I bumped into a very interesting article in the ‘Scientific American’ – which I confess is not my usual bed-time reading and whose maths I find sometimes fairly challenging…. But nonetheless, by using ‘agent-based models’ (indeed they could even be called free agents) a team were able to replicate equal exchanges within an economy and… Read more
Category:
Politics
Midland or Northern Lords…
Well, at last a Tory idea I can agree with… shift the Lords! Of course appointed patronage should not exist as such – but, given that it does, what is not to like about giving them a sojourn in Brum – for example? Whether in Brum or the North it is much more central to… Read more
And now 20 ways to try to prevent ‘Justice denied’
The Secret Barrister, he of book fame, has a wonderful tweet which recalls my previous piece on the criminal justice system but is much more detailed. It is unfortunately, even worse than I initially thought. I’ve linked to the thread here so if you are interested – and I think we all ought to be,… Read more
Justice denied
In Johnson’s very soft and undemanding breakfast interview yesterday he said he wanted ‘county lines gangs totally wound up‘. I , (together with the Evening Standard!) have already suggested an educational route that would help. But, if he’s actually serious, in order to achieve that ‘winding up’ he will have to spend some money on… Read more
Britain for Europe lives – even in Europe…
This, from Terry Reintke, the German Green MEP, I found incredibly moving. Here is someone who is aware of who and what Britain is, speaks marvellous English and understands that Brexiters are actually now a minority. I feel the need to thank her very profoundly…. Read more
The right wing mind again – Is the reduction in libraries the killer blow to aspiration?
My previous piece has, I partly regret, led me to revist a blog I wrote some time ago suggesting that voting Conservative was aspirational, regardless of your own circumstances. Because I’m now beginning to wonder if not only the pupils but the parents in our difficult schools have low self-esteem. And some significant numbers of… Read more
‘Our government structures are derelict’
I think the sentiments in this Caroline Lucas speech during the European Withdrawal Bill debate are worth spreading widely. All the discretionary ministerial powers are in this bill. We have thrown away democratic control on the basis of just 44% of the total votes cast. The ‘mother of Parliaments’ is woefully unfit for purpose and… Read more
Brexit is the end of EU leavers
There is an informative and depressing article in the Irish Times suggesting that as Britain has shown what a disaster leaving the EU is, so the right wing anti-Europe headbangers, like Marine Le Pen, have ditched the idea of leaving Europe ( including, remarkably not leaving the Euro, so I’m not sure they have got… Read more
Progressive Patriotism
A few days ago Rebecca Long-Bailey, prospective Labour leader, built on an idea first mooted, I think, by Billy Bragg, and suggested that ‘Progessive Patriotism’ was a good idea… I’m surprised to find myself agreeing. Progressives have to embrace patriotism, even though to many of us, it is a fairly unwelcome concept, being perilously close… Read more
Ensuring children understand their futures
Following on from my article mentioning that resonating quote that “We are too much inclined to treat voters as consumers who are are always right, rather than voters who have a civic duty to inform themselves.” I’m increasingly inclined to suggest that people should have to pass an exam before voting. I’m certainly aware that… Read more