I arrived in England on 25th of March 1965, started work at the Nursing Council in London on 1st April, moved to Forte's Holding Ltd, the hoteliers, restaurateurs hospitality conglomerate, then went to work in Fleet Street at the Birmingham Post and Mail's London Office, then joining the Press & Publicity Office of Overseas Containers Ltd at the most controversial period of convincing Dock labour to accept the latest technology in cargo handling in a hundred years. 

With the largest container-ships built at the time to operate from Tilbury to Australia, OCL also needed a Container Port at Southampton to handle the Far East trade, as Container Ports were being developed in Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan with Road Hauliers and freight trains geared to transport huge 20-footers and 40-foot containers to connect with the Consolidation network in most UK industrial towns. This was a game changer for British Exports, yet the warped vision of politicians of the day could not see beyond Europe. And Britain joined the EEC in 1973, and I had just met my husband Roy and joined his design and photography business in Southampton, where we lived for over 47 years.

Today begins the winter of discontent as the UK's Second Covid Lockdown began last night Thursday 5th of November, Guy Fawkes Day and normally bonfire night is held in every community with fireworks displays well into the night.  This year there was not a single gathering to be found in Southampton, in one of England's greenest county, Hampshire is slowly succumbing to Coronavirus since our schools and universities re-open to students under strict restrictions, after a short period of respite, when the Chancellor entreated all those able to help out by eating out, to give our desperate hospitality sector a boost to the industry. Did the Prime Minister let go of the Covid control too soon or have we become immune to the threat of Covid-19 as many had allowed their masks to slip at various recent gatherings?

Whichever the cause, the R rate of infection has suddenly shot up, especially in the North of England and Scotland, where Tier 2 or 3 had been applied, followed by Wales, with a smaller population, went into voluntary lockdown ahead of Scotland and Northern Ireland, and England's lockdown will end on December 2nd with the hope of breaking the R trajectory before Christmas.  This will hit the economy harder than before, as many businesses and retail outlets had cut their workforce since the government furlough of 80% of workers' salaries ended in October, just before the new furlough scheme came into play this week. The government seems to be a step behind at every turn, which prompted many criticisms.

Meanwhile Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party, who had manoeuvred the last election for Boris Johnson to win the number of seats required to form his Tory government, has reinstated his Party to be renamed the Reform Party in readiness for Brexit, when the Prime Minister must get a clean Brexit deal (that is: No Deal is better than a Bad Deal) otherwise Farage with his Reform Party will go into action to agitate for a good Brexit, to gain back control of British Fishing Waters and retain control of our State Aid to our industries and businesses, which the EU Negotiator is trying to keep Britain under EU rules; their reason for not giving us the same deal as that for Canada.

Well, who needs neighbours when they try to stitch us up, to keep our economy down whilst continuing to receive £1 billion a month over four years since we voted to leave the EU in June 2016.

Meanwhile, Nigel is focused on the success of running a country on a low-tax, laissez-faire system like Hong Kong under Cowperthwaite.   In 1960, with a GDP per capita of $429 (according to the OECD), compared to $1,380 for the UK and $3,007 for the US.  Within 33 years its GDP per capita exceeded that of the UK. Within 50 years it overtook the US.  Today it ranks among the ten richest nations in the world its per capita GDP is 40% higher than the UK’s.

For those interested in how that was achieved, click on the link below and enjoy the article by the Editor of Fortune & Freedom:

http://events-b.mb.fortuneandfreedom.com/z/18hik97kb?uid=919e15d5-8670-4599-b924-a3b0c97bb85b&mid=ad7604ba-ed96-44be-bf41-773b69a27191&utid=919e15d5-8670-4599-b924-a3b0c97bb85b-SB_FAF&bsft_ek=2020-11-02T09%3A01%3A06Z&bsft_mime_type=html&bsft_link_id=11&bsft_tv=3&bsft_lx=6

Memory of Slavery Vs British History

Olivette Otele is Britain's first black female professor of history and memory of slavery at the Bristol University. Was she pushing for racial demonstration, asking the public to do their homework by reading the 12 ‘classics’ from the anti-racist canon?  Highlights of these books and their authors were published on the Sunday Times’ News Review on 7th of June, nearly all extolled the pain and oppression of being black. 

One author taught history of scientific racism in New York - the theory that black people are genetically inferior to white! Another book, ‘How to Be Less Stupid about Race’ was written by a professor of sociology at Stony Brook University in New York. The book I found most apt for the riotous BLM demonstration that followed was entitled ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race’, written when Reni was in her twenty's, about explaining to white people how tedious it was to be at the receiving end of racism. Surely the Twenty's were for partying, singing the songs of love and discovery? 

