01 February 2018 Politics and Comedy Don’t mix. By Neil Tidmarsh Jimmy Morales was a famous comedian and comic actor before he was elected president of Guatemala two years ago. His campaign slogan was ‘neither corrupt nor a crook’, and he promised to fight corruption if he was victorious. So sardonic laughter echoed around his… Continue reading Issue 139:2018 02 01:Politics and Comedy
Article Category: Comment
Issue 139:2018 02 01:The Tories’ Choice
01 February 2018 The Conservatives’ Choice Be radical! By John Watson Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize winner The Narrow Road to the Deep North not only gives a horrifying picture of the Burma railway, but also takes a very humane look at why those involved on all sides did what they did. In one particularly affecting… Continue reading Issue 139:2018 02 01:The Tories’ Choice
Issue 139:2018 02 01:Diary of a Corbynista
01 February 2018 Diary of a Corbynista Davos and other fantasies by Don Urquhart 25 January Last night I watched the Arsenal beat Chelsea. We’re going to Wembley we chanted. It was shorthand for saying we are in the Carabao Cup Final. The World Economic Forum is currently taking place in Davos, but we… Continue reading Issue 139:2018 02 01:Diary of a Corbynista
Issue 139:2018 02 01:Any colour you like
01 February 2018 Any Colour You Like Mr Musk’s bet by J.R. Thomas Well, any colour you like, so long as it’s black. So Henry Ford is rumoured to have said about his mass produced cars. Henry was a man of quotable sayings; another that might appeal is “I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. … Continue reading Issue 139:2018 02 01:Any colour you like
Issue 138: 2018 01 25: The North Korean Nukes
25 January 2018 The North Korean Nukes Too early to relax. By John Watson Phew! And I mean phew! North Korea is sending athletes to the winter Olympics. Well, that’s a relief. Maybe there is still a row or two to go about whether they can sing political songs, maybe the propaganda war with the… Continue reading Issue 138: 2018 01 25: The North Korean Nukes
Issue 138: 2018 01 25: Bridge Madness
25 January 2018 Bridge Madness It’s catching. By Neil Tidmarsh Any more suggestions, anyone? How about a bridge to the stars? Or a bridge between the Present and the Past, perhaps? Or a bridge from the Realm of the Mortals to the Realm of the Gods? Right then, come on, let’s get cracking. Would our… Continue reading Issue 138: 2018 01 25: Bridge Madness
Issue 138: 2018 01 25: Diary of a Corbynista
25 January 2018 Diary of a Corbynista PFI, Outsourcing, Boris and Fake News by Don Urquhart 18 January The National Audit Office (NAO) reports that financing projects such as schools and hospitals privately costs taxpayers billions of pounds more than public sector alternatives. At the height of Gordon Brown’s creative accounting, I worked for a… Continue reading Issue 138: 2018 01 25: Diary of a Corbynista
Issue 138: 2018 01 25: Flat House Prices
25 January 2018 Flat prospects for house prices Those worried about getting on the housing ladder should relax. by Frank O’Nomics Rod Stewart is struggling to sell his house. He knocked over half a million off the initial £7.5mn asking price in November, and a further £1mn more recently. This is not something that anyone… Continue reading Issue 138: 2018 01 25: Flat House Prices
Issue 138: 2018 01 25: No ribbons, Donald
25 January 2018 No Ribbons For Donald The decline in political manners by J.R. Thomas Mr Trump continues to electrify the news-pages with his own inimical style of communication. Not just his remarks about “shxxxole” countries, but also ones aimed closer to home – such as the new American embassy in London. That is a… Continue reading Issue 138: 2018 01 25: No ribbons, Donald
Issue 137: 2018 01 18: Reshuffling The Cards
18 January 2018 Reshuffling The Cards. A glance at the tea leaves. By John Watson I forget which commentator said that the public would not be impressed. Johnson is still in place. Fox is still in place. Davis is still in place. Hunt is still in place. Apart from some movement at education and work… Continue reading Issue 137: 2018 01 18: Reshuffling The Cards
Issue 137: 2018 01 18: Diplomatic Gifts
18 January 2018 Diplomatic Gifts And cultural exports. By Neil Tidmarsh Diplomatic gifts and cultural exports have been much in the news recently. Anglo-French entente is about to be strengthened by the loan of the Bayeux tapestry; Middle Eastern tensions were underlined this week by the banning of a Hollywood movie; and apparently World Peace… Continue reading Issue 137: 2018 01 18: Diplomatic Gifts
Issue 137: 2018 01 18: What You Wish For
18 January 2018 Be careful what you wish for Strong economies may mean poor markets. by Frank O’Nomics If you are an advocate of the economics of Goldilocks (not too hot, not too cold) or Dr. Pangloss (“all’s for the best in the best of all possible worlds”) you have good cause to hope that… Continue reading Issue 137: 2018 01 18: What You Wish For
Issue 137: 2018 01 18: Diary of a Corbynista
18 January 2018 Diary of a Corbynista Fun with Trump, Carillion and the NHS by Don Urquhart 11 January Chris Hopson, of NHS Providers, said hospitals were now unsafe and over-crowded and the government should rethink its policies. At PMQ’s yesterday the Prime Minister reported that Britain’s Health Service had been rated the world’s best of… Continue reading Issue 137: 2018 01 18: Diary of a Corbynista