Monthly Archives: June 2016

Yes, of course our democracy is in mortal danger. But not from the likes of Thomas Mair. Nor even from Brussels; or from the far Right or Left in politics; or from one of the foreign threats to it that … Continue reading →

It’s a small comfort, I know; but thank God it wasn’t a Muslim who murdered Jo Cox. Otherwise we wouldn’t hear the last of it from the Daily Mail. On that subject there’s an excellent piece in the Guardian this morning by … Continue reading →

Whatever we think of referenda generally, this really was a terrible time to hold one. Hardly anyone was really interested in the EU before now, apart from a few Tory obsessives. The rest of us had come to accept it, as … Continue reading →

Just a brief note on this guy. He’s in the news for claiming that the EU destroyed his Dad’s fishing business, when it didn’t. I was interested to learn that his father was in fishing; I always thought Gove’s face … Continue reading →

I’m told by my Swedish friends that the view over there is that Britain’s current referendum debate is showing her up as ‘the stupidest nation on earth’. This is not primarily because she’s thinking of leaving. Although they would like … Continue reading →

A good letter in today’s Guardian, referencing both the EU referendum and English football, with a nice historical angle. Once the feelings of shame and disgust have subsided (England and Russia fans clash before and after match, 12 June), one … Continue reading →

An exciting time to return to England – two greedy capitalists in huge trouble (Mike Ashley of Sports Direct, for exploiting his workers shamelessly and illegally; Sir Philip Green of BHS for probably robbing his failing firm’s pension fund to buy … Continue reading →

According to polls, it’s the over-50s that will be voting predominantly for Brexit, and the under 25s who overwhelmingly favour Remain; but – and here’s the rub – the under-25s are less likely to vote. That could give victory to Brexit. … Continue reading →

Happy Swedish National Day tomorrow! It celebrates their liberation from the Danes in 1523. Curious people the Danes: mild and friendly today, Lego, Hans Christian Anderson, lovely open sandwiches…  But 500-1000 years ago they were bloodthirsty monsters, stabbing, axeing, gouging … Continue reading →

It shows to what depths the perception and coverage of British politics has sunk just now when everything is perceived in terms of personal advantage and cynical strategy. ‘Why has he taken that side rather than the other?’ Obviously because … Continue reading →