Learning foreign language can be easy and hard

Months ago, I remembered writing a blog post about why British people are worst at learning Foreign language. 

mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

Now I want to tell you my readers why you should think of trying to learn Foreign language. 

Here are the reasons. 

1. Travelling the world to understand cultures & being able to speak in foreign language confidently.  
2. It can boost your confidence. For me personally, I might not be great of knowing some words in any Foreign language (French, Spanish, Portuguese) but knowing the basic of the language is worth a try. 
3. It can boost job opportunities. Example: Spanish person wants to work in the UK for the job. He understands both languages (Spanish & English) so being able to learn a second language can advance career opportunities. Being bilingual can be helpful and useful. 
4. It can make you smarter. Study shows it can grow your brain & that you can be intelligently confident to remember the words in any Foreign language. You can even translate from one language to English or any language.
5. It can boost academic achievement. Learning Foreign language is part of school curriculum in primary & secondary/high schools. Learning a language is a matter of choice. That’s why many non English speakers come to English speaking countries like this country (the United Kingdom) to attend schools & universities for learning English as a second language or third language. 
6. Making friends. Speaking and learning a language is part of social skills and if you are able to speak any language other than English, then you are in a good position to make friends with anyone who understand foreign language & whether the person (he or she) understand English or not. 

So those are my reasons of why you can should a learn foreign language. Go for it if you are interested. 😀🙂🇬🇧🇪🇸🇫🇷🇨🇳🇷🇺🇯🇵🇵🇹🇸🇪🇳🇱🇰🇷🇦🇪

Confusion & the road to recovery from Covid in the UK.

We are almost at June as today is Bank Holiday Monday. Final day of May (31st of May). 

Lockdown measures have been partially lifted in the UK. Particular here in England. All because of people being vaccinated. It looks that there could be the light at the end of the tunnel & that hopefully normality are to be returned. 

However we are not out of the woods. 

Since last month, Covid 19 variant from India have been surging. In last couple of weeks now, it have been surging here in the UK. The Indian variant (B.1.617). 

For what I see, we are not even ready for lockdown to be fully lifted on 21st June 2021. Now personally, I want lockdown measures to be lifted because the Covid cases of death in the UK are down (& not rising at the moment) and recorded cases of infections are not rising. But it is starting to now because of the variant from India. google.co.uk google.co.uk google.co.uk richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk 

It can delay the chances of lockdown being lifted completely on 21st June 2021. Next time you know, we could be in another lockdown again for fourth time in a row. Which I hope and pray that cannot be the case. The government can’t even listen to their own scientific experts. Despite insisting they “follow the science”. Nothing but soundbite. bbc.co.uk 

“Data not dates”. Give me a break. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the government have not handled the Covid situation since day one (last year 2020). No wonder Dominic Cummings have spilled the beans recently which is nearly a week since he attended for the Parliamentary Select Committees in Westminster. google.co.uk 

And then, there is the traffic light system. Traffic light travel system which is seemingly to confuse the public in terms of going on holiday aboard. fullfact.org google.co.uk 

Red list, Amber list, Green List. Meaning as of 17th May, overseas travel is allowed with three different categories. 

So with those countries who are on the green list like Portugal, Singapore, Israel, Gibraltar, Iceland, Australia & New Zealand, UK travellers can go there to visit one of 12 countries. Quarantine free travel without having to self isolate while returning to the UK. 

However with the Amber list, it is nothing but confusion and contradictions from government ministers. 

The government insists that nobody should go on holiday to any Amber list countries like Spain (which is not on the red list like India). Given they recently introduced traffic light travel system (as if everything is all red not to any countries that are not red list) with the confusion & contradictions from government ministers & PM Boris Johnson. It is very sad when they say one thing & then say something different. They really are deceiving the public. Boris Johnson & the government. 

Finally regarding overseas travel, going aboard is still risky even we are all tired of lockdown, Covid & the feeling of despair & parts of economy not being opened. There are plenty of Covid variants that we know & don’t know of. There is a possibility that anyone can bring any variant to the UK while returning from aboard without realising. It is not a best time to go aboard at the moment. Until Covid is under control & the pandemic is over (whether Covid exists or not. The govt always says we have to live with it like a flu but won’t be bothered to go for zero Covid strategy which was done in countries like New Zealand. Coronavirus is not a flu as we know that already). 

So “data not dates” approach is working well right? Well I beg to differ. Only time will tell. 

Francafrique : French influence in Africa

This is going to be a tough political and economic topic to talk about. France and Africa. 

Don’t get me wrong. I love France. I love the culture & the language. Anything positive about France. Especially for the fact that I have indeed visited the country in 2019 as I am Francophile & Europhile. 🇫🇷🇪🇺🙂

However there are pros and cons. Pros (good/positive side) & cons (bad/negative side) about France which I hate to be the bearer of bad news (since I am fond of the French culture) as I will talk about cons.

France’s relationship with Africa. 

Francafrique: France’s policy of neo colonialism in French speaking African nations. It is the French’s sphere of influence in Africa. Françafrique. Since 1945, former French colonies have been using the currency CFA Franc.

The colonial currency ruled economically & financially by the French. No wonder French speaking countries in West Africa & Central Africa didn’t had their own national currency. At least now that is changing cos soon, CFA Franc in Africa will be out of circulation.

