The Grim Leader (the Flatulent One’s predecessor) told us unequivocally, “there is no magic money tree.”  She had no alternative but to cut – or continue cutting – funding for the police, school, libraries and the NHS (although she did manage to find a few bob for the “Democratic” Unionists to shore up her time in office).

As a result, the NHS was grotesquely under-resourced when it began to deal with the pandemic; and as a result of that people have died.

The government have now tapped into a well of public funding that dwarfs anything of which Mrs May could have dreamt in her wildest nightmares.   The only conclusion possible is this:  the damage that has been done to the UK’s infrastructure and social resources during 10 years of Tory rule was wilful.

Follow me, dear readers, into the murky world of statistics.  Not that I wish to take you far, but far enough – with any luck – to tickle your curiosity. Let me begin.

Here is a graph showing the incidence of the virus in the UK over recent days:

you will note that the bars rise from left to right in something approaching a straight line. There is no obvious levelling off.

Here is another, showing the same data for the same days reported from France:

this time the picture is a little more complex: the line of ascent is less uniform, but from, say 27th April on there does appear to have been some “flattening of the curve.” Now, here is the same graph again, to which I have added the number of (French) deaths:

Once again, there is some levelling off towards the right.  So now let us try to add figures for deaths to the UK chart:

It does appear that the number of deaths caused by the virus in the UK is beginning to flatten, although it is worth noting that at just under 30,000 it is now considerably higher than the equivalent figure for France (which remains under 25,000) and that conclusion is born out by the number of deaths per million of the population, which is 419 for the UK and 381 for France (ie around 12% lower).

Our Flatulent Leader has described his policies as a “great success.”   What do you think?  Or perhaps I should say,  draw your own conclusions.

One of the most sanctimonious voices I have heard for a long time was broadcast today: Simon Clarke, the MP for Middlesbrough, one of the most deprived areas in the country, with a consequential high death rate from the virus.  Frankly, he is a creep, a cruel creep.

Here are a few extracts of what he had to say to the charge that Tory austerity had left the town and much of the region exposed to the virus : “I think that is wholly unfair… obviously Teeside collectively voted heavily conservative.. which isn’t the action of an area that feels it has been let down… we are increasing universal credit payments, speeding up the payment of statutory sick pay… I do represent some of the most deprived communities in the country and I am very proud to do so.”

Just when you are convinced your contempt for la famille Johnson (I don’t know the Turkish equivalent) could not sink further (father ?):

As I write the records show that 28,131 people in the UK have died of the virus.   The true figure is said to be much worse.  The toll in Italy, the worst hit country in Europe, stands at 28,710.

And yet Johnson says his policies have been “a success.”   He is not responsible for the virus, but he is responsible for the dithering, the delays, the confused messages, the happy-go-lucky drivel that he spouted, “wash you hands while you sing Happy Birthday, twice,” and such nonsense.  He is responsible for many deaths that could have been avoided.

It is tempting to take Johnson at his own valuation, a wind-bag and a joke. But he is no joke, he has done irreparable damage to our country; he has misled those who trusted him, and by his incompetence he has killed.  That is not a joke; it is a tragedy.

Hancock promised 100,000 per day by… wait for it (we have) today.

Yesterday’s figure was around half that total.  I wonder if Hancock’s target will be met today.

The behaviour of (Tory) politicians, fobbing us us off with false promises and endless tomorrows has exacerbated the stress many are feeling.  Ministers seem to think the pandemic provides an opportunity to play politics as usual, just at a higher volume.   When this is all over they are going to have a lot of explaining to do.

she is not a bully,

she is not a bully,

she is not a bully,

she is not a bully,

she is not a bully,

she is not a bully

Pee-pee Patel is innocent.  That is the finding of the Cabinet Office enquiry.  Her permanent secretary’s case for constructive dismissal is still going through the courts.

The Flatulent Leader congratulates himself on an excellent job of safeguarding UK citizens, eh?

During the first 4 months of this year around 26,000 people have died of the coronavirus.   Since the FL is so keen to compare himself to Churchill, it is worth bearing in mind that during the entire Second World War, 1939 – 45,  around 70,000 civilians perished.  Johnson has achieved 37% of that number in less than 4 months.

Countries all round Europe – with one notable exception – have begun to talk of relaxing the lock down.  Which raises a very important question: are they doing this because of pressure from business, or because there is genuine evidence that the virus is under control and its spread curtailed?

I fear the answer is probably the former.

Are you In the Mood ?  No, not that mood.

I am in the mood for culture, and what more cultured than The Bard ?   So I found myself wondering what he would think of our predicament, and thus I stumbled on a perfect description of the UK government:  “What are these so wither’d and so wild in their attire, that look not like the inhabitants o’ the earth, and yet are on’t?”