Populism won the popular vote ... who'd have thought it

If we needed one more lesson in how not to trust our own echo chambers, the liberal press, or self-righteous, sneering podcasters & commentators, it was right there smacking us in the face on Wednesday morning.

I'm not going to add to the column inches devoted to explaining what happened or why because I don't know. And nor do all those self righteous, sneering, commentators, not that this stops them pontificating. The arrogance is baffling.

What if just for one moment they got off their high horses, assumed that most people were voting rationally and asked the question, why? Not of each other but of the voters. Surely politicians of all hues need to understand what led rational, reasonably well educated (for the most part) human beings to make the choice of Trump over Harris.

I personally find it absolutely unbelievable - which is all the more reason to be asking the questions and listening - properly - to the answers.

What Next?

Who knows? Can Trump really expel millions of illegal immigrants from the country? How will that work? Where are they all going to go? How will they get over the wall to Mexico? Who's going to drive them? Aren't quite a lot of them working in jobs that others don't want to do?

Are we about to see more drilling for oil? The end of incentives around green energy? An end to the war in Ukraine? How are the Ukrainians feeling about this? Is JD Vance about to sack tens of thousands of people currently working for the federal government (or, more accurately, the "deep state" according to Trump)? Are tariffs on imports about to thwart our own plans for "growth" (has anyone told Rachel Reeves yet)?

What with all this uncertainty and the continuing parlous state of the legal recruitment sector, I did seriously think about hibernating for the winter. A thought made even more tempting by this anti-cyclonic gloom that's delivered a blanket of cloud over us for what seems like the last ninety days.

(Have you noticed, we're all weather experts now - "anti-cyclonic gloom").

But then again. There's a rumour the sun is making a return tomorrow. The second series of Wolf Hall starts tonight. It's forecast snow in the alps next week. I have a little trip to the sunshine state at the end of this week (where I'll make a point of asking some real life Americans the open question). And you know what, we do usually muddle through.

Also, my 84 year young mum is visiting for a couple of days and she does NOT approve of people moping around.

So it's onwards, people. A few pieces of advice though.

Beware Echo Chambers

Last week, I read a post here on LinkedIn by the founder of a different sort of law firm, where the lawyers are mostly self-employed, the work life-balance offered is super-flexible and fees charged to clients are much lower than you'd find in most city law firms. He wrote about how fabulous the model is (I agree) and how much people love the flexibility offered.

Lots of people agreed, showing their approval in the comments. As far as I could tell, none of them actually work in big city law firms. Wouldn't you love to know their view?

Similarly, I saw a panel event advertised, exploring the topic "Are we backsliding on DEI". All the panellists were self professed diversity experts of one sort or another. Shouldn't there be someone on the panel who is actually in a leadership position? Who can tell you whether they are, indeed, rowing back on "diversity initiatives" and why.

Again, just like my American friends, there may be a perfectly rational and sensible explanation but we will never know unless we ask the right questions of the right people.

Make a List

My late dad always got what he wanted for Christmas. Actually, thinking about it, he pretty much always got what he wanted in life in general, partly because he was stubborn (we tried to get him to move house once his health began to deteriorate - "I'm NOT moving." He shouted. "They'll take me out of here in a box." It was a bag, actually, but that's a detail.). Also, though, because he was very very clear what mattered to him.

The rugby club, being able to eat and drink what he wanted, reading the paper from cover to cover EVERY day, his family. Roughly in that order. As an aside, he also thought water with dinner at a restaurant was an affectation.

"Water?" the waiter would ask.

"Only with whiskey" was the reply.

Anyway, back to Christmas. The reason he always got what he wanted was that he always made a list. It was never extravagant and often had some weird and wonderful things on it but it made buying for him so easy. Here's an example I dug out from 2009!

Big Gs Christmas List

Secatuer holster

2 standard rose trees one red one yellow

Best of Leonard Cohen CD

10 Ltr? Light? Grey Garage Floor Paint plus sealant

National Trust renewal of membership

Large outdoor minimum maximum thermometer

Trendy Cardigan

Printing paper

?Bay Tree

With the exception of "trendy cardigan" I think we can all agree that it would be difficult to go wrong. So there's my top tip to avoid disappointment this Christmas: be practical, don't blow the budget, make a list.

If anyone has a teenage or early twenties daughter, you will know that they have taken this to the next level and not only will they what's app you a list, they will include the relevant links so that all you have to do is add your credit card details. Sadly, they are not always quite as practical and humble as my dad's efforts. Expect more in the line of "trendy cardigan" but with the added detail of brand, colour, style, size etc.

The Cultural Slot

I'm reading: Well, it's a challenge at the moment as I have too many books on the go. About to start The Safe Keep by Yael Van Der Wouden - shortlisted for the Booker prize and so far I haven't been taken with any of the others so I'm striking out in the hope that one of them must be OK.

My friend Viv has just bought me Antarctica by Claire Keegan despite me explaining that I don't do short stories. She promises me it's worth it and since the stories are short I'm hoping to slot one in.

I'm also beginning "Say Nothing" by Patrick Radden Keefe, which is about The Troubles and which was recommended by another friend, despite me explaining, again, that I don't do non-fiction. She urged me to give it a go as it's written almost like a novel and now I see they are bringing out a TV series so let's give it a go.

I'm not reading: Intermezzo. Or any other Sally Rooney. I do not need to have any more insights into the mind of a thirty-something woman.

I'm watching: The Day of the Jackal. Not sure how they've managed to take a classic thriller and make it pretty boring. Also Wolf Hall season 2. Based on book 3. Which is a bit odd. But all the old actors reprising their roles, for the most part, so promising.

I'm listening to: PD James Devices and Desires on audiobook. Avoiding all those political podcasts for a while.