It seems fitting that in Migraine Awareness Week 2021 I spent most of Wednesday fighting off what seemed like a succession of migraines, although it might have been one persistent one that kept coming back. Although at one point I was in exactly the right place, as a panellist during British Beauty Week. Following the event I spoke at I was placed firmly in the hands of a number of aromatherapists, reflexologists and cranial masseurs, who were all suggesting alternative remedies. They certainly helped!
I am conscious this will be published on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and this week there were a number of questions in the House as to whether the terrorist threat risk has once again risen after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. There seems little doubt as to that being the case, and I am not sure the Taliban will be much inclined to listen to calls to stop Afghanistan becoming a base for Islamist terrorists once more.
Of course the big political hot issues this week have been the suspension of the triple lock and the increase in National Insurance contributions. These are not easy decisions which anyone takes lightly, but there is a real fiscal challenge and conversations with various Ministers, past and present, have indicated that there was no other choice. The vote on Wednesday was not on the detail of the proposals, but a Ways and Means motion to allow the legislation to be introduced. I appreciate many are unhappy that the 2019 manifesto has been breached again, but when that was written nobody had foreseen the fiscal and physical crisis of the pandemic.
I am very sad not to be going to Romsey Show this weekend, always such a great event, so roll on 2022.