Be careful - don't step outside the onionbagblog mantra of keeping it local and telling it like it is.
But back in the day and Mr Blair made a speedy visit to somewhere in SE17 to big up his social policy ambitions. The timing of the audience with Mr Tony for the residents of the Aylesbury was no coincidence, tied in with a vote for the estate to be out-sourced to private management.
The fine folk of SE17 stuck up two fingers to Mr Tony and voted to remain within the public sector. Southwark Council responded with the decision to put a wrecking ball into somewhere in SE17.
And so Things Just Might Get Better, but not for another decade or so. Which makes it alright then. After all, it's long term legacies that are all important now.
But in the short term and somewhere in SE17 is falling down. Not by the bulldozers, but by neglect. Neglect from central government, neglect from local government, and yes, even neglect from somewhere in SE17 itself.
Sure, there's a few passionate local voices fighting for their little corner of South London, but there's a general consensus of 'why should I give a shit?' if that's how we're being treated from those higher above. It's only human nature to be honest.
Education to the power of three equates to passing visits from some newly founded government scheme or organisation each week. Much like Mr Tony's flying visit, it's straight in, straight out with little long term consideration.
A free McDonald’s T-shirt giveaway here for some kids, a bit extra in the PE kitty to buy a new basketball and the promise of an after-school club (as long as the residents of somewhere in SE17 can manage to take their kids somewhere in SE22 as there's fuck all facilities on their soon to be pulled down patch.)
Meanwhile, back on the day shift and I'm struggling to find a Pritt Stick to keep Boy Y's math’s book up to date. They've been cut from the budget as we try to balance the books. Stationary is out, spending on high salaried (seriously) specialists professionals is in as it becomes mandatory for all the required management boxes to be ticked ahead of a visit from that nice Mr Ofsted.
All style and no substance; that's been me this past year to be honest, coasting along in an environment that is doing little to stimulate me. Hand on heart, I've been doing what I thought was right, etc.
Disillusioned? Doing a runner more like. Fingers crossed - I'm holding out for hopefully some good news sometime next week.
Things Can Only Get Better for me. Selfish cunt. Pity the poor people left behind somewhere in SE17.
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