by the Local Residents Association, though the MP is now another Liberal Democrat.
September 14, 2025
How nice to see mention of my old Borough of Epsom and Ewell, of which I was Mayor. It has been controlled by RAs since being incorporated in 1937, despite being a heavily Conservative area (until 2024). Each ward has it’s own residents association. Debates in council were always open and decisions made on what was in the interests of local people.
Almost unique in the UK as a genuine local democracy I will be sad to see it subsumed in the forthcoming local government reorganisation in Surrey.
September 14, 2025
It should become a matter of Health & Safety for anyone taking it down.
September 14, 2025
Good morning,
To answer the question: it is the human condition. For every right there is a wrong. The ‘right’ needs the challenge of the wrong so we have to decide which to chose, work for it and value it.
September 14, 2025
The BBC estimates that 150,000 people gathered in central London yesterday for Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” event. Many were carrying Union Jack flags and the Cross of St George.
Apparently, there was a counter-rally of pro-immigration supporters that carried no flags, but placards denouncing those opposing more immigration as “Far Right”. The BBC estimated those attending as only 5000. Police officers were, sadly, injured keeping the two sides apart.
What has brought large numbers of indigenous Brits out on the streets to protest the boat people, asylum hotels and the grooming gangs? Exactly that – the convicted – but released – grooming gang members are still in this country, walking the streets and putting young white and Hindi girls at risk. And now we know that police officers were complicit in the abuse and are being investigated themselves – by the police
Starmer and the new home secretary Shabana Mahmood should take note. The public is demanding action. This issue must be dealt with swiftly – or it looks like there will be a serious autumn of discontent
Reply As anyone can see from the aerial photos it was way more than 150,000
September 14, 2025
So there police here were trying to keep them apart were they? (unlike in Essex where they were doing the complete reverse and escorting them to meet up!
September 14, 2025
Listen to Dougie Beattie’s first hand, on the spot account of how the police made a mistake and accidentally drove a small group into the arms of the “counter protest” [Antifa, HAMAS, and co.] on GB News. He is a very experienced reporter on this sort of thing, being a seasoned Northern Irishman. He also put the figures at more than 3 times the police estimate.
September 14, 2025
Why the subsidies then? And given the higher proportion of unreliables why are power costs up over the long term?
Counter protests can be used by “players” to create incidents. Why were they allowed?
September 15, 2025
These particular “counterprotesters” seem to have protected status. This time there were 9 arrests of the people at the rally. Considering they were wrongly kettled, that is not bad out of 330,000. All the rest of the arrests were antifa and co. But you would never think so from the reporting.
September 14, 2025
Surely the BBC are not lying are they? Might they also have lied over climate alarmism, the Covid “vaccines”, the net harm vaccines, about the EU, EVs, so called “renewables”, the size of the state, the endless red tape, open door immigration levels and benefits…
September 14, 2025
There were way more people than at the Countryside March where 407, 791 protestors were eventually sheep-clicker-counted at the finish line. Lots more stopped early and did not cross the line of course.
It was wonderful to see our flags flying and good to see the Christian cross in the mix. Our people were declaring who and what we are.
Anyone who does not like it should find somewhere that they do like, because this is the ancient nation in its homeland declaring ownership.
September 15, 2025
@Reply
Then in response to 2TK saying he ‘will not surrender’ British flag to violence.
One commentator noted
Notting Hill Carnival 2025 – 528 arrests.
Palestine Action, 6th September – 857 arrests.
Unite the Kingdom – 25 arrests.
September 15, 2025
and the last small number of perhaps 500,000 protesters due to Police failing to ban the ill-supported ‘protest against racial prejudice’ march. It was clearly likely to require complete separation by mileage and if ever something was going to incite the few extremists clashing would!
September 14, 2025
When you mentioned flags and the last night of Proms my thought went directly to EU flags even before you mentions them being pushed at people. At least we no longer are forced to have them on our number plates! We are however still forced to pay for the BBC which is pro EU, pro climate alarmism, pro open door immigration, pro ever more red tape, pro ever larger government, anti-landlord, anti-freedom and anti-free speech!
