I am up here taking a family break, but keeping an eye on what is going on. I have some thoughts, more questions really, than answers. But I think they are worth sharing. BREXIT I do not see how it is possible in a democracy, even with our unwritten constitution, to remove from the EU […]
First of all refer to previous posts for an explanation of why tinkering with our constitution has made the government dysfunctional on the major issue of the day, Brexit, which in turn has sucked the oxygen out of the Tory government’s ability to do anything. Next understand the importance in democratic politics of a left, […]
There is something odd about the current US policy in the Middle East. It pays lip service to the notion of a peace deal for Israel and the Palestinians, but its actions make that ever less likely. It is mobilising formidable forces to confront what it describes as an Iranian threat, but by scrapping the […]
It seems now clear to everyone that the days of the May government are coming to an end. It is widely reported that May wants to see the first part of Brexit, the actual withdrawal, complete before she goes. This is not going to happen. The numbers are just not there to get her deal […]
It is pointless for these to continue. This blog advocated reaching across the House from the very beginning, but in doing so failed to understand the extent of the multiple interpretations of what an ideal Brexit means and the passion with which the multiple alternatives are championed by warring factions which cross party lines. Add […]
Yes is the answer. But When? That is the question. The answer, I suspect , is not long now. Gavin Williamson, for whom this blog has no time at all, thinks May should not have engaged with Corbyn. The ERG wing of her party tries to trash everything she comes up with, giving her little […]
The answer is Yes, so far. And in the future? The evidence suggest it will be Yes again. Why is this? There are two threads. The first is that nobody ever really thought through what Brexit meant, nor how it could be achieved. Politicians thought in purely political terms. Many Brexit voters thought in emotional […]
For years I have argued that the concept of general practice, based upon a Victorian understanding of the role, status and independence of what doctors did and how, is out of date and has no place in a modern world, let alone a modern NHS. The whole thing should now be scrapped, especially the self […]
This Blog is pragmatic about Trump. I oppose the State Visit, but a working visit would be fine as part of the D-Day Celebrations. I oppose him on Climate Change, Iran, the Middle East and a whole raft of social attitudes, especially his pandering to the far right. I think he has a point about […]
Many commentators report that Tory and Labour ‘both did badly’ Not quite. Labour had a disappointment, failing to make the traditional gains of an opposition party, ending with a net loss of 82 seats. The Tory party had a disaster with a net loss of an eye popping 1335 councillors. Moreover most, but not all, […]