What a time to be alive; so much going on it’s hard to keep track. There are amusing things, unamusing things closely followed by lots of WTAF!
The (unsurprising news) that there is corruption at all levels in all governments around the World and that most of them are in it for themselves – spending most of their time figuring out the quickest way to get rich (at The Taxpayer’s Expense) does not come as a shock.
What is shocking is the amounts involved. The elites of the Soviet Era must be revolving in their graves- Zil lanes and a nice Dacha in the country appeared to be enough for them!
Read that Zelensky has three houses, two private jets and a billion dollars in the bank. We are contenders too – track and trace billions anyone? Covid PPE scam millions anyone?
And what to make of the Chagos Islands fiasco?
I only hope the activities of DJT and Elon Musk have a trickle down effect.
Briefly saw a headline about a poll saying people are not joining Reform because of Nigel – I am in that number being still on the fence.
Of course polls can be unreliable and angled to reach the ‘Right’ conclusion but snake oil salesman sometimes comes to mind. Such a shame that our political cretins stymied Brexit. He would have attained hero status had it been implemented. Pity his oratory and ability to think on his feet may be lost in the battle ahead.
Lovely fulsome tribute to SB by EOL the other day. And so say all of us!
Had to take a short taxi ride the other day. I had a heavy bag of shopping and my pins were giving me a bit of gyp.
One of the big taxis with a high step arrived. Took a while to heave the shopping and myself aboard. The driver was, possibly, an Afghan. The driver of the previous taxi in the queue looked to be Indian. Managed to get myself and the bag out on arrival and as I was about to pay I told him that in the UK it was traditional for a taxi driver to help his passenger(s), physically if necessary and also with the luggage. No tip there.
See ICC propose to issue a warrant against DJT over Gaza. They have no jurisdiction and the Don has rejected such illegitimate and baseless actions. Pygmies, all of them.
Another huge scandal has been revealed in the latest listings of tax and tax penalty defaulters in the UK.. I have not totted it up but it must be tens of millions. I do not like companies and individuals paying more tax than necessary and although there are lots of foreign names on the list there are lots of small traders but also the odd Barrister, Accountant and several management consultants!
Whatever, it represents huge sums not collected – the totals usually cover a couple or several years of default. HMRC has really gone down the nick since Customs and Tax were amalgamated. In the ‘old’ days you had a local Inspector of Taxes who was very experienced and knowledgeable whom you could ring up or call in to discuss tricky cases.
I once got a builder, who was several years in arrears with his tax returns, sorted out and up to date in a fifteen minute discussion face to face with the local inspector – they were pragmatic, we agreed possible taxable earnings for the missing years and another happy client – now HMRC appears to be staffed by no-nothings.
© Gillygangle 2025
