Hasina is accused of receiving up to £4bn of kickbacks in a deal which reportedly involved Tulip Siddiq who denies any wrongdoing. Despite photographic evidence of Siddiq's presence at the deal signing alongside Hasina and Vladimir Putin, Siddiq claims her involvement was a 'family occasion' although it is alleged by others that she was involved in negotiating the deal. Keir Starmer has stood by Siddiq, saying she has his full confidence and will still be responsible for tackling corruption on behalf of the government.
The economic impact of Brexit persists with UK exporters losing £27bn in EU goods sales due to trade barriers. Notably, 16,400 firms halted EU exports entirely. Labour leader Keir Starmer proposes renegotiating EU trade terms but maintains a firm stance against restoring freedom of movement even for young people on temporary visas.
Domestic challenges continue with Thames Water fined £18.2m for paying 'unjustified' dividends of £131m whilst the CEO of Severn Water was paid £3.2m in 2023 which is twenty times the salary of the prime minister.
Inflation is at 2.6%, (joint G7-highest with Japan) and there have been two successive months of no economic growth.
Meanwhile, Dover’s underfunded inspections revealed substantial smuggling of unsafe food, including 6 tonnes of rotten and potentially lethal meat raising public health concerns.
Boris Johnson has been telling television viewers in New Zealand that the UK is experiencing a 'brain drain' much of which was caused by his incompetence and dishonesty.
On January 1st the UK joins the CPTPP which will make any return to the EU almost impossible. It will be made even more difficult once the government's 72 Special Economic Zones and 14 Freeports open since these would not be acceptable to the EU given their well-known attraction to smugglers, tax evaders and money launderers. complicating prospects of ever rejoining the EU.
This country is going to the dogs. It’s already well on its way, actually. Our politicians and leaders are totally and utterly useless, and often corrupt, regardless of the party they represent and belong to. Any young person staying in this SH needs to consult a phrenologist! – © Mark Alexander
