Today, 3rd March 2025, a key debate on the e-petition will take place at  Westminster Hall. https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/c0367db8-6dfe-490d-99c9-7d422c75c586?fbclid=IwY2xjawIyQ-9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSWMguH_T5yX7OfaGeh_RB4JBqfIP6jsQM76MtpC2pgX6RsiZRsjGs1FZg_aem_5XVLKKfkIzwrIJyzEclXOw
on the subject of VAT being added to independent school bills of 20% and rates relief. This educational reform is a key flag ship of the new labour government. Two court cases are due to be heard soon in support of children and their families being discriminated and charged an excessive amount on top of the school fee. The government claims it is a 'tax break' but education is never taxed as it is a 'merit good' for society and no European country can do this and this is enshrined in European human rights conventions. Greece is an example of where this experiment miserably failed. 

Some say that Change Labour's policy of closing down independent schools in the UK has been a long-standing ambition. Since July 2024 the Labour government has gone full steam ahead to bring this vision into reality with the imposition of VAT (20%) applied to school fees from January 2025. One of Change Labour's  leading proponents for implementing this policy has been Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education (MP for Haughton and Sunderland South 
https://www.bridgetphillipson.com/.) Some say she is driven by a Marxist ideology and cares little for the children, teachers, parents and schools in her pursuit to give the 'best life chances' for all children.  The aim is to use the VAT income -  some 1.6 bln per year, to take off those fees paid and put that unfair tax some to fund more teachers and improve standards for the 94% of children attending state schools. She has started in this vein to provide 'subsidised' breakfasts for some 750 schools in England recently.

However, mercifully we have two outstanding opposition groups standing against this insidious policy: ENT Education Not Education https://educationnottaxation.org/ (not to be confused with ENT.... Ears, Nose and Throat!) and the ISC Independent School Council  https://www.isc.co.uk/about-isc/ representing independent schools through out the United Kingdom.


Many smaller independent schools (including faith and SEND schools) are finding it difficult to balance the books. Notably over recent months almost weekly announcements are made of impending closures due in part made by the VAT imposition, NIC contributions and the increase in rates.  This is a cruel and vindictive policy which seeks to punish hard working parents who have already contributed their share of taxes for their children's education) and those making sacrifices for their children. Many are not rich but are working parents and want the choice and also enjoy wrap around care so they can work and contribute to the wider economy.  The additional burden of the VAT will put the cost beyond many and thousands of children will be impacted and be required to enter  State education which will put more pressure on the State and will be counter productive as this policy will end up costing more than it raises. It will guarantee the disruption of the lives of young people and bring closures to great organisations that contribute to their communities and have done so for decades.


Change Labour must be prevented from delivering their ideological crusade to eradicate our proud independent schools and hopefully these legal actions this year, will end the absurdity of adding VAT to school fees.

I would like to thank and credit the artwork used in the thumbnail image which was published by https://www.spectator.co.uk to accompany the article by Peter Jones on 16th January.

Change Labour

Music is the object of my hyper-focusing ways! 😂 I'm primarily a guitarist, although I've really taken to the piano in the last five years or so. The two reinforce each other in positive ways, I've found. But I digress. 
Most of the songs here I've written for a personal  soundtracking-type project. I have a collection of old family 8mm films from the 1950s through the 1970s, which were preserved (thankfully) and digitized. Thing is, they had no audio. So, a year and a half later, 75+ videos into the project, and about, I'd say, 12 more videos to soundtrack? Generational contribution: complete! 🤘🏼🎸
It's really been a cool experience trying to capture different moods for different videos. It was also special to spend so much time with film of a group of people who had such a profound impact on who I have become - but seeing them here "pre-me". Seeing my grandparents dance together and go about their daily lives on film, being younger than I am now. Generations of leaves... 
I love almost all types of music. Recently, I've been listening to Curtis Mayfield, Paco de Lucía, Michael Hedges, Yes, Deftones, The Mercury Program, Ólafur Arnalds, September Malevolence. 
If there is any tune here that you like, and you're thinking, "it'd be cool to listen to this song while watching vintage, 8mm, mid-20th century American slices of life, then I got you covered! 

Thanks for stopping by...

producer / artist / babe 💎
I 💘 the girls and gays

📢 love letters etc dropping every weekend 

       life can be pretty 


(hard)

Making AI Music & Songs about Love to Grand Kids Frank & Hilma and Now also Björn "Little Mini" Newborn 26th October.

Hi, My name is Johnny Mc Farlane, I am an Indie songwriter from Ireland. I write, play, produce and distribute my own music. I try to write songs that will mean something to whoever may be listening. I try to express feeling and emotions through my music, I try to hit the heart and soul of whoever may be listening and to pass on my feelings through my lyrics and my music. A lot of the songs I write come from Personal experiences, some are pure imagination, but all try to carry a message of Hope, Fait, understanding and a spiritual message of love. I am just one voice in the wilderness but together we are stronger. Thank you so much for listening to my music. It’s a real honour.

“Trevez isn’t just another R&B artist—he’s the voice that says what you’re too afraid to. His sound blends smooth soul with raw, unfiltered truth, making every song feel personal. While others chase trends, Trevez carves his own lane—turning heartbreak, healing, and late-night thoughts into music that stands out and stays with you.”

Enjoy listening and just occasionally singing (to myself) 'Bothy Ballads' from The North East of Scotland. Influenced in my teens by legendary folk singer Marc Floyd Ellington and Charlie Allan. 

'Written' a few very simple lockdown ballads in the 12 months since the global pandemic struck and tried to learn the guitar...it helps!

Producer and Remixer.. VOICE HUNTER .. My Person is  Invisible and always in the Background of the Music.
Some people never go crazy ... what a boring life they lead!

Change Labour

Nicholas