Category Archives: Politics

Fankle of Fearties?—Part I

Posted on July 21, 2019 by

An article in today’s Sunday Times is highly critical of the present Scottish Government and its penchant for blaming Brexit and Westminster for Scotland’s sluggish economic performance. Is this fair? Compared to the rest of the UK, Scotland is falling … Continue reading →

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Costing an Arm & a Leg

Posted on July 19, 2019 by

Across the board, the NHS is regarded as an institution of which we are justly proud. Its fundamental principle on which it is built is that health care should be based on need and free at the point of delivery. … Continue reading →

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The Ten Commandments of Trumpolitics

Posted on June 29, 2019 by

Some observers puzzle why Boris Johnson exhibits unconventional manners, yet follows a regal progress towards bothering new neighbours in Downing Street. This is because, like other stand-out leaders (Orban; Kim Yong Un; Putin; Mohammed bin Salman), he practices lessons from … Continue reading →

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Playing with Fire in the Oilfields

Posted on June 21, 2019 by

Ever since the bureaucrats of Britain and France made a pig’s ear of their arbitrary dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire a century ago, the Middle East has been the world’s most recidivist hot-spots for unrest. This might not have mattered … Continue reading →

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Selective Centenary Silence

Posted on June 12, 2019 by

Last week it would have been difficult to avoid high-profile commemoration of D-Day’s 75th anniversary last Thursday. But it is interesting what the British State chooses to commemorate and those it studiously ignores. Ordinarily, a centenary is an even-higher profile … Continue reading →

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Bowling for Brexit

Posted on May 27, 2019 by

Neither the most inventive writer, nor the most learned historian could ever have come up with the script for an opéra bouffe, such as has played out at Westminster over the last few years. In good Pantomime tradition, the lead … Continue reading →

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It’s The Economy, Stupid!

Posted on May 19, 2019 by

Bill Clinton knew a thing o two when he coined this phrase a quarter century ago to bolstwe his (successful) campaign to be US President.  Times may have changed bit the appropriateness of the phrase has not. Today’s Sunday papers … Continue reading →

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Makes Me Cross Rail

Posted on April 30, 2019 by

Even the casual visitor to London must be aware of its sprawling public transport network. The world-famous backbone to this is the London Underground, universally known as ‘The Tube”. Latest in its many extensions is the Elizabeth Line, also known … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Politics, Transport | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Other Island

Posted on April 24, 2019 by

In 834 blogs, a similar number of newspaper columns and over 25 years engaged in politics you will find little mention of Ireland. This is not because of indifference to that beautiful island or to its fellow Celtic people and … Continue reading →

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Haven on Earth

Posted on March 30, 2019 by

Throughout its history, Britain has been driven by global commerce. Even the socialism of the Atlee years were a sensible antidote to private railway, coal, steel, shipyard and health industries on their last legs. Commercialism really got a modern shot … Continue reading →

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