Propaganda drama

I woke up this morning later than usual this morning and uploaded the link to Morning Prayer, listening to news that fifty members of the government have now resigned, including a few appointed as replacement ministers only a few days ago, after realising the impossible situation they'd put themselves in. But Boris hadn't yet resigned. The world had to wait until twelve thirty for him to make a bullish resignation speech, promoting his achievements in office with no sign of humility or contrition. He's still convinced he is fit for purpose, despite growing consensus that he is not.

After a week of unprecedented political chaos at the top of government, the world now has to wait three months until a new Tory party leader can be elected. Calls are already being made for him to step down now and appoint his deputy Dominic Raab as a caretaker Prime Minister. Labour threatens to call a vote of no confidence in the government if he doesn't step down immediately, so the drama continues. What next.

I had a message from Mother Francis asking if I could cover this morning's Eucharist at St John's. When I arrived the nave was set up as a recording studio. The church is hosting the European prize winning Cory Brass Band this week, making a new CD. There were only five of us and we worshipped at the high altar using the choir stalls for a change. I enjoyed that.

After coffee, I returned home, listened to Boris' resignation speech and cooked lunch, while Clare went into town and bought a new garden hose, The one we bought at B&Q last month has already sprung a leak and cannot be repaired. The new one was half the price, a proper old fashioned kind of rubber hose, less likely to leak. Much to my delight and relief our new GHIC cards arrived in the post decorated with the Union Flag rather than that of the EU nowadays. Fortunately it does the same job as the EHIC card, enabling you to access basic health care abroad. 

Later in the afternoon, I walked along the Taff, and returned in time to listen for news updates, but now there's mainly discussions about whether or not Boris will withdraw to let another be caretaker Prime Minister and speculation about candidates contending to replace him.

After supper I watched the final two episodes of 'The Undeclared War'. I found the whole story quite disturbing. How real the possibilities are, rather than fictional extrapolations, I don't enough to tell, but the overall Russian offensive strategy outlined in the story seems  in line with what British security and military heads have been saying this past few years. All in all an interesting effort at a war propaganda movie for our time.

Crime scene for real

We learned from the neighbourhood WhatsApp group this morning that the son of a Meadow Street resident was mugged in the lane at the end of the street last night. We've had burglaries before, but for a young man to be threatened by a knife wielding assailant is out of the ordinary for this quiet neighbourhood. The lane is poorly lit with a few places where someone could conceal themselves beforehand. 

It may be a one-off, someone using the lane as a short cut, desperate for money for a fix. Drug dealing does occur on the streets around here, I've glimpsed exchanges happening between young adults in hoodies occasionally. It remains to be seen now if there's a repeat performance, but after this exchange of messages, neighbours will be on the alert.

I celebrated the Eucharist at St Catherine's with six others this morning. Then I fetched this week's veggie bag, and cooked us lunch. After an afternoon walk in the park, I started work on Morning Prayer and next week's biblical reflection. I was interrupted by a Police constable making routine enquiries after the crime, She was clad in black, with long blond hair in a plait, reminding me of a character in a British telly crime drama.

For a change, I watched Channel 4's evening news this evening, featuring a reporter with Ukrainian troops in the region of Donetsk. It's the first time I've heard mention of military hardware in use donated by NATO countries. There have been more Russian missile strikes against the railway network, aiming to hinder deployment of imported weapons. A Ukrainian commander spoke of Russian soldiers making  repeated attacks without variation in tactics, men used unimaginatively as cannon fodder in the faint hope of overwhelming opponents who know their ground and what they are fighting for. 

One report I read today stated that Russia is losing 400 soldiers a day. The tabloid media alleges that the Russian campaign failure is causing concern among senior military figures. Russian social media is said to be rife with speculation about a military coup brewing against Putin's regime. But can tabloid media be trusted not to make up stories, even if they tout optimistic propaganda? No reports of this kind have been issued by radio or TV news broadcasts so far. We can but pray.