SWBKCB
I am not being patronising, just keep my ears open while queuing for Coffee in various northern cities and towns. I do live in the North you know when in UK and our UK office is also up here.
Cheers
Mr Mac

What most folk refer to as the "North" is only half way up England. If I was King, above Manchester would be t' North.
Likewise, why does the South West start a bit after Swindon while the South East is basically Kent?

Mr Mac,

I believe you're correct. Ask British people to place a pin in the map where they believe Ukraine to be I'm sure you'd see some very strangely placed pins. Shades of "Where is Kazakhstan?" (a round in "Richard Osman's House of Games on BBC2 - for those that don't recognise the reference).

The whole Russia / Ukraine issue won't really hit home until "our boys" are sent to the front and are risking their own lives. That I don't believe is likely for now, whatever Vlad plans in the way of meddling within Ukraine's borders. Foreign geography and politics aren't exactly subjects uppermost in the minds or competence of many Brits, whether northerners or southerners.

In this context, if it came to "them" and "us" exchanging projectiles, I think we would be in an Article V situation. I think both sides are well aware of that and are trying to avoid it at all costs.

So 'the North' = 'Red Wall' now does it? Why mention it at all?

That Brexit was carried with a significant Northern working class vote is a given SWBKCB. I am Northerner, and have more than a passing interest and sympathy as to why the Tories were successful in persuading a significant number of voters that the weird milieu of British Conservatism was a better bet than “same old, same old“ Labour. That a strong element of nationalism, anti-globalization, and “Britain first“ was part of this perception and shift to the Tories is also known. Sadly, I think the voters have made a terrible mistake in trusting the Tories and have backed a party that’s is driven by an essential ideology that is not compatible with delivering a so-called “leveling up“ programme. It just isn’t who they are.

Or the Foreign Secretary!

Actually, something very similar featured in last nights perfectly timed and pertinent repeat of "Yes Prime Minister "...as did a portrayal of a vacuous Foreign Sec.

The vacuous Ms.Truss of course represents a Norfolk constituency. Not just any Norfolk constituency but North-West, The Boondocks where the main sport is shooting pikeys. Probably where the term " Normal for Norfolk comes from.

You'll know then that it was as much Labour losing it - by making themselves unelectable both by their choice of leader and poor local performance - rather than the Tories winning. I think 'trusting the Tories' is a bit strong, more 'they can't be any worse than this lot'. Labour paid the price for under-estimating (patronising?) their base.

Doesn't Sandringham come into her constituency?

I don't think they are eligible to vote. Lords, lunatics and convicts.

Oh yes, I think there is much in that which is true, and my post was not a plug for Labour. Still, the assumption that the Blue Rotters can't be any worse is surely dead wrong. They are truly awful. As in another post, the choice between a poor option and a truly crap option isn't much of a choice.

I was thinking more of the Normal for Norfolk. Are they?

SWKCB
I am well aware the North does not start at Watford Gap, and indeed a good deal of my friends went to Newcastle Uni who,s population when I visited then 1979 - 83 viewed anything south of Leeds as being the Midlands, personally I alway thought the Trent was the line. They thought I being from West Yorkshire and then Chile was “exotic”. Though we are only 6 years after “Get Carter”.
Cheers
Mr Mac

You may think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

With all the troubles in the country and the world at the moment the Brexiteers are dedicating resources to this:

Govt pays for 'ludicrous' study on benefits of reintroducing imperial units after Brexit

Personally I'm longing for the day when, instead of filling with 36 litres I can fill my car with a bushel of petrol.

Be careful, very careful Effluent Man! Implying that NFN and pikey are
one and the same, if you have ever been to Smithy Fen you would know
the difference:)

CDR

I still have some half-crowns and threepenny bits somewhere, awaiting reuse ...