2 February 2023

The Shaw Sheet

from The Editors

“The moving finger writes; and, having writ, moves on:” and a great deal has indeed changed since Shaw Sheet was founded some eight years ago.  Then it was decided to restrict it to articles of about 1000 words, that being as much as readers could take by way of news commentary and being in line with the “soundbite” nature of political discussion. Nowadays the media is overcrowded with short articles and politics and politicians are moving on too. With serious minded leadership of both the main parties the next few years are likely to involve very considerable reform. New ideas, new approaches, all will need to be debated and considered carefully and the Shaw Sheet is keen to participate in that process at a deeper level. To enable us to do so we are making two changes.

First, in future we will accept, along with the usual fare, longer articles, enabling writers to produce a fuller analysis of issues requiring discussion. It is hoped that this will tempt readers with expertise in particular areas to make well-informed contributions.  Second, we will come out monthly rather than weekly, giving more time for consideration between issues. Where, however, a piece needs to be released urgently, the editors will publish it as a “special”.

That is what we are doing and it only remains for the Shaw Sheet team to wish you all a happy 2023.