Is racial prejudice so dire?  How did those authors get to their luminary position? A secret so hidden from the students of Bristol University, causing them enough frustration to take to the streets to vent their ire, injuring 35 law-enforcement officers and "to hell with it" why not topple the statue of Edward Colston, a mere philanthropist who financed their Uni; born in 1636, Colston joined his family business that involved transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas. Slave trades existed from antiquity that comprised debt-slavery, crime-punishment and prisoners of war in the Roman Empire and Greece. The oldest known law tablet relating to slavery circa 2100-2050 BCE of the Sumerian king and the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi dating to 1700 BCE, which also made distinctions between the freeborn, freed and slave.

Slaves in Ancient Egypt are often prisoners of war, or inability to pay their debts and sometimes people sold their children or themselves into slavery because of poverty and needed food and shelter. In Egypt it was noted that the lives of slaves were often better off than a freeman elsewhere and young slaves could not be put to hard work or had to be brought up by the mistress of the household. The Bible too made references to slavery, which was common practice in antiquity. In Ancient Athens about 30% of the population were slaves and they could save up to purchase their freedom or could win freedom through bravery in battle.

In Ancient Rome freed slaves were allowed to become Roman citizens but during the Republic, Roman military expansion was a major source of slaves, some became manual labourer or in domestic services, others employed in highly skilled jobs and professions, even teachers, accountants and physicians. In Britain between 1699 and 1807 more than 3,351 voyages set out from London to West Africa as part of the transatlantic trade, which reached its peak in the 1780s and more and more people began to voice concerns about the moral implications and the brutality of the system.  In 1776 the House of Commons debated a motion 'that the slave trade is contrary to the laws of God and the rights of men".  The campaign to end slavery began in the late 18th century

Even today many countries are discovering elements of slavery in some labour-intensive industries and in the oldest profession in the world, where young innocent South-East Asians or Eastern Europeans had been smuggled into various countries as cheap labour and forced to work for pittance with no free time. These smugglers need to be stamped out and their slaves freed.  By the same token, any smuggling of goods or people has no place in developed nations in the 21st century.  Brexit will end all the EU restriction on Great Britain's future trade with all developing nations, we could look forward to helping many smaller nations progress, especially in view of the havoc caused by the Covid-19 on poorer economies still without water or sanitation.  There is much to do globally and Britain is not afraid to extend a helping hand wherever possible.

We should be extremely proud of Britain's history, even though some who have migrated here for better work and pay, cannot see beyond their own immediate growth and attainment. The fact that they are here at all, enjoying the lifestyle that had evolved through the age long before their arrival, with infrastructure progressively improved by the taxpayers and traders who have made this country the fifth largest economy in the world, life for everyone has improved by leaps and bounds even for those EU citizens who migrated here unhindered in the last few decades, and with the 1950s Windrush migration our population today has increased by 50%.This must be the largest population explosion in the history of the British Isles.

I am specially proud of Britain's colonial history.  Being Chinese born in India I count myself very fortunate to be calling Britain home, enjoying so many privileges, excellent culture of great diversity and able to develop my interests in any field I choose with no hindrance or prohibition from government, local authorities or neighbours.  This is the most tolerant country I have encountered in the 55 years since leaving India and having visited over 85 countries in my life. Britain's  greatest achievements in colonising almost half the planet had to be its strength and vitality in engaging half the world population into its history book, despite many criticism by sceptics decrying Britain's ulterior motives in her colonisation, the Empire had to some extend civilised many primitive tribal cultures, introducing western refined traits and mannerism, promoting education into villages and lifting peasants livelihood by building colonial railways to connect remote towns and suburbs. Most important of all is the introduction of the English language to the Commonwealth nations so they can come together to share in their community spirit, with a common communication language which Her Majesty the Queen reveres.

Britain's young citizens today, blacks, whites and all colours are in the best place possible to build a nation of great diversity, growing up together in harmony in the most progressive environment since ancient time. Each individual in school by the age of 18 is made fully aware of his or her rights as an upstanding citizen of the UK, with law and order to ensure everyone is entitled to their privacy, their rightful ownership of their property and goods, and the health and safety of family life from birth to death. British values in addition bestow on each family their right to peace and quiet, good manners and behaviour and to live life at our own pace and choice with no hindrance or violation.  It is only right that their young vision is uplifted to achieve their best, without bitter historical grievances piled on their young shoulders to prevent them to stand tall as their school-mates. Their families too have a part to play in ensuring these young ideals are not tampered with fear and guilt, as equality and respect can only be achieved by fair play, with the condition of reciprocation: do unto others as you would have others do unto you,

This piece had taken longer to write as we experienced several demonstrations by thugs invading the protests of BAME minority groups, completely out of context with the brutality of Police in Minnesota trying to arrest George Floyd using fake money at a corner shop, which reported it to the Police, a crime that needs to be stopped and traced to the real perpetrators to eradicate this serious national fraud.  Such crimes must be dealt with, but the Police has in this instance, utilised a new technique they learned to deal with terrorism that has reared its ugly head in the last decade.  US law has found the three policemen guilty of manslaughter and they face imprisonment accordingly.

