This weeks ‘The Week So Far’ #TWSF edition has to be split into two parts, because we had so much to discuss.
The Week So Far Part 1: Read Part one Here
Remember Kashmir
While I was checking around the social networks today I found this press statement from the renowned peacemaker Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu and it’s worth publishing in its entirety here.
He’s talking about the land of Kashmir which, at the moment, is occupied by around 700,000 Indian forces. I want you to think about that seriously for the moment … this tiny peace of land has that many military on its soil.
When you consider the war in Iraq was launched using 60,000 US, UK and other allied forces you have to wonder what the hell is India doing deploying 700,000 in Kashmir. And, as we see from the many shocking images coming out of the region, they are not there in a peace-making capacity.
Tutu’s statement: “For 70 years, the people of Kashmir have been the jam in a sandwich left behind by the departing British Raj after the division of colonial India into the separate states of India and Pakistan. For 70 years they have suffered violence, insecurity, uncertainty, division, and pain – pawns in a regional political arm-wrestle.
“It shouldn’t matter if the majority of Kashmiris are Muslim or Hindu. Are they not, after all, sisters and brothers of one family, the human family, God’s family, who are as deserving as anyone else to have a say in their own destiny? Seventy years ago, this week, India’s Prime Minister Nehru made a solemn pledge in a broadcast to the nation that Kashmir’s future would be determined by Kashmiris. Let us pray that this unfinished business is not allowed to fester any longer.”
While most of our focus this week has been on erring Tory ministers you may have missed this little snippet from the European Parliament which has rejected Britain’s brand-new offer on the rights of EU citizens living here after Brexit.
Theresa May’s team released a very detailed technical paper spelling out the what they propose during the two-year grace period for EU nationals to apply for settled status once the UK quits Brussels.
European Parliament’s Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt has criticised the “inadequate” proposal.
Seems like it’s back to the drawing board for ‘British Bulldog’ chief Brexit negotiator David Davis!
Fence Sitter
I remember there used to be a time when Ed Miliband as leader of the Labour Party would dilly dally and obfuscate when asked for a direct ‘yes or no’ to a question. Seems he’s no longer suffering from verbal constipation these days judging from this tweet:
After her hideous day, the prime minister arrives tonight for a dinner with friends – a banquet at Stationers’ Hall in the City to celebrate Paul Dacre’s 25 years as Daily Mail editor. More on News at 10 on ITV at 10 @NewsAtTen pic.twitter.com/hY6WOdsrkS
— Robert Peston (@Peston) November 8, 2017
A Digital Rambler
As I wandered through Twitterland last night I came across this image – I must admit the image took my breath away. I just hope he doesn’t start a trend with other local Councillors … I think few male politicians could pull off this look. Imagine Eric Pickles doing “a Braxton”. Erm, actually scrub that thought – the image is simply too awful even after the watershed.
https://twitter.com/aNateScott/status/928291499527294977
Meanwhile back at Brexit HQ
While most of our focus this week has been on erring Tory ministers you may have missed this little snippet from the European Parliament which has rejected Britain’s brand-new offer on the rights of EU citizens living here after Brexit.
Theresa May’s team released a very detailed technical paper spelling out the what they propose during the two-year grace period for EU nationals to apply for settled status once the UK quits Brussels.
European Parliament’s Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt has criticised the “inadequate” proposal.
Seems like it’s back to the drawing board for ‘British Bulldog’ chief Brexit negotiator David Davis!
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