There will be the West Africa version of the euro. It will be called “Eco”.

It is a relief. Ending over 75 years of CFA Franc in former French colonies in Africa (although it’ll be pegged to the Euro). West African countries will hold 50% of the reserves in the French treasury. Meaning no bank governor from France. However due to the Covid pandemic, there is a delay & slow progress to actually making it happen. 

France used to have the original national currency. Franc (French Franc) until the country adopted the Euro in 2002.

For so long, former colonial power have been controlling & meddling the affairs of its former colonies as of the francophone countries in Africa are not sovereign independent nations including controlling the CFA Franc. Now that won’t be the case anymore. Even the past French Presidents including the current president (Macron) who have been wanting to end the policy of Francafrique (France’s influence in Africa) cos its not fair on independent French speaking countries as if there is still under the French rule.

Although France & Africa will still remain friends, it is the French influence (on terms of colonialism has to end economically & financially as CFA Franc is on the way to be out of the circulation). This is how France sees Africa. “poor continent”.

So I want to say in French. Au revoir to the Francafrique. French neo colonialism & CFA Franc. 🌍🇫🇷 Only if African leaders who are leading French speaking countries, can make it happen. So far, no sign of putting it into action along with the French. 

I find it quite odd that Francafrique is on the way to be over. Yet, China (rising superpower) wants to seek influence in Africa with debt trap diplomacy (Belt & Road initiative). Which I previously mentioned in my previous blog post. mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

So let’s hope that there won’t anymore Foreign influence in Africa with neo colonialism mindset. Whether is the French, the Chinese or any foreign power. Africa really has to be developed economically and get rid of awful leaders & despots. That’s why Africa has a horrible reputation regarding corruption, bad leadership, poverty, diseases like Malaria & flawed democracies. I say this as someone with African roots. The truth is that the West & even China, they don’t want Africa to be economically rich & competitor/rival so that’s why Africa is “poor” & being taken advantage in the colonial way by the French and the Chinese in terms of seeking & having influence in the African continent. 🇫🇷🇨🇳

Celebrating my birthday and achievement.

Short blog post 

Yesterday I celebrated my 100th blog post as an blogger. mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

Today is my birthday (as I am 26 years old). 

Another day to celebrate. 

I am blessed to celebrate my birthday today while celebrating my yesterday’s blog post at the same time as I have been blogging for six months now. 

This is 101st blog post. 

To those who wished me a happy birthday, I would like to say thank you very much. 

Life is all about playing your part in the world & having an achievement. That is why I am limitless. There will always be challenges. Challenges doesn’t define me & I do not give up. So yeah, no limits. Living life without limits.  

That is all I want to say on my short blog post. Stay tuned for blog posts on my blog Mr Limitless 95. Enjoy your day. 😀🙂

Best regards 

Mr Limitless 95 blogger (Calvin Casino aka Mr Limitless 95). 

6 months of blogging (100th blog post)

Hello everybody.

Welcome to my blog. If this is your first time of reading my blog then welcome first timer. If you have read my blog post for awhile then welcome back to my blog if you are regular reader. 🙂

This is going to be an interesting short blog post. 

Exactly six months ago on 29th November 2020, I launched my blog Mr Limitless 95 blog with my very first blog post. I done so with an passion & out of interest for me to have joy. Joy of blogging. mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

Since then, I wrote up to 99 blog posts. Today is 100th blog post. 

I want to say a big thank you to my readers & everybody who have read my blog for the last 6 months. Now on to the next 6 months. By then, I will look back, feeling proud as I am proud today that I have become an blogger. Looking back that I am feeling achieved. I have written so many topics. Ranging from politics, current affairs to music, entertainment, travel, adventure. Doing things with passion and hobby. Anything that is limitless. Plus tomorrow is my birthday (as I will turn 26 since I am Mr Limitless with number 95. The year I was born. = Mr Limitless 95) & I recently included advertisement as an way to earn money (which my main focus is write blog post as much I can so that it can lead to anything including employment which is number one thing that I want to achieve). 

At the end of the day, I am happy with my blog & I am happy with everyone who have read my blog posts. Stay tuned for more blog posts to come. 

After all, that is all about. No limits. Living life without limits. 

So goodbye for now. Enjoy your day. 😀🙂

UK and Eurovision

Hello everybody, Welcome to my blog Mr Limitless 95 blog. 

This is 99th blog post.

I really wanted to talk about different topic. Instead, I want to talk about my opinion on Eurovision and why the UK received a nul points both from the jury and the public. 

At the weekend, I watched Eurovision Song Contest (grand final) live. The results were in. Italy won this year’s Eurovision as it was a good night for them. Bad night for the United Kingdom. Why? Because it received zero votes from the public and the jury. 🇪🇺

After all, I seen the reaction on social media (particularly Twitter. UK Twitter) that the UK should quit the Eurovision Song Contest just because it didn’t do well in the competition.

Look, I do sympathise, I too was shocked that the UK gets nul points (zero point). Zero votes from the public & the jury in Eurovision on Saturday evening. 

To somehow see some tweets about the UK leaving Eurovision That really makes no sense.🇬🇧

Eurovision is not affiliated with the European Union. 

We the people in the UK really got to stop being such a crybaby. Whining is not going to help anything. What kind of nation are we? 

