Compare and contrast.
Was watching President Trump’s cabinet meeting and listening to the various Department Heads providing succinct, coherent and confident comments regarding progress to date. All obviously well on top of their briefs; thinking about the pathetic collection sitting around the UK cabinet table is enough to make you weep.
Yesterday watched Elon’s DOGE team leaders (all successful business men, including a rocket scientist!) what a contrast to our collection of non-entities almost makes me despair.
As always the variety of topics on GP sparks memories and the range of subjects commented upon is thought provoking.
Civil servants. In my last position in the Army part of my duties was responsibility for the 120 civil servants employed by the Depot. (one of the staff I engaged as a kitchen worker was an ex Scotland and Aldershot goalkeeper#’ can’t recall his name now – well over seventy at the time!)
As a contracted accountant at the Police College I worked alongside several other civil servants.
Clearly there were a lot of good people amongst them; just wanting to have a job, do what was required and lead a contented, though perhaps mundane, little life.
The problem was that in reality very little was asked of them and over manning was consequently rife.
Talking of the Police College we hosted them at a games night in 1974 at the Depot Sergeant’s Mess. It was just beginning to get going when suddenly all the cops rushed out and away – it was the evening that Ian Ball attempted to kidnap Princess Anne.
Four people were shot in that incident, including her bodyguard who was later awarded the GC. A civilian who also weighed in received the GM.
Some mention of Dubai, women and arabs. On our accompanied tour in Bahrain in the early sixties one of the wives came back with more jewellery that she went with and it was said that they paid off their mortgage when they returned to England……
Enough has been said about the Farage farrago but I was really impressed by the young commentator Charlie Downes. Have stumbled across The Gabby Cabby who is good value for money and the Paul Thorpe and Peter whittle interviews are well worth following.
My Council Tax bill has arrived, at just over £2,000 p.a.
A two bedroom flat, admittedly in a good location (would be even better without the litter) but the roads are bad, some pavements perilous and there is littler and piles of rubbish strewn around.
Following a walk along the prom I popped into the Council Offices – hideous building but inside is very nice and a welcome cup of tea and a cheese and ham pannini was very welcome in the well set-up little cafe.
I ventured into the bowels of the building – the usual range of information and interview booths, sixteen in all. Quite plush. Two being used by taxpayers, the rest mostly empty with a couple of staff chatting to each other -t was the quiet period so possibly understanable but I hate to think of the annual cost of running and upkep of such a great environment.
Still we have a nice glossy leaflet extolling the virtues of the City Council so rejoice comrades – all is well with the World.
© Gillygangle 2025
