Dog eat dog

+There’s been at least two power cuts since Johnson became PM. Maybe there’s been more—after all, unless they've happened down south they don’t merit much attention from the London-centric media. Of course Johnson isn’t to blame personally, yet. But during the last heatwave, some French nuclear power stations were turned off, because of the temperature of their cooling water supply, drawn from rivers (all our nuclear power stations are on the coast). As I recall, about eight per cent of UK electricity comes from France. So when  (not if) we get a serious, long heatwave, who will the French prioritise for their dwindling electricity generation? Not us, least of all after Brexit. But Brexiteers will cry ‘they’re contracted to supply us, so we’ll take them to court!’ I wonder which court that might be? The European Court of Justice perhaps? Actually, I think I will blame Johnson for the power cuts—whilst I’ve still got the power to do so.
 
+The same charlatan has shaken the money tree again and found the cash, he promises, to create 10,000 new prison places. Are these going to house the rioters who will follow post-Brexit food shortages? Or will some places be set aside for the children of migrants?
 
+I am enjoying the latest Scandi-noir on BBC4, Beneath The Surface. It is gripping viewing, and will, it has to be said, appeal to our two most common Western prejudices: Islam and Russia. Looks like they’re in league with each other.
 
+The editor of American Counterpunch, Jeffrey St Clair’s weekly column of political snippets has dug up an old Bird and Fortune sketch from 1996 which neatly encapsulates the Brexiteer’s point of view. Well worth watching. It’s good to know that some Americans appreciate the British sense of humour. It augurs well for our trade negotiations with Trump, when we submit humbly and get walked all over.