Will the government listen? Well Labour did not listen to the anti-Iraq War demo, the anti-hunting march, anti-student fees march… of similar sizes.
Why does every decent peaceful protest have to face a counter protest? Well the police like the overtime money and to discredit the peaceful protest. Two Tier Policing, two Tier Government and two tier Kier continues! In Essex the police even admitted they escorted them to meet the peaceful protesters!
September 14, 2025
I was at the free speech March yesterday. The MSM is stating 100000 people attended and is focused on very tiny bits of violence.
If you have a chance please take the opportunity to correct the media. I’ve been to countless crowded events and I’ve never seen so many people in one place. I’d venture around a million. There’s plenty of aerial footage so you can judge for yourself. All in good spirits. The violence came when the police closed off authorised routes then arrived mob handed in riot gear and started pushing people who had nowhere to retreat to.
Thankfully social media tells the truth. Yesterday’s march was monumental – the government and MSM mustn’t be allowed to play it down.
Reply I am stressing the importance of yesterday. I saw you had a few friends there with you!
September 14, 2025
That wonderful advert for diversity, the Notting Hill Carnival has many more arrests each year than happened yesterday and that is without an event allowed ne t to it designed to antagonise participants.
And yet noone call the Notting Hill Carnivsl violent or fat right.
September 14, 2025
Your points being reported on GB News at 4pm Nana Akua show
September 14, 2025
Plainly, we have a government that is not on the side of the people: we have known this for a while now.
Those on the demonstration from Waterloo to Whitehall might throw the government into quandary and impotence at any repeat by carrying a few EU flags perhaps?
September 14, 2025
“They cannot understand why some local and national officials want to tear down our flags and why they seem ashamed of our country.”
Some local officials were even offering counselling to people who felt offended or upset by UK flags. But it is perhaps now too late or will be after three plus more years of Labour! After all the future belongs to those who show up.
September 14, 2025
£130 million every day spent by the NHS on translators it seems doubtless rather few of these patient have ever paid in. Uet people even with v. serious conditions have to wait weeks for a GP, Cancer treatment, heart operations and hours at A&E or awaiting ambulances even to be seen.
September 14, 2025
There’s no need for the NHS to spend on translators at all. I’m sure there’s plenty of immigrant sympathy around that charities can tap into and supply what’s needed.
September 14, 2025
I was visiting in an East London hospital yesterday and afterwards had to wait at the entrance for half an hour for my taxi. I have not been in East London for a few years due to ill health, but I was amazed at what I saw. Three people came along speaking English, and I’d say hundreds speaking all kinds of languages. Plus there were many in Middle Eastern dress and Burkas. I was shocked at the change in my birth city in just a few years. Also the welcome sign had English in the middle with dozens of other languages all over it. Seems like the NHS has no interest in the English language any more and panders to the incomers.
September 14, 2025
Most of London and other cities has been like that for years and years – on previous trips were you blindfolded? You didn’t indicate possible nationality, accents, dress code etc of the staffing?
September 14, 2025
It’s not that easy in a 10min consultation even when prepared with language, time and correct code and numbers.Patient consults can take 5mins or 30 mins and an actual 3 way conversation isn’t satisfactory as the details required cannot be elucidated.
September 14, 2025
£130k a day !!! k not m.
telegraph 13/09/2025
September 14, 2025
Still a ridiculously high number which would fund 1,000 Juinor Doctors or senior nurses for a year
September 14, 2025
How much is spent countrywide Hefner?
We should not pick on the NHS after all.
September 14, 2025
Are they translating for the Doctors, into English?
September 14, 2025
The BBC web site says “Grab your flags (unspecified) for the grand BBC Proms finale” I assume, this being the BBC, this means any flags other than UK, pro Trump or Israeli ones – after all they would not want you to offend!
September 14, 2025
The songs that were sung needed the Union flag and the flags of the four countries of the Union as backdrops. This was one of those days to just celebrate being British.
