Another Nail in My Political Coffin?

I'm not bothered, as I would rather be honest and call it as I see it.

One of the great things about not giving a flying you know what is oddly enough, perhaps, not giving a flying you know what, and I say this in the context of political ambition as both a career move and/or some kind of higher political status that quite frankly is more often than not ego-based.

The politicians I would admire and respect the most are those who sit quietly on the back benches just doing their job by getting on with what they are paid to do on behalf of their constituents and have no interest in sliding up Westminster's greasy pole and adeptly manoeuvring themselves along the way into various bubbles and cliques, because it's not what they know but who they know that enables them to further their careers.

However, if that's their gig, then good luck to them. I'm simply being mindful of the fact that from a historical perspective, I'm not aware of many parliamentarians who've risen through the ranks with all of their degrees, business experience, or other qualifications who subsequently haven't left politics as a total failure in one way, or another. Present incumbent at Number ten included - and way before over decades.

The term 'manifesto' has become meaningless because they're rarely, if ever delivered in full expectation of what's been pledged, or promised, and nothing more than words on paper that look good at the time of publishing to sway potential voters who will inevitably be let down in the end. Of course, what politics is really about was summed up beautifully by one Oscar Ameringer, when he said "Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other."

Anyway, my point is that I have no personal ambitions or manifesto points to stand on where standing for election is concerned, except for being the voice for the people locally at national level. Of course, it goes without saying that I will be asked for my views as well as which side I'm on regarding the Israeli/Palestine conflict.

So, I'll be quite candid on where I stand here and now, and for once and all. War is horrendous with needless deaths in their thousands. However, it's not a new concept, and as much as we do find it abhorrent, objectionable, sad, unnecessary, and many other adjectives that can be used, war happens and nothing will ever stop it. So, no matter how many flag-waving marches take place, encampments built, or cyclists pedalling through the streets blowing whistles and shouting "From the river to the sea" it won't make the slightest bit of difference.

This war between the Muslims and the Jews has been going on pretty much since time immemorial and will continue until one wipes the other out. I stand more chance of seeing the Pope in front of me in Tesco buying a can of Special Brew and a packet of Benson's than there ever being lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. Although worthy of thought, it is wholly delusional to believe otherwise. And while it would be an ideal to have a ceasefire that may well come, again, I'd stand more chance of seeing the Pope in Tesco if it lasts for any length of time that's worthy of even the briefest headline.

Speaking, or should I say writing of headlines, I don't in any way disagree with the outpourings of people who exclaim their feelings towards the many women and children innocently being killed on both sides of the conflict. Neither can I criticise all the news editors for doing their jobs in never resisting the opportunity of a good 'heartstring' story over ninety-four-year-old Mavis being bitten by an errant spider from a bunch of bananas bought at her local corner shop, and if you've ever heard the Don Henley song 'Dirty Laundry' you'll fully understand why we seem to have an inbuilt craving for bad, bad news.

Now, while it's all very well focusing our attention on women and children there's nowhere near as much coverage on the plight of innocent men caught up in this conflict. Not that I'm suggesting there's a sexist element at all. I'm simply guessing, whereas women are seen as breeders and children as future breeders, men are more disposable and they can always import more if needed to make the numbers back up. So why bother with poor Ishmael and others with their limbs hanging on by a thread when it's the women and children who are the main headline-grabbers?

Wow, I can feel the hatred heading my way at Mach 1 speed as I write. Well, save your absolute fury for the punchline folks because it's going to get uglier, and it's a truth you ain't going to like. You are all, yes, all pointing your venom in the wrong direction, folks. While Millie, Phoebe, and the Sebastians of this world are all occupying their days with a constant change of adult nappies as they cannot contain themselves for any longer than the next oatmeal latte, and others with far better handwriting skills than myself are scouring bins for pieces of cardboard they can scrawl their next inane anti-Israel slogan on, the real culprits are quite possibly chomping on their Montecristo No 4's while cracking open another bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild Premier Cru Classe, Pauillac 2018, from the decks of their multi-million dollar yachts off the coasts of the Antibes, the Bahamas, and the Caymans.

For the real kicker. Best clench your buttocks now with every bit of strength you have, because your adult nappy is about to launch from your rear ends faster than a take-off at Cape Canaveral - and possibly be more explosive too! So, if I were you I'd go and buy extra stocks now before the shops run out and come back to this later. Or, if you're one of the millions reportedly living on a diet of antidepressants it would be a good time to grab a handful because....... are you ready?

Killing people makes MONEY!

Yes, as abhorrent as we all find it, there's dosh in war - and lots of it! Among the many things I've achieved this week, not only have I learned how to allegedly write proper now, I've also discovered something called research, and according to Wikipedia the global arms industry amassed a mere $597 billion in 2022 alone. Added to this, I'm sure you'll be as surprised as I was to discover that it isn't Sark, the Isle of Man, or even Andorra that are the world's largest Arms exporters. No, it's countries such as Russia, and China.

Who'd have thought it, eh?

$597 billion adding to the global economic trillions is, I'm sure, just a drop in the ocean on the grand scale of things. Nonetheless, like it, or not it is a legitimate industry that provides employment to many thousands around the world both directly and indirectly - including media outlets because news sells, and the business of war will never stop and media will never stop reporting on it, or studios making films for our entertainment about it. Such is the undeniably ugly truth.

So, while it's easy and lazy thinking to live under the illusion that Israel, Hamas, Russia, China, America and North Korea are all the perpetrators of war it's the arms manufacturers who, if they didn't exist would have the various global military forces all using wooden clubs and fisticuffs in battle against one another, and we'd be back to days of yore. Though, given that we now live in a capitalist-driven, screw-up of a world where tech is king, and becoming more powerful as times press on, more and bigger wars are imminent with further deaths on a mass scale thinning out a world that's already overpopulated.

There's no getting away from it, regardless of how many marches are held in the name of peace, how many flags and banners are displayed, and the albeit well-meaning, yet delusional peoples congregate, it's all about the money, and, speaking of which, when I'm asked which side of the conflict I am on as I journey towards the general election as a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, my reply will be simple.

I will be elected to represent the constituents on constituency business exclusively within parliament because given the choice between a one-parent family putting food on the table and the Israel/Palestine conflict, guess which will take priority for that family?

When it comes to a pensioner not being able to afford their heating bill, do you honestly believe the Israel/Palestine conflict will be their priority?

Parents are trying to get their child SEND support and going around in circles getting nowhere, what will be more important to them? Go on, take a guess.

Or, how about someone who feels they've been overcharged on their council tax bill and becoming ill at the thought of bailiffs arriving who ask their MP to intervene on their behalf. Would the conflict be their first consideration?

Yet, ask me to help with Auntie Fatima and her situation in the Middle East, the reply will be a flat NO. What's happening over there is way beyond my control. If you're lucky, and I'm not too busy you may receive a sympathy card, or a good luck one. That's it. As that well-known saying goes - 'Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference'.

Remember when I referred to the "perpetrators" not that far back in the context of being the major contributors to war? Well, as true as that may be in one sense, the real culprits to protest against are the shareholders and, more importantly, the investors in those arms companies. The real, behind-the-scenes warmongers.

Everything else is a complete and utter waste of time.