George Osborne, the Cuts and the Economy The debate now begins. Just right or too much or too soon? Fair or unfair? Do the poor suffer most? George Osborne has become a decisive and focussed parliamentary performer. He often appeared inadequate in opposition. This is the case no longer. The government front bench is beginning to […]
Defence Review I think the government got this about right. They did not start with a clean sheet. They were committed to two useless aircraft carriers, with no suitable planes immediately available and with the wrong kind of power plant. They have to be built because it would cost more to cancel. That is over […]
London Bombings A witness, one of the survivors, of these terrible bombings described fire crews waiting in the wings whilst victims died without first aid. Apparently they were under orders not to put themselves in danger in case there was a second explosion. If this is correct it is a national disgrace. The emergency services […]
Iran in Iraq Perhaps the most intersting piece of real world news yesterday was a story carried in the Guardian about the active part the Iranian authorities are playing in brokering a deal to break the impasse in the government forming process in Iraq, following the deadlocked elections. If this turns out to be correct, Iraq […]
Cyber Threats About fifteen years ago I was researching a novel (which I never wrote) in which particle beam weapons (known then as star wars) featured as a threat. It was before Internet research and involved old fashioned leg work. I met some rather interesting people who had contacts with, but who were not themselves directly, spooks. I […]
The Cabinet, The Cuts and the Economy The media feeding frenzy of leaks, speculation and guesses about the size, nature and effect of the cuts has now reached very nearly its climax. It has all been a rather curious process. This may reflect upon the two party nature of the Cabinet, key members of which are gathered […]
President Sebastian Pinera of Chile The Chilean President is off on a pre-scheduled European tour, with the U.K. the first stop. In his luggage he carries fragments of rock from the refuge deep in the mountain where the miners awaited their miraculous rescue, which he plans to give to the Queen and the Prime Minister. […]
General Patraeus This widely respected general is here for talks and has been to Downing Street. No doubt the tragic death of Linda Norgrove was discussed. No doubt too each side bolstered the other’s confidence that Afghanistan was going according to plan. Clearly it is not. Mark Sedwill, Nato’s senior diplomat in Afghanistan was interviewed […]
Francis Maude and the Quangos This is one of the best pieces of news to come out of any government for years. Not because it can save money, though it may, not because it cuts back government, though it does, but because such a system of public management is undemocratic. Each Ministry is responsible for […]
Ed Milliband and PMQs Ed did well, much better than many, especially his brother’s supporters, expected. David Cameron will get no easy ride. As for the theme of attacking the removal of child benefit from HRT payers, this was wrong anyway but very wrong for Labour. It is true that the individual tax system makes […]