G K Chesterton is often misquoted as saying that those who argue that 'you can’t put the clock back’ obviously know nothing about clocks. It’s near enough to what he did write – that time only moves forwards but principles needn’t – to let stand. What’s more, we’re seeing plenty of evidence of it justContinue reading "History Made Here"
Wrapped in Golden Chains
“There's been a lot of pressure to highlight human rights abuses but the Chinese haven't mentioned the DWP once.” Tory Comedians on Facebook Questioned in London this week on his country’s human rights record, Xi Jinping responded with the kind of explanation that would have appealed to Deng Xiaoping back in the 80s. Something alongContinue reading "Wrapped in Golden Chains"
Izzy, Whizzy, Let’s Get Bizzy
Or maybe 'Ozzy, Wheezy'. What is the sound of one hand clapping? George Osborne ought to know, following his announcement this week that business rates will be ‘devolved’ to local councils, along with the one-directional power to lower them. Osborne’s understanding of devolution is that it’s that degree of autonomy that allows others to takeContinue reading "Izzy, Whizzy, Let’s Get Bizzy"
Pass It On
Nowadays, the Conservatives have a tree as their emblem, symbolic of the countless trees to be felled thanks to them and their allies (Labour, FibDem, even Green) as the urbanisation of England rolls onwards. The emblem used to be a flaming torch, the same symbol that used to warn motorists of a school ahead, beforeContinue reading "Pass It On"
All Washed Up
Andrew Parker, the head of MI5, told BBC Radio 4 listeners today that the service could do with new surveillance powers to tackle the terrorist threat. That’s hardly surprising, according to the cynical view that you never let a good crisis go to waste. If necessary, you create one. We face a toxic combination. OnContinue reading "All Washed Up"
Valuing Europe
As tens of thousands flock in renewed hope to join the Labour Party, much of the last Shadow Cabinet has walked off in disgust at the thought of actually having to believe in something. Yes, British politics is about to get much more interesting. Jeremy Corbyn though is no friend of Wessex. So long asContinue reading "Valuing Europe"
That Sinking Feeling
In the late 1940s, large numbers of people were forced out of the lands where they and their ancestors had lived for generations, since at least the time of the Crusades. Their ancestral homes were handed over to immigrants from other parts of the world, who brought their own history with them. The displaced livedContinue reading "That Sinking Feeling"
X for Xylas
The WR Council met at Wokingham earlier this month. A raft of new policies was agreed, about which readers may expect to hear over the coming weeks. WR President Colin Bex reported on the election campaign in Witney and it was noted that page views on this blog almost reached 3,000 during April, double theContinue reading "X for Xylas"
Northern Lights?
One of the most intractable problems in British politics is voters’ perception that they should be enjoying a Scandinavian standard of public services while only paying American levels of tax. No wonder governments get into debt as they struggle to balance the books. The solution, of course, is to decentralise so that what voters getContinue reading "Northern Lights?"
Crown Jewels for Sale
One of the contentious issues between Westminster and Holyrood of latehas been the future of the Crown Estate in Scotland. UK-wide, the portfolio of property and other investments brings in £285m a year to HM Treasury and pays for HM herself and any hangers-on who, unlike the Duke of Cornwall, aren’t funded from other publicContinue reading "Crown Jewels for Sale"
Wessex Regionalists 