Boris Johnson should have been in Birmingham this weekend as the
Conservative conference celebrated the General Election victory. Instead Jim reflects on the sombre mood surrounding the Prime Minister, but says all is not yet lost in the Red Wall seats.
Jim gives his first reaction to the Chancellor’s bid to save jobs amid the worsening virus crisis. He also think’s Labour is on the right track after their virtual conference and he marks the passing of one of the greatest journalists the North has produced.
As the virus testing crisis engulfs Boris Johnson, Jim focuses on a timely critique of the government’s performance. It comes from the colourful John Ashton, a former Director of Public Health in the North West.
Jim forecasts great tension with the younger generation as Britain faces anothe partial lockdown. He also thinks plans for a global Britain are in jeopardy as the government threatens to break an international treaty. And he reports of Liverpool’s attempts to cling on to its World Heritage status.
Jim gives a comprehensive preview of a busy autumn coming up in politics despite the fact that there will be no party conferences for the first time in 46 years.
Jim thinks the full return of schools next week holds the key to a major return to life as normal.
Did you know there is a leadership election going on for one of our significant political parties? You didn’t? Why not? It’s not as if you have a pandemic to think about! In his blog Jim will be telling you all about the Liberal Democrat contest between Ed Davey and Layla Moran.
Jim’s handing out the dunces hats to all politicians this week. He agrees the exam question posed by the pandemic was difficult, but thinks it could have been handled better. He also looks at the row’s impact on Scottish politics; and welcomes the choice of Kamala Harris as the Democrats vice-Presidential candidate.
Jim thinks we are at the crossroads with Covid 19. The latest economic and business statistics strike a more optimistic note. However large parts of the North are under fresh health restrictions suggesting a very difficult autumn.
Jim questions the government’s commitment to devolving transport powers to the North and urges ministers to bang councillors heads together in Lancashire in this week’s blog.
Jim thinks it is obvious why the government didn’t probe Russian interference in the Brexit Referendum. He also looks at the American Presidential race and how Donald Trump might refuse to quit.
Jim backs the government’s stand on China even though it might have implications for the Northern Powerhouse. He also aims a broadside at the BBC for cutting local programmes.
