Horse racing protests and radio figures
They say a week is a long time in politics, the same could be said about farming. In just seven days some fields have gone from being inaccessibly waterlogged, to concrete. The animal rights mob are threatening to ‘sabotage’ the Derby. Having failed to cause too much trouble at the Grand National, they plan to descend upon Epson Racecourse with up to 1,000 protesters who they say will cause as much chaos as possibly.
Apparently, these vegan protesters are recruiting support by advertising the protest as a ‘day of family fun, free from animal exploitation’. As the horses are not, as far as I am aware, going to be eaten after the race, so I am unsure of their objective.
Racehorses are bred to run, fast. They love their day at the races; to them it is as exciting as going to a party.
What these ignorant idiots are planning will stress the horses, and if the racecourse decides these people have made the days racing unsafe, they will be sent home without having raced.
These horses have trained hard for this occasion; they are super fit four-legged athletes who will return home deeply frustrated, along with their trainers and grooms, whose livelihoods are at stake.
Let us hope the course stewards, together with the police and no doubt members of the public, manage to ensure the day goes ahead without disruption.
It is reported that Radio 4’s Today programme has lost over 1.2 million listeners, 800,000 during the past year.
This is hardly surprising due to the attitude of some of the current presenters. If Justin Webb is on duty, I am tempted to listen but, if others, and we all know who they are, are in the studio, I switch off as fast as I can.
They lack the finesse and intellect of John Humphys, with their arrogant, discourteous, and highly irritating interviewing technique. Instead of listening to the interviewee and allowing them to speak, particularly when they do not agree with them, we are subjected to the presenters’ views instead.
Whatever happened to the BBC’s high standards and intelligent, unbiased civility? Come back Jack de Manio, John Humphry and Sue MacGregor, who could teach this lots a thing or two.
Time is running out for the nomination for a Conservative candidate for the 2024 election for Mayor of London. It is clear the current mayor has been an unmitigated disaster for our capital city.
It is time for a safe pair of hands to repair the damage; could Boris Johnson be persuaded to return to the role. During his tenure from 2008 to 2016 he certainly left his mark, cutting road traffic fatalities, building over 95,000 affordable homes, and lowering fatal knife crime. He presided over the 2012 Olympics and found a legacy tenant for the stadium.
London and the country need proper leadership, someone prepared to listen and do things right.
To read Carola’s columns in full, go to: www.carolagodmanirvine.com