This is NOT our #Obama Moment #UKPolitics

25 Oct 2022 77 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , ,

I hesitated a while before writing this because this is not a political blog.

Politics scare me. I do try and keep up with things happening, but not an awful lot makes sense. I especially look at what is going on in Education because of my own job and the cost of living crisis, etc., but beyond that, I really don’t know much.The thing is, it’s been a shambles really, our government, the last few years, and the last few months, in particular, hasn’t it?Three Prime Ministers in two months, goodness knows how many cabinet changes, an economy that is tanking, loss of face as a country to the rest of the world…And yesterday, on the auspicious day of Diwali, many British Hindus celebrated the fact that Rishi Sunak, one of ‘us’ (i.e. a brown face) was now the top dog in Downing Street.Now, I don’t know the guy from Adam, and I’m sure he has some redeeming features, but there is plenty about him that is freely out there to read to show that maybe he isn’t one to be proud of.

  • He was a Brexit supporter… Sorry, that is a 👎🏽👎🏽 from me, anyway.He may have been born to honest EastAfrican Indian migrant parents in Southampton, but his £40k a year Winchester College education means that his life is far removed from the majority of Brits, brown or otherwise.He married an Indian Billionaire’s daughter and is consequently richer than Charlie King Three!He lost the UK a lot of money in the Covid debacle.He backed the Rwanda plan! He was also fined during #PartyGate!

I look at him and think, yes it’s good to see some representation of minorities in a high position, but surely we want that face to be one to be proud of.I hope he can do right by everyone, and not just his rich pals, thereby helping us all and becoming worthy of this premature excitement by the aunty brigades out there, who will no doubt expect all their British Asian children to reach PM level in the future.But, you have the masses who are not happy. Have you heard the openly racist remarks made by an LBC listener who called in and basically said he’s not English (White, basically)so he would never get their vote, and this was a Conservative party member calling in. A sentiment echoed by many, it seemsThe defections to the Reform Party are shocking – is this a good thing?

He was not elected. He was appointed.

He hasn’t shown a clear vision of his own.

A short victory for some could amount to him becoming the scapegoat for a lot of previous mistakes and when the next General Election comes about (if he lasts… but you never know, looking at the PM track record right now) and they lose, the Conservatives will turn on him, too.

Let’s be frank, here, there aren’t any better alternatives right now, out there, though, anyway! (Thank the Lord BoZo didn’t stand!) But even looking at other parties, if we had a General Election, which is the party offering the best for everyone in this country? They all seem too busy knocking the Conservatives, but not telling us what they could realistically do, to offer stability in such a precarious world.Might just start my own party…But, ultimately, as my post title says, this is no #ObamaMoment for the UK. He’s just another rich politician with his own agenda who just happens to be blessed with more melanin than his predecessors.

Stepping off my soapbox, now…

77 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. dgkaye
    Nov 03, 2022 @ 22:45:14

    I’m not British, but am part of the commonwealth as a Canadian – hence I follow your politics, and sadly, I’m with you Ritu. 😦 We live in a world of greed and money goes to the rich, who hold more power. It seems many of us are choking around the world.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more
    Nov 03, 2022 @ 21:07:40

    I agree with you in many points, Sis! But you will be thankful for the Brexit, and you will see soon why. Germany – my own home country – has tried to chain all European States within this monopolistic gas import from Russia. Now we have this war in the Ukraine, because in my opinion Germany again tried to get the resources from there. Only in the Eastern Ukraine there are a lot of resources Germany wants. At the end the European Union will have to pay twice and more for re establishing a whole state with citizens earning less than 400.– Euros per months. Did you really want the UK also paying for this? 😉 Best wishes, Michael

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Liz Gauffreau
    Nov 03, 2022 @ 13:16:44

    It seems to be a tossup between the US and Great Britain as to which government is in a greater shambles. Grim . . .

