June 2nd, 2022.
In glorious sunshine, the Jubilee celebrations started today, the only gloom being the performance of the New Zealand batsmen at Lords. The trooping of the colour on Horseguards Parade went off in spectacular fashion showing that the British are unsurpassed when it comes to organising state celebrations. The highlight normally would be the fly past of the formation of a Lancaster, two Spitfires and two Hurricanes.
This was exceeded in skill and spectacle by the flypast of 15 fighters in formation spelling out the number 70. The day ended with the usual stunning display by the Red Arrows.
The only flaw in the day came when animal rights protesters ran onto the Mall and sat down whilst the Guards were marching past. Luckily for them, the police ran out, grabbed, and manhandled them from the Mall. This was lucky for them because if the Guards had marched over them, they would have ‘accidentally’ suffered a severe kicking.
Later today, at 9:30pm. the beacons will be lit the length and breadth of the country. The Orkneys will be a little concerned about this as it is still daylight at 10:15pm but I am sure they will still put on a good show. Where I am, sunset will be at 9:25.
In my part of the country, celebrations started at 4pm with a 6-hour session of songs by the river. An early start saw the gradual arrival of the stall, the stage, and the performers. Weather conditions were perfect, 23°C was just right, with blue skies and no wind. A good selection of food including Thai food, burgers and a pizza and pasta stall. The longest queues were at the mobile bar with prices being reasonable.
The preparations begin.
The crowds started to arrive with a preponderance of family groups.
I make no excuses for showing how life has gone back to normal in the UK, with family groups out to enjoy the Jubilee celebrations. No masks, no jabs needed, no tests needed, no passes or certificates needed to enter, no social distancing.
At first, it seemed a little strange and took some getting used to, but now it has brought back memories of what life used to be like. I don’t think that any government would find it easy to impose a lockdown again. The public now realises the mistakes that were made previously and the lies and dodgy statistics that went with them and won’t be easily fooled again.
Next week should be interesting, as with the distraction of the Jubilee fading into the past, Boris Johnson will have to face up to his MPs who are getting restless. They are realising that he no longer has the magic touch with the electorate and is becoming a liability. The acid test will be in a couple of weeks’ time when there are two by-elections. One of these is the rural constituency of a Conservative MP who resigned when he was caught in the Houses of Parliament watching pornography on his phone. He was observed by a couple of female MPs.
His excuse was that he was googling Dominator tractors and the search resulted in the unsavoury material. But this doesn’t explain the second occasion when he was caught! The other by-election is in Wakefield, following the conviction of the Conservative MP on 11 April for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2018.
The public really is close to getting disenchanted with Johnson and his party. There is a strong whiff in the air surrounding them and unless someone gets a grip on the party even the Labour party will find it difficult to lose the next election.