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 livedContinueContinue reading “That Sinking Feeling”

Castles in the Air?

In our previous post we described the across-the-board hypocrisy of Wessex MPs who still claim to be able to deliver unlimited growth while simultaneously protecting all of the environment that locals cherish. Wednesday’s Western Daily Pressfurnishes a classic example.  Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy was reported as initiating a debate at Westminster on the protectionContinueContinue reading “Castles in the Air?”

On Whose Side?

Population Matters Magazine, in its current issue, includes an article by Ian Grace, described as a professional planning officer with more than 30 years’ planning experience.  It’s always good fun to watch when someone inside the system breaks ranks.  The article makes points that are well worth extracting:“…If you want to house 100,000 people, youContinueContinue reading “On Whose Side?”

Anybody Listening?

The following extract from the current issue of Population Matters Magazine is written by its editor, Norman Pasley: “There is great concern in Fareham about plans for a new town called Welbourne to be built on farmland north of the M27 motorway.  The debate is giving rise to many letters in the local paper, TheContinueContinue reading “Anybody Listening?”

The Plantation of Wessex

Last April, one of Eric Pickles’ Planning Inspectors opened a public inquiry in the Oxfordshire village of Bloxham.  The Coalition promised localism – local decisions made by local folk, without interference from London – but – as we have mentioned many times – their localism is a lie.  Under real localism, there would be noContinueContinue reading “The Plantation of Wessex”

Looking Ahead

It’s happened.  The seawall at Dawlish has been washed away, leaving the main line railway track suspended in mid-air. Fortunately, the London regime is known for looking ahead, anticipating such problems as arise from climate change and planning new infrastructure to cope with them.  It could have wasted tens of billions building unnecessary new linesContinueContinue reading “Looking Ahead”

The Worker’s Hire

“They hang the man, and flog the woman,Who steals the goose from off the commonBut leave the greater felon looseWho steals the common from the goose. The law demands that we atoneWhen we take things we do not ownBut leaves the lords and ladies fineWho takes things that are yours and mine.The poor and wretched don’t escapeIfContinueContinue reading “The Worker’s Hire”

If Enough Is Never Enough

“Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable – the art of the next best.”Otto von Bismarck, 1867Bismarck’s most famous quote is characteristically double-edged. Understood passively, it implies working within the constraints of the world as we find it. But to what end? Understood assertively, it implies redefining those limits, steadily moving the goalpostsContinueContinue reading “If Enough Is Never Enough”

The Moody’s Blues

“Growth is the disease for which it pretends to be the cure.”quoted by Australia’s Stable Population PartyTwo pieces of news this week illustrate the contrasting worldviews of today.The credit-raters have spoken. The UK is no longer AAA. While the Tory Chancellor bows deeply before the infinite wisdom of the Markets, Labour calls for more toContinueContinue reading “The Moody’s Blues”