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. Jennie
    Oct 30, 2022 @ 01:49:24

    Sad. And it’s just as sad here.

    Liked by 2 people

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  7. fgsjr2015
    Oct 28, 2022 @ 03:02:24

    Britain’s Conservatives sound similar to Canada’s: Low- and no-income Brits’ access to the necessities of life are not really their concern.

    While boasting of and promising ‘balanced’ budgets, they callously omit the humane equation, as though very tight finances are of any good to the large portion (if not the majority) of those human beings who are struggling to make ends meet.

    Assuming they even were genuinely balanced and not just creative accounting fudge-it budgets, smiling and spouting nonsensical platitudes that somehow simply by being in the black the budget will leave sufficiently ‘more money in people’s pockets’ in these financially very tough times is, at best, insensitive.

    Also, for conservatives they sure subsidize corporate causes and allow Big Industry to pollute our natural environment quite liberally.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      Oct 28, 2022 @ 08:20:21

      All this, and more! It is such a shame, as a momentous occasion, such as the first PM of colour, is tainted by the fact that he probably won’t do anything GREAT, at all, but simply limp on, like the rest of them!

      Liked by 1 person

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      • fgsjr2015
        Oct 28, 2022 @ 22:01:55

        Re: “… he probably won’t do anything GREAT, at all, but simply limp on, like the rest of them!”

        Quite likely. … Elected leaders of Canada, the U.S. — and I suspect British as well — are increasingly becoming symbolically ‘in charge’, beneath the most power-entrenched and saturated national/corporate interests and institutions.

        Powerful business interests can debilitate high-level elected officials through implicit or explicit threats to transfer or eliminate jobs and capital investment, thus economic stability, if corporate ‘requests’ are not accommodated.

        It’s a political crippling that’s worsened by a blaring news-media that’s permitted to be naturally critical of incumbent governments, especially in regards to job and capital transfers and economic weakening.

        As a good example, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s damaged reputation resulting from the SNC-Lavalin corruption scandal shows that, sadly, we are governed by a seemingly solidified system in which corporate lobbyists heavily manipulate even our top elected officials. (Albeit, some elected heads will be better at concealment via their habitual general practice of secrecy with the news-media.)

        Lobbyists will even write bills for our governing representatives to vote for and have implemented, supposedly to save the elected officials their own time.

        In the case of the Trudeau Liberals, they, like the Conservatives when in power, pander to corporate objectives, and the very wealthy, albeit the Liberals maintain their traditional liberal social policies (notably those involving race, gender and sexuality).

        Apparently, politically potent and focused big business interests get catered-to regardless of which of these two parties rules; and it’s always one or the other. It seems they can’t really lose, at least as long as the federal NDP stay out of high office.

        One wonders how many governing politicians have been elected without being aware of this fact. I’d have thought they would know this long before running for office.

        I say: anyone wanting to run for office should have to first pass a post-secondary political science course that teaches this in length and detail. Therefore they cannot claim innocent-ignorance if they ever get caught making the ethically wrong political choice as an elected official.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        Oct 29, 2022 @ 01:15:38

        It’s like they have become puppets…

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.
    Oct 26, 2022 @ 09:33:45

    A well thought out post Ritu and I am with you in that we need the best person for the job. Usually the paid up members of the Conservative party vote for the leadership and therefore PM. And from what I have heard there is an older generation who are shall we say biased…. which is why Truss was elected. We do not have a lot of choice in my opinion amongst any of the contenders for the job and it comes with a poison chalice that is going to be extremely challenging. I wish Rishi luck and the opportunity to prove that his upbringing and wealth makes him less liable to squander the taxpayer’s money on wokery and futile and grandiose projects. We can but hope..xx

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  9. April Munday
    Oct 26, 2022 @ 07:18:54

    I also have mixed feelings about him. He was born and grew up in the same part of Southampton as I did, so he’s very much a ‘local boy’. I think he should have resigned over the party fines and Brexit has proven to be a disaster. Despite that, I think he’s probably the least worst person for the job at the moment. I suspect that most Conservative MPs know that, even if party members don’t.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      Oct 26, 2022 @ 07:47:44

      Definitely the best of a bad bunch, April.
      I’ve a cousin from there, and she keeps going on about him being local, and his parents background… With pride.
      That’s fine, but it doesn’t rub out some horrific decisions he’s made in the past, showing he’s a Conservative first, and British Asian much further down in his identity.

