Sunday 28 September

In the wake of the Trump state visit and as the British political party conference season takes hold, there’s no shortage of concerning news, much of it subjected to mendacious massage by the right wing media including the BBC. (Private Eye got it in one with their ‘fake news’ about Chris Mason, the much criticisedContinue reading “Sunday 28 September”

Sunday 13 July

As it seems we have been rendered pretty impotent when it comes to influencing our government’s policies on international affairs, especially the increasingly dangerous antics of Trump, Putin and Netanyahu, focusing on the news at home seems appropriate and there’s no shortage of it. Just to say, as it’s both domestic and international, the announcedContinue reading “Sunday 13 July”

Sunday 18 May

Donald Trump continues to cause mayhem with what media sources euphemistically call his ‘quixotic’ policies and tariffs and the two major conflicts (actually invasions) rage on despite yet more air miles and hot air being expended in often fruitless efforts to end them. At least the India/Pakistan conflict has abated for now but of courseContinue reading “Sunday 18 May”

Monday 29 April 2024

Not surprisingly, the last few weeks have seen no let up in the pace of events on the political stage, most of them worrying and/or downright nasty: the escalation of the Middle East conflict and constant platforming of our over-promoted Lord Dave; the passage of the Rwanda Bill (despite the best efforts of the Lords);Continue reading “Monday 29 April 2024”

Sunday 13 August

August is traditionally known in the media as ‘the silly season’, compensation for the apparent lack of news coming in the form of reporting trivia. But despite most of our MPs including our PM remaining resolutely On Holiday despite the disasters unfolding around them there’s been no shortage of news, the main item of whichContinue reading “Sunday 13 August”

Sunday 25 June

What an extraordinary week it’s been. Many have been very newsworthy, as we’ve seen for years now, but there’s been nothing like this last week. First, we had the unprecedented (and so shameful that it was necessary) Commons debate and vote on the Privileges Committee’s report on whether Boris Johnson did mislead Parliament, the increasingContinue reading “Sunday 25 June”

Sunday 19 March

Another fortnight passes, with no let up in the pace of events, including the publication of the Illegal Migration bill, the Gary Lineker row which followed and which still rumbles on, the Budget and the government appearing to finally settle with the health unions after months of avoidable disruption. ‘… the government ditched its claimContinue reading “Sunday 19 March”

Sunday 13 November

As ever, a week is a long time in politics, and any Conservatives who fantasized that Rishi Sunak would be the one to rescue them from the mire they’ve made  must surely now see that as a lost cause. Right from the start his poor judgement has been apparent, including appointing and keeping on SuellaContinue reading “Sunday 13 November”

Sunday 28 November

After social psychologist Professor Stephen Reicher tweeted that trust was crucial for people to accept and follow government restrictions a sceptic responded that trust is not specific to one area of government action: ‘sadly this government has repeatedly shown itself to be dishonest and corrupt, harming public health’. This principle is central to this blog,Continue reading “Sunday 28 November”