ALAN SIMPSON
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Governments fall more often from let-downs than lock-downs. That’s why Marcus Rashford’s ‘end child food-poverty’ campaign has thrown British politics into a tiz. Who would have thought a young, black footballer would provide the leadership politics seems to lack. Although Rashford consistently says “This is not about politics: it is about humanity,” everyone understands the…
Britain’s ‘4 week national lockdown’ will not halt the rate at which Tory pandemic planning falls apart. Privately, there are calls for a ‘Grand Coalition’, a Government of National Unity to save the country. For Labour (and Britain) it would be the Kiss of the Spider Woman; something to be avoided as much as Covid…
Are we the new Number 6? Don’t be under any illusions. This article offers no sanctuary for the advocates of ‘herd immunity’. As an answer to the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s a price too high. A colossal increase in death rates, and overwhelming the NHS, does not even bear thinking about. All the same, the growing…
The government’s educational omnishambles is stealing all the headlines at the moment. It pushes political incompetence to new limits. But behind the debacle lies a bigger crime. Boris Johnson is killing parliamentary democracy faster than the pandemic is killing people. And though Labour is immeasurably more virtuous, the Party struggles to lay a glove on…
Robin Hood Dies: the legend lives on As news hits the press about the imminent demise of Nottingham’s Robin Hood Energy company (RHE), I took a look at the plinth in front of St Mary’s church in the middle of Nottingham. The plinth offers a mythical version of Robin Hood’s demise; slowly being ‘bled’ to…
Tipping or turning: the choice is still ours We are in a bad place; a really bad place. The IMF predicts that the Covid pandemic will shrink the global economy by 5% this year, with a cumulative loss of around $9 trillion. Britain’s Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) records a ‘lockdown’ economic collapse of over…
Transformation Moment
My pamphlet 'Transformation Moment' is intended to support the case for a radical shift in energy thinking; as much about democracy as technology, and about 'systems' rather than just supply.
Does that mean they plan to invade?
The Australian people have made great sacrifices to protect freedom and democracy around the world. As we have for a century, America will stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally Australia and rally fellow democracies to advance our shared security, prosperity, and values.
I’m with Anneliese. Better to be off a sinking ship than on it.
split at the top of the Labour party over how to whip MPs in any vote on any imminent Brexit deal:
- leader Keir Starmer wants party to back deal
- shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds wants party to abstain
https://t.co/hM4TbBmiCq via @financialtimes
Waterloo, Peterloo...much of British history is written around battles and confrontations. So with lorry drivers soon to be stuck in endless tailbacks, Kent could become the ‘Porta-loo’ battleground of civil unrest. Not our finest moment.
Brexit: Will the borders be ready?
With one month to go until the end of transition, we look at the challenges to come on the UK's borders.
www.bbc.co.uk
This is perhaps the most important graph in the document - share widely. Interest rates are so low that despite the extra borrowing, we're paying less on interest than ever. We're nowhere near running out of money and there is no need for cuts. Share widely!
Personally, I think we should spend £16.5 billion on the NHS and clap for the military.
Even worse, the only ones resigning now are the Senior Civil Servants and Independent Advisors, asked to investigate breaches of the Ministerial Code but then overruled. We are now less of a kingdom than a fiefdom.
This may be the first time ever - at least in recent history - that a cabinet minister has broken the ministerial code and not been sacked or resigned.
Britain take note: Biden Stocks Transition Teams with Climate Experts.
Biden Stocks Transition Teams with Climate Experts
The President-elect has included those with climate experience across a wide swath of federal agencies
www.scientificamerican.com
At least Cummings and Cain won’t now get caught up in their post-Christmas legacy of Brexit tailbacks.
Will the last rat leaving the sinking ship apologise to the nation for the mess that they made?
Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain: Last Exit to Barnard Castle. A minor setback for tyranny, but don’t hold your breath for enlightenment.
Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain: Exits give chance to 'reset government'
Senior Tory MP David Davis says PM Boris Johnson has taken "decisive action" over his top aide.
www.bbc.co.uk
Let them eat what? Free school meals and the new world order | Morning Star
Let them eat what? Free school meals and the new world order
Thanks to Marcus Rashford the national conversation is about food politics — now we must start making the connections between what we eat, how we fa...
morningstaronline.co.uk