$11 trillion is a big number. That’s what’s on offer to the UK by joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), one of the world’s largest free-trade areas. Why wouldn’t anyone get excited by the promise of such affluence? OK, it’s on the other side of the world to us but let’s not get … Continue reading $11 Trillion
Flower of Scotland
Image thanks to Radio News Hub Now that the men’s Six Nations rugby is over for another year I thought I would settle down to watch the women’s competition, especially as the England versus Scotland match was coming from Kingston Park. If I had planned a bit better I could have gone along as the … Continue reading Flower of Scotland
Iraq war
Image thanks to CNN. Can it really be twenty years since the start of the Iraq war? I can remember seeing the precision bombs fall on Baghdad and the tramp like face of Sadham Hussein when he was finally captured and dragged out of hiding place. Much of my memory is vague hoover. Was this … Continue reading Iraq war
Quantum level
How many times have I started a blog with the words ‘I have just finished a book’? Too many to remember yet I read one or two a week and as each one comes to an end I like to reflect on what I have learned. There is always something to pick up and I … Continue reading Quantum level
The working week
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt leaves Downing Street with the despatch box to present his spring budget to parliament on March 15, 2023 in London, England. Highlights of the 2023 budget are an increase in the tax-free allowance for pensions which the Chancellor hopes will stem the number of people taking … Continue reading The working week
Our own prejudices
Image thanks to Thebigindianpicture. I’ve just finished Zoe Heller’s book ‘Notes on a scandal.’ It was another Lit and Phil find. I enjoyed it very much even though the subject is a bit difficult. Without giving too much away it tells the tale of a relationship between a female teacher and a male pupil. It … Continue reading Our own prejudices
Oh dear, Aunty!
I have heard it said that if the people on the left and on the right are complaining about the BBC then it must be doing its job right. I wish it were so but the latest incident seems to have raised the bile of the right leaning section of the public far more than … Continue reading Oh dear, Aunty!
Sitting opposite
Image thanks to Stratasan.com I’m in the middle of some negotiations. To be fair I am actually at the start. I won’t say what it is about as they are ongoing and wouldn’t want to jeopardise the outcome. That’s the way of negotiations, they are best done out of the glare of the public eye, … Continue reading Sitting opposite
Boat spotting
Image thanks to Small Boats Monthly Last week I was extolling the efforts of the Prime Minister with his work on the Northern Ireland Protocol. Finally it seems we can put to bed the prospect of this country deliberately setting out to break a signed treaty. My euphoria didn't last long nor did Sunak's outbreak … Continue reading Boat spotting
AI will eat itself
Image thanks to unwindai-substack You can’t deny technology. It happens all the time. Our lives are constantly changing on the back of it. Such is the way of humanity ever since we lifted that first flint. The only difference between then and now, a gap of perhaps 600,000 years, is the pace of change. Eras … Continue reading AI will eat itself
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 