Dear United Kingdom: Anti-white racism and the attack of diversity, equity and inclusivity (DEI)On the day of the 10th anniversary of the tragic passing of Labour MP, Jo Cox, who will poignantly be remembered for her maiden speech in which she said "We are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us." We contrast that with the juxtaposition of what emerged on Sunday when Nigel Farage had taken to social media and laid claim to Anti-white racism after he said that Britain was now a "two tier state against white people". Tragic events over the last fortnight have triggered memories for me long since ... (more) |
The toxic legacy of BrexitThe Guardian reports on the view of Kim Leadbeater MP, the sister of Jo Cox, who was brutally murdered ten years ago yesterday, that political hatred and division in the UK is probably worse now than during the Brexit referendum. Speaking to the Guardian's Today in Focus podcast Leadbeater, who was elected to the same Yorkshire seat held by Cox in a 2021 byelection, said everyone in public life had a responsibility to try and ease tensions. Referencing the response of some politicians to the murder of Henry Nowak, which was followed by disorder in Southampton, Leadbeater said people should ... (more) |
No Carry Ons: Kenneth Williams's other filmsThis is fun. A compilation of 11 short clips of Kenneth Williams in films that aren't Carry Ons. Williams, as he frequently pointed out on Round the Horne when he wasn't being properly serviced, was classically trained. When he was young he was highly regarded as an actor, and Maggie Smith acknowledged him as an influence on her own work. (more) |
Three Lions but no St George's flagsI went for a walk across the town after lunch today and saw this Three Lions flag. What I didn't see was any St George's flags. Twenty years ago, I was in Shropshire during the 2006 World Cup and I can remember St George's flags in the upstairs windows of houses in some very leafy streets in Shrewbury. I expect the children of the house demanded them for their bedroom windows. This year in Market Harborough, there's nothing. It looks as though the far right has put us off our national flag by making it a symbol their thuggish politics. ... (more) |
Al Carns portrays Labour politics as a form of ancestor worshipEmbed from Getty ImagesWriting about Blue Labour in Liberator at the start of year, I suggested that: Maurice Glasman's target voter is a white working-class man in a manual job in the North of England in 1957. That makes him a modernist when set against Al Carns, judging by the defence minister's resignation statement in the Commons today. Here's how Carns began: As honourable members know, I came into politics for one reason. That was to enact change. But to be able to work out where you're going, we must realise where we have come from. The Labour party I ... (more) |
Could Hitler have won?Could Hitler have won? - that's the title of my next talk to Sunniside History Society. I will be looking at various wartime events and explain how a different outcome to them may or may not have influenced the course of the Second World War. I will be keeping the shocker to the end of the talk when I explain how Hitler could have won control of Europe and then the world. (more) |
The social media ban is illiberal, unworkable, and our stance is the wrong oneWell, after much haggling there is actually going to be a social media ban for under 16s, alongside social media curfews for those aged 16 and 17. Luckily for me, it won't be introduced until Spring next year—by which time I will be over 18. But this social media ban still affects all of us, and spells the end of a free internet. A social media ban seems good, and well meaning – protecting vulnerable children from the risks the being online can pose—but a well meaning policy does not necessarily mean good policy. For many, social media can help ... (more) |
Say hello to the Act that successfully set rules 1,050 years into the future - Calendar (New Style) Act 1750[IMG: Calendar. CC0 1.0] The Calendar (New Style) Act 1750 deserves a double presence in contemporary knowledge. First, its authors deserve credit for what must be the most successful piece of future proofing legislation. Second, for the myth which illustrates how the powerful can ridicule the powerless. Calendar (New Style) Act 1750 was the legislation that moved Britain, and British dominions, over to the Gregorian calendar, which was several days different from the previously used Julian calendar. It includes a set of rules for which years should be leap years, complete with special provisions which come in every hundredth year ... (more) |
Caring doesn't STOP at 67- so why should Carer's Support Payment or Carer's AllowanceMy husband and I are not typical empty nesters. True, we have a daughter of 27 and a son of 23, but Archie has a learning disability and autism so he will never live independently. He requires constant attention and all our energy to manage his behaviour. Evenings and weekends are full on for us as he needs his exercise (usually swimming or a hike) meals, medication and bathing- none of which he can manage himself without support. We liken it to having a 23-year-old toddler Tigger bouncing about the house. Now in our late fifties, with a wee bit ... (more) |
Away dayThe term "away day" suggests a meeting well away from home. Gateshead Lib Dems had an away day on Sunday but for me it was not far away. Indeed, it was a three minute walk to get there from my house. Our thanks to Sunniside Club for being the venue. Good and thorough discussions held on the recent local elections and on campaigning over the year ahead. (more) |