The Politics of Dancing

What makes defending freedom of the press in this country so difficult is the fact that so much of it is so crap. The press is crap primarily becuase of those that own it. Would you really put Rupert Murdoch, Paul Dacre or Richard Desmond in charge of anything as significant as the Brighton and Hove Advertiser if you had any say in the matter? Still be it ever so crap it needs to be kept well clear of even the smell of political interference. Firstly I will say that the proposed involvement of Parliament in establishing the legal basis for press regulation is not that draconian and it is certainly not the end of press freedom as we know it as some of the more hysterical commentators would have you believe. Still at the heart off the matter is an inviolable principle, that parliament should not be let anywhere near the regulation of press conduct. Those proposing the change do not understand this principle; some indeed choose to cite the BBC as an example of a news organisat...

We have in London a democratic layer absent from the rest of the big cities in the UK. Yes we have a directly elected Mayor but will also have an assembly with elected members whose job it is to hold the Mayor to account.  My elected member is a Conservative one Kit Malthouse who receives £53,439, plus £74,345 as he is also Deputy Mayor for Business and Enterprise; that is a grand total of £127,784, for his pains. In addition he has one or two jobs on the side, though one suspects that they provide slightly more than pocket money. I list:- County Finance Group Limited (holding company)-  Founder and Chairman County Asset Finance Limited (subsidiary)- Director County Plant and Equipment Sales Limited (subsidiary)- Director County Business Limited (sister company)- Director Alpha Strategic PLC- Finance Director (part-time) Dilettante Music Limited Founder Director Occasional writing, broadcasting and speaking  Chartered Accountant [1] Mr Malthouse is a rich man, and a...

It often surprises people visiting my apartment and who know that I am an atheist to see so many books related to religion. This ought not to be so surprising I have always been interested in the study of religion and it is not possible to make sense of human history without some understanding of religion.   Religion, as often observed by Christopher Hitchens, religion represents mankind’s first attempt at philosophy, at seeking answers, at pulling together a defining narrative. I would add that apart from this consideration what makes the study of religion so attractive is that the language of religion is so rich with metaphor, simile and the wonderful imagery of myth.   One thing that often strikes me when debating Christians is that more often than not they display an extraordinary ignorance of the roots of their own religion. In fact when seeking to discuss the historical roots of any religious belief with a believer it soon becomes clear that they are not inter...

Most politicians see themselves as principled, individuals with a strong moral compass. Any suggestions that their concerns may be   venal or based on narrow selfish interest’s prompts outrage and wounded dignity. Few politicians look in the mirror and see reflected back the white knight in shining armour as much as The Lib Dems. This is particularly true of their leader Nick Clegg. If the result of the next election, as seems very possible, should not deliver a decisive majority for either of the two major parties, Clegg stands at the ready to step back into his government office, make use of the limousine and stand yet again at the despatch box in the national interest. Nick Clegg the man of common sense, occupying the middle ground, a man of principle and compassion. This is how he sees himself and this is how he would like you to see him. It is worth bearing this in mind when considering the following scene. Clegg is with the Prime Minister, who says, “We really need to ...

‘True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.’ Clarence Darrow I On the council estate on which I grew up I can never remember anyone flying the union flag, let alone the cross of St George. Though having been born in Northern Ireland I was very familiar with those who claimed exclusive rights to the union flag and the virtues associated with patriotism. This was a direct consequence of the reality that the qualities that people equated with the flag and patriotism were under siege. This was not the case on a small council estate in Shropshire . Dr Johnson’s statement that ‘patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel,’ is much quoted because it is funny and contains within it a truth that many recognise, though it is not the truth; what is the case however is that those who shout how patriotic they are often concealing something rather unpleasant. We are right to have a instinctive distrust of the flag wavers and Land of Hope and Glory merchan...

Ed, 'Pull on a sweater' Davey Gas and Electricity company British Gas raise their prices by 9.2% way above the current rate of inflation, with wages stagnant and benefits rises pinned to below the rate of inflation this will drive ever greater numbers into fuel poverty, with even more people making the stark choice between heating and eating. …A government, Minister Ed Davey, suggests putting on a sweater at home to keep warm. Queues Outside Southwark Crown Court Thousands of people living on very low incomes queue outside Southwark Crown court in London after being summoned for non payment of the local council tax. Previously there had existed a welfare payment to cover the cost of paying the tax for those on low incomes. The government abolished this benefit last year. The latest figures from the British Charity the Trussell Trust show that the demand for food banks is rapidly increasing…more than 350,000 between April and September this year received a thr...