In a recent ‘Times’ article (republished on the IFS website) Paul Johnson of the IFS comments extensively on their recent report on UK living standards: “..by far the biggest challenge to have reared its head over the past ten years or so … is the massive squeeze on incomes right across the population. After taking… Read more
Category:
Politics
Treat others …
This was spotted on Twitter. A slightly serious summer laugh – and best said with a Rhotacism :… Read more
‘Democracy in Chains’: a US export that’s not as new as some might claim
On Wednesday I read George Monbiot’s most recent column in The Guardian* in which he briefly discusses James McGill Buchanan, a man who features prominently in US historian Nancy MacLean’s new book, Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America. As Monbiot notes, McLean’s book makes what has previously… Read more
What’s the difference between a Yorkshireman and a Coconut?
I’m sure not all Yorkshiremen will excuse me but, as a former resident, I’m sure the ones worthy of the name will. The answer is:- You can get a drink out of a coconut. Perhaps that is why coconuts don’t flourish in Yorkshire. Mind you, it turns out that the oil is the important part…. Read more
Mr Trump just Wants to be Friends
There was a lovely cartoon, I think from a German newspaper, which I cannot unfortunately now trace, but it was a compelling scene. It showed the empty chairs around the table at the Paris climate change talks. They all had the country flags on the back of them, and in the long line of chairs… Read more
Taking back too much control
There is a clause 7 in the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill that seems to have been little mentioned. It states “A Minister of the Crown may by regulations make such provision as the Minister considers appropriate to prevent, remedy or mitigate— (a) any failure of retained EU law to operate effectively, or (b) any other… Read more
The real debt to future generations
An action dubbed ‘East 4 West – Grenfell Solidarity‘, took place on 27 June. It involved 22 lots of residents in tower blocks mainly across East London hanging out a banner to express their solidarity with the residents of Grenfell Tower. (Twenty two because one for each residential floor in Grenfell Tower). It was not… Read more
Fire safety as an “optional extra”? (the case of modern day office space)
With the Grenfell Tower disaster still fresh in our minds, and daily reports of the steadily increasing number of tall buildings clad in material that fails to meet fire safety standards, it’s understandable that the more general issue of fire safety and regulation has rightly become something of a talking point…. Read more
Brexit – Reasons for Resentment
Following the suggestions for the reasons to remain a summary of the reasons to leave the EU might also be useful, though I would suggest there are not, in fact, any compelling reasons to leave, and so I prefer reasons for resentment. They seem to comprise three basic ideas: the democratic deficit, too much red… Read more
Theresa May – Champion of Worker’s Rights?
Theresa May has promised “the greatest expansion in workers’ rights by any Conservative government in history” if she wins on 8th June. She claims: “There is only one leader at this election who will put rights and opportunities for ordinary working families first.” However, a recent report by the Ministry of Justice shows a stark… Read more