      Liked by 1 person

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  10. CarolCooks2
    Oct 26, 2022 @ 04:34:16

    I wish Richi Sunak the best of luck sorting out this mess he’s going to need it…I don’t know much about him although I do know the press and social, media delight in printing untruths or omitting truths…It appears as Richi was a bright student that …based on estimations from the Independent School Council’s annual censuses — amounted to £49,937, but was covered by a scholarship. This estimated figure, plus his primary school fees at Stroud, totals £62,731.88.

    But Mr Sunak has not forgotten the head start he had in life Winchester College gave him, as Sky News reported that both he and his wife were listed in the Wykeham Journal as benefactors after donating more than £100,000 to his old haunts….It appears he is showing his appreciation for the hand in his start in life…Do I agree with how he was elected…well it didn’t break any rules apart from morals for some…
    Keir Starmer may not be quite as rich but he doesn’t want for a bob or two and isn’t the typical Labour leader with regards to wealth and privilege….Do either really appreciate what the working class and the pensioners are having deal with ..time will tell…But I do wish him good luck and an election would have prolonged the work needed to start the make repairs to the economy, NHS, schools, climate change etc because he has a huge task in front him..a poisoned chalice many may think…it is mess and I really do wish him well but I don’t envy him…

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      Oct 26, 2022 @ 07:45:06

      It’s a tough one, Carol. I do wish him well, and I honestly hope he pulls something out of the bag, but it’s the lauding he’s getting from some in our community, purely because he’s ‘one of us’, when, in reality, many of his decisions over the last few years haven’t given us reason to feel proud of the fact he’s British Indian.
      In all honesty, if we did go to GE, I don’t know who I’d vote for, party-wise, as none have standout mandates they want to work towards, that will actually benefit Joe Public out here…

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  11. Leanne
    Oct 26, 2022 @ 01:05:50

    The UK is certainly facing lots of issues, and many countries blame their tanking economy on the U.S. I sympathize with the terrible leadership; in America, we had an orange person from 2017-2021 whose government style is dictatorship, whose morality doesn’t exist, and whose denial of a secure election threw him into a fury to the point where he led an insurrection. Even though he’s no longer officially in power, he’s still in power in his party. The harm he’s done to the country continues, the lies he espouses are considered sacred by his followers, and outright hatred of minorities (with the exception of his followers) is acceptable and celebrated by like-minded idiotic people.

    I agree, that whomever is representing a minorities who has never or very rarely enjoyed political power should be a role model for the masses. If there is another rare chance a non-White person gets power again, they’ll have to combat the stereotypes and clean up the mess their predecessor made. It’s sad that minorities have to be perfect instead of getting the luxury to show our spectrum.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      Oct 26, 2022 @ 07:37:58

      Gosh, I know your orange guy has a lot to answer for.
      Here, the predecessors have been like incapable clowns, making us a laughing stock, and now, it worries us that the ‘representative’ we have is purely there to emulate the far right white folk on his party, eschewing his own background to the extent that we don’t even want to recognise the colour of his skin!

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Leanne
        Oct 27, 2022 @ 02:45:22

        Oh my, Ritu! I was laughing so hard when I read, “the predecessors have been like incapable clowns,” because I imagined Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and others dressed in clown costumes with funny poses along Downing St.! Unfortunately, I don’t have any optimistic words for immediate effect. The only long-term optimistic words I have are you and your team at school are the ones who invest so much in those kids so that the UK won’t be in this situation when they get to be decision makers. Have trust in the future you cultivate.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        Oct 27, 2022 @ 07:43:59

        Here’s hoping, Leanne. Hope is all we have!

