Repeatedly, president-elect Trump has stated there’ll be a 60% tariff on goods to China and a rate of 10% will apply to the rest of the world, including the UK. Personally I think these are bargaining counters and there’ll be room for some negotiation. What do you think?
Will England’s Labour Prime Minister Survive
Cutting out global trade will not be good for economic growth. And without growth, UK’s Prime Minister Starmer is f***ed. He has already lost 2 prominent people from his front bench but believes his big majority allows him to act dictatorially and pass any legislation he sees fit.
Trump has not invited Starmer to his inauguration. Any thoughts on that?
Nigel Farage, a successfully rich businessman who is charismatic and influential, has got the backing of most ordinary citizens of the UK. He will attend the events of 20 January, but not in an official government capacity. Opinion polls suggest his ideas on “stopping the boats”, resonates with the population. Over 20,000 foreigners have crossed the English Channel in small boats since Labour won the election on 4 July 2024.
Starmer has used 3 line whips, (where Labour MPS are obliged to vote for government motions whatever their conscience dictates). Interestingly though, he himself and his deputy Angela Rayner, abstained from one such vote. That was the vote on whether a General Election be called given the missteps of his government during his first 6 month in office.
During that debate, the need for an independent enquiry into the continued grooming of white teenagers by Pakistani grooming gangs came up. The leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, pointed out quite forcibly that over 50 towns and cities in England and Scotland are reporting horrific gang rapes and coercing children into prostitution while the police and welfare services are afraid to act for fear of being called racist.
Thailand’s Stock Market
Thailand’s stock market continues to fall, though giving buy opportunities to some of the bigger Thai investors. The main reasons are a strong dollar causing funds to move out of Thailand, higher bond yields attracting money out of the stock market, investors are selling tourist stocks through lack of confidence in Thailand’s ability to attract tourism in the future.
The value of Thailand’s stock market index has dropped for 2 consecutive years – the first time this has happened in 20 years.
Your Voice Counts
So, what do YOU think about these current events? The electorate has historically shown they’re not that interested in politics. Most believe no party ever keeps its promises once in government. Does that explain their lack of interest? Or, have they had enough of governments that seem not to care for the general population?
We’ve seen riots in the north of England over Pakistani rape gangs, peaceful protesters being jailed by Starmer because they dare to disagree with him. Will the charismatic (but like Trump, an extremist right-wing figure) Nigel Farage stir up enough people to make a fundamental change in world politics?
Photos of Thais and Thailand
For professional images of Thailand and its people, I recommend http://www.lodeengelen.be
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