Does anyone agree that there is a need for forum space to mention all those things that are of interest in the short term but, would not necessarily sustain a half a dozen or a dozen comments.
For example: Yesterday was the last day of the Six Nations rugby competition. Only of interest perhaps, to few on these Forums. I’d like to have placed a reminder but couldn’t find the last Six Nations subject, so didn’t bother.
Another example: Lord Neuburger, President of the Supreme Court mentioned that it was desirable that people should not be prevented from venting their often frustrated opinions on contentious issues for fear of condemnation. He thought that commentators who were opposed, were inhibited by the prospect of disapproval, from discussing rascism, homosexuality, ordination of females etc.
My Six Nations snippet was that it was a generally good result. Ireland won (by points difference) the Six Nations title from England. England won the Triple Crown and France was beaten ! Result.
By: trekbuster - 26th March 2015 at 17:44
Poor Mr.Gove, Downing Street have said that Cameron has “full confidence” in him as Chief Whip. Watch this space…
By: trekbuster - 26th March 2015 at 14:17
There is nothing like a failed stitch up to end a parliamentary session. I bet Gove is feeling a bit deflated at the moment. My heart bleeds for him, Hague and Cameron. Not.
It is sad that this has meant that there is now not enough time for long serving (and shorter serving) MP’s to all give leaving speeches. Shame my MP isn’t thinking of standing down.
By: charliehunt - 20th March 2015 at 08:43
I was fiercely opposed to the whole concept when Blair introduced “multiculturalism”, and I recall Phillips under fire fervently defending his role. I think it has done more damage to race relations than anything else so it is good to see him declare the error of his ways. I noted that he spoke to Blair in the programme last night. Was he contrite?!!
By: trekbuster - 20th March 2015 at 08:16
Talking of chickens coming home to roost, it would appear that UKIP are in yet another expenses fraud scandal.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukip/11484159/Ukip-MEP-sacked-over-serious-financial-allegations.html
Nigel appears to be “shocked”. Fewer of the people I know would be.
By: trekbuster - 20th March 2015 at 08:13
How was that for discrimination ? So we went to war. Took us a while but, we won and the competition was withdrawn.
I am genuinely glad that you were willing to oppose discrimination in one form at least.
I would also hope that you would do the same if a competition was limited to male white authors?
In this context, who are the “we” who fought the war?
By: John Green - 19th March 2015 at 17:55
This should be a more than interesting example of chickens coming home to roost. Trevor Phillips the former boss of the Equalities Commission, with his eyes suitably descaled, is appearing on Channel 4, 9.0pm tonight, to tell us all where and how multiculturalism has failed.
There really is nothing like a sinner that repenteth. I crossed swords with Mr. Phillips and his Commission about six or seven years ago when it was announced by a well known book publisher that a competition followed by an award they were proposing to make would exclude white male authors.
How was that for discrimination ? So we went to war. Took us a while but, we won and the competition was withdrawn.
By: John Green - 17th March 2015 at 18:15
My D.Tel. (report, to-day) comments that normally around 5 million viewers tune into BBC 2 for Top Gear. On Sunday last about 4 million did a runner with 1.3 million tuning in to watch a replacement; a repeat program about the Red Arrows.
By: Meddle - 17th March 2015 at 16:02
Anarchists takes over a building in London to teach the man a valuable lesson about… I don’t know, I’m bored already.
I like the little table they have set up to greet visitors. I can imagine how that meeting went down;
Anarchist A: “Go and man that table for a few hours yeah?”
Anarchist B: “Don’t tell me what to do!”.
By: John Green - 13th March 2015 at 17:51
Boxing news.
Anyone interested in boxing ? The so-called Fight of the Century is now on the cards for May 2nd next. Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao. They are regarded by pundits as being slightly over the hill but, you could’ve fooled me! It should be some contest. My 50p will be on Mayweather to edge it on points.
