22 February 2018 Diary of a Corbynista Temporary diversions from Brexit by Don Urquhart 22 February Lecturers at 64 universities and colleges are embarking on a 1 month strike, ostensibly because changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme will reduce the level of their pensions. The employers want to move them from a defined benefit scheme… Continue reading Issue 143: 2018 03 01: Diary of a Corbynista
Article Category: Comment
Issue 143: 2018 03 01: Happy and know it?
1 March 2018 If you’re happy and you know it Is GDP growth the best measure of success? by Frank O’Nomics We are continually told that, while experiencing moderate GDP growth, the UK is performing very badly compared to the rest of the world. Expectations of less than 2% GDP growth for the UK in… Continue reading Issue 143: 2018 03 01: Happy and know it?
Issue 142: 2018 02 22: Diary of a Corbynista
22 February 2018 Diary of a Corbynista Fake figures, charity charlatans and trial by troll by Don Urquhart 15 February Across the Dispatch Box May and Corbyn exchange crime statistics. He claims that things are getting worse; she produces figures to prove that crime is decreasing. Yesterday Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire &… Continue reading Issue 142: 2018 02 22: Diary of a Corbynista
Issue 142: 2018 02 22: A Deadly Business
22 February 2018 A Deadly Business The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. By Neil Tidmarsh Here’s a question: which is more difficult to buy in the USA – a handgun or an assault rifle? Well, a rifle, surely? Isn’t it obvious – the deadlier the weapon, the more difficult it is to get your… Continue reading Issue 142: 2018 02 22: A Deadly Business
Issue 142: 2018 02 22: Hallyday’s Family
22 February 2018 Hallyday’s Family The right to disinherit. By Lynda Goetz Johnny Hallyday is not a name well-known in this country, but to millions of French men and women he was a mega star, often known simply as ‘Johnny’; their very own rock icon, at a time when the Americans and the English had… Continue reading Issue 142: 2018 02 22: Hallyday’s Family
Issue 142: 2018 02 22: Czeching On Corbyn
22 February 2018 Czeching on Corbyn What a waste of time. By John Watson Once upon a time, in the dark days of the 1980s when the world was young and Amazon had not been invented, Jeremy Corbyn met a Czech spy. Maybe he knew the Czech was a spy: maybe he thought he was… Continue reading Issue 142: 2018 02 22: Czeching On Corbyn
Issue 142: 2018 02 22: Mercy strained
22 February 2018 The quality of mercy is strained Are we all the architects of charity failings? By Frank O’Nomics Charity has had its Weinstein moment. That the film industry might be a haven for sexual predators will have surprised few, but when organisations that exist to help the vulnerable and disadvantaged are similarly charged,… Continue reading Issue 142: 2018 02 22: Mercy strained
Issue 141: 2018 02 15: Diary of a Corbynista
15 February 2018 Diary of a Corbynista Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse – Oxfam! by Don Urquhart 8 February At first I thought it was one of those cruel satirical programmes. There was an airbrushed and photoshopped Theresa May telling us how well the Conservatives were looking after “our precious NHS”. I… Continue reading Issue 141: 2018 02 15: Diary of a Corbynista
Issue 141: 2018 02 15: Financing Councils
15 February 2018 Financing Councils Sponsorship schemes. By John Watson The proposal by Nickie Aiken, leader of Westminster Council, to ask those in the most expensive properties to make a voluntary contribution in addition to their council tax is designed to tap into basic human instincts. Rich people can afford to pay more and no… Continue reading Issue 141: 2018 02 15: Financing Councils
Issue 141: 2018 02 15: You took part too
15 February 2018 “Ah yes, you took part too.” France and WW2 by Richard Pooley The showing in the past few months of Dunkirk, Churchill and Darkest Hour by the cinema in our French village – Vayrac – has given me the opportunity to find out more about how the French view the UK’s role… Continue reading Issue 141: 2018 02 15: You took part too
Issue 141: 2018 02 15: Pensioned Off
15 February 2018 Pensioned Off Time for reform by J.R. Thomas Sales success in the media seems to depend increasingly on digging up a scandal to make the public’s blood run hot and cold. The Telegraph, hardly the newspaper of revolution, began the latest shock horror surge with its expose of our elected (and… Continue reading Issue 141: 2018 02 15: Pensioned Off
Issue 141: 2018 02 15: It’s not easy being Green
15 February 2018 It’s not easy being green The issue with recycling and alternative materials. by Frank O’Nomics I thought it would be an eco-friendly purchase. 3 cases of wine for a family party should involve just glass, metal and cardboard, all of which can be recycled. How wrong could I be? On arrival, the… Continue reading Issue 141: 2018 02 15: It’s not easy being Green
Issue 141: 2018 02 15: The Curse of Sochi
15 February 2018 The Curse of Sochi Still no peace for Syria. By Neil Tidmarsh Winter Olympics 2018: North Korea comes in from the cold, Russia is shut out in the cold. The Russian flag won’t be seen at Pyeongchang, and the Russian national anthem won’t be heard; the Russian team has been banned. Some Russians… Continue reading Issue 141: 2018 02 15: The Curse of Sochi