Peter Rhodes on free meals, political wallflowers and the secret of perfect packing
Star columnist gives his views on the government's plans for free school meals, ministers and his summer holidays
I caught a snatch of a radio debate in which someone promised that free school meals would help “hard working people.” So who will help the freeloaders, the skivers, the workshy and the feckless? I think we should be told.
Another week, another series of line-ups starring Joe and Josie Public as moving wallpaper for government announcements. You know the sort of thing. A minister arrives at some factory or college to make a statement about this or that and a few dozen employees are dragooned into the room to stand behind the Great Man / Woman as the pontificating begins. They are politicians' wallflowers.
Who are these people? Are they paid? Do they know they will be on telly that evening, seeming mutely to endorse the latest twist of government policy. Has anyone explained they may be fair game for any commentator, like the presenter on GB News last week who zoomed in and sniggered at one women in the group who appeared to be picking her nose?
Some hacks reckon they have spotted minor signs of dissent among these audiences. More will surely come; I predict the Revolt of the Wallflowers. I look forward to more of these people having the courage, as some braying minister extols the joys of the New Jerusalem, to shake their heads, give a sly V-sign or mouth the words, straight at the camera: “They're lying.”
I admitted a few days ago to being useless at maths. By chance, the very same evening I had a lively discussion with my five-year-old grandson. I tried to convince him that one plus one equals two but he was adamant that one plus one equals eleven. We are both right. Sort of.
A charity, Thin Blue Paw, which supports serving and retired police dogs, has called for the pooches to get a regular pension to help pay for their medical costs. An Alsatiannuity?
Time to start packing for a few days in Devon which, as in all well-organised households, follows an old, failsafe routine. Decide what you want to take. Narrow it down to what you need to take. Then pack half the clothes and twice the money.
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