Monthly Archives: November 2016

I posted some historical background to the ‘Snooper’s Charter’, which has just been passed, in March this year. Here it is: https://bernardjporter.com/2016/03/01/the-snoopers-charter/.

The talk seemed to go OK, though you can never tell. About 60 there? I kept it short and informal. My host thought parts of it might be ‘outside their comfort zone’ (I think he meant a bit left-wing), and so … Continue reading →

Clio has let me down. Not that I’ve ever regarded History as a reliable guide to the present or the future, and much of my recent writing activity has been devoted to questioning the lessons that others have believed they could … Continue reading →

The Queen is asking for £369 millions of taxpayers’ money to refurbish Buckingham Palace. I’m sure it needs it, just as the Palace of Westminster does. I don’t go along with those who say we could use the money to … Continue reading →

For me personally, the most chilling of the many chilling statements I’ve heard from the Right in the course of our recent ‘double whammy’ – the Brexit vote and the election of the Donald – was Michael Gove’s last June: … Continue reading →

Next week I’m addressing a Stockholm law firm on the question of ‘Brexit’. They profess themselves puzzled. They invited me as a historian; and also asked for some comments on Sweden. Here are my rough notes for the talk. I’m … Continue reading →

I’ve been busy this last week reading and reviewing Ian Cobain, The History Thieves. Secrets, Lies and the Shaping of a Modern Nation (Portobello, 2016). Hence the lack of posts here. Nothing to do with the Election. I’ve not committed … Continue reading →

The European Parliament is debating a measure allowing disappointed British Remainers to apply for ‘associate’ citizenship of the EU, with certain privileges, as individuals. That seems a great idea. The Brexit vote robbed me of one of my proudest ‘identities’, … Continue reading →

If I can strike a discordant note here… Might there not be something to be said for having a US President who – amongst other, far less admirable things – can get on with Putin, doesn’t want to invade the … Continue reading →

In Stockholm we live very near Skogskyrkogården, a wonderfully designed and landscaped ‘World Heritage Site’ woodland cemetery. Every year, on the dark evening of All Saints’ Day, people go there to put candles on the graves of their departed loved … Continue reading →