I have remarked before that the level at which Boris Johnson operates – and those about him – is ‘school debating society’. That is why the majority of EU politicians, who are serious-minded, grown-up types who see politics in terms of public service (as we once did in this country) cannot comprehend him. Today’s proroguing … Continue reading Ow! yaroo! Stop it, you beasts!
Author: jfmward
Author, bicycle enthusiast
Candidates oddly reluctant to take helm of sinking ship headed for the rocks
Like the young woman from Glasgow, who raised the issue that will shape politics not only in Britain but the rest of the world for the foreseeable future – the climate emergency – I was not impressed by any of the candidates for conservative leader (and hence, prime minister) in last night's debate; though it … Continue reading Candidates oddly reluctant to take helm of sinking ship headed for the rocks
Remain in good heart
The general representation of the recent European election results shows a lack of penetration on the part of our media which has become sadly familiar. The election is presented as a remarkable triumph for the newly-formed Brexit Party, led by Nigel Farage, which captured nearly 32% of the votes and won 29 of the 73 … Continue reading Remain in good heart
Speech for an imagined leader
‘Mr Speaker, it is past time for someone to tell the truth to this House, and the British people, in the face of the tide of falsehood that has engulfed us since 2016. Much has been made in recent months of the fact that 80% of the electorate voted in the last election for parties … Continue reading Speech for an imagined leader
Time to stop this ‘Carry on’
Careless talk, as the war time poster tells us, costs lives. It may not have reached that point yet, but there is no doubt that what the Prime Minister sloppily calls ‘the Brexit process’ has been bedevilled from the outset by much talk that is careless and some that is down right lying. And as … Continue reading Time to stop this ‘Carry on’
Brexit? it’s just a flesh wound!
I am grateful to my wife for drawing attention to this article by Giles Fraser, 'why won't Remainers talk about family?' , even if reading it did take me back to my days marking essays by adolescents whose ardour outstripped their capacity for reasoned argument: having conceived a notion, and decided that it must be right, … Continue reading Brexit? it’s just a flesh wound!
A tissue of misinformation, non sequiturs and falsehoods, brought to you by HM government
In signing this petition (and I would urge you all to follow suit) https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/235138 I came across this extraordinary response, date 30 January and purporting to come from HM Government, though the fact that almost all the arguments it contains have been heard repeatedly before that date in the mouths of Jacob Rees-Mogg and his … Continue reading A tissue of misinformation, non sequiturs and falsehoods, brought to you by HM government
Was there ever such a fine piece of nonsense?
I am grateful to Caroline Flint MP for providing such a clear and succinct statement of the nonsensical 'second referendum = betrayal of democracy' argument that we hear so often. Pause this clip after the opening sentence and ask yourself what exactly she is saying https://www.facebook.com/Channel4News/videos/297638354287769/?t=73 "The breakdown of trust in politics if we … Continue reading Was there ever such a fine piece of nonsense?
The danger of licensing ignorance
Suella Braverman is not someone I had heard of (and I doubt if I shall hear of her again) but I am grateful to her for a classic instance of the besetting sin of our age – licensing ignorance. Ms Braverman popped up the other day on the Today programme, just after John Major had … Continue reading The danger of licensing ignorance
A most ingenious paradox
There has been a lot of talk recently about how this is a 'Remainer Parliament' that is doing its best to stop Brexit by whatever means and so 'thwart the will of the British people'. If that were the case it would certainly be grounds for feeling aggrieved – yet another instance of the know-all … Continue reading A most ingenious paradox
COMPLEAT TROWZER 