Look, England have not won the FIFA World Cup since 1966. Do we all suddenly to say that we should stop participating in football World Cup? Absolutely not. What about Cricket World Cup, Rugby World Cup or the Olympics? Do we all think of leaving them even if we have not won? No!!! 

When it comes to entertainment & sports, it is not about winning or losing. It is about excitement and joy. 

ESC was created because of years of the Second World War (1939 to 1945) and the effects of it, that was the idea of unity was formed with pan European entertainment. That was a way to bring Europeans together. 

Now some of people might not understand how the voting in Eurovision (public and jury) works & that is okay. Some of people might not like it but that’s the way it is. I have been watching Eurovision since 2017. 🇬🇧🇪🇺

So to suggest the idea of another Brexit (Brexit from the Eurovision Song Contest) will not work because it will never work. Nowadays, because of the UK being outside the EU, we the Brits are really a laughing stock. 

Incompetent prime minister (Boris Johnson), the mismanagement of the Covid 19 situation (despite vaccines are rolling out successfully which is a good part but still, the govt have not done well in handling the Covid situation) and the highest Covid death in Europe. What does really say about us the UK? 4 and half years of the topic that had divided the country (Brexit). Yet the govt talks about “Global Britain”. The UK’s standing in the world is completely diminished all thanks to the Conservatives, Brexiteers & Boris Johnson. All because of ignorance and self interests. 

So getting back to the topic of Eurovision, I hope for next year’s, the UK will find a way to perform well so it can receive many votes & possibly be in the top ten (& maybe win next year’s Eurovision. Who knows). There is always a room for improvement. The last time that we (the British) won Eurovision was 1997 (24 years ago). 

On final note, I want to talk about the singer James Newman. 

I am proud of James Newman who represented the UK in tonight’s Eurovision. Regardless the outcome of the results. It is just that the UK gets to have nul points (no votes). First time for me to ever witness that happened to the UK. Last time that such of sort happened was in 2003.

The song “emblers” may not be popular with the fans of Eurovision. It is however not really a bad song. 

James Newman worked with plenty of music artists as an songwriter. Calvin Harris, Rudimental, Jess Glynne, Little Mix, Olly Murs, Louis Tomlinson (of 1D), John Newman (his brother), Kaiser Chiefs. Even Kesha & Backstreet Boys. The list goes on especially that is a lot of songwriting credits.

Anyways. 

With Brexiteers (cos they don’t like anything European) in my opinion, they  have really failed to understand that it has nothing got to do with the EU & that it\"s not the fans of Eurovision dislikes the UK (the country) although they may not like the song (James Newman’s song Emblers) but still, leaving Eurovision just because the UK has zero votes in Eurovision at the weekend? It really makes no sense. 

Not so long ago, I wrote my blog post about Brexit and music. mrlimitless95.blogspot.com Given now as of the start of this year, it will affect touring musicians from the UK to European & even future UK Eurovision contestants who would represent the UK in the Song Contest in Europe. 

About the song. “Out of the Emblers”. 🎵🎶

James Newman song Emblers is great tune (despite it received zero votes from public & jury), it’s not bad song. I assume that it is not popular with Eurovision fans. At least the song emblers is no worse than previous UK Eurovision entry songs in previous years. That is all I can say about it. 😀🙂

Finally, my blogger friend wrote his blog post on his blog despite for the fact that he does not indeed watch Eurovision. barneteye.blogspot.com 

So let’s remember for the fact that Eurovision is a fun music competition & that is indeed an entertainment. If the country (that you do support) didn’t performed well based on the results of the vote, all I will say is this. “Don’t worry, be happy”. & just treat it as if it is a football match, rugby match or cricket match. After all, even losers who lose a match or competition are also winners (despite not being official winners). Win or no win. 

So it is not all about win or lose people. It is all about excitement and joy. 😀🙂🎵🎶

Concerns about the UK - Australia trade deal

Concerns about the UK - Australia trade deal. 🇬🇧🇦🇺

Division within the UK government about trade deal with the Aussies. They (the govt) cannot really make up their minds regarding about it. Liz Truss (International Trade Secretary), George Eustice (Environment secretary). Prime Minister Boris Johnson even supports the tariff free access for Australia. Which it would mean undercutting the UK farmers & that can be a disadvantage. 

Since the Brexiteers & the government are living in dreamland, that they are “better” & “mighty” than the EU27, as for getting trade deals with countries like Australia, well it doesn’t seem to be working. 🇦🇺🇪🇺🇬🇧 Especially for having a trade deal that is “better” & perfect than being a member of the trade bloc (European Union which is the UK’s largest trading partner). 

UK - Australia trade deal (if signed) will just mainly be bad news for farmers in the UK. Even if it is “good” (as media outlets will report typical nonsense that the UK is already out of the shackles of the European Union & that EU is evil & all nonsense).  news.sky.com google.co.uk t.co google.co.uk bbc.co.uk google.co.uk 

Australia can play hardball in trade negotiations with the UK and so will other countries including the United States now that the UK is not member of the European Union.

Although the concern about Australia being allowed to have access to the UK tariff free is not the issue. Like the US, there is also a concern about having banned import (beef hormones) from Australia. google.co.uk It really seems that the govt have not taken it very seriously to stand firm & refuse any banned food imports like Beef Hormones (from Australia, USA or any country) or  chlorinated chicken from America. The government have not been doing a homework of how to negotiate for the trade deal with any country like Australia which can be advantage for the UK & country in question. 

