With a reported turnout of nearly 80% of voters and a 97% majority in favour of rejoining Russia, the Crimean referendum has proved pretty decisive. There is not a single western democracy which can match these figures in any election about anything, yet they declare it illegal. Oh? So what is democracy if it is […]
There is now a chance for dialogue to begin with Russia that goes beyond telling her what she has to do, to gain re-admission to the diplomatic community, which for diverse reasons has been remarkably united to its opposition to events in Crimea. This opposition stems not so much from outrage at a violated principle, […]
This Blog is saddened, like so many, at the news of the passing of one of the great political personalities of modern times. His politics were a unique mix of enthusiasm, principle, compassion and left wing ideology. When in parliament, sometimes as a minister, he was both efficient and incisive. He was also divisive because […]
There is a good deal of anxiety nowadays about police corruption in the UK as a consequence of numerous scandals, miscarriages of justice, inquiries and revelations. At the heart of all this lies the way the police service is organised in England. Almost every county has its own force, to which are added the big […]
While the diplomatic offensive to resolve the crisis hots up but makes no progress, the position on the ground remains bloodless but grows more unstable. This blog has exhaustively discussed this issue over the last few weeks at each stage of its development and it is now time to take a look at each side’s […]
So far the Russian occupation of Crimea has been achieved without loss of life, or indeed without a drop of blood being spilled. This could only happen though the enthusiastic welcome of the majority of the population who see themselves as actually or ethically Russian. It is therefore not realistic to make out that this […]
It is becoming clear that the Crimea is lost as an integral part of the Ukrainian state and it is unlikely that Kiev will ever be able to satisfy the anxieties both of its ethnic Russian population and Russia itself to cause it to return. What is now in the balance is whether the eastern […]
The pattern is familiar. An insurrection breaks out in an unstable State, subject to indifferent government. It starts with street protests. The West back the protesters without taking account of the underlying fault lines of ethnicity, religious group, cultural variation and racial origin. It sees the mob as heroes because they make western sounding noises, […]