Barry Turner: The magic money tree is real after all!
Throughout the election campaign earlier last month we heard several new sound-bites ad-nauseam, several of which came back to ‘bite’ hard their users. The stock answer of Tory politicians to any economic plans of the Labour Party was “where is your magic money tree?” In spite of the disastrous rebound of their other favourite mantra…
After two weeks of talks, the DUP agreed a £1 billion deal to prop up Theresa May in power.
Throughout the election campaign earlier last month we heard several new sound-bites ad-nauseam, several of which came back to ‘bite’ hard their users.
The stock answer of Tory politicians to any economic plans of the Labour Party was “where is your magic money tree?”
In spite of the disastrous rebound of their other favourite mantra “strong and stable government,” the Tories continued using the money tree chant after the catastrophic result of the election.
The weakened and unstable government of Theresa May was left in a position whereby only seven backbenchers would be necessary to defeat proposed legislation, a situation in today’s ‘party whip-free world’ a certainty.
The solution it seems to return us to a strong and stable position whereby Brexit could be achieved was a deal with a party representing one small region of Britain and only a section of that region’s electorate to boot.
To achieve this deal, known as a confidence and supply agreement, the government has pledged £1 billion in extra funding for Northern Ireland.
It goes without saying that some are asking which magic money tree this came from and is there perhaps one for Wales, Scotland and well just about everywhere please?
While it is no doubt happy days for the people of Northern Ireland, it is likely that this will be the start of demands from every other less well off region of Britain.
The government is now in need of a Magic Money Orchard and the trees better get growing fast.
Perhaps we are worrying too much. There has in fact always been a magic money tree and it has thrived since 2008 yielding a bumper crop of some £453 billion.
This money was harvested from the magic tree of quantitative easing, a sound-bite itself that used to mean inflation.
We must hope that it has been properly fertilised and tended by the Conservative and DUP deal because everyone will be wanting a bite of its fruit.
Barry Turner is Senior Lecturer in Media Law and Public Administration at the University of Lincoln.
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Multiple fire crews have rushed out to tackle a blaze at what is believed to be a nut factory in Heckington on Thursday morning.
Ten crews attended the commercial building on Station Road when it caught fire at around 11.30am on Thursday.
Everyone who was in the building has been accounted for by firefighters, and those living in surrounding areas are being asked to keep their doors and windows closed for the time being.
The flames have gone through the roof of the building. | Photo: Shane Smith
The flames have gone through the roof of the steel-framed building, and crews from Sleaford, Donington, Kirton, Brant Broughton, Spalding, Lincoln South, Bourne, and Woodhall Spa were in attendance.
Firefighters are working to put out the blaze. | Photo: Shane Smith
As well as this, a water carrier from Holbeach was deployed, an aerial ladder platform from Boston and a command support unit from Market Rasen were also at the site.
Fire crews are still at the scene and this is an ongoing story that we will update when new information becomes available.
A man with ambitions of getting into the armed forces will march for 48 hours straight, between Scunthorpe and Lincoln, in memory of two people important to him who sadly died of brain cancer.
David Cadeireiro moved from Portugal to England in 2014 and lived in Scunthorpe for six years with his girlfriend Bethany Kipling. The couple then moved to Selby in January this year.
The 24-year-old is in training for his fundraiser challenge, where he hopes to raise over £500 for the Brain Tumour Research charity – make a donation here.
David Cadeireiro has been training for his charity challenge with support from his girlfriend Bethany Kipling.
He will march between Scunthorpe and Lincoln as many times as he can in 48 hours, starting at 8am on April 3 and finishing at the same time on April 5.
He will start his route at North Lindsey College, where he studied Uniform Services and completed his course two years ago. The route will end at Lincoln Cathedral and he will be carrying a charity bucket for anyone who wishes to donate.
Depending on the coronavirus restrictions at the time, family and friends will meet David at the finish line. During his route, his girlfriend Bethany will travel in the car and be on hand to give him food and water when needed.
David, who works delivering for Furniture Village, told The Lincolnite that he will be marching a distance of around 30 miles each way and has created a Facebook event page where people can follow his progress.
The cause he is marching for is very personal to David after sadly losing two people to cancer.
David’s former tutor Steve Jackson (left) and his cousin João Pedro Renders (right) both sadly died of cancer.
His former tutor at North Lindsey College in Scunthorpe, Steve Jackson, died of pancreatic cancer on March 19, 2018.
Last year on October 12, he lost his cousin João Pedro Rendas to brain cancer.
In tribute to the two men, he said: “He (Steve Jackson) was a dedicated tutor that was always happy to help any student with any problem.
“João was a person brimming with happiness, positivity and friendliness. He was the happiest when surrounded by family.
“He loved bikes and the beach and never refused to cook for his friends. A cousin that will leave a gap in everyone’s lives.”
David Cadeireiro, pictured with his girlfriend Bethany Kipling, will march for 48 hours straight, between Scunthorpe and Lincoln.
The reason for choosing marching as the challenge is to incorporate some military fitness as David has been trying to get in the armed forces for the last four years. He is also currently in the process of applying for citizenship.
David added: “I like to go on a jog sometimes, but before lockdown I used to enjoy hikes in the Peak District too. I’ve been doing longer walks recently of around eight miles in preparation for the challenge.
“I am a bit nervous, because 48 hours is a long time, but as long as I keep myself focused I know I can do it.
“The charity and the thought of raising money for them will keep me going. What I will be going through is nothing compared to what the people suffering from brain cancer are.”
David has also been contacted by the Brain Tumour Research charity who will help share his story and are providing t-shirts for him and Bethany to wear during the challenge.
The body of a missing man from Grimsby was found after an incident on Wednesday, but his death is not being treated as suspicious, police said.
Humberside Police issued a missing person’s appeal for 51-year-old Robert Allison earlier this week, who was last seen on Torrington Street at around 5.25pm on Tuesday, March 2.
The force said on Thursday, March 4: “Thank you to those who shared our missing persons appeal in relation to Robert Allison.
“Sadly, following an incident yesterday (Wednesday), a man was found deceased and identified as 51-year-old Grimsby man Robert Allison.
“We can confirm his death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will now be prepared for the coroner.”
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