Shirley Williams remembered for other reasons.

Shirley Williams: A founding member of the Gang of Four 

Also remember that she was a member of APEX (as I was at that time) along with several Labour cabinet ministers and the union’s “sponsored” MPs, Denis Howell, a former Apex president, and Fred Mulley. All, including Roy Grantham APEX General Secretary, were critical of the massed picket and the solidarity shown by the NUM, TGW and other unions with the Grunwick strikers and the involvement of Labour party activists in the escalating dispute. Continuing criticism of the Labour party and its leadership, together with the growing democratisation within the party not least of all with the compulsory, reselection of MP's Williams went on to to create the Social Democratic Party following the Limehouse Declaration, with the other three members of the so called "Gang of Four" Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers. The creation of the SDP and their increasingly rancorous denigration of the Labour party was a major contributory factor in the Labour General Election defeat if 1983 and the consequent Conservative government under the damaging Margert Thatcher with its 144 seat majority.

Special Forces on the streets of Belfast

 

Northern Ireland: Special forces deployed in Belfast as riots continue (msn.com)

Special Forces on the streets of Belfast

On the 9th April, I commented on the deteriorating situation in Northern Ireland suggesting that soon we may read of rubber bullets or even live rounds being used. It seems that we have taken another step towards this nightmare scenario with reports that "Special Forces Soldiers" have been deployed on the streets of Belfast over the weekend.

However, there has been scant reporting in the mainstream media or on television (no doubt because of the wall to wall coverage of funeral arrangements or other associated events) of these developments which of course begs the question why.

Could it be that Bozo Boris and his shadowy "advisors", are monitoring and controlling what the public may or may not be made aware of?

Perhaps they have created a clandestine "Ministry of Propaganda" to ensure that we only receive that which the government think that we should be told. Certainly, Bozo Boris and his Brexit fanatics have much to hide with their irresponsible, reckless handling and implementation of the "Northern Ireland Protocol".

The birds are coming home to roost after the incompetent negligence in resolving the Northern Ireland border problem.

Regrettably, it is the people of Ireland who will pay the price.

Descending into the violence of "The Troubles"

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/08/belfast-police-water-cannon-rioters-seventh-night-unrest

Now we have water cannon on the streets. Soon we shall read of rubber bullets being used, live rounds being fired and tragically, there will be some fatalities on both sides.

The fault lies entirely at the feet of Bozo Boris and his compulsive pursuit of "Get Brexit Done" supported by those hardline Brexiteers who looked no further than the end of their noses in their drive to implement the faulty referendum result, where Northern Ireland and Scotland voted to remain part of the EU. There are of course other historic factors which are involved in the present unrest in Northern Ireland. However the essential fact is that the Northern Ireland Peace Process and  "Good Friday Agreement" of 1998 are completely irreconcilable with the notion that Northern Ireland can be disconnected from the EU in the form of Ireland, and yet somehow satisfy the unease of both communities in Ulster.

The question of the border between the UN and Ireland  would always be a contentious issue. The "Northern Ireland Protocol"  has paradoxically created more difficulties than it was intended to resolve. So much so that the United Kingdom unilaterally amended parts of the protocol very soon after signing the documents, much to the distress and irritation of the European Union.

The Brexiteers must now come to recognise that their vision of an "Independent Nation" outside of the EU cannot be achieved without continuing unrest in Northern Ireland, which will deteriorate over time and could even involve a return to British troops on the streets of Derry, Belfast and other towns and cities. There is little prospect of rejoining the EU thus consequently the Brexiteers and the Unionist community must accept the perhaps unpalatable fact that the only alternative is the reunification of Ireland. This will inevitably result in the breakup of the United Kingdom as Scotland will no doubt seek independence. The Resulting UK of Wales and England will actually meet the Brexiteers dreams as only these two nations voted to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum. 

Derby Arms in Sheen

Back in the day !

 I woke this morning thinking about the Derby Arms in Sheen, sadly now converted to residential use and named as Harvey Court. Does anyone remember this pub, ( Upper Richmond Road, East Sheen, Mortlake, Surrey SW14) which at the time was run by Len Harvey, the boxing champion. (He later died at his home on 28 November 1976)?

On Sunday's at that time there was the fore runner of a "Disco" which was called "Guys Club", where we would assemble for music (sometimes live with a group called "The Red Caps". There are many stories associated with this time and place, but one which particularly stands out is the night when an altercation took place on the upstairs landing where the large room housing "Guys Club" was located.

Len Harvey appeared, the fighting stopped and a bouncer fell down the stairs after being "slapped" by Harvey. Going down the stairs after him, I recall that Len said "I employ you to stop fights, not start them". We never saw that particular bouncer again.

The photograph is the Derby Arms as it is today.