politics

As I was coming out of the Home Office - wait, that sounds a lot grander than it actually was - there was someone dressed in a badger suit. Around their neck they had a sign which said I am innocent. It has been a long time since I have been to London. I'd made … Continue reading A Badgering Badger

Image thanks to Prospect. It’s the political conference season, where the great and good gather in seaside resorts or conference centres across the country to preach to the converted. Each party hopes that the media coverage it generates will show it as a dynamic and exciting party with sufficient ideas and drive to lead the … Continue reading What opposition?

If you have been keeping your eyes on parliament you will know that the Elections Bill 2021 is making its way into law. It’s not all bad, with some strengthening of the electoral commission, undue influence and finance. There is however the proposal that voters will be required to show an approved form of photographic … Continue reading Elections Bill 2021

Image thanks to Your Money There is something wrong with the UK energy market. Wholesale prices of gas and electricity are rising leaving those companies which have many customers on fixed tariffs selling energy at a loss. Reserves of cash, just like reserves of gas, are running low and many companies are threatening the prospect … Continue reading UK energy company seeks funds to stay afloat

Image thanks to The Independant Two lessons that I have learnt about tax and politics this week:  You can never trust what politicians say about future taxation (not that I did anyway)It is stupid for politiocians to make any promises about tax rates in the future as they hold themselves hostage to fortune and it … Continue reading Old age tax

Image thanks to Motor Transport I was coming out of a local shopping mall recently and saw a poster encouraging people to come and work for a well known parcel distribution company. Having experienced some shortages at the supermarket, though nothing significant, I am aware that attracting and retaining drivers is a hot button issue.  … Continue reading Want to be a delivery driver?

In the New European a few weeks ago there was an article about conspiracy theories and how easy and common it is to fall for them. Of the eight or so it listed there was one that I partially believed, while my wife leant to five or six. The one that made me think was … Continue reading Money as a global government

Image thanks to US News If the situation in Afghanistan has shown us anything, it is that there are significant limits to democracy, limits that severely question its legitimacy as a political system. While he is no hero of mine, it was Churchill who said that ‘democracy is the worst form of government – except … Continue reading The limits of democracy

Image thanks to Sky News Some of the best advice I have seen on Twitter this week was to do with the situation in Afghanistan. The author said basically that if you don’t know what you are talking about then don’t comment. I haven’t got a clue what is happening there and while I have … Continue reading What is going on?

Back in the day The miners’ strike may have seemed to be a distant memory by now, yet a crass comment has opened up old wounds.  Though from a strong mining area, I have never had any direct connection to the industry. At the time it all kicked off we were living in Oxford, trying … Continue reading The miners’ strike