As the lyrics of the song “Down Under” from Australian band Men At Work goes, “You better run and take cover”. So yeah the UK really have to better run & take cover because of the stupid provision that can be part of the trade deal with the Land Down Under (Australia). 🇦🇺

Brexit really complicates things. 

America to have its own Eurovision

This week has been an Eurovision week for all fans in Europe & Australia as it was recently held in Rotterdam, Holland. Good to see the crowd back in the atmosphere after difficult year of Covid last year 2020 with lockdown measures and that originally it was supposed to be held in the Netherlands. Instead, it was cancelled due to the impact of Covid. 

Anyways in case if you haven’t heard, America will have its own Eurovision. That’s right my readers, America’s Eurovision Song Contest. It will be called America Song Contest. It will start in 2022 next year. eurovision.tv 🎵🎶🇺🇸🎵🇪🇺

With the appearances of three well known music artists from the United States: Justin Timberlake in 2016, Madonna in 2019 and this year 2021 with Flo Rida, it seems that very soon, the American public will know about Eurovision & why it is very popular music competition  in Europe & popular music competition in the world. I last wrote about it in my previous blog post. mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

So yeah, USA to have its own Eurovision. It’s great. Imagine if they (Americans) participate in the Eurovision Song Contest like other non EU countries like Israel & Australia. It would had been interesting. Oddly interesting.😀🙂🇺🇸

“O say can you see, Eurovision is coming to town in the United States of America”. 

I even made a parody of the US National Anthem (Star Spangled Banner). 

I guess everyone can hum Eurovision theme now that the US is having its own Eurovision like we do in Europe. 

UK post Brexit trade deals

Since the UK have signed trade deals with many countries from Japan to Canada & recently 27 countries of the European Union (UK’s largest trading partner). 

In total at the time of writing (22nd May 2021), the UK signed free trade deals with 96 countries. Some of trade deals are roll over deals (EU continuity deals. More like copy and paste).

Let’s remember people. Just because the UK can sign FTA (free trade agreement) with the world (nothing wrong is that) as we know it is not EU member, doesn’t mean the UK can have a trade deal that can be perfect or trade deal that is better than being an member of the European Union. Let’s not be under any illusion. 

I am not against free trade in any way. Of course, the UK have trade deal with any country post Brexit. It is that the government really have to be serious & level up with the public instead of contradictions, lies & flip flopping on trade deals with any country like Australia or the United States. There are significant concerns about provisions that should be resolved while having a trade deal with the likes of Australia, USA, China, etc. Countries can even play a hardball just to negotiate with the country in particular & that the trade deal itself might end up being good or not good. 

The UK - EU trade deal was necessary just to prevent any scenarios of having no deal Brexit without trade deal in place (which it would meant tariffs on imports coming to the UK from EU & imports coming to the EU27 & vice versa. That would been disaster) which for me in my view, it is really no better than the membership of the European Union. When the end of transition period commences on New Year’s Day 2021 (1st January 2021), it’s when everything had changed totally. Red tape, customs duties, bureaucracy, non tariff barriers & paperwork for both the UK & the EU27. Also no frictionless trade. Big disadvantage for the businesses who import UK products to the EU countries hence the fact that the UK is no longer in the Single Market and the Customs Union. 

Finally with the concerns about the potential UK - Australia trade deal about UK farmers who could be affected because of Australia wanting a tariff free access to the UK farms & having a banned US imports from America. You know obviously. Beef injected hormones and Chlorinated Chicken.  

In conclusion: The UK should had stayed an member of the European Union (which is a trade bloc) & not had to held the 2016 referendum which was for the most part, unnecessary. 

Britain have never stopped being global when it was an EU member. Now how is really going on for “Global Britain” in terms of having trade deals with countries (some countries who have trade deals with the EU & some who doesn’t have a trade deals with the EU). Nowadays the UK is an independent member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). That’s why Brexiteers including the government who are full of Brexiteers & Prime Minister Boris Johnson aren’t being very serious of how they want the UK to survive and thrive in terms of being outside the EU & having a trade deal with the rest of the world. That’s how Brexit complicates things & that’s how we have been hearing concerns about banned US imports (cholrinated chicken & beef hormones) being included as an provision for the potential US - UK trade deal for almost 4 years & it is still a part of the discussion. Now the latest concern is about the provision on the potential UK - Australia trade deal.

So here is my Imagination of how the UK managed to get a trade deal with the EU & currently getting a trade deals with Australia and the United States of America. Enjoy. 🙂😆

Post Brexit trade deals 🇬🇧🇪🇺🇦🇺🇺🇸

UK: Just give me a trade deal, all is forgiven. I won’t break international law on NI protocol. 

EU: Okay, you understand that means red tape, no frictionless trade, non tariff barrier, bureaucracy & customs duties? After it’s a result of Brexit. 

UK: Yes

EU: Then we have a deal. 

1st January 2021. Brexit red tape becomes a disadvantage for UK firms. 

Businesses: What’s the big idea? We never have to fill paperwork to export to the EU27 when we were the member of the EU.

Now trade deal with Aussies. 

Australia: Hey UK, have you yet made up about trade deal with us? 

UK: Yes but we won’t undercut our farmers . 

Australia: Oh mate, come on. You know we wanted a tariff free access to your farmers. 

