Like most of us, I don’t know the half of it when it comes to the free trade agreement negotiations with the EU but, from an outsider’s perspective they don’t seem to be going well. The Prime MInister has now said that there is no basis for negotiations and that we should prepare for a … Continue reading In good faith
We’re all immigrants from somewhere
Other migrants are available Whenever things aren’t necessarily going their way the government can always rely on immigration to raly its supporters. It is one of the buttons that can be pressed to incite the tame press into action. The need for people to cross the channel in dinghies is indeed an issue but not … Continue reading We’re all immigrants from somewhere
Vote for what you don’t want
In our system of first past the post, we vote for the best candidate for our constituency. Of course, very few people take the time to read up or speak to the candidate and instead tend to rely upon the outpourings of the party they claim to represent. Many of us will vote along party … Continue reading Vote for what you don’t want
Replayed
We’ve been played. We’re still being played and they will keep doing it to us as long as it works. Despite the enormous problems in the world we are easily distracted by something farcical or irrelevant. Our eyes are diverted from the real issues of the day. This has been going on for years but … Continue reading Replayed
Big Issue
There are many big issues that swirl around in my head. A friend of mine once said to me that you should pick your battles, you can’t fight on all fronts yet these days I am not short of choices. I only have to open the papers or go on social media to get my … Continue reading Big Issue
Food vouchers
The title of this blog is a little misleading, I admit, in that the Chancellor isn’t giving away food vouchers to those who can afford to eat out at restaurants. Rather, he has committed to using public money to reimburse some of the bill during August, with certain conditions of course. The ‘Eat out to … Continue reading Food vouchers
A Benign Dictator
Over the last few months I have been in many conversations about the problems we have with democracy in this country, in that it is not democratic. Often people have said to me that they have lost faith in democracy and that it would be better to have a benign dictator, someone who is mild … Continue reading A Benign Dictator
Forget forecasts
The art of forecasting is falling out of favour. Its usefulness as a prediction of the future has come under severe pressure. This is especially true in the world of political forecasting and for one reason, forecasts in this sense are invariably wrong. They have now become synonymous with the other meaning of the word, … Continue reading Forget forecasts
Pants on fire
In politics these days, the truth is a very fluid concept. Time and time again, leading politicians have been shown to say things that are wrong. This is understandable as we live in a highly dynamic world where no one can be expected to get everything right. What is unacceptable however, is when these ‘facts’ … Continue reading Pants on fire
Failing state
Grayling has managed to live up to his reputation again. He has failed to secure the lead of the Intelligence and Security Committee. At least this time he managed to fail before being given the job instead of during it. Instead, another Conservative MP, Julian Lewis has won the position. This is not the real … Continue reading Failing state
