Old King Coal

+As we all contemplate bankruptcy when our winter fuel bills roll in—and now that we face our first potential sub-zero temperatures this year—I am tempted to fondly remember the days of my childhood, back in the 1950s and indeed the 1960s. These were the days when bedroom windows frosted up on the inside and one could draw one’s finger across the frozen patterns in the glass. Such excitement! I know a number of people who can remember those hardships, and of course went on to adulthood with central heating asap. Central heating was unheard of in the places where we lived (certainly not in the outside chemical toilet), and I suppose one just had to get used to the alternative of roaring fires and toasted muffins (I made the last bit up). Now of course at a more senior age, as one’s circulation diminishes it’s best to keep warm, and it is with infinite gratitude that OAPs are getting a little help from the government. That in itself elicits a warm glow, a feeling of belonging in a caring society. How cruel it was that our previous PM, who introduced this compassionate response was herself cruelly slain (even if she did kill the Queen with her handshake, maybe).  For the Tories compassion comes naturally for their essential demographic. Everybody else just needs to work hard and will count themselves lucky to get a pension before they’re 70. And it’s a shame that the Christmas bonus hasn’t kept pace with inflation—it would be worth a handy £108 now. Well, we pensioners, rolling in clover as we are can’t have everything!
 
+The Democrat’s win in the Georgia senate run-off election may (I hope) have the benefit of curtailing the influence of Senator Joe Manchin, whose blackmailing power when the Senate was split 50/50 must be reduced as the Democrats now have 51 senators.
 
+Joe Manchin would be very proud of our government, with it having just given the go-ahead for a new coal mine in Cumbria. Apparently most of its coal will be exported. I seem to recall it being said that its coal would be mainly used in the British steel industry, thereby reducing the need for imported coal—but it appears that there is not the domestic demand from our steel industry any more. Of course, ministers will insist that tackling climate change is a big priority, so we can rest easy. Part of the argument is: if we don’t sell it, somebody else will, so this won’t make any difference to global carbon emissions. The company will be looking for a King’s Award for Exports, and we’ll hear this is the greenest coal ever.