Family Sundays in my house have a comforting routine. We start off with some gardening, followed by me cooking a roast. Later on, we all come together and enjoy a cheese board and snacks while watching a murder mystery or a true crime documentary. Some favorite murder mystery shows we enjoy are Knives Out and Glass Onion, and for true crime, we like White House Farm, which tells the story of Jeremy Bamber’s horrific crimes in 1985. We prefer narratives that are engaging and have a few twists, but nothing too graphic.

However, there is one true crime drama that we won’t be watching, and that is The Reckoning. This four-part dramatization of Jimmy Savile’s life started on BBC One last night. Savile was a despicable pedophile, and despite his widely known predatory behavior, the BBC continued to celebrate and protect him. The Reckoning attempts to shift blame onto various institutions and individuals, rather than focusing on the failures of BBC management. It conveniently omits important events, such as the shelved Newsnight investigation into Savile’s actions after his death. It’s concerning that the BBC can behave in this manner without consequence, and it raises questions about their accountability.

On a different note, I want to highlight the issue of tech giants like Facebook, Google, and Apple exploiting Independent Journalism and manipulating online visibility through algorithms. They profit from the work of journalists without paying for it, while also controlling what news articles users see. This threatens independent journalism and free speech. The Digital Markets Bill and Digital Markets Unit were meant to regulate these tech firms and ensure fair practices, but there are concerns that Rishi Sunak is considering weakening their powers. This would be detrimental to media outlets and give more control to the tech giants.

Switching gears, I find it appalling that the Shadow Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, supports imposing 20% VAT on Private School fees without ever having visited a private school or witnessing the positive impact they have on underprivileged areas. These policies target the wrong people and harm the very pupils who benefit the most from private school partnerships.

Lastly, I’m alarmed at the spread of bed bugs, even during international travel. The bugs have been reportedly hitching rides in the suitcases of fashionable individuals after Paris Fashion Week. This infestation has become a nightmare for many, with traditional fumigation methods failing to eradicate the pests. It’s disheartening to hear about the cumbersome steps individuals are taking to rid their homes of the infestation, including sealing furniture in plastic bags and even relocating temporarily. It’s a situation that needs urgent attention.

To end on a lighter note, I find it ludicrous that there is talk of recognizing a male menopause. It seems like a mythical condition that could be exploited by those trying to get paid time off work. While women have endured and dealt with the challenges of menopause, it’s hard to imagine this male equivalent having the same impact. It’s important not to exaggerate or patronize these types of issues and treat them with the seriousness they deserve.

And on a more lighthearted topic, I want to defend a Strictly participant, Tess, who may face unnecessary criticism in the future.

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