Trump card is really a joker in disguise

THE FRIDAY THING: POLITICS is a dodgy game, whether you are a would-be MP, or even worse a Labour supporter, or party to the Lib-Dems’ return to the wilderness.

Locally there are some grounds for cheerfulness, in that when it comes to our latest political leader we should be counting our lucky stars we do not have to put up with Donald Trump and his flowing, if out-of-control Golidilocks hairdo.

Donald is lining up to be the next American President and I don’t think his name will do him any favours. Mr Trump is probably America’s best known businessman, though his hair is probably more admired than he is.

For those who have not had the pleasure, Donald has his own TV show — the essence of which is how quickly and how deeply tribes of angry and disappointed celebs can fall out with one another and, in some cases come to blows.

Mercifully, none of the game’s competitors have actually been shot yet, but there have been moments.

Mr Trump makes even Ed Miliband look a little bit like a real-life leader . . . though not for long.



IT is quite a long time since I had any dealings with Alun Francis but I can honestly say he is passionate and dedicated to the education and training of Oldham’s young people.

When he took over Oldham College some years ago now, Mr Francis set it on a remarkable mission to become an outstanding college, opening gateways and paths for Oldham youngsters to carve themselves careers for the future, benefiting the students, the young people of the borough and all those who were eager to learn.

It is amazing that Oldham College has undergone an inspection which has ditched the college’s former rave reviews only for the Ofsted inspectors to say it needs improvement.

Quite how the Ofsted inspectors could mark down a college of the calibre of Oldham College with a recent record of outstanding achievement, which has been one of the real jewels in Oldham’s academic achievements, it is impossible to say.