Interesting that the government has at last spotted we are having some hot days. Curious that they chose now to make this an emergency issue to warrant a meeting of their COBRA Committee. That is meant to meet as soon as a new disaster hits, not weeks after a problem has emerged.
You would have thought the priority meeting should have been how to stop the new mega dinghies, the jumbo inflatables now hitting the Channel. That surely is an emergency, given the large numbers of lives at risk, the passivity of the French and the need to stop the flow. There is new evidence that we are now facing much larger boats who stop to pick up hundreds of people along the French coast before they come to English waters.
What should the “Summer days” Cobra do? Government does need to respond to the possible water shortage and has been meeting to try to do so, and to the stresses on our electricity and rail systems. Here is a short agenda:
- Stop many categories of new migrants like those seeking low skilled jobs coming by legal routes to the UK. We do not have enough water, power, NHS capacity for our current population, so why keep increasing numbers?
- Press ahead with the 9 new reservoirs that are being considered. The government should drive through the licences and planning permissions rapidly to ward off future water shortages and to catch up with all the extra people invited in in recent years with no new reservoirs being built.
- Tell the owners to get the Beckton desalination plant working and use it to reduce draw down from reservoirs for London supply
August 13, 2026
They could have suggested everyone enjoy the sunshine, temporarily relax vat on hospitality businesses and lower fuel duty, to encourage more people to vacation here this summer.
Actually, I think Cobra is really just grandstanding. A way for politicians to pretend they are in charge, important and doing a vital job. Mostly politicians just bring us grief, by interfering in our lives.
August 13, 2026
As in 1976 with the appointment of a drought minister, this COBRA session will precede rain arriving next week. By September we’ll wonder what the fuss was about.
August 13, 2026
It has the hallmarks if the Ministry of Silly Walks. Rather than debating something you can control, it’s more exciting to discuss the weather.
This just about sums up the cretins Westminster.
August 13, 2026
It is astonishing that all that managed to filter out from the cobra meeting (?) yesterdsy was a possible ban on disposable barbacues, at the end of the Summer, after several fire incidents and heatwaves ongoing since May.
£175 K or whatever it is for a PM, plus gold plated perks. Performance related pay indeed.
August 13, 2026
I see that some reports are suggesting the Governments re-wilding schemes could be to blame for so many of the fires, Local Authorities not grass cutting as much as in past years also adding to the problem, but as usual it is the actions of a few idiots who seem to be causing much of the grief, believing that they know best, and can control any fire started by their careless behaviour, accidentally or deliberately.
August 13, 2026
Neglected woodland with dead vegetation, branches and fallen trees guarantees good fire. Neglecting to burn fire breaks is another step to chaos.
Then if you don’t dredge the canals or drains, you can almost guarantee that there is not enough water to fight fires.
At that point you can claim the climate has changed rather than the IQ of the elitists who we allow to govern, God only knows why!
August 13, 2026
Holding a COBRA meeting fits neatly into the political game play of, ‘we must be seen to be doing something’.
Meanwhile out here in the real world, we know the rain will come in volume very shortly and we know the actions needed to stop illegal migration in what ever form will not be taken.
If only someone from central casting would come out and tell us what is the objective of swamping the land in unknown migrants with unknown intentions? Why are government agencies determined not to stop the boats?
August 13, 2026
RE,
Yes another overpaid talking shop.
Nothing good will come if it.
Participants will say they are listening to the public issues and are ‘very concerned’.
August 13, 2026
The UN Migration Pact signed by the Conservative government under Theresa May agrees that the government will accept economic migrants as refugees and assist them. The civil service is following this and couldn’t care less about public opinion.
August 13, 2026
Where’s Denis Howell when you need him 🙂
August 13, 2026
Common sense as always
Do you think someone in the number 10 office could print off these diary entries in large text and pin it on the wall so that the PM could absorb a little sanity in his deliberations.
August 13, 2026
I would like to know how many wildfires have been started by disposable barbeques or if they are just the usual scapegoat that needs to be found (far right barbeques).
I am surprised that Labour, who do love a piece of legislation to control the people, have not banned smoking outdoors.
August 13, 2026
@NS
Chances are that MSM would fail to pick up on fires started by intent or accident from outside barbecues or even cigarettes due to it being their mission to blame everything on alleged climate change.
August 13, 2026
Desalination plants are energy intensive, so very expensive given high energy cost policies. Who will pay for that? I think we know.
Where I live much of the water is supplied by chalk streams. These flow from aquifers that soak up huge quantities of water during the year and release it steadily through springs. The chalk downlands are hundreds of square miles in area, and hundreds of yards deep, so what difference would an odd reservoir here and there make?
