November 2020

Never let a good crisis go to waste. Covid-19 has been exploited by political leaders and the medical profession to pursue social objectives that would normally face stiff public opposition. Alcohol is a prime target. Who would have believed, earlier this year, that all pubs would be forced to close at 10pm, alongside other irksome regulations such as no standing … [Read on]

John Taylor, Baron Kilclooney, former deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, has caused shockwaves in the political world by describing vice president-elect Kamala Harris as ‘the Indian.’ Angela Smith, Labour leader in the Lords, described Kilclooney’s remarks as ‘despicable and beneath contempt’, and is to make an official complaint. Well, Kilclooney’s reference to ‘Biden’ and then to ‘the Indian’ … [Read on]

When the government banned our old soldiers and sailors from attending the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday, I was determined to turn up anyway. Deterred by advice that Whitehall would be blocked off, I went instead to my local event at Carshalton Ponds. Expecting a small gathering but no dignitaries, I penned a short speech, as follows: – ‘Ladies and gentlemen, … [Read on]

I am ashamed watching the US election that the country of Lincoln, Grant and JFK has descended into a nursing home fight over which of two querulous old men should get to the bathroom first on being woken by the care assistant. The US presidency has been badly wounded by this election at a time when the country is in … [Read on]