Spanish life is not always likeable but it is compellingly loveable.
Christopher Howse: A Pilgrim in Spain
Spanish Politics- The acting Prime Minister returns to Plan A, with a far higher degree of success. But there's much more to do before we get an operative government.
- Optimistically, Spain could have this within a few weeks, it says here.
- Like most ('socialist') European countries, Spain has a national health service. Unlike the UK's, it wasn't an issue in the elections which ended on Sunday. In other words, it's not the political hot potato it is in the UK. As to why, I hazard a guess at these factors:-
- There's no bizarre idealisation of a system/concept (wrongly) considered 'wonderful' and 'the envy of the world'.
- Healthcare is delegated to the regional governments. There are differences in delivery but there's no concept of a 'totally unacceptable post code lottery' with which to stir up the populace.
- Everyone recognises that things could be better - shorter waiting times, for instance - but no one expects perfection. Reality prevails.
- There is far greater acceptance here of a mix of public and private healthcare provision. No political party is incessantly attacking the role of the private sector.
- Private medical insurance is much cheaper here than in the UK.
- The percentage of the population accessing (superior) private care is far higher here than the UK - 30% v. 9%. One (major) reason for this is that all bureaucrats here are entitled to opt for medical insurance tailored to them. 90% of them do so. This includes many people in society normally considered left-wing in the UK. Most obviously teachers. They're hardly going to make an issue of private healthcare, whichever party they vote for.
Galician Life
- I'm told it rained almost every day during the 5 weeks I was away from Pontevedra. My garden provides ample evidence of this, with Bougainvillea 'suckers/creepers'(?) which have grown 5 feet(70cm) in 5 weeks. And a front lawn which has a small copse of toadstools and a patchwork of grass, because I chucked seeds on the (even more) bare spots the day before I left:-
The UK
- Richard North today: Any objective observer of Johnson's public speaking performances would admit that his speeches are largely an incoherent shambles and his delivery is dire. He may have some kind of magnetic charm on a one-to-one basis, but as a public performer he simply doesn't cut it. The great fortune of the man is that he is up against Jeremy Corbyn, a politician with slightly less charisma than a plank of wood, and a delivery style that is not altogether dissimilar.
- The good news is that Farage seems to be finally fading from the scene. Will probably be kicked upstairs into the House of Lords, a traditional rubbish bin for has-beens.
- A truly laughable claim from the man of many laughs. How can anyone take him seriously?
- Ffart's 'spiritual adviser'. Another jokester. To be charitable. Could this happen in any other country outside Africa? Should be shot, so that she goes directly to the heaven she claims to believe in.
- Word of the Day: Abrazo: Hug. Topical.
- Here's a very large roundabout somewhere near Winchester. There are tall trees in the middle of it and I believe that, coming at in the dark at 6.30 of a winter morning, one might not realise it's a roundabout and so go straight across the Alresford road towards the A31, on the wrong side of the road . . . Especially if your satnav/GPS seems to be telling you to do so. So, it'd be a good job if there were only 1 or 2 cars coming the right way to (emphatically) indicate you'd made a mistake . . .
BTW . . . In case you haven't realised it, the blue line is the right way to negotiate this hazard.
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