Having moved to Peebles in 2002, ‘Stooriefit’ Bosco Santimano gives us his take on what he feels is the hot topic of the day in his final “View from Stooriefit Mountain” column. This week it’s the preparations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations while citizens have to choose between heating and eating!
Since 2010, the Conservative and Unionist party have with the support of other Unionist Parties (Labour, Lib-Dems and DUP), systematically eroded the rights, health and financial wellbeing of the working class, NHS frontline staff, individuals claiming benefits, disabled and young people. The benefit system has been cut to the bone and is on the verge of a complete breakdown, while private corporations have increased their profits on the back of the unemployed and vulnerable groups especially children by providing a disgraceful and humiliating experience for those that had no choice but to claim a pittance from the state through the governments flagship welfare reform policy via Universal Credit.
The pandemic, high cost of living and a low waged economy have all contributed to create a perfect storm for many of us having to choose between what any sensible person would argue is a basic human right. While the current government at Westminster is happy to make millions for its own MP’s and their families and friends including donors, we the people are left with no options but to either go hungry, skip meals so we can provide for our children, wear jumpers in the house as heating is unaffordable or commit suicide as the demeaning process of claiming benefits initiated by Tory MP Ian Duncan Smith takes its toll. This is only compounded by the richest Chancellor of the UK, Rishi Sunak inflicting further financial hardship and pain through his economic policies and budget which will tip many citizens into all out rebellion and the coming of a social revolution.
While all this is happening, the country is gearing up to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee next month with huge amounts of money pumped into the economy both nationally and internationally. What have we become as a nation? It’s the classic Marie Antoinette’s statement; “Let them eat cake’ before she went on to become the last Queen of France after the French revolution and literally losing her head on a guillotine! Do we in this day and age need the Queen and the Monarchy? The answer is a resounding No! The Queen is so entwined in the running of our country, politics and via the Head of the Church of England, that any democrat will struggle to justify the Monarchy’s involvement in British life let alone politics. The excessive wealth and control that the Queen holds is not only obscene but utterly ridiculous in this modern age. Her Majesty’s subjects are in poverty, struggling with their mental health and trying to keep a roof over their heads for themselves and their children all at the same time, while the Queen and all her family and relatives are living lives of luxury and untouched by any economic catastrophes all paid for by us, tax payers.
So, what can we do as citizens to stop this obscenity from continuing? Simple! Make your views known to the powers that be, in this case all your elected representatives and secondly, stop voting for a political party that supports the Monarchy financially at the expense of us ordinary citizens and thirdly refrain from participating in any function, event or celebration that is organised to commemorate this monstrosity.
Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Peeblesshire News and readers of my column for supporting my views and opinions over the years, including those readers that also disagreed with me. Thank You & God Bless.
Published in The Peeblesshire News on Friday 27th May 2022
Leave a Reply