Author Archives: bernardporter2013

It must be emphasised, in the context of the present ‘Brexit’ discussions, that the ‘free movement of people’ is not a point of socialist principle. There have been times in British history when unrestricted immigration was allowed, but they have … Continue reading →

‘Two World Wars and one World Cup.’ That’s what English soccer fans used to chant – still do, perhaps – from the terraces when we played Germany. Yes, it’s pathetic; as is the part that the Second World War continues … Continue reading →

It was exactly fifty years ago today – at 4 o’clock in the morning, to be precise – that Sweden changed from driving on the left side of the road to driving on the right. That’s despite a popular referendum … Continue reading →

My latest review, commissioned by the LRB two years ago but not yet appeared there – so I’ve let Robin Ramsay have it for Lobster Magazine. (For those who don’t know it, Lobster – biennial, internet only, free – is excellent … Continue reading →

Back from holiday today. A disappointing Swedish summer, weather-wise, but who cares when you have a friendly pub (krog) down the road, and a snug sommarhus to retire to? Anyway, the Archipelago looks even better in the rain. I’ll resume … Continue reading →

First Eton (see last post). Now it’s Winchester and Charterhouse – both in the top half-dozen English Public schools in terms of ‘prestige’ – that have been caught exam cheating: (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2017/08/27/exclusive-three-britains-leading-independent-schools-caught/); plus, a while ago, one of the government’s prized … Continue reading →

Corruption is even affecting the ‘public’ schools. It’s reported today that a ‘deputy head’ at Eton, no less, one Mo Tanweer, has been sacked for giving out public exam questions to other teachers (or ‘masters’) – and so to their … Continue reading →

It’s just possible that the popular backlash against Brexit has started, if a survey showing that a quarter of those who voted for it last year now feel that Farage, Johnson et al ‘misled’ them, is to be credited: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/brits-believe-they-were-misled-over-brexit_uk_599bf511e4b04c532f441339. … Continue reading →

One of the effects of the London Blitz of 1940-41, and of the German air raids that continued thereafter, was the exodus of civilians from the most vulnerable parts of the city, initially temporarily, consisting mainly of women and children … Continue reading →

An eccentric Danish inventor builds his own submarine and takes it out into the Baltic. With him is a female Swedish journalist, who’s writing a feature about him. The sub mysteriously sinks. The Dane is rescued, but there’s no sign … Continue reading →