Image by Suzanne Beishon

Image by Suzanne Beishon   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Them & Us

Have-nots and have-yachts

Spotted near the Tower of London: advertising for the ‘Superyacht Owners Summit’. Discussions will include “what lessons can the superyacht industry learn from private jets?” and “what considerations need to be made when purchasing, managing and owning a superyacht?”

While bosses muck about on floating palaces, flooded-out workers in the north of England are still recovering from Storm Desmond. About 5,200 homes in Cumbria and Lancashire ended up underwater last year due to cuts and underinvestment in flood defences.

But never mind; the money the Tories ‘save’ from public services all goes to good causes. Such as tax breaks for superyacht owners.

Thanks to Emily Jones for the superyacht spot
Advert for the Superyacht Owners Summit, photo by Scott Jones

Advert for the Superyacht Owners Summit, photo by Scott Jones   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Lordy, lordy, lordy!

Aston Villa FC -

Viscount John Thurso, “elected” to Parliament for life by three peers, photo by Keith Edkins (Creative Commons)   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

John Archibald Sinclair, 3rd Viscount Thurso (left), has been “elected” to Parliament – by three (count ’em) peers. The Lib Dem aristocrat is now entitled to vote on laws, and collect a £300 daily fee, for life.

This, of course, is a perfectly acceptable interpretation of ‘democracy’ for the capitalists. However, trade unions voting to strike is not.

The Tories’ Trade Union Bill will effectively make unions representing some workers count abstentions as votes against in ballots for industrial action. Lords have elections stacked in their favour, unions have them stacked against us.

Thanks to Nick Walters for the aristo angle

Surrey’s social split

Surrey Advertiser, page 5, week of 30.4.2016, photo by Paul Couchman

Surrey Advertiser, page 5, week of 30.4.2016, photo by Paul Couchman   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Two stories, side by side in the Surrey Advertiser (pic above).

County residents in top 12 rich list: “two billionaires with luxury properties in Surrey are among the top 12 richest people in Britain and Ireland”.

Winter shelter helps needy: “Paul Mitchell, chief exec of Transform, said: ‘This year’s winter shelter has again shown that there is a need for services to help local people who find themselves homeless’.”

Paul Couchman