UK: No!! 

Australia: Please!!!! 

UK: Alright, you can access to our farms tariff free access. 

Australia: Thank you, you won’t regret it.

UK Farmers: WTF!!!! That means we’ll lose our livelihoods. We regretted voting for Brexit.

Future. 

USA: So you want a trade deal with us right?

UK: Yes 

USA: Well you have been at the back of the queue since 2016 so yeah, we have a UK - USA free trade deal. 

UK: Thank you USA

USA: Actually if you want a trade deal with me, you would have to agree to allow banned imports including GM crops, beef hormones & chlorinated chicken. 

UK: Oh for Pete’s sake.

USA: Just say “yes”.

UK: Alright, yes. Whatever!!! 

Customer: Hmmm, nice. Chicken from America. 

Eaten a chicken. Not realising that it’s a chlorinated chicken.

Customer: Oh my Lord, I do not like it. Argh!!! Argh!!! Help me. 

Then customer becomes sick due to chlorinated chicken. 

All of that is just based in my imagination. 

Post Brexit trade deals. Countries playing hardball. How is that “Global Britain?”. Brexit really means isolation.

if you want to read more information about UK free trade deals, check out the TLDR news video & sources about it.

gov.uk 

google.co.uk 

en.m.wikipedia.org 

news.sky.com 

app.croneri.co.uk 

Time for progressive alliance

Is it time for progressive alliance? 

Yes and here is why. 

Personally as a Labour voter, I would want Labour to win general election with a majority. I am now at the point to say that is no longer possible. I mean let’s face it, Labour are behind the polls as Conservative are leading it nationally. 

The local election result (2021 local election results) were electoral disaster for the Labour Party under the leadership of Keir Starmer.

Local election results (in terms of councils & councillors in England) shows not an impressive results for Labour & Tory gains. It really shows that Keir Starmer have not done well to hold the government to account. Imagine if it is a big deal (general election) then it would been disaster electorally for Lab. it seems Labour are not seemingly getting better especially that Jeremy Corbyn is not a leader anymore as of last year. 

Labour not gaining many councillors & councils in England while the Tories & small opposition parties like Liberal Democrats & Greens gain enough councillors & councils.

At least Labour had done okay in Wales (Welsh government is still Labour & that it always been Labour since the start of devolution in the late 90s) and metropolitan areas in England (cities like London, Manchester and Liverpool) as Labour have most direct metro mayors in England. 

Broadly speaking, it was a mixture of good and bad although mostly it was all bad for Labour in terms of losing Hartlepool to the Conservatives in Parliamentary by election. Conservatives having the most councils & councillors. Even in Scotland, Labour have been ranked third opposition party since 2017 as they didn’t do well in Scotland (given it was not expected for Labour to perform well) & Conservatives being the main opposition party in the Scottish Parliament. The SNP who are in power in Scotland have a coalition government with the Green Party (Scottish Greens). Especially after winning an election two weeks ago for the mandate for another vote on Scottish Independence (which I will talk more about it on later date). 

In the light of disappointing results for Labour, what did Sir Keir Starmer do? Sacking deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner as party chair. Seriously, how is that taking responsibility when Labour didn’t performed well in local council elections in England? google.co.uk independent.co.uk Now, opinion poll have found that Starmer is worse than his predecessor (Corbyn). google.co.uk 

It is unbelievable. Shockingly unbelievable. 

If Labour really wants to be back in power after more than 10 years since 2010 and to avoid a fifth consecutive election defeat, then they have to adopt policies (like Universal basic income, green new deal & putting a end to years of austerity) that can win people over and to find a common ground with the Lib Dems, SNP, Plaid & Greens in terms of working together to prevent the Tories winning a general election. This was a missed opportunity for Labour & opposition parties in 2019 to work together to prevent Boris Johnson winning the election. At the time, Brexit was a big topic. PM Boris Johnson illegally prologued the parliament, misled the Queen & the ruling of Supreme Court ruled that it was unlawful. bbc.co.uk & then he (the Prime Minister) called for an election. You know if the progressive parties worked together instead of bickering & ripping each other to shred (including Jo Swinson, SNP & Jeremy Corbyn not wanting to work together) then the UK would had an coalition progressive government & that we would had an second Brexit referendum by now and the UK would had voted against leaving the European Union & remaining an member of the EU (or still wants Brexit to implement). The Brexit matter would had been settled with another public vote (& that in my view, it would had gone for Remain) & the government would had handled the Covid 19 pandemic swiftly better if Boris Johnson didn’t win a big Tory Majority in December 2019 general election. 

compassonline.org.uk independent.co.uk google.co.uk google.co.uk google.co.uk google.co.uk google.co.uk 

Instead, that didn’t happen in 2019 election. So now Labour is back to square one. It is time that Keir Starmer backs the approach for progressive alliance with Greens, Plaid, Lib Dems & SNP if he really wants to be the next prime minister by next general election in 2024 or sooner than 2024. 

First past the post is no longer a fit for purpose. In general elections, it favours two main parties: Conservative and Labour. Yet in local elections with different voting system, it benefits small parties (Greens & Liberals). 

It is high time that we should go for PR. Proportional representation & that is the only way. It is time for progressive alliance & finding a common ground that can successfully stop the Tories from winning the next general election. 

