Category Archives: Community

A BRACE of FUDGE-IT BUDGETS

Posted on October 29, 2024 by davidsberry

Febrile media speculation surrounding this Wednesday’s UK budget has been deafening. Starting with what Rachel Reeves, new Chancellor in a new labour, as opposed to New Labour, government’s “discovery” of a £20 billion ‘black hole’ in the country’s finances, speculation … Continue reading →

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Trumping All Over the Actualité

Posted on September 8, 2024 by davidsberry

At a small rally in rural Wisconsin, The Donald appears to have lost both the  plot and his audience with a blistering rant that bore little resemblance to truth, and left even MAGA adherent at sixes and sevens when he suddenly … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday, England!

Posted on April 23, 2024 by davidsberry

Today is St George’s Day’ But it is a sad fact that few other countries ignore their national day as pointedly as the English. Greeks are fierce in celebrating March 26th the anniversary of liberation from Turkish rule; Americans make 4th of … Continue reading →

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Car-Borne Capture

Posted on April 20, 2024 by davidsberry

The Scottish Green Party are hopping mad that the Scottish Government, in which they are a partner, have abandoned their goal of reaching a 75% cut in carbon emissions by 2030. The move was triggered by a damning report from an independent … Continue reading →

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Beyond Culloden

Posted on April 16, 2024 by davidsberry

“How can I be a traitor when England is foreign to me?” —William Wallace Exactly 278 years ago today the last battle fought on the British mainland saw Jacobite forces under Charles Edward Stuart suffer defeat at the hands of … Continue reading →

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Greek Dra(ch)mas

Posted on April 5, 2024 by davidsberry

Many British feel dismissive toward the economies of “sun holiday” countries like Greece. There, food and wine are cheap and siestas hamper productivity. It is true that Greece has had a chequered financial past. This included periods of right-wing military … Continue reading →

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Free-for-All Freeports

Posted on April 1, 2024 by davidsberry

Whatever their political preferences, most people in Britain accept that the economy is underperforming and that living standards have not materially improved in over a decade. A major policy initiative from Westminster to address this, and thereby level up the … Continue reading →

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Insatiable Social Care

Posted on March 17, 2024 by davidsberry

A year ago, the IK government published their flagship policy “Next Steps to Put People at the Heart of Care”. It is full of noble intent that: “everyone who needs care in England will have outstanding, quality care that empowers them to … Continue reading →

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Affordable Husting

Posted on March 6, 2024 by davidsberry

“A social contract where the tax contribution is based on the ability to pay, and strong public services are understood as enabling a strong society and a growing economy.” —Shona Robison MSP, Foreword to the Scottish Budget 2024-25 This worthy … Continue reading →

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Mine Eyes Have Seen No Glory

Posted on February 24, 2024 by davidsberry

“If you don’t think this country is sliding towards theocracy, then you haven’t been paying attention.” —Charles M. Blow New York Times, Feb. 21st 2024 Democracy in America, that self-styled “leader of the free world” is in trouble. People may think the … Continue reading →

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