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
Article Category: Comment
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
Issue 141: 2018 02 15: Soros and the EU
15 February 2018 Soros and the EU Brexit Democracy by Lynda Goetz It would seem that Brexit discussions, like many political discussions, are extremely tricky. Positions are polarised and even though a majority voted to leave, it was hardly overwhelming. Roughly speaking, half the country voted to stay in and the other half voted to… Continue reading Issue 141: 2018 02 15: Soros and the EU
Issue 140: 2018 02 08: Lens on the Week
8 February 2018 Lens on the Week UK BREXIT: It wouldn’t be Brexit without a little sand in the mechanism. Now it takes two forms. First the insistence by the EU that it can withdraw the benefits of market participation during the transition period if the UK is not playing the game. That might be… Continue reading Issue 140: 2018 02 08: Lens on the Week
Issue 140: 2018 02 08: Convictions For Rape
08 February 2018 Convictions For Rape Levelling the playing field. By John Watson Clang, the sound of an iron door closing. Clang, another rapist goes down for ten years. Did he do it? Well, maybe or maybe not. We can’t really be sure, because the defence may not have had access to all the evidence.… Continue reading Issue 140: 2018 02 08: Convictions For Rape
Issue 140: 2018 02 08: The Maldives Coup
08 February 2018 The Maldives Coup Yours, sir. No, yours… By Neil Tidmarsh The last seven days have seen some stiff competition for the Irony of the Week award. There was the duck-hunter in Maryland who found that the tables were turned when a 6kg duck decked him, sending him to hospital with concussion and… Continue reading Issue 140: 2018 02 08: The Maldives Coup
Issue 140: 2018 02 08: Reality Check
8 February 2018 Reality Check Bear market or buying opportunity? by Frank O’Nomics No one likes a clever dick. Don’t worry – this is not one of those “I told you so” kind of articles, where a smug Cassandra finally has their day in the sun, when a market does what they said it… Continue reading Issue 140: 2018 02 08: Reality Check
Issue 140: 2018 02 08: Healthy Cynicism
o8 February 2018 Healthy Cynicism Springing leaks by J.R. Thomas Donald has really gone and done it now. Russian influence in your electoral campaign? Who cares… Misbehaviour with ladies at the golf club? Yes, indeed, but so what? Unfunded tax cuts? Hey, it worked OK for Ronnie, didn’t it? (Didn’t it?) But insult the British… Continue reading Issue 140: 2018 02 08: Healthy Cynicism
Issue 139:2018 02 01:French Health Care
01 February 2018 “You Value What You Pay For.” The NHS – what can the Brits learn from the French? By Richard Pooley “Nous prendrons notre retraite à la fin de l’année,” Dr Risso told my wife and me with evident glee in October. “Nous” because his wife was my wife’s doctor. Not that my… Continue reading Issue 139:2018 02 01:French Health Care
Issue 140: 2018 02 08: Diary of a Corbynista
08 February 2018 Diary of a Corbynista Eagerly anticipating the sweetness and light of Brexit Clarity by Don Urquhart 1 February Today it is reported that an Iranian-American married couple, Karan Vafadari and Afarin Neyssar have been sentenced to 27 and 16 years respectively for hosting parties attended by foreign diplomats and Iranian associates during which… Continue reading Issue 140: 2018 02 08: Diary of a Corbynista