No wonder now, the Tories wants to be in power for another decade given they have destroyed the UK with the divisive Brexit topic, brought austerity measures that have seen cuts to funding of public services, awfully mishandled the coronavirus pandemic & now they want to push ahead with the controversial voter ID so that they can win elections comfortably & turning the UK into one party state (which it will be a nightmare. No opposition party challenging the Tories). Like China for instance. This cannot be the future for Britain. Labour better get their act together if they want really to be back in the government & to work together with parties to make sure that Conservatives (regardless who is prime minister: Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, Priti Patel, Michael Gove, etc) does not win general election successfully again.

newstatesman.com google.co.uk newstatesman.com ukandeu.ac.uk google.co.uk leftfootforward.org theneweuropean.co.uk google.co.uk 

Since the existence of the UK Labour Party in 20th century as it was born out of the Trade Unions, Labour have 6 six prime ministers. Only three elected Labour prime ministers have won general elections comfortably. Clement Attlee, Harold Wilson & Tony Blair. Will Starmer be 4th to win an election & overall, become 7th Labour PM? Time will tell. Only if Labour can work together with Greens & Lib Dems then everything is possible. If not, Labour will be out of power for another decade & that is why it should not be the case. Progressive alliance can happen if Keir Starmer is up to it. 

Good News about Eurostar

After months of being in an awful financial situation due to the impact of Covid 19, there is good news finally about Eurostar. 😀🙂 This was reported yesterday.

I am quoting the article from City AM. It says. 

”Eurostar receives £250m refinancing package after months of waiting”.

“Eurostar today announced that it had received a £250m refinancing package from a group of banks in a bid to shore up its finances amid the Covid-19 pandemic.”

“The firm said that the deal, which comprises £50m shareholder equity, £150m shareholder guaranteed loans and £50m restructured existing loan facilities, would be guaranteed by majority shareholder SNCF, the French state rail group.”

“The cross-channel rail link has been calling for financial support for months, with passenger numbers having fallen to 95 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.”

“But UK ministers repeatedly demurred, with transport secretary Grant Shapps saying that the company was “not our firm to rescue”.

So basically France (particularly SNCF) have played their part to save Eurostar. Giving them a bailout package. Knowing that if Eurostar (Cross Channel train service connecting the UK, France, Belgium & the Netherlands) is not saved without financial rescue package, it would meant that Eurostar is out of business (becoming defunct) & that it would had been a different story. It would had been a devastating news for travellers who would want to go on the train from the UK to three European destinations in mainland Europe (& which it would mean everyone would have two mode of transport: Plane & car instead of train if there were no Eurostar at all). 

So yeah, it is a relief that Eurostar receives the bailout package & that will not be out of business. However I am very disappointed with the UK government for still not wanting to play their part to rescue Eurostar. They selfishly played the Brexit politics, saying Eurostar is not “ours” despite it is an British registered company & that Eurostar does go to London St Pancras. Eurostar train service since it is international train service is not affiliated with the European Union. Because of the fact that the UK is not member of the EU & that it sold off Eurostar in 2015, they (the govt) wouldn’t want to be associated with anything “European”. If there was a train service called “Britstar”, the British government wouldn’t behaved selfishly & that they would want do anything to save a train/rail operator regardless if it is British or Foreign. 

Anyhow let me continue quoting the article.

“The UK sold its stake in Eurostar for £750m in 2015 under David Cameron’s government. It is now majority owned by French rail company SNCF, as well as two pension funds.”

“Commenting on today’s refinancing package, Eurostar chief executive Jacques Damas said: “Everyone at Eurostar is encouraged by this strong show of support from our shareholders and banks which will allow us to continue to provide this important service for passengers.”  

“The refinancing agreement is the key factor enabling us to increase our services as the situation with the pandemic starts to improve.”

“Export Development Canada, Barclays, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Société Générale, Natwest and BNP Paribas are the lenders behind the deal.”

“Adam Tyndall, programme director for Connectivity at London First, said: “The bailout will come as a relief for those who use the service, but should also been seen as a vote of confidence in London’s post-pandemic status as a top tier global city.”

“Now that its immediate future is secure, governments across Europe must continue to work together to safely reopen travel, so that the capital can once again welcome visitors from the continent.”

“Darren Caplan, chief executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: “It is positive to see a deal reached to keep Eurostar operating.”

“This deal gives Eurostar and rail suppliers the confidence and certainty they need, to enable Eurostar to continue to deliver services, and support the wider UK economy, as we emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic and seek to help reboot the UK’s connectivity and economic recovery in the difficult months ahead.”

“With France and Belgium currently on the UK’s amber list for travel, there is just one service a day currently running to each destination.”

“From 27 May, that will increase to two a day on the Paris-London route, with plans to hike that to three in June.”

Sources: t.co t.co leparisien.fr google.co.uk bloomberg.com 

Reported by City AM, BBC News, Le Parisien, Politico Europe & Bloomberg. 

All the months, I have been writing blog posts about plenty of times. Now I am happy to say that I have played my part to save the beloved Eurostar train. Given I once travelled on the Eurostar train to Paris, France in summer of 2019. I hope in the future, I would want to travel again on Eurostar to Paris & other destinations in Continental Europe. 

