3 Reasons Why I Am Probably Voting Conservative

Hand voting drawing, election vintage

Despite being a life-long Conservative, I would rather not vote Conservative this year, or the Brexit Implementation Party, as I am tending to call them. I am gaining a strong dislike for Theresa May.  I find her severely lacking in leadership qualities, poor at debating, slow to react and I struggle to determine a political philosophy.  Why is she leader?  How does she want to change our country for the better?  She reminds me so much of Gordon Brown – someone who wants to be leader because they want to be leader. And the rhetoric, the sound-bites are just cringe-worthy … Continued

Complaint: My Subscription To The Economist

Penguin sculpture outside the Economists' Bookshop

The last of my complaints from last year that I’ve been meaning to put up for, oooh, weeks.  I was not amused by the price increase of my quarterly subscription and wrote to complain. I have recently actually cancelled my subscription, due to unemployment, then two days later I was offered a job.  So I have signed up again on their 12 issues for £12 deal.  I wonder if I can do that every 12 weeks?  Hmmm.  That would be economical. I digress, complaint incoming. ****** Good morning I note with disappointment the quite significant rise in the subscription price. … Continued

Complaint: Goodbye Ocado

Distribution complex under construction

So last year I moved away from using Sainsbury’s for a bit, as you may have seen on my earlier complaints.  And used Ocado – until they let me down. ****** Good afternoon The number one priority for me on a food order, is that the chicken breasts last all week for my chicken salad. Or at least until Wednesday/Thursday of the week – my delivery date being Saturday. It is why I dumped my true love, Sainsbury’s, and started flirting with yourselves. In fact, I dipped my metaphorical willy everywhere, I even tried Asda. So imagine my sadness when … Continued

Compliment – First Great Western & My Lost Suitcase

I don’t just moan.  I don’t only complain.  I like to offer my thanks when I have received good service too.  And when I left my suitcase on the train the other week, I received excellent customer service from First Great Western. Honestly! ****** This is not a complaint.  I repeat – this is not a complaint. Having spent 17 years of my life living in Reading, First Great Western or whatever you are called now, do not tend to have the greatest (like my pun?!) reputation. Perhaps somewhat unfairly, as I thought it was often the bottleneck at Reading … Continued

Who Should I Vote For…Or Who Could I Vote For?

So the remain campaigner that became Prime Minister and definitely was not going to call a general election before 2020 has plucked up the courage to call a general election before 2020. You know that I am a life-long Tory.  But also a passionate Remainer. And I feel offended, bruised and damaged about Brexit, and the expected destruction to UK society, culture and probably, the economy. For the first time ever, this is a difficult choice for me on who to vote for.  In fact, for the first time ever there is actually a choice for me to make.  I … Continued

My New Job: The Important Stuff

Free delicious sweet cake photo

I know what you’ve been thinking all week – what temperature is James’ new office? Well, you will be pleased to know that it is very comfortable, albeit bordering on slightly chilly around 11:30am. It’s a very nice modern office in Moorgate, our floor has a multitude of small companies, mostly, if not all, start-ups, including ourselves.  I work for Lovespace.  You can look into them yourselves if you are interested.  It is a pretty damn useful service, if you ask me, and exciting to work for a company with so much growth potential. But enough about the serious stuff. … Continued

Complaint: Tesco & Some Crap Chicken

Tesco Wisbech - The last day of trading - No7

Actually a recent complaint this one! ****** Dear Tesco Gosh do I have a 1,000 character limit? Wish me luck on that. One night recently, I was drunk. Do you have one of those annoying friends that starts every story with “I was really drunk”? I’m going to have to get to the point pretty quickly here, aren’t I? So, I was drunk. And the last two times I had been to Chicken Cottage on the way home, I ended up with 4 pieces of dry, over-cooked, miserable southern fried chicken. Being drunk, I came up with an idea – … Continued

Complaints: Sainsbury’s & Short-Dated Chicken Part 2

Sainsbury's lorry, Grimmer Road, Hereford

This is a follow-up from an earlier e-mail to Sainsbury’s, when I was getting so fed up of them delivering short-dated chicken (amongst other things).  My original e-mail is here – it will help to put our love affair into context if you haven’t already read it. ****** Dear Sainsburys Thank you for taking the time to write to me.  I am heartened that you have not forgotten me. I thought about your loving words for a week or so, almost like a love-struck teenager, unable to know what to say or do.  In the end, I thought that we … Continued

Complaint: Harrow Council Housing Benefit

Harrow Civic Centre

I was not amused during my recent spell of unemployment, to be awarded just £87.40 a week in housing benefit.  My rent is £600.00 a month – not exactly an overwhelmingly expensive amount in London. But apparently the government decrees that I should be able to find a room in a house for £378.73 a month.  In London.  Yep.  I haven’t paid that kind of rental amount since 2003. However, as I am over 35, if I were living in a one-bedroom flat, then I would get up to £800.00 a month.  Logical, isn’t it? So because I am doing … Continued

Complaint: HMRC & My Proposals To Repay Unpaid Tax

Watlington Street, Reading

Whilst I was unemployed, I received a demand from HMRC for £87.02 of unpaid tax.  As you can imagine, I was not especially amused, given that I had roughly £80 a month after rent. My first reaction was to ignore it.  Then they sent me a follow-up letter advising that I needed to pay the full sum of £87.02 by 7th March 2017. I did try to call them on several occasions to arrange a repayment plan, and when I eventually made it through their automated menu system (my impatience doesn’t help – “JUST PUT ME THROUGH TO SOMEBODY” – … Continued