As I sat in a park last week, appreciating the sun, watching the world relax and play, I heard an aeroplane. In Britain, that is the norm; nothing to worry about. In Syria, I can’t begin to imagine the panic, fear and nerves that set in whenever there is any noise. What could it be? The latest set of chemical attacks are utterly deplorable. As we await the verdict of the chemical inspectors, whoever ordered their use is despicable.
Unsurprisingly, the use of chemical weapons has once again reopened the Pandora’s Box of intervention. People feel that Britain, as a part of the West, must do something to respond, condemn and deter future attacks. However, we mustn’t rush into intervening by dropping bombs. Even if I were to support Mrs May sending four RAF Tornados, I would be outraged by the lack of a parliamentary vote. Though it is not in our constitution, I would immediately introduce an act requiring the approval of parliament before military action, except for when Britain is directly under threat. In the same way I support Cabinet government, it is right for MPs to hear the evidence and freely decide. 650 people are far more likely to reach a clear, well thought out decision than one person alone. In times of conflict, Britain should always be aiming for the diplomatic route. A country shouldn’t have to drop bombs to prove it has a place on the international stage. Negotiating, challenging and agreeing should be recognised and valued even more than the ability to cause direct harm to another country and its citizens. I am no foreign policy or defence expert. Syria is an extremely complicated place, with much internal, as well as external conflict. However, it’s clear that bombs all over the place, with no strategy, objective or desired outcome, is a recipe for more disaster and suffering. ****************************************************************************************************************** In a similar tradition to last year, Labour, as the main opposition party, has been announcing new policies. In the void of news, there is a space for Labour to present alternative ideas. Little did it know that last year, upon presenting proposals for free school meals and a minimum wage of £10, the Prime Minister would call an election. While I highly doubt the same will happen this year, a policy that stood out to me was a proposal for free bus passes to those under 26. Now, you’d think I would be a big fan. For another nine and a bit years, I will be under 26, and therefore must be jumping up and down with delight. Not quite. While I certainly support student discounts for products, which have benefited me at the cinema, I don’t see why going on a bus should be totally free. There is already a cheaper cost for children and students and a part of growing up, whether you have a job or not, is learning to budget. ****************************************************************************************************************** I used to be a fan of the Grand National. It was the only horse racing event I would watch, but, like the Boat Race, I would be an expert, hooked to the TV, my excitement the equivalent of an all year round fan. This year, I watched neither. The only clip I saw of the horsing affair was five seconds of two horses looking incredibly uncomfortable, a race to the end probably not for victory, but for the hedge jumping to be over. That got me thinking. Is the Grand National, well, right? Is it justifiable to train a horse, whip them and force them to jump over many potential perilous hedges? One foot out of action and both their sporting career – if that is the right phrase – and their life could be over. I say this as someone who strongly supports animal testing for medical purposes. When developing new medicines that have the potential to save billions over hundreds of years, it has to be tried on some living organisms. I believe, in regulated conditions, the risk to animals is outweighed by the good the medicine may do to humanity. However, I cannot say the same for horse racing, the only pleasure or benefit being gained by Crabbie's consumers. Oh, and I’m also a pescatarian. ****************************************************************************************************************** This holiday has been incredibly busy. Though I don’t celebrate Easter (or Halloween for that matter), it was excellent to have a break, in student language known as revising nearly all the time. Yes, long term readers (and I once again thank you for sticking with this blog) may recall I was revising intensely for my GCSEs last year. This time round, it’s just A-level mocks, but they are still vitally important. The quantity of revision still feels the same despite the decreased number of subjects. That didn’t mean I had no time to go away. We visited Edinburgh for the first time, a beautiful city with a great atmosphere, sense of culture and managed, despite being the capital city, not to seem overly crowded. The buildings have the great ability of being tall without looking ugly. The castle was grand, made up of different rooms and included the Queen’s crown jewels. We were able to visit the inside of the Scottish Parliament spontaneously. Initially, I planned only to see the outside, not aware that nearly all the Parliament could be explored. There was information about ‘Who your MSPs are’, a copy of the Scotland Act allowing devolution signed by Tony Blair (you make your mind up on whether that's good or not) and the debating chamber, void of anybody. A modern day Westminster. Of course, we had to visit the ‘Elephant House’, a key location for scribblings of ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ with fab jacket potato (though it was not the birthplace of the novel as they quote everywhere, and I doubt J.K. Rowling has visited at all in the last two decades). ****************************************************************************************************************** My interest in politics remains strong and I’m sure will never die away. The search for power, the way people implement their values, the battles over what ideas are victorious and frankly, what people do or don’t do in power should excite everyone. My interest was translated into reality by attending a guided tour, courtesy of my local MP. Words cannot describe the building. It is a true beacon of democracy. After having our bags checked airport style, we stepped into Westminster Hall, full of echoes, a huge ceiling and archways. To think previous monarchies and influential figures stepped on the very ground my feet were on was memorizing. We visited the Commons and Lords, both of which look far smaller than on TV, but were wonderful to visit and full of microphones and sturdy dispatch boxes. Our tour guide was extremely pleasant and experienced, taking us carefully around each of the rooms and showing his knowledge of all the paintings, statues and architecture. With references to the monarchy, former Prime Ministers, visiting Presidents and even mistakes in paintings, he displayed much wit and depth, making the tour wholly worthwhile. My only criticism was the many negative effects of the British Empire were not discussed, not even raised once, while British imperialism was presented as something to be triumphant about. To the academic minded, it may seem obvious, but to those who don’t understand the effects of colonialism on indigenous people, the former British Empire can appear something to look back on nostalgically, not with the horror it deserves. ****************************************************************************************************************** A few days ago, I was at the opticians. Thankfully, I don’t yet require glasses, but something surprised me. I was asked whether I smoked. Shocked, I sternly replied that I certainly didn’t. The organisation was aware I am 16, and the last time I checked, the minimum age for smoking was 18. The number of people smoking foul substances may be in decline, but if organisations are asking people under 18 whether they smoke as though that is the norm, law enforcement and the health of both individuals and the wider public can’t be outstanding. ****************************************************************************************************************** As I type this section, I am listening to a new-found love: Classic FM. On so many levels, it is such a joy to tune in. I remember being told listening to classical music helped with productivity in education. It allows calm from a busy day, whether through personal activities or thinking about this uncertain, worrying world. Fundamentally, it always does what all music, culture even, should do: take you to another world. I think if people of all ages listened to more classical music, we wouldn’t rid the world of sadness, destruction or malevolence, but we may just feel a bit happier, lighter, sombre and calm.
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