There are three (not strictly related) TED talks that are worth highlighting; one by the well-travelled journalist, Johann Hari, another by the social psychologist, Paul Piff and the third by the billionaire, Nick Hanauer. All, I think, are well worth watching and only about 15 minutes each. All I’d suggest, show that we have a… Read more
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Peter May
A technological solution…
News reporter Richard Chambers has tweeted this picture of the steel and concrete security structures at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester: . Quite reasonably, he suggests that there must have been technological solutions that would have prevented the use of this infrastructure. I hope he or his ilk manages to ask the question… Read more
Trying to counter fascist talk
This from Jonathan Lis in ‘Prospect Magazine’ is pretty chilling: And yet Johnson could do none of this [inflammatory language] on his own. He depends entirely on his enablers. The Tory party unmasked itself this week, finally and for all time. Hundreds of its MPs gathered in the Commons. They heard their leader traduce parliament,… Read more
‘Germany Plus’ is the only truthful marketing slogan for a ‘Jobs First’ Brexit
If Labour’s policy is to favour Remain but to nonetheless try to negotiate a ‘better’ deal than Theresa May’s leave ideas, then I fear they will struggle. A ‘Jobs First’ Brexit is all very well but is not either radical or ‘Leave’. In effect it is Germany Plus. It is not a vote winner for… Read more
UK Constitution unchanged by Supreme Court
That the Supreme Court has opined in the way it has, seems to be a surprise to many. I have to say not so much to me. They had to make the judgement they did – otherwise they would in fact have CHANGED the UK constitution. Parliament is supreme – not the Executive – aka… Read more
Brexit in the wrong order
There is a lovely recent tweet which I’ve come across from the lawyer and occasional FT correspondent, David Allen Green in which he suggests wording for any future Brexit referendum: – Please make it stop and all go away – Let all this carry on for decades and get worse. I think he needs to… Read more
Funerial Trade
I think we should note that Extinction Rebellion are looking to blockade the Port of Dover on Saturday. Whilst I think their protests are important – and also usually clever and impressive – just look at this poignant picture of a funeral march for the climate a couple of months ago in Exeter, further described here…. Read more
More light on sweetness
I confess this is not my usual read but if David Davis, a former employee of Tate & Lyle, sponsors of the Tory Party, and one of the few companies in favour of Brexit, can cast aspersions on Britain’s public health policy then I think I might suggest that the game is up! The only… Read more
The King hath no prerogative other than that the law of the land allows him
The title is from the Case of Proclamations which dates back to James I ironically – or indicatively? – England’s first Scottish king. So the idea that the prerogative to prorogue Parliament is not ‘justiciable’ should be for the birds. So far, the current case in the Supreme Court has mentioned nothing of this –… Read more
Johnson’s humanity and Cameron’s lack
There has been much controversy over a recent Guardian editorial on the ‘privileged pain’ of David Cameron using the health service. Following what the media refers to as an outcry the editorial has been much modified. Even modified, there is much to agree with: No one should be blamed for their parents or their luck…. Read more