Perhaps for once, it is no exaggeration at all to say that the local election results fundamentally changed the political landscape of the country. In terms of councils, Reform gained 10 (previously 0), the Liberal Democrats 3,Conservatives 0 (previously 18) and No overall Control (10, up from 4) And in terms of seats, the Reform party gained 677 (previously 0), Liberal Democrats 370 (gain of 163), Conservatives 319 (loss of 677 - spookily, exactly the same number as Reform gained), Labour 98 (loss of 189) and No Overall Control, 177 (gain of 26) . As is evident, on this showing Reform would, on suitably adjusted figures, form the next government were the results to be mirrored in a general election. It is no wonder that these results are being viewed as no flash in the pan but a fundamental change in the British political landscape. The results are almost as bad for the Labour party as they were for the Conservatives as Labour lost two thirds of the seats they were defending. The overall headline figures conceal even more though. Here in Worcestershire, the Conservatives lost control but Reform finished the day with 27 seats, the Conservatives 12, Greens 8 and Liberal Democrats 6 and Independent 4. So although, technically, Worcestershire is No Overall Control, in practice the Reform party is far and away the largest party. They only have to persuade 2 of the 4 Independents to vote with them (or not vote against them) to have effective control of the County Council and this result may be repeated elsewhere. So what we are witnessing is the death of traditional two party politics and the birth of genuine multiparty democracy. The really huge political question, though, is how Reform is going to govern at a local level. In terms of their policies, their principal policy (strict control of immigration) is the hands of central government and they have no say, even over the location of hotels in which illegal immigrants are accommodated. What is their exact policy on the principal budget item which is the budget for social care? So far, I have heard them talk of running the service more 'efficiently' whatever that means but is the same policy as both Labour and Conservative in any case.
Turning to domestic matters, yesterday was the third day in which Meg failed to fully come around from a sleep and it was almost impossible to get any food or drink inside her, let alone medication. So we are now in a scenario where we have to make Meg as comfortable as is possible. The care workers' inclination is to have Meg in bed all day long but even this stage of Meg's illness might last for a considerable time and I want Meg to carry on occupying her chair in the Music Lounge where some of the music played may permeate her consciousness and the proximity to the kitchen makes it much easier to transport food and drink in her direction. Last night, I received a sympathetic text from one of our 'coffee' friends hoping that she would see us on Saturday but as her own husband died from dementia, I think she has a very full appreciation of the situation. As the weather is still fine and Meg will be asleep I fully intend to push Meg down the hill in her wonderful new wheelchair but I am conscious of the fact that this may be the very last time this is feasible. The care agency manager, having received reports from his staff, was appalled at the poor service given by our GP practice and sent them a message in effect saying 'Get visiting today and prescribe some proper pain relief'. This missive evidently had an effect because a young, I think Nigerian GP, called around and I managed to convince her that Meg was now at the stage where Oramorph patches were required. She said that on her return to the surgery she would activate an assessment from the palliative care team but as Monday is a Bank Holiday, this may take some days to work through the system. Meg was put to bed at teatime by the carers yesterday ie. about two hours earlier than usual and I did not demur on this occasion. But on a more pleasant note, yesterday evening I received a phone call from our close Irish friends who live down the road. They have intimated to me that they are organising a 'surprise' birthday celebration for me at the local Holiday Inn (which is only about 200-300 metres away) on the occasion of my 80th birthday, which is on Sunday, May 11th i.e. only just over a week away. We discussed some of the practical arrangements and my earnest hope is Meg is still with us on that occasion, although no doubt she will sleep through the proceedings. This whole organisation of a birthday celebration is a most wonderful testament to the efforts which my friends are making on my behalf, and I shall be eternally grateful to them but let us hope that everything falls into place as we are planning.
Yesterday was a little unusual in that the same two care workers were together for the each of the four visits during the day. They have known each other and worked together as teenagers so they are very experienced. Nonetheless, when they were getting Meg ready this morning and she was in some pain as they were getting her legs straightened out a little, I thought they had tears in their eyes - as did I. Their inclination is not keep Meg in bed during all of the day but I wish to maintain a 'normal' routine as long as humanly possible. In the morning, I managed to get several spoonfuls of porridge inside Meg which is an advance on previous days and then, neatly bundled up in her new wheelchair, we set off on a journey down the hill to Wetherspoons and saw two friends, the third friend being away on holiday. I am pleased to say that Meg seemed fairly soundly asleep during these proceedings and after our coffee I had a quick tour around a cosmetics shop and also our local 'Poundland' where I bought a couple of items of stationery. The local cosmetics store also received a visit with items bought for myself on this occasion.Then, of course, it was the long haul up the hill but I take it easily so that I do not exhaust myself. Having said that, having got home, the wheelchair wheels cleaned of grit and Meg divested of her 'going out' blanket, I did promptly fall asleep only to be awakened by the carers ringing the doorbell. We lunched on a Aldi ready meal where the marketing department had done a good job in making a miniscule amount of rice, beef and sauce sound exotic but it was somewhat pedestrian. But I did manage to get Meg to eat a little, finishing with a chocolate mousse desert so I am satisfied with that.
© Mike Hart [2025]