British politics at the moment is dominated by one issue – Brexit. A referendum supposedly fought to 'take back control' now sees the Prime Minister taking over negotiations as she can not rely on her Cabinet or her own Party. There is no majority in Parliament for any of the rumoured solutions – none of [...]
. . . AND HOW THE RIGHT DIVIDES US I live in one of the hippest areas in the world – according to the San Francisco Chronicle - a district which saw the industrial revolution, then dereliction and now redevelopment. We have both a discount supermarket and a convenience store that stocks Bollinger. Where the [...]
We live in febrile political times – rational polite debate is a thing of the past and the voices we hear are strident and allow for no compromise. Donald Trump transformed a reputation as a loud contrarian into a political career and his base continue to repeat his words, with little thought or evidence. Boris [...]
Since Brexit I have often felt close to tears observing politics on both sides of the Atlantic – the alternative is hysterical laughter and stunned disbelief. But never more so then when watching Netflix's latest documentary – 'Bobby Kennedy for President', directed by Dawn Porter. In 1968 when Kennedy ran for president the US was [...]
It has been impossible to watch the media in the last few weeks without seeing yet another high profile (male) celebrity accused of sexual misconduct. Some of the accounts are unsurprising – men who had a 'reputation', who worked in industries where exploitation seemed to be the norm. But this is not only about Hollywood [...]
When I first moved to Manchester with my family all I knew was that George Best lived here! In retrospect I think he had already moved on, but he cast a giant shadow. Later I realised that the city was not only the home of football, but of radicalism and of a multi-cultural population which [...]
For many years if you had asked me to name the people I most admired Aung San Suu Kyi – the Lady – would have been high on the list. A woman who combined the intellectualism of a Western education with the serenity and spirituality of her Buddhist heritage. A woman who left her family [...]
This is written in anger – it may be controversial - but frankly if you believe 'that there are good people on both sides', that there is violence 'on all sides, on all sides' – then get back to tweeting and read Breitbart. I am furious that these inadequate unfeeling people are trying to [...]
A year ago I hated my job - 5 days sweating over a keyboard left me depressed and unable to enjoy my weekends. I spent my evenings shouting at the television. Was I the only one who thought the world was going to hell? Frankly I felt like the odd one out and powerless to [...]
