Burlington Arcade
Whenever I’m in London, I round up the usual suspects and distill from them what’s really going on in Blighty.
One is a conservative retired spook. Another is veteran political journalist Nigel Nelson who calls himself GB News’ “token leftie.” I like hearing both sides—there’s always something to be learned.
In between, I walk the streets, alleys, and arcades—antenna up, collecting fragments, impressions, vibes. I trust the universe to whisper whatever it wants me to know.
Here’s what I picked up:
Street Crime
A long-time American expat in Knightsbridge told me crime has never been worse.
Police stations were shut down “to save money.” The result? Daily smash-and-grabs. He personally watched two men on mopeds shatter a Mercedes window on Hans Crescent, loot it, and speed away. Police showed up 25 minutes later. After they noted his statement, the same gang rolled back in—again. Cops shrugged. “Bulgarian gangs,” he was told. “Happens at least three times a day.”
In the countryside?
Romanian gangs?
They don’t smash windows—they steal the whole car. Range Rovers vanish most often. As one Cotswolds detective put it: “The vehicle’s stripped and on a ship before it’s even reported stolen.” Insurance premiums? Skyrocketing.
Immigration
The crime surge is tied directly to illegal immigration, the number one issue and hottest topic of conversation in Britain this summer. Hence the rise of Nigel Farage. His Reform Party holds only four parliamentary seats, but as the politically astute Nigel Nelson put it: “If an election were held tomorrow, Farage would be Prime Minister.”
Alas, the next General Election will not take place until 2029—and, as the saying goes, even a week is a long time in politics.
So, for now, the Mandarins of Whitehall are unconcerned about plotting democratic obstructions such as those perpetrated by their Insider Washington cousins.
Taxes
Meantime, “Keir Starmer [the current PM] is weak,” says my source in the intelligence sector. His team keeps raiding the rich with crippling new taxes to support out-of-control immigration and woke-like climate crusades.
“Whole legal industries have built up around both,” continues my source. “Government subsidizes the legal cost of defending immigrants and pays lawyers to defend climate control initiatives. A double drain on the taxpayer.”
Even though everything is levied to the hilt, ministers continue to dream up bizarre new taxes to pay for a welfare system that is—much like crime—way out of control.
Flat Tax
Little wonder the well-heeled are fleeing Britain in droves, leading to more sellers than buyers and a property glut.
Even Britain’s once vibrant art scene is on the downswing.~
Usually when I walk London’s streets, I am inspired and stimulated by the paintings and sculptures in gallery windows.
Not this trip. Mostly woke-emptiness.
Sadly, woke extends to the nation’s culture…
The Wallace Collection
One Bright Spot
London’s cuisine has never been better.
Everyone says, “eat at Indian restaurants.” And they are not wrong.
I dined at a bunch of fabulously flavorful restaurants, including an Indian (Radjoot on Paddington Street in Marylebone), and Sexy Fish (Berkeley Square).
Here are my highlights:
Sofra (St. Christopher’s Place): humus, imam bayaldi, lamb shish; Rioja.
Caldesi (Marylebone Lane): eggplant parmigiana, tonnarelli with truffle, tiramisu.
Fischer’s (Marylebone High Street): the wurst platter with potato salad and sauerkraut).
The best dry martini?
The Ivy (Marylebone Lane).
Maître d’ Jean-Francoise and his bartenders are practically old friends after a week of 5:33 cocktail hours.
•••
NEWS REVUE
“Famed Tennessee sheriff who inspired Hollywood movie 'Walking Tall' implicated in wife's murder” (ABC News)
I admired Buford Pusser for half-a-century. But truth eventually outs. May this scumbag roast in hell if he’s done what he’s accused of—and for allowing himself to be glorified as a hero.
“Trump blocks $4.9B in foreign aid Congress OK’d, using maneuver last seen nearly 50 years ago” (AP)
Trump asks a simple question: What’s in it for the USA? Given how much ends up in Swiss accounts of foreign rulers, completely justified.
“RFK Jr. links SSRIs and mass shootings. What does science say?” (Washington Post)
Truth is, Big Pharma doesn’t like science when the findings dent their multi-billion-dollar profits. That’s why they secretly bankroll “objective” university studies whose conclusions always—what a surprise—not only favor their interests but get reported in bold by the mainstream narrative.
“The Most Dangerous Russian Spy Was a CIA Agent” (Greek Reporter)
Aldrich Hazen Ames betrayed his country, providing Moscow with invaluable secrets.
Deep Tonsils called in from Charlotte, North Carolina…
And finally…
Cassian lives a contemplative life on Butterfly Beach. She awakens by dawn believing first light carries the cleanest truths and joins three crows for a sand crab breakfast.
What a week—whew!
And so should you.
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What is interesting is the comparison with the late now not so great State of Calif.
Is the Empire now corroding from within, and the dissolution being fueled by open borders and the criminal element? Doesn't that sound a whole lot like the previous national administration and the failure called Newsom and the State of California?
Readin Mr. Eringer's missive to the bottom it sure sounds like it to me.
Application of immigration laws, enforcement of laws is what this current Trump Administration is doing. Is this coming from #10 Downing Street?
Whole vehicles and smash and grab is the norm in Empire?
Calif. comparison. Newsom anger against rational borders, calls to keep illegals and non-citizens from voting, and stop criminals sounds a lot like England today.
This from Mr. Eringer .... "“The Most Dangerous Russian Spy Was a CIA Agent” (Greek Reporter)
The one party system in Sacramento where Newsom is throwing the Highway Patrol at crime and social order (must be a 16 wheeler problem). The failed insiders of Sacramento are making Trump right with application of law and order (why else the Highway Patrol?)
The comparisons with those across the pond were and are too great not to make the point.
Thanks for the read.
Robert, disappointing, but not surprising, to read about impressions of London where the news for months, perhaps years, has indicated the same issues were spreading. Opening their border put in motion the saying that the "enemy within" is a difficult adversary.