Two FT articles this morning deserve attention. First, this:
And then, this:
Of course, it could just be a coincidence. But, really? Need I say more?
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Yes, these protests are really encouraging. It is clear that government and local authorities are not taking seriously the climate breakdown emergency from conventional lobbying and protest. Now government, industry and individuals must take drastic action now to become carbon neutral by 2025 or their beloved capitalist system is going to break down as well, adding economic chaos to climate chaos.
City workers, donning the garb of protectors of the peace so that – well – the crappy institutions that live there and get in the way of change can get on with their ‘work’?
I’m sorry – as much as I admire the Extinction Rebellion People, this is a very worrying development and something that I am extremely uncomfortable with.
This is really blurring the lines of public and private to unacceptable degree.
Who rules? Who rules this confounded country?
I think we will be more “uncomfortable” when extreme weather conditions which we have already witnessed (droughts, heat waves, storms, flooding, ice caps melting, sea levells rising et al than a spot of bother at the Met and Whitehall. Protestors are a mixture of young and old, mainly middle class with a few toffs and proles thrown in. Those who have woken up to the coming climate catastrophe have lost patience with the arrogance and blindness of our present rulers.
Bill
All I’m saying is that although the climate change protestors are worthy of note, the reaction of Lloyds is very sinister and worthy of more note to me.
And going forward – think about how this could play out. If this is going to be the reaction of entrenched interests to demands from people for change – I do not like it, I’m worried.
OTOH you could applaud Lloyds ‘public spirited’ reaction. But then again did they give staff the day off to protest? No! They have been given the day off to control and even prevent protest – to be on the other side of the fence.
Given that Lloyds is an insurer you’d think that at least on behalf of their ‘names’ they would support action on climate change.
The further dimension of this is that under continuing austerity, our police forces are dwindling or over stretched.
This leaves the door open for volunteers but also private police officers. So potentially we have the law being upheld by officers who are not neutral but come from a particular side of the argument under dispute – policeman ran by corporate interests. That is the emerging risk.
And I say again I do not like it. I do not like one little bit.
And you should be concerned too BTW – because this is the way the battle for environment may be fought and we need to be aware of this.
Youn state my concerns, very well
I would have thought the insurance industry would have been keen on doing something about climate change. It will affect them and their profits very badly.
Most members of this government are so complacent and slow to act. My M.P. for my sins is Theresa Coffey who is Minister for the Environment. I suggested to her that it is time for it to be compulsory for all new build housing to have solar panels, in the way that connection to mains drainage is now a necessity. She replied that the house builders could not afford to do that. I then pointed out to her that Persimmon made a profit of £66,000 on each house they sold. I am waiting for a reply which I am sure will not come.. These people, Minister’s etc do need a kick up the you know where! No wonder that Extinction Revolution has happened.
… that explains why the cops are now behaving less professionally… and more aggressively…