The work is done. Everyone signed the petitions to make sure Eurostar will not go bust & that it continues to be in existence now it is no longer in danger of bankruptcy and financial collapse. 🚄🇬🇧🇫🇷🇧🇪🇳🇱🇪🇺⭐️😀🙂

Check out my previous five blog posts about Eurostar. 

mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

The Tories are taking democracy for granted

The Tories are taking democracy for granted.

So after the success of 2021 local election result in England, the Conservative government & Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to introduce an controversial voter ID in the United Kingdom.  

This week, it has been mentioned on the Queen’s Speech.

“My Government will strengthen and renew democracy and the constitution. Legislation will be introduced to ensure the integrity of elections, protect freedom of speech and restore the balance of power between the executive, legislature and the courts." - the Queen reading what is included in her speech. Completely an reference to wanting to introduce voter ID & turning local elections into the first past the post.

The Queen read a detail, saying “renew democracy” by bringing something that will be a big disadvantage & that can suppress first time voters, those don’t have home & those are ethnic minority. The Tories have not seemed to realise that voter ID will be very controversial. Wanting to behave as if the UK is America of Europe in terms of voter suppression (with Voter ID/photo ID).

They (Conservatives) wants to be like their US counterpart (Republicans) just to have a outrageous measure being included in the Queen’s speech. Photo ID. Just to benefit them to win elections (local & general elections) comfortably.  

No wonder couple of weeks ago, the GOP governor of Florida (home state of Donald Trump) signed the bill. Voter suppression bill due to the lies that have been said by former President (Donald Trump) who doesn’t want to acknowledge reality by accepting the result of 2020 US Presidential Election & said many rubbish things about “voter fraud” & all that stuff (given there was no actual reported case of voter fraud). motherjones.com google.co.uk 

Even Trump weigh in with his opinion about the British government’s proposed plan for voter ID. google.co.uk 

Plus the government have been planning to introduce an voter ID for years. I even recall reading the Independent article in 2018 about the trial of voter ID that happened in 2018 UK local elections. independent.co.uk 

So either that ridiculous proposed idea just to allege as if voter fraud exists in the UK which is  something we know that is non existent. Just for the government to use that narrative regarding rejected ballot (or spoiled ballot) papers in London Mayoral election so that local elections can be changed to the ludicrous first past the post (FPTP) voting system like general election. t.co 

The Tories wants to take democracy for granted by wanting to suppress the vote & they are taking democracy for granted. 

The Conservative Party. They don’t give a damn about democracy. They want to be in power forever (as the Tory Party have been in power since 2010) so that they can turn the UK into one party state like China. Meaning they want the UK to be somewhat China of Europe which will very ludicrous plan. Even Boris Johnson wants to be in number 10 for 10 years as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. google.co.uk They (Tories & Boris) can go to hell. Given they are not thinking properly (& hence the consequences of voter ID if introduced in the UK). The UK is not America. 

Voter suppression with voter ID. Disfranchising voters from voting. Having a paperwork & different form of any photo ID. So because of that, there are plenty of petitions which I have left below for you my readers to sign the petition to stop that from happening. Voter identification. 

petition.parliament.uk 

action.electoral-reform.org.uk 

you.38degrees.org.uk 

Say no to American style voter ID & voter suppression if you do care about democracy regardless what political party that you voted & supported for. 

Please sign the petition now. Thank you.

On final note, we have polling cards for every election in the UK. Local & nationwide general elections. Why voter ID? It makes no sense at all. 

Democracy cannot be taken for granted & the Conservatives are behaving completely undemocratic. No wonder across the pond,  36 states (who are mostly Republican) have enacted voter ID laws. Side of the Atlantic (United States of America) with draconian voter ID laws. We cannot let that happen in the UK. No way!!! Not in our shores. No to voter ID & voter suppression.

google.co.uk 

theguardian.com 

theguardian.com 

Happy Birthday Soundskool

This is going to be a short blog post. It is about music education college in the UK who is based in Camden, London . Soundskool. 

Happy birthday Soundskool. 

Soundskool is now a teen as it was a month ago on 13th April. soundskool.co.uk 

Happy 13th Birthday to soundskool to all the staff members including Simon Gordon which I have known him for 10 years. I first met him at Arts Depot in North Finchley when I was doing a cool activity of fashion design course.🙂😀

In the last few years in 2018, I wrote a guest blog on my friend’s blog The Barnet Eye (Roger’s blog) about the withdrawal of funding SoundSkool. barneteye.blogspot.com At the time, it was stressful and frustrating time. In the end, Soundskool had found a new place just to survive and thrive by not becoming defunct. I am glad that I had played my part to Save Soundskool. I never knew after 3 years, I would be writing a blog post about wishing Soundskool a happy birthday on my own blog post. 😀 Times flies. 

Also I used to do a 10 weeks music course with them (Soundskool) for singing, songwriting and performing which it was my honour to host the show in 2012 alongside MC Mighty Moe. Almost 10 years ago. 🙂🎶🎵

So I would like to say to Simon & the whole staff member of SoundSkool, happy belated birthday. I hope Soundskool will continue to be around for another 13 years. 😀🎵🎶

Kind regards 

Calvin Casino (now Mr Limitless 95). 

SA passport waiting duration is awful

Imagine your passport is South African & you live outside SA. Then suddenly, you wait for 6 months or more to have the application process to be finalised. Same with SA ID (identity document/ID book). 🇿🇦

That have happened to me on my personal experience. 

