The Green ThreatA post on X from Luke Tryl, the UK Director of More in Common, the other day changed how I viewed the rise of the Green Party. The post was in response to the latest polling from Ipsos, which had us sitting on just 9%, the lowest we've polled since the 2024 General Election. In the post he said, 'If the Lib Dems go into May with the Greens eating at their progressive flank it could well limit their gains in e.g. the new East and West Surrey councils, Sussex and other south east districts'. As a longstanding member in ... (more) |
Britain Votes: The 2024 General ElectionThe latest edition of my email newsletter reviewing books about the last general election is out and you can also read it in full below. But if you'd like to get future editions emailed direct to you as soon as they are published, sign up now: Welcome to the latest in my series of reviews of books about the 2024 general election. I am reading them all so you can pick which ones to look at. If you're the author or editor of a general election book, please do get in touch to ensure that I do not miss your ... (more) |
So, what does Nigel actually believe?The Guardian reports that they have unearthed some highly questionable clips featuring Nigel Farage during an investigation into his use of the personalised video platform Cameo. The paper says that some of the videos the Reform leader has sold include ones in which he endorsed a neo-Nazi event, repeated extremist slogans and supported a man convicted over his involvement in a far-right riot. They add that the haul includes videos in which Farage repeats a motto associated with the UK far right, references antisemitic conspiracy theories and makes misogynistic remarks about leftwing politicians - including a comment about the US ... (more) |
Sadness and pride as Scottish Asssisted Dying Bill fallsI'm full of emotion tonight. Sad that the Scottish Parliament rejected the Assisted Dying (Terminally Ill Adults) Bill which would have made us the first nation in the UK to allow assisted dying for those with less than 6 months to live if they wanted it. After a week of late night sittings considering amendments, the Bill fell at its final hurdle by 57 votes to 69. I'm also proud, though. Immensely proud. Liam McArthur could have done no more. His calm, his persuasive efforts to build support for this measure beyond any of its predecessors, taking it through to ... (more) |
There's magnolia, that's for remembranceIt's almost four years since my mother died. A strong memory from her last days is the magnolia at the end of the street. I saw it every time I went out on an errand. As it was so sunny today, I went to see if the tree is still thriving. And it is. (more) |
Invisible at Wembley: what the Liberal Democrats keep getting wrong on trans rightsOn Wednesday night, ten thousand people filled OVO Arena Wembley for Trans Mission: A Solidarity Concert. It was a four-hour, star-studded declaration that trans people in this country are not alone – and that the hostility directed at them is not going unanswered. Olly Alexander, the Sugababes, Wolf Alice, Adam Lambert, Ian McKellen reading Shakespeare. A mother speaking about her daughter Alice, who is no longer alive, asking the crowd to dance for those who can no longer dance for themselves. A standing ovation that shook the building. One politician was on that stage. Zack Polanski, leader of the Green ... (more) |
Are parcel firms getting away with poor service?The latest edition of my email newsletter about work in Parliament, A Lord's Eye View, is out and you can also read it in full below. But if you'd like to get future editions emailed direct to you as soon as they are published, sign up now: I am hoping to trigger a debate in Parliament on the state of parcel delivery services and would like your views. Read on to find out more. Did someone share this with you? If so, sign up here to get future pieces sent directly to you: What's your experience of parcel delivery services? ... (more) |
T.S. Eliot rejected George Orwell's Animal Farm for Faber & FaberStefan Collini has reviewed the latest volume of T.S. Eliot's letters for the London Review of Books. It covers the years 1942-4, and the most striking thing about the review is the revelation of how little time Eliot spent writing poetry and how much he devoted to his duties for the publishers Faber & Faber. One advantage that firm had over other publishers was that it was based in Russel Square rather than the traditional book-trade quarter of Pasternoster Row, which stood in the shadow of St Paul's and was heavily bombed in the London Blitz. Collini also writes about ... (more) |
Now Ed Davey is implying that Nigel Farage is rightEarly last week I sent off my latest piece for Central Bylines. In it I praised Ed Davey's willingness to challenge the right's claims to patriotism: People on the left tend to be uneasy about patriotism - the last refuge of the scoundrel and all that - but it's remarkable how many right-wing politicians and commentators give every impression of disliking their own country. They hanker after the fake past they see online in AI images, but have little love for the country as it really was or is. By the time it appeared, Ed Davey had issued this video. ... (more) |
One Hub, Two Services: Why Police and Healthcare Should Share the Same Front DoorAcross the United Kingdom, the role of the local high street is changing. Many of the civic buildings that once anchored communities, such as local police stations, small health centres, and council offices, are gradually disappearing as services modernise and budgets tighten. While change is inevitable, it raises an important question: how can we keep public services visible, accessible, and connected to the communities they serve? One promising answer is the Integrated Community Hub. This would be a shared public building where Community Minor Injury Units (MIUs) and Neighbourhood Police Teams operate under the same roof. Rather than maintaining separate ... (more) |