The glacial pace of Brexit (etc)

+ What moves faster than Brexit? Why, glaciers of course! A new report shows that a majority of the world’s glaciers are now receding five times faster than previously predicted. That’s equivalent to a hundred times faster than the ‘activity’ which goes by the name of Theresa May.

++ Language Lesson One: when a report (out today) tells us that under this government funding for children’s mental health services has declined by a third, the government spokesperson responds “Funding for children’s mental health services is a priority.” Does that mean they’re going to cut another third? How do these people sleep at night? (Instead of sheep, they count missed Brexit deadlines.)

+++ Language Lesson Two: It looks like the inimitable Netanyahu is on course to win the Israeli general election. A PM kept in power with the support of religious extremists (like May and the DUP). He will tell the world that ‘Israel has decided’ even though the election result was on a knife edge. If it is considered (e.g. under the IHRA definition) anti-semitic to criticise Israel (as opposed to its government) then phrases like ‘Israel has decided’ should be banned. Just as it would be wrong under such a generalisation to say ‘Britain has decided’ viz. Brexit. The outcome of the referendum doesn’t mean that all Brits are Brexiteers. But I am sure Netanyahu will not make any distinctions when he triumphantly claims (as he no doubt will) that ‘Israel has decided' seeking to make Israel synonymous with his government.