Alastair Stewart: Old Friends, Good Memories and a Frustrating Bank Survey

From my broadcasting days, I received a card from Nick Pollard, one of the two best programme editors I ever worked for.

Along with Richard Frediani, he could and should have been Editor of ITV News.

I covered the Berlin Wall, the Gulf War, more General Elections and more Budgets with Nick than anyone else, apart from the great Alastair Burnet.

Like the brilliant late Sir David Nicholas, Nick chased stories relentlessly, was loyal to his staff and supported them through thick and thin.

He also wrote superbly for television news. Like me, Nick was one of the first people to join the new GB News when it was established.

The channel celebrated its fifth anniversary last week. In his card, Nick reflected on that piece of broadcasting history. “Who would have thought it?” he wrote.

“Everyone said we wouldn’t last a year.” Some even tried to persuade advertisers to boycott us.

They did not, and GB News has gone on to thrive, becoming the most-watched news channel in the UK.

After ITN, Nick helped establish other television channels and also spent time at Ofcom. Both experiences proved invaluable when GB News was launched.

He is now retired and spending more time with his lovely wife, an NHS nurse, and their sons.

As for Richard Frediani, he too would have made a far better editor than some of those who have held the office in recent years.

Richard moved to the BBC and now edits the highly successful BBC Breakfast programme and the lunchtime news bulletin.

He is also an award-winning documentary maker, and we remain in frequent contact.

The BBC is looking to make significant cuts and will eventually need a new Head of News. The Director-General could do far worse than promote Richard. His record on the Post Office scandal and his coverage of Rob Burrow's battle with motor neurone disease are second to none.

The other blast from the past came in the form of a visit from Ruairidh McAllion, a fellow Executive Committee member from my NUS days. He frequently drops by and we go out for tea and good conversation.

Ruairidh is one of the best writers I know on the British industry. We also share a passion for motorsport. He was a saloon car racer, and his late father worked in team management.

Politics inevitably comes up in our conversations. He bemoaned the fact that Sir Keir Starmer does not appear to stand for anything.

I remarked that several friends of mine at the top of the Labour Party have long feared that he simply does not “do” politics in the traditional sense.

David Lammy stood in for the Prime Minister at PMQs because of the G7 summit. I remain unconvinced by his performances.

Most MPs wore white roses in memory of Jo Cox, who was murdered by a right-wing extremist. I remember covering that terrible story and seeing the army of friends and constituents who came to pay their respects.

The mountain of flowers in Birstall, where the Batley and Spen MP was killed, was a moving reminder of the goodness that exists in people.

I always try to remember that there is both good and bad in the world.

Finally, I was sent a customer satisfaction survey by my bank. It was far too complicated and, if they read my responses, they probably will not like them.

As is so often the case, communication was the biggest failing. Their online services are over-complicated and, for those of us living with dementia, they can be a nightmare.

The continuing closure of branches and the lack of opportunities to speak to a real person face-to-face only make matters worse.

To add to the frustration, they take far too long to answer the telephone. The scammers must love that.