Monthly Archives: May 2011
The return of the bastards
Surely one couldn’t forget John Major’s “bastards”? — John Major’s rage and frustration with rightwing Tories boiled over this weekend when, in an outburst, he called three of his own cabinet members “bastards”. The onslaught against the Eurosceptic ministers not … Continue reading
Filed under Britain, ConHome, Conservative Party policy., David Cameron, Lib Dems, politics, Tim Montgomerie, Times
Death by a thousand c….
Ah, “Big Society” — we knew you well. After umpteen “re-launches” — most commentators count up to six — we should do. You were maimed at birth, unable to be called by a real name. “Social contract” was already taken. … Continue reading
Bardfest? Yikes!
In yesterday’s Observer there was Vanessa Thorpe noting that, predictably, the 2012 London “cultural Olympics” has its regular star: This country may be the birthplace of Chaucer, Milton, Austen, the Brontë sisters and Dickens, but Britain has only one dominant … Continue reading
Filed under Beer, Britain, Charles Dickens, cricket, culture, Literature, Observer, pubs, railways, reading, Shakespeare
unCorinthian
Is there not something inherently wrong with a sport management authority, “for the good of the game“, which needs an “Ethics Committee”? How unlike the game’s noble origins: The aims of the Club are to promote fair play and sportsmanship, … Continue reading
Filed under Ethical Man, History, policing, sleaze.
Eddikashun by numbers
Elizabeth Truss is the Tory MP for South West Norfolk. Her earlier “greatest hits” involve a spat with the “Turnip Taliban“, who objected to her leg-over situations with another Tory. Now she has a hummer of an idea: every state … Continue reading
Filed under blogging, Britain, broken society, Conservative Party policy., David Cameron, education, Norfolk, sleaze., Tories.
The beginning of the ConDem end
As far as Malcolm can see, it began with Gary Gibbon, Channel 4 News political editor, posting his blog entry on Tuesday morning: How does the Coalition end? It is a frequent topic of conversation amongst Tories and Lib Dems at all levels. If … Continue reading
Borismeisterstinger
Yesterday there were ululations over the appearance, at last, of an almost-functioning Borisbus. With some reason, Brian Walker saw the silver lining for Slugger O’Toole, as Our slice of a new piece of London heritage. After all, the bolting together is … Continue reading
Filed under Boris Johnson, Britain, London, Northern Ireland, policing, politics, Slugger O'Toole, Tories.
Normal for Norfolk
From today’s Times (side bar, page 13): Hands-free driver A motorist has been arrested after steering with his knees while using two mobile phones. Police saw the man driving along a section of the A47 at Blofield, near Norwich, with … Continue reading
Filed under Law, Metropolitan Police, Murdoch, Norfolk, policing, sleaze., smut peddlers
Too long, but not too late
Story of the day: Ex-children’s services director Sharon Shoesmith says she is “thrilled” to have won a Court of Appeal battle over her sacking after Baby Peter’s death. Judges said then education secretary Ed Balls and her employers, Haringey Council, had … Continue reading
Filed under David Cameron, Ed Balls, Law, Lynne Featherstone, Murdoch, prejudice, Quotations
What did you do in the War, Grand-dad?
Not even turned thirty, in the early 1970s, Malcolm’s alter ego was teaching. He had to explain the word “abdication”. Being Malcolm, the exegesis was exhaustive, to the point of being tiresome, including an account of the events of 1936. … Continue reading
Filed under education, World War 2
