Fact finding (Pt.2)

+In an unseasonably cold and windy Quebec (I’m told the weather here can be capricious) I came across and briefly joined a trade union demo outside the Quebec parliament building. I’m not sure what it was about, although it would be easy to guess, and the crowd were being fired up by some fiery speeches (judging by the placard part of the demo was about international student teacher’s rights). Police were guarding the entrances. Stalls were dishing out free food and with the addition of a couple of street performers there was an air of carnival, rather than impending insurrection. I wonder if Monsieur Premier Legualt was watching with an admonishing finger from a high window. Waiting for a bus that never arrived the next day I discovered that there was an all-out strike on.

+On the plane back to Toronto (I came by train but the nine hour journey back would have been impossible) it fell to me to admonish a fellow passenger for playing his electronic device without wearing headphones. Am I alone in being irritated? I asked him to wear some, but this seemed to him deeply offensive and he in turn admonished me for being ‘impolite.’ I still can’t figure out how this two-year old managed to look like thirty and had grown a beard.

+How soon will Mark Carney’s reputation for technocratic, adult competence last I wonder? None of the political pressures have gone away and having no parliamentary majority governing Canada will be tricky. The further demonisation of Trump will be necessary, a task it has to be said which will be made easier by Trump himself. Hopefully the UK will be watching to see how this goes. Canada is far more dependent on the States than we are.

+On the subject of newspapers or lack thereof. Quebecans seem more interested in them than people in Anglo-Canada, with wide availability. All in French.

+Back home and I’m reminded of Enoch Powell’s second most famous phrase ‘all political careers end in failure’ or words to that effect, attributed to him. I’m not sure it’s entirely true, but for the moment I can’t think of an example that disproves it. It must depend to a large extent on the individual politician’s ambition to achieve something. But I suspect all politicians, like most humans will experience regret. Here’s an example (New Statesman, 16/5/25): “What people didn’t understand was what had caused the financial crisis – it was easy for the Conservatives to blame the government. They didn’t understand: a) it started in America, and b) it was caused by profligacy and greed in the financial sector. No banker ever went to prison, because our laws were not strong enough to deal with that – bankers should have gone to prison. I never got that message across . . .” Well, no you didn’t Gordon, because it wasn’t long prior to the crash that you were praising bankers and easing financial regulations. (emphasis added)
Here's an imagined conversation:
Gordon: Did you enjoy the main course?
Fred: I’ve had better
Gordon: Well, now it’s time for some just desserts
Fred: What do you mean?
Gordon: (after waiter reveals police uniform) I mean you’re under arrest
Fred: You can’t do this! My pension’s bigger than yours!
Gordon: Not any more it isn’t. I’m going to say, (sotto voce) -  in ten years’ time or so - that I think bankers should be in prison.
Fred: Will I get privileges?
Gordon: Yes, you get to call the screws ‘Sir’
Fred: You said regulations should be lighter. You praised people like me. What’s going on?
Gordon: Take him away! I never knew him! That was then and this is now! I need to save the world!

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