Pnewsology

The week’s news with a dash of psychology!

Jane Ogden (Professor in Health Psychology, Emeritus; email janeogden509@gmail.com; based on a conversation with James Cannon at Radio Surrey; 8.40 am 25/09/2026)

Week ending 25/09/2026

All opinions are those of Jane Ogden

As images of Noel and Liam Gallagher popped up on my phone at the start of the week as they extended their tour I started to wonder how well they actually now got on given their massive falling out all those years ago.  Was it real or just for the cameras?

And then the week progressed and everyone who was anyone on the world stage was seen meeting everyone else on the world stage and it all looked very jolly from the outside.

Andy Burnham had his first meeting with Trump, and whilst he looked a bit nervous (who wouldn’t be!) it apparently went well and Trump announced that they could ‘do business’.  Just a slight hiccup over the Chagos islands which was a ‘bad deal’ apparently but at least Andy can call this an ‘inherited’ problem and blame his predecessor!

I can’t believe Burnham likes Trump but he smiled along and managed to pull it off!

Burnham then announced we will be working with the Saudis to help them refuel their planes (does he like them as well?)

And Trump and Xi had a flamboyant meeting on the red carpet and all seemed to go well!  Well – they didn’t mention Iran and Russia (as they are on opposite sides) or that the countries have hated each other for decades.  But still it seemed to go well!

How do they do it? And should they?

These people at the top seem to be able to chat and smile and nod and laugh with people they must despise!  How do their real feelings not leak out? How do they make small talk when there’s so much big talk they must want to say?  And how do they hold it together and not just stomp out?  A quick look at my face during any school meeting over the last years of my job would have leaked every possible feeling I had – my eyebrows raise, I cringe, I sigh and I groan.  I can’t keep it in.  But then I’m not on the world stage.  And also I don’t really think I should.  If you disagree surely you should be able to show it!

And that’s why I felt so proud of the nearly 80 delegates who walked out when Netanyahu spoke at the UN.  Up they got and just left.  They didn’t smile or nod or pander.  They just went.  Good for them.  The UK wasn’t amongst them.  But at least this Government are starting to speak out against the Israeli government.  It’s a start and its going in the right direction.

So when should we pander and chat and smile? When should we try to find common ground? And when should we stand up for what we believe in?  The world will always have evil people in it.  But it’s the panderers and enablers I blame the most.  But then think Northern Ireland – nothing ever changes if no one talks. And think the Christmas dinner table and the family holidays.  The greater good is sometimes worth it.

There are times to pander and times to not. Its getting the balance right that’s the tricky thing.