Jago Hazzard on the St Ives Bay LineHe sounds like a minor character from Poldark, so it's appropriate that we find Jago Hazzard away from his London stamping ground and in Cornwall. He's our guide to what it seems we must now call the storied history of the St Ives Bay Line - surprisingly storied, in fact. I stayed in St Ives when I was walking the coastal path many years ago. This was before the Tate opened in the town, but even then it was it was absolutely heaving.Yet the next morning I walked a mile out of town towards Zennor and had the clifftops to ... (more) |
The Joy of Six 1504"To everyone's surprise, Orbán conceded early - before 9.30pm - and cheers erupted from all corners of Budapest's centre. One small but mighty party was organised by the centrist Momentum Movement. On the large screen was the prime minister glumly telling his supporters that it was over, and the defeat was 'painful'. In the crowds were dozens of people giving him the finger."Marie Le Conte was in Budapest when Viktor Orbán fell. Eyal Weizman on the destruction of Gaza: "Two and a half years after 7 October 2023, most of the Gaza Strip - cities, refugee camps, schools, universities, mosques, ... (more) |
Attendance Allowance should not stop at the hospital doorMy grandfather, or as I affectionately call him, Bampa, is currently in the hospital awaiting urgent heart treatment. It's frightening enough on its own. The hospital is 40 minutes away, so I'm relying on phone calls during the day to keep up to date on my bampa, get on with my work day, and keep my family members updated on what the hospital tells me; suffice it to say, it's a lot. And then, recently, my mum had a letter. My mum has been told that, due to how long my bampa has been in the hospital, if he is ... (more) |
Meet some Reform UK local council candidatesFollowing the popularity of my list last year, and the unusually large number of councillors Reform has shed in the last 12 months, here are some of the people that Reform UK has put on the ballot paper for the May 2026 local elections across England. Remember, earlier this year Reform's Zia Yusuf boasted of how good their candidate vetting is: "I would argue we've got the best vetting in the country." Let's see some of those who made it through that vetting to be Reform candidates this time around. James Bembridge, West End ward, Westminster [IMG: James Bembridge attacks ... (more) |
Why Birmingham is ready for a Liberal Democrat administration[IMG: Ed Davey with Lib Dem campaigners in Birmingham] Birmingham is at a turning point. After years of Labour failure, a sense of frustration is palpable across the city. A year-long bin strike, which has left streets filthy and strewn with litter, combined with bankruptcy and council tax increases of 24% over 3 years have left residents fed up and looking for an alternative to the failed Labour administration. This widespread discontent has created a unique opportunity for the Lib Dems to provide the leadership that residents are crying out for. With all 101 Birmingham City Council seats up for ... (more) |
Eye contactCould we re-enter faded fragments we once touched? Gone, vanished, eyes closed. (more) |
The Merseys: SorrowI know this song from David Bowie's stylish version - it's on his album Pin Ups and was a no. 3 hit in 1973 - but it was first recorded by the American group The McCoys in 1965. This British cover by The Merseys made no. 4 here the following year. (more) |
Animal rights activist throws restaurant's "educational lobster" into seaIn awarding Headline of the Day to the Telegraph, the judges expressed scepticism towards the idea that lobsters can be used as a substitute for classroom teachers. (more) |
Nick Clegg to give Charles Kennedy Memorial Lecture - how to watchNext Tuesday, 21st April, at the National Liberal Club, Nick Clegg will give the Charles Kennedy Memorial Lecture on the future of Europe organised by The European Movement UK, in association with the National Liberal Club European Forum and Liberal International (BG). Charles was a lifelong committed European, and Nick started his career working for Leon Brittain when he was an EU Trade Commissioner and was then an MEP. With the global environment changing beyond recognition, it's never been more important to think about how Europe can work together and Nick's contribution to this will be incredibly valuable. The in-person ... (more) |
UK reaps consequences of brexit as steel exports to EU at riskThe Guardian reports that the EU is to go ahead with plans to double tariffs and halve quotas on imports of steel from July, in a move designed to curb Chinese imports but which could damage UK exports to the bloc. Thry add that the decision by EU lawmakers and member states after late night talks on Monday, will reduce duty-free quotas by 47%, with exact country allocations have yet to be determined: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein will not be subject to tariffs as member of the European Economic Area, but the UK will, highlighting the economic disadvantages of Brexit. ... (more) |