𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Civil servant double-speak is something I’ve seen a lot over the years. In fact, as a councillor – and former deputy mayor – I’ve experienced it first hand. Top officers often hide behind process and hold rules up like a shield, all the while avoiding accountability and frittering away taxpayers’ cash like there’s no tomorrow.

But I’m afraid that’s to be expected in the public sector, where setting real targets is often avoided. After all, there are those of us daft enough to put our names forward and actually take responsibility for decisions.

Sadly, however, the note about being in charge hasn’t reached Prime Minister Keir Starmer. That’s why, despite his questionable skills when it comes to diplomacy, I found myself nodding along with Donald Trump in one of his many recent Starmer swipes.

In one instance, he mocked Starmer over his response to the war in Iran. The US president claimed Starmer had told him he had to “ask his team” about sending “two old broken-down aircraft carriers” to the Middle East. Trump’s response? “You’re the Prime Minister, you don’t have to.’”

Now… I have to be honest here and say I certainly don’t envy Starmer when it comes to the complexities over this conflict. And I’m sure many will understand Starmer’s more cautious approach with an increasingly volatile Trump, who has now taken to swearing his head off in his global comms.

But that exchange – if true – was telling. That’s because it points to something deeper: a man in office but not in power. And we shouldn’t be surprised.

Starmer has always been keen to remind us of his civil servant pedigree as the former director of public prosecutions. It’s a job wholly rooted in process and careful wording. Great when you’re a civil servant – but running a country is different.

This has been demonstrated on many recent occasions – including swerving questions on whether he’ll allow drilling again in the North Sea. His cowardly response was effectively “ask Ed”. More questions have been mounting – from what he’s going to do about the ballooning benefits bill through to the delayed plan for defence.

It’s alarming, actually, when you really think, it’s a struggle to name a single thing he’s pinned his colours to the mast about (except maybe his free children’s breakfast clubs at astonishing cost to the taxpayer, that he does seem weirdly chuffed about).

Strong leadership is not about endlessly asking your team for their input. Sometimes it’s about making the call and taking responsibility for it. Right now, Britain isn’t being run by a leader. Instead, it feels like it’s being managed by a risk-averse council committee – and that should worry us all.

As of last week, I am now mum to two teenagers. Parents who’ve been there always warn that it goes by in the blink of an eye – and I can confirm that that saying is indeed correct. We celebrated George and Harriet’s respective 15th and 13th birthdays with the usual cake and candles, following their chosen taco tea, and a family games night.

It all paints a rather wholesome picture… at least compared to what actually transpired.

Truth be told, I’d bought a “lip reading” game online where cards were meant to be read out and the other player had to guess the words. On ordering, I hadn’t quite realised it was for over 18s… so we had to rather quickly abort mission. One for the memory book at least!

It seems that the vegan boom is in retreat, as those who’ve rejected meat have started eating it again due to health concerns. Don’t get me wrong – I always say that if I had a personal chef, I reckon I could just about manage at least a vegetarian diet.

Sadly, given the lack of means needed to employ one, any dalliance with foregoing meat for me would mean living on Pot Noodles. Data suggests that the trend for cutting out animal products peaked in 2021, when 10% of the population were vegan or veggie. That figure has fallen to 7% this year, with experts believing the current emphasis on adequate protein intake could be a factor.

I once knew a woman who called herself a vegetarian… except she ate chicken. And fish. A bit like the rest of the population. Apparently, this approach has been given a new name: flexitarian. Go figure.