        Liked by 1 person

  12. willowdot21
    Oct 25, 2022 @ 20:14:17

    All I want to say is where was Mrs Sunack…. I have never seen a prime minister , male or female enter no 10 without their other half . Non Dom? I don’t care what race or colour they are Sis it truly means nothing to me . We just need a good leader I will never be a conservative supporter … But I do want a caring government…no point in holding my breath….sad days. I fear Mr Sunack is not bothered about us.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. pensitivity101
    Oct 25, 2022 @ 18:55:44

    I hear you, and in his first speech him saying he was elected was a lie. He was not, he got 202 votes from MPs and no-one came close. Nearly 400,000 people in an independent poll have supported the call for a general election.
    I cannot see how someone as wealthy as Sunak (and richer than King Charles) can possibly have any idea how Joe Public is thinking, let alone surviving. Our government is a shambles and a disgrace to the British people. I’ll give you your box back now.

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. Simon
    Oct 25, 2022 @ 17:04:43

    I’m with you on this – totally. All the mess up’s in the last years have led up to this and I fear there’s a long way to go before we get out of it. I think you should start your own party and I’ll help anyway I can 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. Sadje
    Oct 25, 2022 @ 16:50:11

    I’ve lost my faith in politicians everywhere. They all are alike

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. JezzieG
    Oct 25, 2022 @ 16:17:55

    I wish Rishi Sunak all the luck out there – he’s gong to need it to get this country back on track and to a place that is even remotely civilised. Forget Brexit we can’t change that, I wish we could but it is what the people wanted and voted for so we have to live with it. Now we need stability, economic and political. The Conservatives, hate them or love them, I don’t do either, won the election in 2019 and therefore they have the mandate to govern whoever their leader is. Rishi is not BoJo, thank the gods and he’s not Truss thank even more gods – let him do his thing who knows it might just be what this country needs.

    It probably won’t be. The differences and hate between the differences are spiraling out of control. and no one person can solve that, I doubt it can be solved and that saddens me. Discrimination in this country is higher than it ever has been in my life time and I am as old as mud. Hate crime is increasing beyond any common sense – that can’t be changed by government. Hate crimes on the grounds of race are increasing, on the grounds of sexuality – increasing, on the grounds of gender and gender identity – increasing, on the grounds of age and being old – increasing, on the grounds of disability – increasing. The numbers are truly horrific yet the crimes are already illegal and government could legislate making the law tougher but it cannot change the inherent hate that seems to ran rife in this country now. How can our country be unified while there is so much hate for so many who don’t fit the prvileged white hetronormative male social expectations?

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Ritu
      Oct 25, 2022 @ 16:22:20

      Oh Jezzie, thank you for that comment. I agree so much with all you say.
      I don’t wish him ill, but I know for some his s-election is being heralded as a ground breaking moment, when, though it may be a historical first, isn’t necessarily going to brush away all that ails us.
      Funny that now apparently 60% of the British public want to re-enter Europe…
      And my fear is that the way things are now, his s-election might make hate crimes spike higher, seeing some memes and posts…

      Liked by 1 person

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      • JezzieG
        Oct 25, 2022 @ 16:39:41

        I think Rishi may bring about the economic and political stability we need – IF he is allowed to by the not so nice people both in and out of politics. Sadly I think racism will spike up because racist like all bigots are idiots and won’t see past the skin. I don’t know how to solve that kind of thinking we are all humans as far as I can tell so to me it’s insane thinking.

        I would love to see us back in the EU, I didn’t vote for Brexit. Saying that I don’t think we would be made welcome in the EU and that is because of the levels of discrimination and hate that have grown so fast since Brexit, the EU was if nothing else an equalizer.