By: John Green - 10th March 2015 at 20:51
In response to Herr Junckers ideas on military matters, the D. Tel. in part of their editorial ( 10th March,) wrote:
” EU and whose army ? “
By: charliehunt - 7th March 2015 at 05:50
I know, Paul – I think that that parking concession could just swing the vote his way!!;)
By: mike currill - 6th March 2015 at 23:49
Because the supermarkets want their profits to be as high as possible. Apparently they are are actually paying the farmers about £1 a gallon less than it’s costing the farmers to produce the milk. Yes I know grass is free but if you still want milk in the winter you need winter feed for the cows.
By: paul178 - 6th March 2015 at 22:56
Well Charlie nice Mr Cameron says you can overstay your time with/in/on council property parking by up to 10 minutes without getting a fine. A sure fire election winner in my book.(shame I have a blue badge and don’t pay anyway!)
By: charliehunt - 2nd January 2015 at 12:42
I thought the piece by Jeremy Warner on the stark contrast between the US’ ability to pull itself out of the mire and the Eurozone’s total failure, by virtue of its sclerotic fiscal model, to do so, even more revealing.
By: John Green - 2nd January 2015 at 11:44
Events have moved on and Greece cannot decide on a new President so, an election has been called for the 25th January next.
A rather excellent piece of financial analysis in the D. Tel. (1st Jan). by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard – a fine name – details the financial permutations likely to occur in the event that the left wing Syriza party gains power.
It is anticipated that Syriza will reject all austerity measures now in place. If, the European Central Bank steps in to the debacle acting as the ‘lender of last resort’ in defiance of its own rules, the German Bundesbank will not, as expected, provide support.
The Greeks will not support their euro debt because of the financial pain inflicted upon their country and will exit the EMU returning rapidly to the drachma.
Interesting times ahead !
By: charliehunt - 31st December 2014 at 14:03
Spain and Italy perhaps before Ireland but as long as they all go who cares about the order?!!
By: John Green - 31st December 2014 at 12:46
Food for thought at the start of a New Year. Again, Greece looks to be leading an early exit from the Euro and the EU. A report covering Greek elections for a new President, specifies that if agreement cannot be reached then a General Election will be called.
If such happens, then the likely victor is the left wing, anti austerity Syriza party to run the country, who will reject all notions of monetary controls and ‘belt tightening’ and will re-adopt the drachma while seeking another write down of Greece’s national debt.
There is some hint from the EU that perhaps an exit by Greece from the EU might not necessarily be that bad on the grounds that it would concentrate some thinking ! Other opinion is that Greece’s exit would be the unplugable hole in the dyke which would rapidly enlarge when Portugal, the Irish Republic and a few others joined the stampede for the exit.
By: John Green - 23rd December 2014 at 18:59
James Kirkup in his “Political Review of the Year”, (D. Tel. 23rd Dec.) covers the major political events of 2014. He highlights the two major events. The outcome of the Scottish referendum and the rise of the SNP and the seismic arrival and on going consolidation by Nigel Farage and UKIP.
This is a well balanced report about the changing face of British politics and does Mr. Kirkup great credit.
By: charliehunt - 22nd December 2014 at 07:53
Superbly apt quote on Tony Blair reported in the obituary for John Freeman who described Blair as “ineffably insufferable”. Perfect!
By: John Green - 12th December 2014 at 16:24
I hope that others can spare a moment to write a congratulatory e-mail to Devon County Council. Why ? What’s up? Yesterday’s D. Tel. carried a report that a retired builder named, I believe Reg Winsor, much irritated by the number of potholes in his neighbourhood, has used his initiative and his own cash to start repairing them aided by one or two likeminded individuals.
Devon County Council got to hear about this and far from being extremely anti which seems to be the wont of Local Authorities when confronted with like matters, has seized an opportunity to aid Mr. Winsor by buying the materials for him to use on his repairs.
The result ? The potholes are disappearing at a very efficient rate from the roads of Devon. So members if you like this splendid example of private enterprise please e-mail D.C.C. They’d like to hear from you.
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March 16, 2014 at 1:27 pm