5 October 2023 The Scots Not up to it. By John Watson There used to be a story, perhaps apocryphal, perhaps not, of a country bench sentencing a man convicted of poaching. When the defendant complained that he thought six months was excessive the chairman threw down his pen in exasperation. “Look here, my man,… Continue reading The Scots
Article Category: Comment
The Sixth Man
5 October 2023 The Sixth Man Austria’s spy problem. By Neil Tidmarsh So the alleged mastermind behind a spy-ring apparently operating in the UK for the last three years (five Bulgarian nationals were arrested in February and appeared at Westminster magistrate’s court this week accused of spying for Russia) is an Austrian? Well, that’s no… Continue reading The Sixth Man
Another Old Chestnut
5 October 2023 Another Old Chestnut by J.R. Thomas The world is a troubled spot at the moment; so many horrors, failures, disasters, so much death and destruction. Whether it be war in Ukraine or the very real danger of Russia imploding into nuclear strife, the inability of the UK economy to overcome its troubles,… Continue reading Another Old Chestnut
Corbynista Rides Again
5 October 2023 Corbynista Rides Again Transports of Delight? by Don Urquhart 10 September 2023 Grant Shapps defends new role as defence sec – but admits he lacks knowledge about Army reports Sky News. You have to assume he is going through an intense learning process. But hang on! Daniel Abed Khalife, the man who… Continue reading Corbynista Rides Again
Sunak and Starmer
5 October 2023 Sunak and Starmer The bucket list. By Robert Kilconner We all have things which we would like to do if only we had the money and governments are no exception. Take HS2 for example, the massive infrastructure project designed to open up the North of England. A fine piece of levelling up… Continue reading Sunak and Starmer
Blowin’ in the Wind
5 October 2023 Blowin’ in the Wind by Paul Branch Another month, another round of Party conferences. The LibDems seemed to set no one alight with theirs, maybe because they had nothing much new to say, other than let’s get the Tories out. Next week the Labour Party return to Liverpool for their annual jamboree,… Continue reading Blowin’ in the Wind
Elitism
7 September 2023 Elitism Let’s have more. By John Watson You don’t have to immerse yourself in Clausewitz to understand the point. When the enemy is on the run you need to pursue them until they are utterly defeated; if instead you let up, they will reform, come back at a later date, and bite… Continue reading Elitism
Listing vs Climate Change
7 September 2023 Listing vs Climate Change A historic burden. By Lynda Goetz The heading should of course be ‘Listing and Climate Change’, but for whatever reason the authorities seem determined to ensure that the two are in conflict. If you own a listed property you must not install double-glazed windows. If you own a… Continue reading Listing vs Climate Change
Not Them Again
7 September 2023 Not Them Again by J.R. Thomas Last time around there was a rather mean satirical joke which went basically: “Well, which do you want; the Old Crook or the Old Fool?”. Well folks, the joke is still running and increasingly it looks as though that will be the choice again. Only this… Continue reading Not Them Again
Over-Sweating
7 September 2023 Over-Sweating The air traffic control disaster. By Robert Kilconner Why were we not surprised? No, not at the fact that the air traffic control system went wrong – it is in the nature of high tech systems to do that from time to time – but at there being no plan B,… Continue reading Over-Sweating
Stalin Jnr and the New Puritans
7 September 2023 Stalin Jnr and the New Puritans Silencing Prokofiev and Shakespeare. By Neil Tidmarsh In the sixteenth century, the Puritans tried to close down the Elizabethan theatres and drive Shakespeare off the stage. But I was more than four hundred years too late to witness it, of course. In the twentieth century, Stalin… Continue reading Stalin Jnr and the New Puritans
Corbynista Rides Again
7 September 2023 Corbynista Rides Again Corruption and Stupidity by Don Urquhart 10 August 2023 Gary lives in Cheshunt close to Windmill Road which runs between the station and Cheshunt Pond. For some it is a splendid stretch for checking out Formula One skills. Gary has asked the police on several occasions over many months… Continue reading Corbynista Rides Again
Friends in high places
7 September 2023 Friends in high places By Paul Branch Old mates of Vlad Putin must be getting increasingly worried. A quick check of past behaviour towards the great man would be in order, not to say a run through of any recent conversations and whether anything untoward might have been said. Did I give… Continue reading Friends in high places
