Like everyone else I am thinking about declaring my candidacy for the Conservative leadership. A good friend, of long standing, said I should ‘go for it’ and I thought, “Well, why not?” After all, I fancy myself as a bit of a comedian and have an overinflated opinion of my intelligence, but more than that… Read more
Either Britain’s word is its bond or impoverished chaos beckons…
I see that the Professor of Economic History at All Souls College, Oxford, Kevin O’Rourke, has pointed out that under the extension agreement published by the EU under “LEGAL ACTS: EUROPEAN COUNCIL DECISION taken in agreement with the United Kingdom extending the period under Article 50(3)TEU” In item (12) This extension excludes any re–opening of… Read more
Money as public software, rather than private hardware
There is a wonderful article that I’ve encountered on this European Election Day that – for me at least – envigorates the ideas contained within the concepts of Modern Money (MMT). This is excellent ammunition in political arguments because it is both so concise and also itself incisive: As elites literally claim human survival is… Read more
Mutuality Versus Banking – which to prefer?
In this article the City Editor of the FT, no less, says that Labour is right “Britain’s private utility model is broken.” Here is a riddle that is not so difficult to unpick. Between their privatisation in 1989 and last year, English water companies were permitted by their regulator to generate operating cash flows totalling… Read more
Marxist ideas seem to have assisted Mrs Thatcher with her purpose
At least that is the conclusion I’ve pretty much come to since the idea that the government has no money seems to be shared, not only by the obscurely financed Taxpayers’ Alliance, but also by Marxists. In this linked ‘Medium’ article, which though undeclared, seems to be heavily reliant on Paul Mason’s thinking, it is… Read more
European Tactical Voting Advice
In case any readers have not subscribed, the following is the advice contained in an email from ‘Remain Voter‘ for tactical voting in order to ensure the best opportunity for additional winning remain candidates in every UK Euro constituency: Here is your voting recommendation for Thursday’s EU Election vote. First, 3 things 1 – Get… Read more
Labour dissonance
An interesting Labour leaflet arrived on my doormat yesterday announcing that “Labour (MEP) candidates in the South West believe in giving people a say….. there must be another public vote …” At last: But closer inspection (bottom right – click to enlarge) of the leaflet shows it is in fact, being promoted by USDAW in… Read more
Pretty useless IFS investigation…
This from the Guardian: It is hardly surprising that two nations whose development has been driven by financial gain and greed share a common trend of growing inequality. It is inevitable that countries like the UK and US that measure success by economic growth will always favour those who already have wealth. In the circumstances… Read more
Terrorism starts in the family
There is a very interesting new book which seems to have received little attention: ‘Home-Grown – How Domestic Violence Turns Men into Terrorists’ This suggests that Terrorism – literally – begins at home. As almost without exception terrorism attacks were carried out by men with histories of domestic violence. Now I haven’t read the book…. Read more
It’s democracy, stupid – or is it?
The @metpoliceuk told us last week that the number of threats to MPs has gone up by 126% from last year. It is a pretty depressing twitterfeed, so I recommend you investigate it only if you don’t believe me! Is the law around free speech and protest working? Of course when the government chooses not… Read more
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