Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-5-2021: The Norge Pole

12th May, 2021.

Remember yesterday’s Teaser post … ?

Where I talked about the Voter ID provisions in the Queens Speech?

I’ve posted a few bits and bobs on Facebook, including a link to an official petition about it.

You can find that, here, if it’s something you want to sign.   Oh, and you’re in the UK.

I’ve ALSO emailed my MP about it.

If you’re in the UK, feel free to do likewise.

Here’s what I wrote, if you wanted to use a template:

“I seen today’s Queen Speech: and noted, with interest, the announcements about the Election Integrity Bill.

Including its provision for photo ID.

Can I ask if you’ll be voting for this bill?

As I feel there are objections to it: in particular, the clause about photographic ID.

As someone who’s unemployed?

The clause means spending money on ID.

Money I don’t have much of, as I’m on Universal Credit.

Money that needs to be spent on food and bills.

And money I don’t need to spend: on a human right — voting — that I can currently do for free.

It’s an objection I feel many I know will have: an objection that says you — and your fellow MPs — are making us buy our right to vote.

It’s not the only objection.

Because many will not be able to afford ID, this will reduce the number of people turning out to vote.

Something I know MPs have complained about.

Any MPs voting for this clause, including you?

Will be voting to reduce voter turnout.   Will be voting to reduce the number of people voting for them, and you.

Something that could well be fatal in marginal Conservative seats: and see your own majority fall.

I hate to sound crass: but an MP voting for this would be a turkey voting for Christmas.

As a final objection?

I’m told the bill is designed to prevent voter fraud.

And have to ask how  photo ID will prevent this: as most voter fraud is done through postal vote.   Something I know Eric Pickles, your predecessor as Brentwood and Ongar MP, has reported on.

With all this said?

I must reiterate and expand my original question.

Will you be voting for this bill?

And will you be voting for this clause?

Especially when it denies many of us a vote.”

You’ll find your MP, here.

As a final point?

I’m told that the government commissioned a report on the subject: here.

It specifically addresses the idea of free photo ID, twice: in the Introduction and Methodology section.

It’s good to see it acknowledged.

But?   As Radio Four’s Today programme has just pointed out?

There are STILL hidden costs, there.

You have to pay for the ID photos.   You’ll need to show proof of address: a bill, for example.   In all probability, you’ll need a birth certificate.

The last couple of times I needed photos?   I had to borrow money to get them: and travel to Chelmsford, as the photo booth in Brentwood wasn’t working.

Bills?   Mine are increasingly on line.   And printing them out at the library, difficult, under lockdown.

Don’t get me started on Birth Certificates: a replacement one costs anything up to £35 … 

It’s … 

Frankly?

Voter ID is a nice idea.

But it’s a badly thought out bad idea: with still too many hidden costs, and (possible) hidden damage … 

~≈🗳≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th May, 2021.

11th May, 2021.

It’s officially the case: I have girly pink dumbbells.

Cheap and light, girly pink dumbbells.

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Because?

Well, my physiotherapist assigned me a new set of exercises — that start, tomorrow — that need relatively light weights.

I could have used a couple of books.

Or a couple of bags of sugar.

But, frankly?

The dumbbells are easier to hold that a couple of hard backs.

And what’s a diabetic doing, buying sugar?

~≈🏋️‍♂️≈~

Talking of money … ?

The dumbbells were cheap.

My provisional driving licence wasn’t: it was some £45, if memory serves.

Paid for by the Job Centre: as I needed to provide it — or a passport — as ID for a job.

A job: let me emphasise that for you.

I few years ago … ?   There was talk the government wanted to introduce photographic ID, paid for photographic ID, in order to vote.

Not something I was happy about: where is someone who’s out of work supposed to get the money for that?

Thankfully?   Those plans didn’t go through.

However … ?

According to a piece in the Guardian, yesterday, there’s plans afoot to re-introduce it.

I seriously hope not!

Had I no ID?   Or if I needed to replace the driving licence, or needed a separate, paid for, form of ID in order to vote?

I’d never be able to vote: as I couldn’t afford the ID.

I hope this gets voted down in Parliament.

I can’t afford to buy my right to vote.

~≈🗳≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10th May, 2021

10th May, 2021.

Yes: I’ve got just enough cash to do a little shopping!

And enough time, this evening, to make some goulash.

Or possibly spaghetti.

We’ll have to see.

~≈€≈~

I’ve got to admit, I feel slightly rushed: I’ve a phone meeting my Shaw Trust case worker, today.

That doesn’t stop raising something with you.

You’ve heard of earworms, yes?   Songs playing themselves around you head?

I’m wondering what the visual equivalent would be.

I’ve been re-reading Moorcock’s A Nomad of the Time Streams.

And, as ever, had a mental image of what Una Persson — one of the main characters — looks like.

A very specific mental image.

I think a lot of people do something similar.

It bothered me enough to that I went looking, yesterday.

And, after about half an hour’s Googling?

Realised my version of the character looked like Gina McKee.

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I wish I knew why!

But, as I’ve said?   I think more people did something similar: they have mental images of a fictional character … that’ll turn out to be a very specific person*!

~≈€≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th May, 2021

9th May, 2021.

It’s a Sunday … and I think it’s going to be quiet.

Quiet …

And possibly boring … !

We’ll have to see.

~≈Ë≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th May, 2021.

8th May, 2021.

It’s official: Brentwood West, the council ward I live in in?

Now has William Russell, a Conservative, as councillor: and has rejected Karen Chilvers, the Liberal Democrat councillor.

I’d’ve preferred a Green Councillor, and couldn’t vote Tory if you paid me.   But Wil’s pleasant enough.

I’m just grateful Karen Chilvers is out of her post: she, it seems, is the person responsible for organising leaflet deliveries in the area.

Something I’m distinctly angry about, having had three very unwanted leaflets, over the past few weeks.

That … ?

And the fact she was on the Council planning committee that made a mess of the local mobile phone mast?

Makes me grateful she’s gone.

~≈¥≈~

As a brief extra thought … ?

I’m jobhunting, at the moment: and signed up to various job agencies websites.

One — called Indeed — sent me a warning email, this morning.

It seems one job I applied for — for a company calling itself Rapid Recruit — has been flagged by Indeed’s security team: and a message sent out to any one that’s applied.

Warning us to NOT hand over any further details.

And that we should not pay for a job.

Sound like whoever’s using the Rapid Recruit name is just a little suspicious … 

~≈¥≈~