Exactly couldn’t agree more, now come next year on Saint George’s Day Thursday, 23 April 2026 let’s celebrate like they do in Scotland/Wales/Ireland and not be ashamed to be English and every household put out the flag of Saint George
September 14, 2025
Well said John
September 14, 2025
Hope you enjoyed the last night John. I only saw the closing ceremony but it impressed me as a good old British event. Plenty of Union Jacks but sadly far too may EU ones which the BBC delightfully showed. The vast majority of the crowd were white British, the exception being the lady conductor who gave one of the best closing speeches I have ever heard.
As for the march, the media in these cases always misrepresent them, concentrating on the violent bits and ignoring the much larger peaceful bits and also seem to ignore what they are about. Again a sadly unnecessary police presence which only made matters worse. I have been on the Lockdown marches, they are never as portrayed by the media and like yesterdays overwhelmingly peacefu.
Keep the flags flying. Mr Starmer, have you noticed?
September 14, 2025
Well said. My wife and I watched it on television. Couldn’t help seeing the EU flags. Such a pity that these people wanted to spoil the enjoyment of the occasion for the majority of us who do respect our traditions, are proud of our history and expect our governments to feel and act in the same way. We thought the EU flag demonstration within the audience was obviously contrived in some way so thank you for explaining that the flags were given out free by pickets to concert goers.
Please keep posting. Your enormous political experience and insightful observations are important and I am sure they represent accurately the views of so many of our population.
September 14, 2025
Why display the EU flag at all? It’s not like that army of bureaucrats and expensive talking shops represent anything to be proud of.
September 14, 2025
The excellent Jay Bhattacharya too!
September 14, 2025
Another diary post asking “Why…? Why..? Why…?”. Isn’t it about time you knew why, Sir John?
September 14, 2025
He and we know why, but how can we correct this given the system that pertains, vested interests/quality of MPs, the legal system, judges and government officials is the question.
September 14, 2025
Listen to Liz Truss answer that question when interviewed by Peter McCormack: repeal of all the laws passed under Blair. That goes a good way towards stopping the elites from weaponising the law against the people.
September 14, 2025
All questions the electorate and now Joe Public need to be asking of Government – central and local.
September 14, 2025
The proms may not have survived without the support of the BBC over many years.
However, the BBC is not the organisation it once was and I hope another broadcaster will bid for the rights to broadcast and support the proms.
I think the proms are now tainted by its association with the BBC which tends to provide an extreme view of the world.
It’s negative reporting of the patriotic protest yesterday was a typical example of the output of an organisation that I am ashamed of and one that should not be associated with the proms.
September 14, 2025
The support of the BBC? eh? Those who enjoy it go….Those do not see BBC support in any way, attendance (of all live performance music) being far better than arranged coverage on television.
September 15, 2025
No, leave it on the BBC. Can you imagine getting inane adverts after every piece of music? It would destroy the whole thing as a glorious mainly pro British event, spoiled a bit by the EU nutters who despise this country.
September 14, 2025
It was a great last night, including the best “Rule, Britannia” that I can recall.
September 14, 2025
Next opportunity would be Trafalgar Day next month – 21st October.
Celebrating the sea action when Nelson skuttled Napoleon’s plans to invade these islands by dismissing the combined French and Spanish fleets.
135 years later German plans to invade were cancelled through stout action by our armed forces.
80 years after that and the “elites” are waving the invaders in and giving them free bed, board, medicare and pocket money.
It would appear that in 80 years the country’s leadership has gone from having a backbone for centuries to being spineless lackeys whose loyalty can be bought with some free spectacles and racy underwear.
September 14, 2025
Was waiting and watching for you to say exactly this, dear John Redwood.
Why are we made to feel ashamed of flying our flags? Especially the St George’s. This is our country and why are we told we’re racist to fly the English flag in particular?
The Empire was around three quarters of the earth, and it’s these very three quarters who are now here making us ashamed and humiliating our Standards. If you hate us why are you here? Go somewhere else…
September 14, 2025
It strikes me as odd how there has been a sea change among lefties. The old style, the ones I grew up seeing on the news such as James Callaghan, Denis Healey, Barbara Castle, Roy Jenkins, etc., despite making a mess of things, were at least patriots. Perhaps it was because they went through the war and recognised a common enemy. Nowadays to be a lefty means you must hate your country without quite knowing what to put in its place. When and why the change in attitude happened I don’t know.