        Maybe you are nailing part of the problem social media and memes. Sure not funny anymore are they?

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        Oct 25, 2022 @ 17:03:04

        Some of these memes are awful. A few are funny, many are bordering on racism, some are blatant, and these are the images the majority see and share, rather than fact.
        It’s a sorry, sad situation, to be honest… 😔

        Liked by 1 person

      • JezzieG
        Oct 25, 2022 @ 20:12:34

        Oh you ain’t wrong there. I know people who just buy into memes and vague articles on Facebook as truth – when a quick bit of fact checking and baboom its all blatanty false.

        Stay strong, my friend – there has to be hope

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        Oct 25, 2022 @ 20:19:12

        There is always hope, Jezxie. That’s all we have!

        Liked by 1 person

  17. loristory
    Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:48:47

    As an American, I don’t feel qualified to weigh in on your new P.M., but as an ardent Obama supporter, I agree with what you’ve said, and I admire you for speaking out. I hope Mr. Sunak turns out to be okay, instead of just more of the “same old same old.” Here in the US, we’re facing an important election next month, and if things don’t go well, I may be speaking out as well!

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. John W. Howell
    Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:46:48

    Well said Ritu. The world is nuts right now with a void of leadership

    Liked by 2 people

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  19. joylennick
    Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:24:21

    IT’S difficult to write about religion or politics. Obviously, someone’s going to get upset, but it’s good to sound off now and then. I read a Howard Spring book years ago called “Fame is the Spur” and it sort of spelled out politics for me (in the main that is…) There are, always, fortunately, a good few folk who genuinely want to help people, but sadly, as the book explained, too many are spoilt by the allure of more money and power. And we all know what power can do, be it in Putin’s form, the Chinese leader’s, plus a few others…Like you, I hope ‘the new boy on the block’ cares for ALL and not just his rich cronies. What an honest, decent woman you are, Ritu, to write what you did! Cheers. xx

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:35:41

      Thank you, Joy. There are plenty of others who think like me, but a lot of the older generation are so excited to see someone like them, they don’t look at the reality of the situation… It’s all a bit crazy, but, I hope he can turn around thinking!

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      • joylennick
        Oct 25, 2022 @ 16:20:28

        I do hope so, Ritu. At least he has a pleasant, personable way with him. When the general public have to listen to their ‘leaders’ ramble on, it’s something of a comfort if they don’t mumble or speak with their mouths half closed as a few have in the past. But, of course, what they actually ACHIEVE is the most important, and that remains to be seen. Let’s hope his common sense matches his intelligence! Hugs xx

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        Oct 25, 2022 @ 16:23:00

        True. He’s articulate. I guess that’s what a £46k a year education gives you!

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Colleen M. Chesebro
    Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:22:28

    It’s all so difficult, isn’t it? We have our own issues here in the U. S. but Sis… you are right to share your views. 💜

    Liked by 1 person

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  21. niasunset
    Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:19:00

    At first, Good Luck to new prime minister, and new period of your country. As you know dear Ritu, I don’t like politics and I don’t like to talk and to interest… but at the end, politicians’ wrongs and faults carrying us too into the politics. One day in the morning you wake up with full of problems in your own country. We can’t escape… Oppositely we find ourselves in politics… I hate. To be honest, I don’t know anything about your new PM, but it was surprise for me too. What is going on in UK… On the other hand, in most world countries, politics is not going well… and politicians are not as before, there is not a goodi nice one… They all have been driven by by…Yes, I should stop. I get mad… But I am sure, there would be someone(s) to think of their people and their people’ life… I do want to believe this. Maybe politicians seem different from one to another country but the problems of people are same… Future actually not for us, future for our children and also their children… I hope and wish we saved some of good and nice things for them.

    Thank you dear Ritu, Love, nia

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Ritu
      Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:37:24

      I think the majority of than appear to have their own agendas and those agendas don’t always look at the best for the country, but at the best for a few…
      We could go on and on! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

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