Monthly Archives: October 2016

Michael Fallon, the new Defence Secretary, plans to institute military cadet corps in schools. The idea, apparently, is not only to provide future recruits for the British Army, but also to instil discipline and ‘British values’ in our youth. Yes; that … Continue reading →

What more can one say about the current ghastly state of affairs in America? That Trump is a vain, childish proto-fascist; that Clinton is too enmeshed with the neo-liberal establishment to inspire enthusiastic support; that the best historical parallel – … Continue reading →

In the meantime, History continues along its predetermined path. Europe agrees to an international trade deal – CETA – which subordinates democracy to capitalism: why oh why couldn’t the Walloons hold out? – so bringing us that little bit nearer … Continue reading →

Back in Sweden. I’ve agreed to talk to a Stockholm law firm next month about Brexit. They want a British-historical angle on it. They say they ‘don’t understand it’. I’m not sure I do either; but I’ll give it a … Continue reading →

‘I’m a free American, and so can believe anything I like’. That remark, which I heard on American radio some years ago, and quoted in a previous post (https://bernardjporter.com/2016/02/22/btl/), has niggled me ever since, and makes more sense than ever in … Continue reading →

What we’re getting now, both in America and in Britain, is a very large disaffected working or lower-middle class, largely disillusioned with establishment politics and policies, but split between Right and Left. In Britain half of them go to Ukip, … Continue reading →

I’ve watched the first two live ‘debates’ between Trump and Clinton, and am determined to watch the third, at 2 a.m. (our time). Friends tell me they can’t – it’s all too depressing. Kajsa, in Stockholm, says she won’t watch … Continue reading →

‘Insular’ and ‘xenophobic’ are two words that seem to fit the British to a T (or two Ts), and to account, in part, both for Brexit and for the outbreak of chauvinism that has followed it – including insults and … Continue reading →

When I voted for ‘Remain’ on June 23rd, it wasn’t out of any great enthusiasm for the European Union as it is, or of hope for what it might become, but because I felt that its negative effects on Britain … Continue reading →

Back to the UK. I find travelling very tiring. (I can’t wait for them to invent that instantaneous transporter they had in Star Trek.) So, no time and little energy to blog. And nothing new to say about the tragedies … Continue reading →