Is an Eton education good value for money? From the public’s point of view, it seems not, given Boris Johnson’s underwhelming analysis of European history. He lit up the weekend with his dire warning that the EU is little better than a Fourth Reich. For others, it’s the EUSSR, but we’ve learnt to recognise thatContinueContinue reading “Post-Truth Politics”
Tag Archives: Media
Review of 2015
Every year when we submit our accounts to the Electoral Commission we are also required to provide a ‘Review of Political Activities’ covering the year just gone.The 2015 Review has recently been forwarded to the Commission and here is what it says: “The major event of the year was the General Election, which saw ourContinueContinue reading “Review of 2015”
Welcome to the Party
On this day last year we were delighted to mention Wessex Society’s success in persuading a third of the county and unitary councils in Wessex to fly the Wyvern for St Ealdhelm’s Day. (The picture below was taken at Somerset County Hall in Taunton.) This year, many councils are doing the same, with Bath &ContinueContinue reading “Welcome to the Party”
Only the Desperate
Today in 1320 the Scottish nobility issued the Declaration of Arbroath, with its ringing line about fighting not for glory, nor riches, nor honours, but for freedom – for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself. And the contemporary response is Frenchgate. Nicola Sturgeon says she didn’t say it. TheContinueContinue reading “Only the Desperate”
Review of 2014
Every year when we submit our accounts to the Electoral Commission we are also required to provide a ‘Review of Political Activities’ covering the year just gone.The 2014 Review has recently been forwarded to the Commission and here is what it says:“Coming between elections – Eastleigh in 2013 and the General Election in 2015 –ContinueContinue reading “Review of 2014”
Burying the Past
“The theory goes that, if there is trust in society, then its bureaucracies will be more straightforward and effective – the cost and time of transactions between companies will be reduced and less time will be spent paying lawyers to draw up costly contracts, and in litigation. A handshake is free. Anyone who has triedContinueContinue reading “Burying the Past”
Little Things Please Little Minds
The Scots recently held a referendum on independence. They discussed what currency to use, whether to join NATO, and what to do about Trident. BBC West’s televised debate on devolution this week took a different approach. At one point, the politicians on the panel were challenged with the problem of different wheelie bins on oppositeContinueContinue reading “Little Things Please Little Minds”
Just Watch It
Media interest continues, BBC Bristol and BBC Wiltshire both seeking interviews this week. David Garmston from BBC Points West went to Longleat to record an interview with our veteran founder, Lord Bath for Sunday Politics West. It took up 3 minutes, 42 seconds of a 1 hour, 10 minute programme filled mainly with much lessContinueContinue reading “Just Watch It”
Homes Ancient & Modern
Nearly a millennium ago today, regional England was trampled beneath Norman hooves and, as Chesterton’s poem puts it, “gored on the Norman gonfalon, the Golden Dragon died”. Yet history has a habit of undoing itself. Dismembered Poland was put back together. Twice. The Albanians, Belarusians, Bosnians, Croats, Cypriots, Czechs, Estonians, Finns, Hungarians, Icelanders, Irish, Latvians,ContinueContinue reading “Homes Ancient & Modern”
Now It’s Our Turn
“The media may have succeeded in creating Essex Man, but they would be hard pressed to resuscitate Wessex Woman.” John Redwood MP, July 1992If that is still the view of the Right Honourable Member for Wokingham, then Wessex Woman may wish to have a word with him. (Just visualising the power bracelets and maybe aContinueContinue reading “Now It’s Our Turn”
Wessex Regionalists 