 

The lesson learned here is not racial but if you have done nothing wrong you have nothing to fear from the law, it is not wise to run away from or evade being questioned by Law-enforcement officers , who are charged with keeping the peace by dealing with crimes; if you resist, force will be used and we should all help the Police to do their job to keep us all safe. 

Jean Romsey
Wednesday 12th August 2020

COVID-19 and BlackLivesMatter are Just Two of our Problems

The Winter of Discontent moves into Summer 2020

Sunday 14th June 2020  The Daily Echo reported:-

TWO more Hampshire patients have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours.

The number of patients who have died in Hampshire hospitals with Covid-19 is now at 598.

University of Southampton NHS Trust has seen 191 deaths in total.

While the number of those who have died at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust has remained at 229 deaths.

Solent NHS Trust has had two recorded deaths and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust has had 17.

A total of 159 people who had the virus have died at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, a rise of two since yesterday. Every death is still a death too many, especially the total number is fast reaching 45,000.

The BlackLivesMatter demonstration on Sunday 7th June in Bristol was worrying, where thousands of people congregated disregarding social distancing rule, which was put in place for our safety so we could avoid being infected and impact on the NHS.  But my sympathy was with some, who believe they suffered discrimination because of the colour of their skin, so I tweeted:  "Of course Black Lives Matter, but so do White or yellow and Britain's historical past. If you choose to live in this democracy you need to put in equal efforts and hard work to reap equal rewards. Wilful destruction of property is unacceptable."

The next morning we heard the demonstration was not a peaceful event, more like a riot against authority, targeting law enforcement officers tasked with keeping Britain safe and crime-free; they defaced national monument and pulled down the statue of Edward Colston, born in1636 who joined his family business trading in wine, fruits and textile with Spain, Portugal and other European ports, and became involved in the then-legitimate Atlantic slave trade by shipping slaves to America.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was “sickened at George Floyd’s tragic death”, and fully appreciates “the strength of feeling over his senseless killing, and the inequality that black people can sadly still face, and the deep-seated desire for change”.

But speaking about the confrontation between protesters and police she told MPs: “This hooliganism is utterly indefensible. There is no justification for it.
“There is no excuse for pelting flares at brave officers, throwing bikes at police horses, attempting to disrespect the cenotaph or vandalising the statue of Winston Churchill - one of the greatest protectors of our freedoms who has ever lived." 
The BLM demonstrations continued with more turnout!

Monday 8th June 2020 - I was so upset about the turn of events, I tweeted again today:

"Many demonstrators in Oxford today are trying to take down the statue of Cecil Rhodes as they illegally removed  Edward Colston in Bristol. Be grateful! These gentlemen brought Black Lives to the West, so you now enjoy Western hospitality.  
Don't violate COVID-19 distancing rule." I also said:

Those who wilfully destroy public property and disturb our peaceful way of life cannot complain of inequality, but by respecting the rights of millions, who worked hard to make this country so beautiful and generously shared it with those who chose to live here, that's equality."

"Wednesday 10th June - BlackLivesMatter demonstrations are no longer peaceful protests. We cannot support their cynical agenda to destroy centuries of world history and their blame game of inequality when thousands of their ethnic cousins had grasped equal opportunities to reach pinnacles of top jobs." This tweet refers to the Sunday Times’ News Review on 7th June, 2020 featuring

Olivette Otele, first black female professor of history and memory of slavery at the Bristol University, who was literally pushing for racial demonstration and asking the public to do their homework by reading the 12 ‘classics’ from the anti-racist canon, highlighting these books and their black authors, all but one extolled pain and oppression by white supremacy. 

One author taught history of scientific racism in New York - the theory that black people are genetically inferior to white. Another book, ‘How to Be Less Stupid about Race’ was written by a professor of sociology at Stony Brook University in New York. The book I found most apt for the recent BLM demonstration entitled ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race’, was written when Reni was in her twenties, about explaining to white people how tedious it was to be at the receiving end of racism.  If racial prejudice is so dire, how did those authors get to their luminary position? A secret the students of Bristol University couldn’t fathom, so they took to the streets, and injured 35 law-enforcement officers

I also came to Britain during the 1948 - 1970 rebuild Britain programme, arriving at Gravesend on the foggiest day on record, where I could not see the fingers at the end of my extended arm.  However, just before disembarkation  my passport was returned to me, with information to apply for British citizenship at the end of five years, if I wished to remain in the UK, which I did in due course and started work within one week of arrival until I retired; that was 55 years ago and I have never encountered racial prejudice at work or play; all because my parents taught me to respect everyone's right to privacy and their pace of progress.  In return respect for my person and work allowed me to progress happily with my group of friends and family. So have many Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic immigrants and their children gone from poverty on arrival to becoming pillars of society, achieving recognition for their hard work and a rightful place in society.