September 14, 2025
It happened during the cultural revolution which started at the end of the sixties and gathered through the seventies.
September 15, 2025
In part the numerous union strikes, work to rule, Government baiting activities from 60s into 70s began to destroy the concept of patriotism. Union membership which should have been about seeking improved pay and conditions, sharing industrial productivity became an ‘every body out’ shout at a single worker grievance. This destruction of industrial Britain was seized upon to be political movement not putting pay in the pockets. Workers rarely got their loss of income back due to striking, even unions came close to the brink of running out of funds.
Worker apathy on representation was soon seized upon by the ‘lefties’ the Governments yielding to the threats.
Then along came Thatcher.
September 14, 2025
Sir John
I 100% agree with the sentiments expressed today. The silent majority have been ignored for to long. The Political Authorities have taken listening to the minority primarily left wing activists and thing that being on message with them is their duty. You cant have equality all the time the left wing of what socialism is stoking up division, their whole thesis is based on them and us.
September 14, 2025
No doubt flags have their place they should be flown on government and public buildings and for special occasion but if they are flaunted about the place as they are now then their value is diminished – for instance the union flag on umbrellas or on underwear is not a display I think appropiate and if we keep going like this then we could end up like Belfast painting the kerb stones.
September 14, 2025
I watched the Prom on TV and noticed that the first half omitted any British symphonic pieces which were played in the past. The little Hong Kong conducted was better than the American woman who gave us a piece of her progressive mind at the interval a few years ago. The piece with the old Queen band starting with lines about killing a man seemed timely and Alison Balsam was a good turn on her trumpet.
September 14, 2025
There is a deeply symbolic message behind the widespread display of Union and St George (etc) flags across the nation in recent weeks, and indeed the painting of St George flags on zebra crossings and mini-roundabouts: “we, the silent majority have had enough of the way in which we are being governed: taxes hiked, freedoms removed, aliens prioritised…”
Anyone familiar with Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” will recall that in the dying days of the ever more repressive regime, the people took to painting the sign of the dollar on prominent buildings. John Galt told that government to “get out of the way”. Here and now, need we say anything different?
September 14, 2025
You ask many reasonable questions SirJR. No answers will come from Starmer. He considers patriots to be far right. He’s much more comfortable amongst the far left and Islam.
PS I thought the woke/far left had managed to remove patriotic songs from ‘last night of the proms’ I’m glad to see it’s not so.
September 14, 2025
Good morning
Coats of Arms were symbols of showing the Knight, the Lord, a Prince and a King who they were on the battlefield and which men at arms believed to who.
It is important to remember when last piece of British Sovereign territory was taken by force of arms – the Falklands. Here we had imagie of the Union Flag taken down and Argentine flags raised. They are important symbols of ownwership. I remember the message sent from the South Atlantic when they were retaken. From memory.
“Be pleased to inform Her Majesty that the ‘Union Flag’ flies over Government House. God save the Queen. ”
The flag of England and England herself is older than the Union and it’s flag. It defines a particular nation and a particular people that you can only be born into by blood. Anyone can British, but only the English can be English and lay claim to this land.
September 14, 2025
Not anyone can be British. You have to come from on of the 6 British countries, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Monmouth or Berwick.
Similarly you can’t be European if you are from Africa or vice versa.
September 14, 2025
So people do not apply for ‘British’ Citizenship ?
Any CAN be British if they apply to be so and it is granted.
September 14, 2025
One of the most important concepts of the Monarchy (and one of many reasons why I’m a staunch royalist), which you hardly ever if ever hear, is that we are all meant to REPLICATE being Kings / Queens in our own lives / families.
As ALL monarchs would have believed from 1066 and before, Christ is THE KING. The King (the monarch) is The King replicating Christ. And the rest of us are meant to be kings and queens in our lives / families / homes. This isn’t just about religion but also (if you’re an atheist) psychology / culture.
