What We Owe The Future by William MacAskill
MacAskill, a Scottish philosopher and a leading figure in the Effective Altruism movement, challenges traditional notions of philanthropy by advocating for thoughtful and strategic giving. He suggests that when you’re feeling compassionate, you should engage your head rather than your heart.
Humankind by Rutger Bregman
This is a book of two halves. I read the first 200 pages I enjoyed and it kept me turning the pages. But they were very much the typical pop science or pop history paradigm. The author has some new or newish take on the standard view of things and explains why his ideas are […]
Thatcher – Hero, Villain or Idiot?
Margaret Thatcher remains a towering figure in British politics, revered by her supporters as a visionary leader who transformed the U.K.’s economic landscape. Fondly remembered as the “Iron Lady,” Thatcher is praised for her staunch resolve and unwavering commitment to free-market principles, which many credit with revitalizing the British economy during her tenure as Prime […]
Why the Reform Party will be a Damp Squib
Predicting elections is a mug’s game. They often surprise everyone, and there are some striking examples from recent UK history. For instance, during the Brexit referendum, you could still get odds of 8 to 1 on Remain winning while the votes were being counted. Similarly, Theresa May entered the 2017 General Election with a lead […]
Iran Attacks Israel – What Will History Say?
Much of the art of politics is fitting a narrative that suits your purposes to recent events. A big event like the 300 or more missiles that Iran rained down on Israel spawns a number of them. Israel wants to be both the victim and the victor – earning the right to retaliate and to […]
The Great Passion by James Runcie
James Runcie recreates what it must have been like to be there when Bach completed the St Mathew Passion,
Is The Pound Stopping Us Rejoining the EU?
The Pound is no obstacle to rejoining. Here’s the reasons.
Why Support the European Union? – the Schumann declaration 1950
A foundational document of the European Union still inspires.
Three Daughters of Eve by Elif Shafa
A book by a Turkish author makes me think about national identity.
Last Night of the Proms 2023
I am one of those people who love the last night of the Proms, and I make a point of being in to watch it on the television. My personal favourite bit is the sea songs. But the whole event is usually great, and the standard of the music is often spectacular. And the waving […]