27 February
The RBS imbroglio

Incredibly there was Stephen Timms, the Treasury Minister, telling Jon Snow on Channel 4 News last night, that the Government regarded the decision of the old board of RBS to pay a grotesque pension, some £600,000 for life, to its 50-year old ex-CEO Sir Fred Goodwin, as a "fait accompli". How on earth did this happen.? We (the British public) were assured that due diligence had been undertaken, so that the Government knew the score when it bailed out the Bank. I dashed off a letter to the Guardian to express my dismay. This government is stumbling from one debacle to another.

My poet friend Michael Ware has emailed me to compliment me on yesterday's blog. Thank you Michael. I reproduce his email and one of today's freshly minted poems:

Ben,
Well done. Today's addition to the blog is up to the minute and important.
It will get nowhere just yet -- but you are used to that.
All good things.
Michael

Cusp of Spring




The gnarled old tree appears to be quite dead


As cold has closed down all its vital force,


But soon on rising sap it will be fed.


Young leaves will show the winter-spring divorce.




Already blue or yellow crocus cup


Has pushed bright head above the dormant lawn.


Its vibrant living joy has pointed up


The fact that spring is now about to dawn.




Park playing dogs cock legs against a tree


While bitches are contented just to squat.


Both genders feel the need to have a pee,


Rejoicing that the cold has eased a lot.




From my park bench I like to watch this life,


But not for long. The wind cuts like a knife.






26.2.09