The Rise And Fall Of The LibDems

12 Blogs of Christmas: #2 When the story of Britain in 2010 is retold, I very much doubt that the political events surrounding the General Election; the hype in advance of it and the uncertainty that followed, will not be left un-commented upon. And so it is with this, my second blog of Christmas, where [...]

Football’s Not Coming Home

“It’s coming home. It’s coming home. It’s coming”…. erm, no it’s not Skinner, Baddiel and The Lightening Seeds, “Three Lions”, 1996 I really wanted England to win the World Cup 2018 bid but, like almost every penalty shoot out before it, the English got humiliated at the last hurdle. The seemingly intense effort that was [...]

Poppy Facism

The News in Haiku #10…. “Only Cameron Could go to China, wearing Opium poppy” I was amused to hear on the radio this morning that the British delegation visiting China for a trade conference are wearing their poppies and in some quarters this has been seen as an afront to the Chinese because, and I [...]

Ed Miliband Wins

“He sort of smiled and kissed me good-bye, The tears were beginnin’ to show, As he drove away on that rainy night, I begged him to go slow.” The Shangri-Las, “Leader Of The Pack”, 1964 There is a new Labour Party leader, and the name of that leader is not David, as I expected it [...]

Battle For The Beeb Begins

“The BBC will have to make tough decisions like everyone else. There are huge numbers of things that need to be changed at the BBC. They need to demonstrate the very constrained financial situation we are now in. All the concerns I had in opposition about executive salaries and use of licence fee funds for [...]

The Collective Heart Of England

“Well, let’s hope it doesn’t go to penalties; I’m not sure that the collective heart of England can cope with it.” David Cameron, 25th June 2010 (Me agreeing with David Cameron, whatever next?!) Mid match posting today as I know I will be too tired to bother later on. Portugal versus Brazil was one of [...]

Electoral Reform – Vote For Me

“Everybody’s talking at me Can’t hear a word they’re saying Only the echoes of my mind I won’t let you leave my love behind” Nilsson, “Everybody’s Talkin’”, 1969 As the talk continues about whether the LibDems will get in to bed with the Tories, one issue has come to the forefront of popular debate: Electoral [...]

Done Debating

“You know, you made a vow, not to leave one another, never Well, ya never miss you water till your well runs dry Come one, baby, give our love a try, let’s stick together” Bryan Ferry, “Let’s Stick Together”, 1976 I just sat down and watch the third and final Leader’s Debate. Today’s list doubles [...]

Gillian Duffy: A Bigotted Woman (Or Not)

“I’d move to Rockferry, tomorrow, And I’d build my house, baby, with sorrow, I’d leave my shadow, to fall behind, And I wouldn’t write to you ‘cos I’m not that kind.” Duffy, “Rockferry”, 2008 Well, here’s a story for everyone to get their teeth stuck in to. Gordon Brown meets a disgruntled Labour supporter; following [...]

Leaders Debate, Part Deux

“What a terrible indictment of the British press we see this morning. The Mail runs a spurious story about Nick Clegg making a supposed Nazi slur against Britain. The Express reckons he wants us to be overrun by immigrants. The Telegraph accuses him, of well, properly declaring donations made to him to employ a member [...]