So whether you’re a believer or not, from a psychological / cultural POV, a king (every British man) is meant to embody / seek to embody the 5 x masculine traits (and if he does, he will reach an extraordinary level of being a true man and patriot):
1. King or Leader (the most important masculine arch type and in control over the others. In every sense. A man living an abundant life in terms of job, interests, social life, both soulful and down-to-earth / practical / pragmatic)
2. Warrior (in body, mind and soul)
3. Lover of Life (a man who is in love with life, humour, fun, sanguine, sense of adventure, spontaneity, warmth, joy etc)
4. Healer (listens, peacemaker, makes people feel relaxed and at east etc)
5. Magician (in Renaissance sense of word – wise man, knows his way around the world without being worldly, creative, the man of letters, the man of business, the entrepreneur, the doctor, the scientist, the psychologist, the husband who knows how to benignly seduce and love his wife etc).
(And then similar but different arch types for the queen)
If we tried to educate our young more into this (and doesn’t take long) it would have extraordinary results.
Reply I have continued to be tolerant and have posted this. In future please relate your contributions to the topic of my blog and the wider conversation on the site. I will not carry on posting long unrelated contributions.
September 15, 2025
Sorry – thank you
September 14, 2025
Why not join Reform UK Mr Redwood?
September 14, 2025
When Reform falls apart with infighting, you’ll be congratulating Sir John for sticking with the Tories.
Reform is Nigel Farage, and not everyone likes him. A political movement really needs more depth.
At the moment though, he is head and shoulders above all the other party leaders.
September 14, 2025
He’s only talking, they can all talk.
Farage never delivers, he can’t.
September 14, 2025
Not everyone likes all politicians! How could they, people find anything to make a dislike over?
Lynn yes they all talk and many lie constantly – proven later on.
What exactly are you accusing Farage of not delivering on, then you correctly say he can’t at present – he has no Government power, and due to FPTP gets only a handfall of MPs, while the nutcase LibDems get 75 or whatever.
You keep showing your baseless bias on the poor man.
September 14, 2025
Don’t you think that we would be better off with a more “Swiss” style govt with more referenda. We vote a Govt in and they do not do what they say they would do.
If we had more public votes on matters we might get the Govt/ management that we require.
Imagine if one of the votes was “Should we have an inquiry into the Rape Gangs that is thorough and independent (as the Aussies or Kiwis to investigate)” – what do you think the Public would vote for? Do you think we would have had the foot dragging that has gone on from all Govts since the 2000s?
This is why we need a more direct democracy.
“Should illegal immigrants be put up in hotels?” What do you think the people of this country would vote for?
We need real change.
September 14, 2025
I’ve just watched Peter Kyle being interviewed by Camilla Tomily on “Petie” Mandlesons appointment.
I think ‘Bloodbath’ would be an appropriate description…
September 14, 2025
We should follow the lead of the EU, ie if you receive funding from an EU progranme you have to show/fly their flag and even include their logo on leaderhead paper ….the UK should pass a law that any ‘body’ receiving public funds should fly the Union flag
September 14, 2025
Off Topic.
Labour resent and want to steal the wealth off people.
I read the following from the BBC website:
One of London’s most popular attractions has announced plans to expand after receiving pledges of £375m from private donors. The National Gallery said that sum included “the two largest ever publicly reported single cash donations to a museum or gallery globally”.
It will be built on the last remaining part of the current campus and is planned to “revitalise the area between Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, creating a vibrant, fresh experience for visitors”.
Of the £375m pledged to date, £150m is coming from Crankstart, the charitable foundation of Sir Michael Moritz and his wife, Harriet Heyman, and £150m from the Julia Rausing Trust.
Founder trustee, Sir Hans Rausing, said: “My beloved wife Julia was a passionate supporter of the National Gallery and its role in making great art accessible to all. “She would have wholeheartedly embraced the vision and ambition behind this project, recognising its potential to transform the understanding and appreciation of art, and to reinforce the gallery’s role on the world stage. “This gift is given in her memory, so that others may discover the same beauty and inspiration in art that meant so much to her.”
A further £75m is coming from the National Gallery Trust, National Gallery’s chairman of trustees, John Booth, plus other donors who wish to remain anonymous.
