Friday, May 18, 2007
BLAIR IN A NUTSHELL, PART 1
If you want to read 60-page supplements in every newpaper and magazine up and down the land feel free to do so. I’ll be doing the Blair Years review in short chunks instead. Here’s a good little starter which is, all things considered, typical Blair.
If you want to read 60-page supplements in every newpaper and magazine up and down the land feel free to do so. I’ll be doing the Blair Years review in short chunks instead. Here’s a good little starter which is, all things considered, typical Blair.
Labels: environment, politics
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
SPINELESS TORIES?
Some think the Tories are only doing all this green stuff to get good pr, others fear they're serious. Well, the truth is sort of both. As Conservatives put it privately the just-announced air travel taxes are politics, not policy, and aim at marking their opposition against the government, and with the hope it will increase tension between Brown and Milliband.
But it goes further than that. Whilst there is strong scepticism on the science of global warming, the view appears to be that the public has decided that the debate has been concluded decisively. So, the public wants action. So the politicians should act, despite their own scepticism and possibly better judgement.
Is this spineless? I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand politicians should do what voters want them to do. On the other hand I believe that politicians can and sometimes should provide leadership on important issues. This is one of the things that's been going wrong with the Consevatives under DC I think. On many other issues, Iraq and defence generally, on relations with the US, on public spending and many other issues we are just pandering to received wisdom, and abandoning the positions that are in fact right. If we don't stand for the right policies consistently, won't this make actually governing tremendously difficult as we face an uphill battle with public opinion instead of having built up public support consistently?
I for one, am at least quite doubtful.
Some think the Tories are only doing all this green stuff to get good pr, others fear they're serious. Well, the truth is sort of both. As Conservatives put it privately the just-announced air travel taxes are politics, not policy, and aim at marking their opposition against the government, and with the hope it will increase tension between Brown and Milliband.
But it goes further than that. Whilst there is strong scepticism on the science of global warming, the view appears to be that the public has decided that the debate has been concluded decisively. So, the public wants action. So the politicians should act, despite their own scepticism and possibly better judgement.
Is this spineless? I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand politicians should do what voters want them to do. On the other hand I believe that politicians can and sometimes should provide leadership on important issues. This is one of the things that's been going wrong with the Consevatives under DC I think. On many other issues, Iraq and defence generally, on relations with the US, on public spending and many other issues we are just pandering to received wisdom, and abandoning the positions that are in fact right. If we don't stand for the right policies consistently, won't this make actually governing tremendously difficult as we face an uphill battle with public opinion instead of having built up public support consistently?
I for one, am at least quite doubtful.
Labels: Conservatives, economy, environment, politics, USA
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
LONDON BLOGGERS AND THEIR FOXES
I have noticed that quite a number of bloggers who are situated in London have been writing about their foxes (see here, here or here). As for that last one I have to say I feel a little guilty about it now, after having one sidling up to my kitchen window with a hungry look on its face. Well I couldn’t help him out; to my knowledge foxes aren’t great fans of nudel and mushroom soup, he stayed hanging around the garden for a while before swiftly exiting the scene. But having a really close look at him, made me think that foxes can actually be sort of cute in a robust sort of way, so I think I shouldn’t have had such a laugh about my fox hunting neighbours.
I have noticed that quite a number of bloggers who are situated in London have been writing about their foxes (see here, here or here). As for that last one I have to say I feel a little guilty about it now, after having one sidling up to my kitchen window with a hungry look on its face. Well I couldn’t help him out; to my knowledge foxes aren’t great fans of nudel and mushroom soup, he stayed hanging around the garden for a while before swiftly exiting the scene. But having a really close look at him, made me think that foxes can actually be sort of cute in a robust sort of way, so I think I shouldn’t have had such a laugh about my fox hunting neighbours.
Labels: blogging and the blogger, environment
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
FOX HUNTING – THE REAL PROBLEM
Thanks to Harry’s Place for the link to a fox problem that I’m actually very familiar with, what with living in Lambeth and all. Those housing estates mentioned start about 50-100 yards from my front door and I can definitely confirm the foxes in the area are a right cheeky bunch. And their nemesis also look quite cheeky. Have a look at this, I found this quite hilarious especially the mischiveous grin on the boy in the front. Brought up fond memories form when I were a lad. . .
Thanks to Harry’s Place for the link to a fox problem that I’m actually very familiar with, what with living in Lambeth and all. Those housing estates mentioned start about 50-100 yards from my front door and I can definitely confirm the foxes in the area are a right cheeky bunch. And their nemesis also look quite cheeky. Have a look at this, I found this quite hilarious especially the mischiveous grin on the boy in the front. Brought up fond memories form when I were a lad. . .
Labels: blogging and the blogger, environment
