tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post1984278856261111875..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: The Worst Year of Your LifetimeIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-38349195858717258722008-01-30T14:06:00.000+00:002008-01-30T14:06:00.000+00:00For political disillusion, there is 1992. In 1991...For political disillusion, there is 1992. In 1991 that puffed-up, absurd, over-promoted, strutting buffoon Norman Lamont announced that VAT would go from 15% to 17.5% as a one-year expedient to fund the ending of the poll tax. Guess what; in 1992 it stayed at 17.5%, as it has done ever since. At least Lamont's career was summarily trashed by the ERM débacle, so there was a modicum of justice, and some epicaricacy to be savoured.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-71284777282937897802008-01-30T12:03:00.000+00:002008-01-30T12:03:00.000+00:002003, entry into Iraq2003, entry into IraqAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-52595807734830985832008-01-30T10:44:00.000+00:002008-01-30T10:44:00.000+00:00"According to an historian, 1812 was the worst yea..."According to an historian, 1812 was the worst year in British history, mainly because the Prime Minister, Spencer Perceval, was assassinated"<BR/><BR/>No Iain. That historian was on the Today programme yesterday explaining that the point about the assassination was that people rejoiced in the streets when they heard the news. Helen is right, but at the time people were extremely depressed at what was going on around them. The killing of Perceval was seen as a bright point.<BR/><BR/>The real worst year was certainly 1066. True, Harold put a final end the the Viking menace that had tyrannised Europe for centuries but the cost was that England was subjugated to a pack of French-Viking mongrels who have ruled over, and ruined the lives of, the English ever since.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-25960457469959300102008-01-30T10:29:00.000+00:002008-01-30T10:29:00.000+00:001997 - I had just got engaged and started a fab ne...1997 - I had just got engaged and started a fab new job then had a road traffic accident that, amongst other awful things, caused me to be paralysed from the waist down. I lost my job, my fiance, but none of that mattered compared to the pain. When I considered taking my life I was referred to a pscychiatrist who pronounced me very sane - you see, putting up with pain is difficult and medication gives rise to other problems. Sometimes you just want the pain to stop. That and the fact that no-one spoke to me in a wheelchair - I could ask an assistant a question and they would answer the person pushing the chair. Please don't do that. I'm out of the chair now but please, give a thought to people in wheelchairs, they do exist and can probably talk and everything!Philipahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03440234602399886097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-15233313666701313242008-01-29T23:10:00.000+00:002008-01-29T23:10:00.000+00:002001 was a very bad year. Foot and mouth handled a...2001 was a very bad year. Foot and mouth handled abysmally by the government making a wretched situation worse; dreary dreary election with dreary dreary result; Intifada and horrendous suicide bomb attacks in Israel followed by the fascist 'anti racism' conference in Durban that was dripping with anti-Semitism; all topped off by 9/11. And I was made redundant.Oscar Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09423019456579337438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-55025228536317120832008-01-29T22:36:00.000+00:002008-01-29T22:36:00.000+00:00politically you couldn't get worse than the first ...politically you couldn't get worse than the first month of this year!<BR/><BR/>However, being somewhat self-centered -2006 - my mother-in-law died, my son was mugged by three of our coloured brethren who broke his ankle, someone bashed into my new car and my beloved German Shepherd died (dog, not teutonic sheep handler)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-72052215379549401732008-01-29T21:36:00.000+00:002008-01-29T21:36:00.000+00:00Best of years was 2001 - jolly japes at work, care...Best of years was 2001 - jolly japes at work, career on a roll. <BR/><BR/>Worst of years was 2004 - a real 'annus horribilis'.. narrowly avoiding a nervous breakdown after working for an @r$eh*le of a boss and his bitch of a manager.. Truly the 'axis of evil'..<BR/><BR/>Luckily escaped, with a golden handshake, and things have been improving ever since. <BR/><BR/>My only advice to anyone out there is - if they are giving you that much $h!t - just take a walk - you will find something better. Don't even worry about screwing them for a big redundancy payoff - your health is far more important.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-14411256188751695462008-01-29T21:29:00.000+00:002008-01-29T21:29:00.000+00:00"If it isn't hurting, it isn't working" was actual..."If it isn't hurting, it isn't working" was actually a John Major quote not a Norman Lamont one.<BR/><BR/>Worst political year of my life? Possibly 1987, third term for Thatcher despite all that was known, puts through the poll tax and section 28. Possibly 1973 when Heath's catastrophic mismanagement led to rampaging inflation and the first post-war year in which British output fell, and prosperity through EEC membership had not had enough time to come through.