As I am half South African (born to South African mother in the UK), I completed two applications in 2019 at the SA High Commission (Embassy). The renewal of my SA passport (which was expired in 2010) and my application of South African identity document. For my passport application, it took 7 long months and 223 days (more than 6 months when I collected my first adult SA passport at the High Commission in November 2019). My application of SA ID book, it took 25 months ago (2 years & 1 month) & I collected it last week at the High Commission in Trafalgar Square (Charing Cross), London. 

I can understand the delay was affected due to the coronavirus pandemic that affected every single country in the world (which was reasonable and for that, I understand). However, it is not reasonable when the duration of waiting for South African passport & identity document is very long and that SA passport holders who are living outside South Africa, are waiting for 6 months or more for the application to be done in Pretoria. Not in South African diplomatic missions (High Commissions/Embassies/Consulates). 

Passport application along identity document in terms of duration is mostly done with week or two weeks (14 days) at the SA Home Affairs Branch in South Africa (now there is a ID card there. Smart ID card) & yet, outside SA, it is 6 months & more. That’s unfair, unbearable and frustrating. No wonder there has to be a fast track option instead of waiting for 6 months. Waiting for the passport that is not in top ten of the world’s most powerful passport & that is weak. 

To be honest, before I went to collect my SA ID at South Africa House (High Commission), I was almost close to emailing staff member who work at the High Commission to discontinue my application of ID book as I was fed up with the long length of it. I am patient man who likes to wait for some things but not very long. 25 months of waiting hence my frustration. Can you imagine that? 

How can the Home Affairs (government department in South Africa) allowed this & normalise very long duration of applications for passport & identity documents for SA passport holders who are not living in South Africa? SA passport waiting duration is awful. Unacceptably & unbelievably awful. 

God forbid if that were to happen to British passport holder who happens to be residing in France to be told that he/she would wait to collect UK passport for 6 months or a year at the embassy or Irish passport holder who happens to be residing in the United States & waits for 6 months or a year to collect his/her passport at the embassy. This is an example in hypothetical situations. 🇬🇧🇮🇪🇫🇷🇺🇸

Plus in August 2019, when I went to the Nigerian High Commission with my father who is originally from Nigeria, my application of my first Nigerian passport was smoothly done within two weeks and that my dad went back to the High Commission as I was away on my short holiday to France. Nigerian passport application used to take much long until in the recent years, Nigerian diplomatic missions have improved it & having it done in 14 days in terms of Nigerian passport application & other application instead of waiting for it forever. 🇳🇬

Hopefully one day, there’ll be fast track option to speed up SA passport application instead of waiting for 6 months or more when outside South Africa. Hopefully that can have a tracking reference number to see how the application is processing. 

Sources: 

ewn.co.za 

sapeople.com 

da-abroad.org 

For too long, it had happened to many South African passport holders outside South Africa regarding the application of ppt & ID. I say enough is enough with the long long duration of SA PPT application & ID application for South Africans who are living outside SA. Let this be a message for the South African Home Affairs. 

Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

This blog post have been suggested by friend of mine. So I thought I can talk about Mental Health Awareness Week 2021. 

Start: 10th May 2021      End: 16th May 2021 

Mental health awareness week is an event where charities and individuals raise the awareness of mental health & how it does affect the person who happen to have problems relating to his/her mental health.

Although I do not have mental health problems of all sort, it is worth reminder that we bring awareness about mental health in the society. Whatever we live in the world. 

in the second year of the Covid 19 pandemic, it has all impacted our mental health around the world with lockdown restrictions & that we all equally been affected. 

When Covid 19 started to impacting countries after countries & that we had gone into lockdown, in the UK, for me in my own experience, anything news about coronavirus, I started to avoid watching the news & not watching it too much. I done it just to protect my mind & so that I will not lose my sanity. In other words, I wouldn’t lose my mind by becoming mad (or crazy). 

The pandemic have caused a lot of anxieties that affected everyone mentally, the loss of loved one (sad tragedy), Long Covid & all that trauma contributes to being worried so much with conditions that we know: PTSD & anxiety disorder. This is a secondary problem alongside the coronavirus pandemic. 

Now here is my advice to you guys. 

Whatever your situation is, I want to let you know that if you are struggling, feeling down & that it have affected you, your mental health whether is anxiety, depression or low self esteem, you are loved. You are loved. you can find a help from your family, friend or charity (mental health charity) who can provide a support for you. Seek help if you can to help your mental health and to try to prevent anything that can affect your mental health (doesn’t matter if you have mental health illness or not). We all have challenges in our life.

Regardless that we equally have problems of our own, we can still raise awareness about the mental health of anyone. 

So let’s be all kind to ourselves and each other & not looking down at any person just because the person has experienced or is experiencing an different challenge in his/her life. You do matter in this world & that you can overcome any challenges including things that happens your mental health & other areas of your life. Like I said, you are loved. So stay safe, stay blessed and do things that does make you happy & finding time to be relaxed including meditation or something that can boost up to be strongly mentally. Mental fitness. Anything can help you mentally & your lifestyle. So that is my tips for you guys. 🙂😀 Let’s all make a difference on this week. Mental Health Awareness Week & I just have made a difference by talking about it. 

Here are helpful sources & photos if you want more information. 

mind.org.uk 

mentalhealth.org.uk 

rethink.org 

mhe-sme.org