Monday 10th September

Of course one shouldn’t complain, especially after the summer we have had, but it really was such a hot weekend.  And everyone’s mood was changed; everywhere you went people seemed relaxed and care-free.  Maybe the summer of Sport, the Olympics and now the Paralympics have had something to do with it.  At last the British are feeling happy about themselves.  For a few years now we have had the Financial Crisis of All Crises, and every day the news just gets worse, economic statistics heaped on our heads night after night.  And even if it is going to get even tougher, and the cuts will deepen and unemployment may get worse, and there isn’t much hope on the horizon, something has happened over this summer to the way we see ourselves.  For too long we were no-hopers, also-rans, a bit ineffective in the world.  And suddenly despite all our worst fears we have pulled it off with possibly the best Olympic and Paralympic Games ever.  There were no disasters, no strikes, no unfinished buildings, no rain stopped play, no cancelled events, no drug-cheats, hardly even any disappointing performances.  Everything actually went well, in fact everything went brilliantly, spectacularly so.

In an earlier blog, sometime in May I believe I suggested that there might be an October election, that the Conservatives might see an improvement in their prospects, and along with the improved mood of the country, they might just go for it.  Thankfully the mood of optimism has not translated into renewed confidence in the Government.  But I wouldn’t rule it out for early next year.   At the moment along with everyone else it is just too hot to contemplate.