<BR/><BR/>Heath was the worst post-war Prime Minister (worse than Eden, certainly); his triumph in securing EEC entry is really down to the pro-market Labour MPs who agreed a secret deal to stop the European Communities Bill being amended or defeated.David Boothroydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01161970886471901426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-36863315437504293002008-01-29T21:25:00.000+00:002008-01-29T21:25:00.000+00:00What's wrong with having a Prime Minister assassin...What's wrong with having a Prime Minister assassinated? If they were all tidily put to death at the end of their stints (like kings in primitive tribes, or in Pakistan for that matter), then we'd have something to feel good about.<BR/><BR/>Clothilde SimonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1354757673495643042008-01-29T20:31:00.000+00:002008-01-29T20:31:00.000+00:00Verity:Who was Jim Clark?From Wikipedia - Jim (or ...<B>Verity:</B><BR/><BR/>Who was Jim Clark?<BR/><BR/>From Wikipedia - <BR/><BR/><I>Jim (or Jimmy) Clark OBE (4 March 1936 – 7 April 1968) was a Scottish Formula One racing driver.<BR/><BR/>He was the dominant driver of his era, winning two World Championships, in 1963 and 1965. At the time of his death, he had won more Grand Prix races (25) and more pole positions (33) than any driver up to that time. He also competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, and won it once, in 1965.</I><BR/><BR/>He died at Hockenheim in 1968.<BR/><BR/>You are probably too young to remember....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-20282496936164266782008-01-29T20:23:00.000+00:002008-01-29T20:23:00.000+00:001812 and 1973 had a lot in common. In one we were ...1812 and 1973 had a lot in common. In one we were ruled by a madman, in the other George III was on the throne. (Sorry, cheap I know and George wasn't that bad). <BR/><BR/>Actually the way 2008 has started, it's going to be on everyone's hit lit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-10296274152248918312008-01-29T20:16:00.000+00:002008-01-29T20:16:00.000+00:001990-1993, when the economic recession bit hard an...1990-1993, when the economic recession bit hard and we had such comforting statements from the likes of Norman Lamont of the "if it isn't hurting it isn't working" variety, and 2001 when the we faced the worst terrorist atrocities since World War II<BR/>That said, 1989 was avery good year, when communism fell in Eastern Europe, and 1997 was a very good year as well, although I think you and most of your readers would disagree with the latter point ;)Paul Burginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06718135185726733792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-15522194358381254282008-01-29T18:28:00.000+00:002008-01-29T18:28:00.000+00:00It has got to be 1997, as some astute commentators...It has got to be 1997, as some astute commentators have already noted. The year that signalled the beginning of the end of the United Kingdom!MikeyPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02628881766409720006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-35517234872820738422008-01-29T18:20:00.000+00:002008-01-29T18:20:00.000+00:00Sorry to depress people.In my most humble and hone...Sorry to depress people.<BR/><BR/>In my most humble and honest opinion.<BR/><BR/>However bad we may have thought the last 40 years or so may have been, one thing in my mind is sure.<BR/><BR/>We will all be looking back in a few years, describing every one of the last 40, as "very golden" ones.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-24561353407719449572008-01-29T18:11:00.000+00:002008-01-29T18:11:00.000+00:00Clearly 1789 -the year of the French -Revolution-w...Clearly 1789 -the year of the French -Revolution-was an absolute bummer of a year. Far from promoting democratic control, the French Revolution ended up transferring power from the aristocracy to an "enlightened" elite that proved even more illiberal. We are still living with its effects...Stan Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05955961163910010638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-70744885269205184792008-01-29T18:05:00.000+00:002008-01-29T18:05:00.000+00:00Personally, I think 2005 was terrific. England won...Personally, I think 2005 was terrific. England won the Ashes and all was well with the world<BR/><BR/>JoelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-24237373785829021482008-01-29T17:59:00.000+00:002008-01-29T17:59:00.000+00:00Any year Liverpool football club have ever won a t...Any year Liverpool football club have ever won a trophy has been pretty depressing. Fortunately the next few years look quite good on that score. <BR/><BR/>On a slightly more serious note 1973 was shocking, the year the quisling Heath sold our country down the river on the basis of a complete lie.Mulliganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12445624135697167219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-38698872361195362632008-01-29T17:53:00.000+00:002008-01-29T17:53:00.000+00:001973 for me too and 1988 (lost my sister to breast...1973 for me too and 1988 (lost my sister to breast cancer)Jeremy Jacobshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02014279463894807064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-15334860938476032202008-01-29T17:22:00.000+00:002008-01-29T17:22:00.000+00:00In 1812 I think we were also at war with Nepal. Fi...In 1812 I think we were also at war with Nepal. Fighting three wars to a reasonably successful conclusion simultaneously is pretty impressive.Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02263275229285861236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-55215365598486484622008-01-29T17:16:00.000+00:002008-01-29T17:16:00.000+00:001990, November, was as bad as it gets politically....1990, November, was as bad as it gets politically. It also, by arithmetic necessity, marked the end of the wonderful 1980s, a decade never equalled in my adult lifetime for its economic and political excitement. <BR/><BR/>As it happens 1990 was also a pretty terrible year for me personally, so that was a double whammy.<BR/><BR/>I think I'd plump for 1974 rather than 1973 as the post war low point, stock market down 70% from a recent high, Mr Benn at Industry, unions triumphant, chaos on both sides in Northern Ireland (Protestant workers' strike, as well as the IRA) and Mr Heath blundering to two election defeats, the second one having called for a national Government 10 days before polling. But personally it was rather a good year with first youthful ambitions (University of choice) fulfilled. Also things started improving from then on, which is more than one can say for 1990. Whilst the personal stuff had picked up by about 1993, in terms of public life we didn't start moving forward again until about 2004 and then only very gradually and haltingly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-44711351313803917412008-01-29T16:39:00.000+00:002008-01-29T16:39:00.000+00:00Last year, without a shadow of a doubt.Mugged on m...Last year, without a shadow of a doubt.<BR/><BR/>Mugged on my birthday, resulting in some pretty bad damage to my teeth.<BR/><BR/>A rather unpleasant spiral into a pretty heavy bout of depression.<BR/><BR/>My family life pretty much fell apart<BR/><BR/>etc.<BR/><BR/>Thus far 2008 is much better, however!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-18682359789882424942008-01-29T16:37:00.000+00:002008-01-29T16:37:00.000+00:00There was a time, during the late afternoon of 13t...There was a time, during the late afternoon of 13th February 1997, when I thought that this was going to be a pretty bad year. I was divorced at 10 AM and made redundant at 2 PM! Some time later I started to realize that there were some silver linings after all. <BR/><BR/>The redundancy payment just paid off the divorce settlement so I was a few hundred up on the day. I walked into a job paying over 30% more salary some 2 months later and I then set about putting away as much as I could for early retirement, now an easier prospect as the former ball and chain was no longer my problem.<BR/> <BR/>The new job started on May 1st 1997, I had thought of this as a date to remember, but then I remembered the change of government on that day. Perhaps every good experience is matched by a bad one?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-33049627189328199612008-01-29T16:34:00.000+00:002008-01-29T16:34:00.000+00:00BJ - Funny!Nixon is now coming to be recognised as...BJ - Funny!<BR/><BR/>Nixon is now coming to be recognised as a great president. Don't forget who opened up China. The Prague Spring was sad, but and Martin Luther King was was sad, but everything else, I can live with. Oh, except the ignorant students protesting Viet Nam, which they couldn't identify on the map, all with their Ché posters. Plus wot Helen said.<BR/><BR/>I agree with those who cite the year Anthony Lynton Blair slithered under the door of No 10. <BR/><BR/>Who was Jim Clark, btw?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-6224378587066409172008-01-29T16:30:00.000+00:002008-01-29T16:30:00.000+00:001941 - Worst part of the blitz. Loss of HMS HOOD,...1941 - Worst part of the blitz. Loss of HMS HOOD, REPULSE and PRINCE of WALES. Japanese attack on Singapore started which would result in British empire's greatest ever defeat. Britain standing alone until joined by USSR - Mixed blessing as Hitler's attack on the USSR ensured that eventually half of Europe would fall under the monstrous tyranny of Stalin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-74580826409990118382008-01-29T15:42:00.000+00:002008-01-29T15:42:00.000+00:00Best year: 1984 - 1985. The year the miners' decad...Best year: 1984 - 1985. The year the miners' decades of successful violent extortion finally came to a screeching halt. <BR/><BR/>I remember whooping with joy at the TV coverage of handfuls of brave mounted police fearlessly charging mobs of feral, screeching bullies. The police were outnumbered by hundreds to one, but they went in and fought for democracy and liberty in the most matter-of-fact way. <BR/><BR/>Finally, finally these filthy Labour cowards got their idle, hate-filled skulls cracked open. God, it was fantastic to watch! The spirit of liberty was in the air and no mistake! Now their stupid little Potemkin villages have all gone and good riddance. <BR/><BR/>I think of that poor taxi driver Scargill's vicious thugs murdered, and those four poor children left without a father by socialism, whenever I read this:-<BR/><BR/><I>The life that I have <BR/>Is all that I have <BR/>And the life that I have <BR/>Is yours <BR/><BR/>The love that I have <BR/>Of the life that I have <BR/>Is yours and yours and yours <BR/><BR/>A sleep I shall have <BR/>A rest I shall have <BR/>Yet death will be but a pause <BR/><BR/>For the peace of my years <BR/>In the long green grass <BR/>Will be yours and yours <BR/>and yours</I><BR/><BR/>Sleep in peace, David Wilkie; you won, in the end.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com