Category Archives for Journalism
YP PFI: A Private Scourge On Public Finances
Tweet published in the Yorkshire Post 20 March 2012 To sell his government’s austerity policies, David Cameron regularly claims that “we are all in this together.” But one group of people have never felt the chill of austerity: the PFI … Continue reading
The Saviour of British banking – send for Captain Mainwaring
Tweet published in www.politics..co.uk 11 March 2012 Another “day of shame” for Britain’s banks, yelled the Daily Mail on Saturday (March 10) – and with plenty of reasons. Barclays’ chief executive, the ever-more-aptly named Mr Diamond, collected a package valued … Continue reading
Wartime lessons on the deficit (how to cure it, but why bother?)
Tweet Published in www.politics.co.uk 29 Feb 2012 During the sadly regular economic crises of the 1970s Denis Healey, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, would receive frequent letters with small gifts of money – not for himself, but to help out … Continue reading
Greece deserves a better empire than the eurozone
Tweet Published in www.politics.co.uk 21 Feb 2012 Yesterday evening I came across some old photographs of a family Disney-centred holiday in Florida. This is us at the Magic Kingdom… this is us at Typhoon Lagoon… this is us at the … Continue reading
YP An Honours System Mired In The Goodwin Sands (3 Feb 2012)
Tweet pubished in the Yorkshire Post 3 Feb 2012 It is hard to feel sorry for ex-Sir Fred Goodwin but no one should be penalized for being unpopular. The newly-created mister was arrogant and incompetent. His bad decisions destroyed people’s … Continue reading
Our forces deserve much more than pieties and platitudes from their Parliament
Tweet published in www.politics.co.uk and on Yahoo Weds 11 January 2012 “Mr Speaker, I am sure that the whole House would wish to join me in paying tribute to Private John Everyman of the Midshire Regiment who was killed in … Continue reading
YP Four new alcohol policies
Tweet Published in the Yorkshire Post on Wednesday 11 January 2012 FOR the last 30 years, governments of all parties have tried to persuade the British people to drink less, culminating with MPs asserting that drinkers should give themselves two … Continue reading
New Year Advice to Ed Miliband: Own The Future
Tweet published in www.politics.co.uk and on Yahoo 3 Jan 2012 Dear Ed, You are probably sick of advice on how to lead the Labour Party. But it goes with the job and remember that most of it comes to you … Continue reading
Three Dickensian obituaries (YP 23 Dec 2011)
Tweet Published in the Yorkshire Post 23 Dec 2011 Sir Wilkins Micawber OM was a Nobel prizewinning economist, whose optimistic theories strongly influenced the formation of the euro. Troubled until middle age by profound economic insecurity, he emigrated to Australia … Continue reading
Autumn Statement: economically irrelevant but sticking to a political script
Tweet published in www.politics.co.uk 29 November 2011 Some years ago I was flying in an airliner when suddenly one of its engines began to sputter and cough. Anxious passengers understandably began to carry on rather than keep calm. The captain’s … Continue reading
