Wolf Winship

Andy Burnham gave his first speech at the Labour conference yesterday (Tuesday 29th September 2026), and at one point it got very emotional. The speech started off promisingly, with energy and gusto. Then surprisingly, it got better. Even when he said he will be getting rid of the 'pension triple lock', the reaction at the Liverpool venue seemed positive. He spoke unhesitatingly, confidently even, but when Andy talked about reforming social care and about his father, who'd passed away only two weeks ago, it got very personal. There was a hush in the large hall, everyone was all ears, tears welled up in Andy's eyes as he spoke. As he did so, people were visibly moved and also brought to tears. Women and men cried openly, unashamedly. Even Ed Milliband's eyes were not dry - and I thought nothing could move him. For a first speech it was a nine out of ten. Not overly emotional, just the right amount of emotion I'd say. Don't get me wrong: I am not a big fan. I ...

 The last time President Xi visited the US was way back in 2015, when Barack Obama was President. A lot has happened since those days long past.  Here we are in 2026 and President Trump pulled out all the stops for President Xi, even meeting him personally at the airport at his arrival on 23rd September.  Some people have criticised the meeting but those num-nuts know squat-diddly about politics and life in general. Two great leaders of two great nations meeting and talking, in peace... What's not to like?  I think it's a good idea, a wonderful thing. Making America great is one thing but making the world a better place, a safer place - that's the Ace Card. We need more of this sort of thing all around the world. It prevents wars and conflicts, for one thing.  I firmly believe that if - and it is a big if - but if Putin and Zelensky had met four or five years ago and talked things over... Then Ukraine would be looking very different today. I don't believe there ...

 Why I write what I do When I started this blog I was intent on casting a critical eye on the political climate in our democratic world. But then a climate of another sort became impossible to ignore. I'm talking about the recent heatwaves.  The repeated heatwaves this year (2026) did five things for me: 1. Nearly boiled my eyeballs off 2. Almost fried my brain in my skull 3. Forced me to pour ice water on myself on a regular basis during breaks at work (something I've never had to do, believe it or not) 4. Gave me serious ideas of moving to the Arctic before next summer And 5. Made me turn my attention fully on the weather and climate change  So much so in fact, that my first post was about the heatwave.  I know some you enjoy heatwaves. You love laying there very still out in the open, literally baking yourselves for hours and hours in the seering sun, till your skin turns orange or brown, or just burns red-purple and plain peels right off - please stop doing that ...

 This month Princess Diana's brother, ninth Earl Spencer, Charles Spencer, published a book (out 22nd September 2026) about his recollections of his sister's death in 1997. The book is from the view point of the four times married Earl.  Excerpts of the book have been published in a leading newspaper. It includes quotes of what King Charles, then Prince, had supposedly said after Diana's death. The King has defended himself publically in a written statement with what Americans would describe as "stiff British reserve and icey cool politeness" that would crack a tooth.  Brits, who clearly get their King, have described his mood as 'angry'. His statement basically states that Charles Spencer's brotherly love and grief for Diana has clouded his judgment over what was really said by King Charles at the time.  These "I said / he said" type of revelations have shocked everyone for multiple reasons. Here's a list of some of the reasons (in no sp...

I have not written a thing about Mr Trump since the start of this blog because well frankly, where do I start?  The latest on Mr Trump is that in his recent speech at the Republican Party convention he offered voters $5,000 (through the federal budget apparently) if he wins the mid-terms. Wow. It's a generous gesture to his loyal fans, to say the least. It's also rather incredible and no one really believes it, I'm sure. Besides, it does seem a lot like 'buying the voters'. Although I personally don't think he needs to do anything of the sort. I've seen his fan base and they really are a large loyal crowd.  However, there are lots of things he has said in the past or is saying currently that unfortunately people (not his fans) have grown accustomed to taking with a pinch of salt or plain just not believing it. (Myself included.) In my opinion, that's got to be a problem for the leader of the great nation. For example, if I was a leader it would certainly...

R. I. P In memory of all the Innocent people that were killed. We Don't Forget. We Shall Never Forget. Wolf Winship