In the next episode I will set out how fortunate we, the so-called BAME population are to be sharing the benefits accumulated for thousands of years by the pragmatic pioneering indigenous peoples of Britain, who had ventured out to the darkest corners of the world to bring back knowledge. inventions and new experiences that endowed the culture of this diversified United Kingdom. Long may we continue to grow and assimilate for the benefit of all citizens of Britain.

A quick roundup of  COVID-19
Lockdown and relaxation
BlackLiveMatter movement

I am constantly surprised by the people who represent us in Parliament!  

Boris Johnson and his cabinet have worked their socks off planning the steps to defeat the coronavirus from the first few cases that occurred in Britain in February. They sent to every household letters and leaflets on how to stay safe and stop the virus spreading by frequently washing our hands. The message from the government couldn't be more clear: 

Stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives. 

Every week we are updated on new data and scientific findings that inform the government on actions to defeat COVID-19, and staying home or keep social distancing at two metres have been the core of the message. Even now with the Rate of virus slowing down, new measures are taken to relax the lockdown safely and gradually, by wearing face covering in public transport and other close proximity areas, but the message reiterated every week to keep us safe is the 2-metre social distancing rule to curb transmission of this deadly virus.

Amidst all these warnings BlackLivesMatter demonstrators gathered in their thousands over several days in London and other cities, violating the social distancing rule, disrupting law & order and wounding 35 police officers on the first day. Will the government be blamed when they get infected with the virus?

Black Lives Matter protesters have torn down a statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol and dumped it in the harbour. TV footage shows demonstrators, packed closely together - despite social distancing guidelines, heaving the metal monument down with ropes before cheering and dancing over it.  

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid has condemned the removal of the Colston statue, writing: 'I grew up in Bristol. I detest how Edward Colston profited from the slave trade. But, THIS IS NOT OK. If Bristolians wants to remove a monument it should be done democratically - not by criminal damage.' 

Home Secretary Priti Patel is right to call Sunday's demonstrations lawless and reckless. 'Sheer vandalism and disorder is completely unacceptable and its right the police follow up on that and make sure justice is undertaken.' As demonstrations continue to sweep Britain following the death of George Floyd in America.

We have all heard the Prime Minister or Secretaries of State at BBC's weekly coronavirus briefings that Health Researchers had found the COVID-19 affects the elderly more than the young and it's more life-threatening for those with other health issues like diabetes, obesity, cancer, cardio-vascular disease and a host of other immune deficiencies caused by diet or unhealthy food, drink and drug problems. People ignore these findings at their own peril.

Yet the Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary, David Lammy accused the Government of having 'buried' recommendations for people of black, Asian or minority ethnic background (BAME), who are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Is he saying that people of colour require more specific treatment and attention than the indigenous white population? Are we not all equal: black and white and all the colours between them?

Has David Lammy made his accusation from a racial or political standpoint? Does the colour of our skin require specialty treatment for the BAME population? But we are already receiving the same information and advice as everyone else!  Why does he think the Black community needs to be treated differently?  His accusation can provoke more perceived discrimination that's causing a rift in the country.  Being a black MP, his constituency would expect him to bridge the gap rather than widen the rift by creating more disparity between the indigenous and immigrant population.

BAME in Britain are enjoying more equality than anywhere else in the world, more amenities and benefits than in their ancestral homeland. Every child receives the same education and child benefits from birth, each individual progressing at his or her own pace. A BAME child should have no cause to feel different from other kids, unless their home life or family opinion impact on his view or sense of equality. Children's education is vitally important in shaping their future and aspiration and with a caring harmonious family background, there should be nothing to stop them reaching the pinnacles of any profession.

Anyone who has lived in Britain for a year or more will have noticed the civility and respect people of this country have for each other, and particularly for the Police force.  If we all learn to live with tolerance like the 60 million local indigenous population, no one needs to carry a knife and no need to abuse a policeman asking questions to carry out his duty.  We should appreciate the police forces are trained to keep Britain safe from crime and disorder. By objecting or disputing Police authority, you could be committing a crime if you struggle to escape from being stopped and searched under suspicious circumstances.
We need to close the rift between the BLM and Indigenous population of Britain.