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VOTERS THINK TWICE? T
Celebrity plumber, Charlie Mullins OBE, gives us his view of all that has transpired since the Prime Minister called the snap general election
heresa May took what she thought was her chance, and got things terribly wrong. She said she wanted a mandate to push through
with the hardest possible version of Brexit, and quite clearly the people have made it very clear that they didn't share her vision. In defeat, Labour were the huge winners on the
night, but crucially, they did not win the election. The party with the most seats was the Conservative Party, leaving it as the only viable runner to form a government, albeit one requiring the support of the ultra-conservative Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). We need to be under no illusions; this was a vote against what Theresa May set out on her stall, not a show of support for the socialist agenda that was stacked on Mr Corbyn's. In this I think we are lucky that the protest vote, which went almost entirely in Labour's favour, fell just a few percentage points short of what would have allowed him to form a government. What is also true is that Theresa May ran a
ramshackle campaign, by the end of which she wasn't looking anything like the 'strong and stable' leader her mantra was claiming. But what I think sunk her above all else, and in 'all else' I include the Social Care climb down, is her blatant ignoring of the 48% of people who voted to Remain inside
the EU last June. And it is they who ultimately rose up in protest. Politically, it would appear that the most likely
outcome of the election (at least in the short-term) is a minority government propped up by the 10 DUP MPs. This may well allow the Tories to keep Theresa May as PM for a while, but she is now a completely lame duck, surviving at the behest of those who fear a new election, with a new Tory leader, could hand Number 10 to Jeremy Corbyn. Or they might still decide to dispatch her sooner
rather than later, should the DUP deal reveal itself as too precarious to endure for any length of time. Either way, Theresa May is finished as a
political force. There could also very likely be another election before Christmas, should whatever is bodged together not take. The big winner, once the smoke has cleared, will however be business. Whatever happens now, the chances of an ultra-hard Brexit are significantly reduced. I'd say smashed, but the last two years have taught me there are no absolutes. You might argue that this result was exactly in line with the true will of the people on June 23 last year. There was undoubtedly an appetite for Brexit, but not the dystopian version that was being proposed by May and her cabal, involving a departure from the European single market and
immigration controls dictated by dogma, not common sense, as prescribed by the economic needs of businesses.
What I’m suggesting is that what we saw on election day, 2017 was the true will of the people, teased out. Yes a majority wanted to change their relationship with Europe, but thanks to the snap election, we now know that a majority didn't vote for the mindless, xenophobic and economically damaging version of Brexit that was being forced on them from above. Tony Blair nailed it after the referendum when he observed that ignoring the will of the people was dangerous, but that it was ‘entitled to change’. Rather ironically, Theresa May has fallen victim to both parts of her predecessor’s warning. She failed to grasp that 52% of voters never accepted her hard line vision for Brexit, and that some who voted ‘Leave’ 12 months ago had changed their view.
MaintenanceMatters T
he start of the warmer weather will cause many wood-burning stoves to be neglected. While homeowners may not have a use for
their stoves for another several months, it’s crucial that they are shut down and maintained correctly. HETAS has put together some top tips for installers to share with their customers to keep appliances in good working order.
Get it swept HETAS recommends chimneys are swept at least twice a year depending on how much they are used and with what fuels. “It’s always best to have the first sweep and service at the start of the season in case a problem develops over the spring and summer months – birds are known to build their nests in chimneys,” says Bruce Allen, CEO of HETAS. “After a long period of use, it would also be wise to have a sweep to remove any build- up of soot in the chimney – we would always recommend using a HETAS approved sweep.
Ensure proper ventilation Many solid fuel appliances need ventilation and if you have an air vent you need to check that it is not blocked. Bruce says: “Most stoves incorporate a pan that collects ashes as they are produced from burning fuel and fall through the grate, allowing easy removal. If you’re not going to be using the stove for a number of months, it’s worth emptying the pan fully, ready for the next season.”
Stock up on fuel For those who buy unseasoned wood, HETAS advises checking your supply and topping it up, making sure that the older, best seasoned wood is next to be used and that new wood is at the end of the line, giving it time to dry out before use. Many homeowners might not be aware of the important relationship between the fuel used and the appliance; the highest efficiencies and cleanest burning conditions are always achieved by burning good quality seasoned or kiln dried
wood fuel with a moisture content below 25%. Wood with high moisture content will blacken the glass and create soot particulates which over time can be detrimental to the stove and chimney as well as being bad for the environment. HETAS’ partner, Woodsure, is a quality
assurance scheme for wood fuel and guarantees that its suppliers meet the correct standards and have come from sustainable woodlands.
Checking carbon monoxide alarms It is vital that wood-burning stove owners have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted that is regularly checked. Bruce adds: “Carbon monoxide alarms can be life-saving devices and it’s important homeowners are aware of the risks. It’s not just something to be wary of in the winter months and for solid fuels. CO could leak from a fossil fuel boiler or cooker elsewhere when generating hot water, heating or when cooking.”
www.heatingandventilating.net
July 2017
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