September 14, 2025
They aren’t trying merely to divide British society but to destroy it and replace it with something utterly different and regressive
September 14, 2025
Since around 1997 we have been ruled by socialists of one form or another. Socialism depends upon making and keeping people poor and this is achieved through sabotaging the economy (wasteful spending, high taxation, Net Zero) and destroying national and social cohesion (mass immigration). Eventually the money runs out and there is social disorder bringing authoritarian measures for control, including the ending of democracy. We should learn from the history of the last century how it all ends with socialism, whether international or national socialism. And particularly be aware of those socialists who belong to an association whose logo is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
September 14, 2025
We said they should have chosen Dame Karen Pierce, didn’t we? Though I can think of worse things Mandelson did with Blair, Brown, Powell, and Campbell than staying loyal to a fallen friend.
September 14, 2025
We never used to attribute and punish guilt by association: that was what the totalitarians did.
September 14, 2025
Patriotism vs. Aggression
A single flag like the St. George’s Cross is not inherently an aggressive symbol. For many, it’s a way to express national pride, celebrate cultural identity, or show support for a specific team in sporting events. This is often viewed as a patriotic value, a way to honor one’s heritage and a sense of belonging without hostility toward others.
However, the same flag can be perceived as an aggressive stance, especially when used in a context of exclusion, superiority, or political conflict. When a flag is associated with actions that marginalise others or promote a nationalist agenda, it can be seen as an act of aggression. The key difference lies in the intent and the actions associated with its display. Is the flag being used to unite a people in celebration, or is it being used to divide and confront others?
The Union Flag and its Constituent Parts
The Union Flag itself is a powerful symbol of solidarity, representing the union of three nations—England, Scotland, and Ireland (initially, and now Northern Ireland).
The flags of these nations—the St. George’s Cross for England, the St. Andrew’s Saltire for Scotland, and the St. Patrick’s Saltire for Ireland—are the three designs incorporated into the Union Flag. Each of these flags, when flown individually, can be seen as an expression of distinct national identity and pride.
September 14, 2025
John,
Your support for the right wing marches of Tommy Robinson and his supporters are not very wise.
Questioning foreign aid which helps disease as an example in Africa is in my book not very wise
Reply I do not support Mr Robinson as I made clear. I do support peaceful people who are proud of our country and its flags. Why are you worried about that?
September 14, 2025
On a different note I was sorry to hear that Alison Balsom, the very talented trumpeter is retiring. Her performances are electric, and I easily detect them on the radio. She complains that there is insufficient depth in the trumpet repertoire (and she has performed many adaptations of works written for other instruments), and she finds it difficult to try to improve on her previous versions of Hummel’s concerto. Were she to add her own interpretations of the work of other famous trumpeters such as ‘Satchmo’ Louis Armstrong (though she wouldn’t have his gravelly voice) and James Last she could extend her audience and give herself some new challenges to throw into the mix. It could make for wonderful eclectic concerts.
September 14, 2025
At least the roads around Windsor have been lined with the Union Flag without the usual counter display as usual from 2TK’s extream left.
September 14, 2025
“The country which gave the world a model of freedom and Parliamentary government, an economy which gave the globe the prosperity of the industrial revolution, the culture that gave Shakespeare and the English language to the many should not be run down by its own progeny”
Maybe the greatest thing that this country – England and Wales anyway – gave the world is the legal system called the common law. Very people-centred, very democratic.
Compared to Napoleonic law, the two systems are chalk and cheese. In England, we are born with inalienable rights. In some EU countries, its ‘Charter of Fundamental Rights’ was radical. Not here, where we already had them.
Being a non-lawyer, I hadn’t appreciated the difference between the two systems until ‘the COVID period’. I spent a lot of time reading up on the legal aspects of what was being done to us which in hindsight appears to have been wholly unconstitutional.
September 15, 2025
@Jeremy H – if only we had returned to Common/English Law on leaving the EU, it is now reserved for use in the Worlds Sovereign and Free Democracies. The deals for UK governance created by May, Johnson, Sunak and now Starmer each in their own way creates Napoleonic law as the overriding template. Unelected, unaccountable Technocrats and Bureaucrats rule the UK, not its People via its Parliament – democracy has been cancelled