If this supply is insufficient, it tells you the problem is too much demand and the answer is to halt further development in anything other than brown field sites, not build more reservoirs and deprive land use even further. We need to let the ancient woodlands encroach onto their surroundings, not the other way round.
August 13, 2026
Ahh, SJ, you forget these are socialists who find difficulty in doing things the “right” way.
Their left-leaning bias will always ensure delays and wrong decisions, all damaging to our economy.
In the end, as is the norm, it will be the financial markets that come to the aid of the party. The Right Party to get GB back on track.
August 13, 2026
All the things that are now ‘late in the day’ the refusal of the UK Parliament to do it job, the job it paid and empowered to do on our behalf – keeping us safe and secure. The failed on the the day they chose instead to peruse personal political idealogical before the actual real job, before the Country and its People
The UK Parliament refuses to manage, to hold people, the executive to account. Instead what does this lame load of numpties do they appoint through a coronation of those that have a proven track record. You get the feeling that by appointing proven ill-equipped, inexperienced, ineffectual to an important job that is worse than them it will make them look good
Stable door comes to mind as does a general election
August 13, 2026
Wonder if they discussed the PM’s Put Up and Shut Up messaging now aimed at those areas he sees as needing his fairness in his future distribution of illegals. Daily T 12/8 – just one article of others, ” Burnham to house Asylum Seekers in middle-class areas despite extra cost ” He doesn’t seem to mind us having to pay a bit extra to allow his fixers to infiltrate all those pleasant places, made pleasant mostly by the efforts of those living and contributing there. The above DT title has in 12 hrs attracted almost 5.500 comments ( and thousands elsewhere on this subject ) Perhaps he could first take a look at the helpful list put out by GB News last night of the “towns/cities of sanctuary” a number of which are his own supporters, still waiting enthusiastically it seems for a fairer share of the incomers.
August 13, 2026
Reasons for placing illegal migrants in “middle class areas” : 1) Increases the illegal migrant pull factor as they see themselves living in even better accommodation 2) Costs more and hence justifies higher taxation 3) Reduces house values everywhere and hence reduces wealth 4) Home owners unable to move and locked into where they live 5) Spreads the unfairness and misery 6) Increases social disorder and intended to cause a breakdown of law and order. HMOs should be placed in constituencies/wards that vote Green and certainly any London boroughs that vote for Sir Sadiq Khan. Better still, give each illegal migrant a tent and keep them in a secure encampment.
August 13, 2026
The problem is not where to put the migrants but that there are migrants. The middle classes in the Cotswolds and South Downs should have objected at the start. Too late now – I wonder how many middle class 4 year olds are ‘prostitutes’?
August 13, 2026
I keep seeing reports that vape shops, barbers and nail bars are allowed to give out work visas to foreigners, who can then legally bring their extended families to the UK. Is this true? If yes, how can these low-skilled jobs be classed as essential to the UK, and why are their extended families allowed to come with them? The Home Office isn’t fit for purpose. Whilst everyone is looking at the small boats (now large boats) crisis, our Government is quietly replacing the white indigenous British people. This has to be planned, as no one is stupid enough to think our high streets need this type of service in such numbers.
August 13, 2026
Yes it’s true.
August 13, 2026
Our new PM has had a holiday and has been touring the UK to talk to people. ( Carefully vetted Labour supporters). Finally, a Cobra meeting was a bit of window dressing, but there was no real action. So far, all a complete waste of valuable time.
The PM should have locked himself in Downing Street, meeting with his Ministers one by one and also collectively, to thrash out his programme for Government, and only then started talking about it. Probably meeting with senior members of the Civil Service as well. He could have sorted out the prisoners’ early release scheme in one or two of those meetings, instead of allowing it to drift. Some tough meetings with his Chancellor would have been more valuable than announcing risible cost-of-living cuts! Already he has shown himself a lightweight and not the serious heavyweight PM we need.
August 13, 2026
The French are not merely passive about the illegal Channel migrants. They don’t want these people in France any more than Brits want them in Britain. They have every incentive to assist their passage to Britain iaw the UN Convention. A high proportion have already been refused asylum by France.
August 13, 2026
French social security deficit for 2026 was estimated around €28.7 billion.
The boats will keep coming.
August 13, 2026
Peter
Have said exactly that for many years, they are pleased to see them leave !
August 13, 2026
One way to avoid French duplicity or refusal to allow interception of these inflatable boats would be to buy a small submarine and go to launching sites identified by drone and puncture the boat near the shore. Then they would have to go back. The submarines are made in Canada and cost about 100000 dollars.
August 13, 2026
No one has mentioned the interference of scientists in this matter of heat. I read some time ago that they were firing things into the sky to alter weather temperatures. Are they at it now? If so, it is working as I believe the death rate has soared and you can bet the ones who have had it – the oldies. So saving on the pensions.