When Gordon Brown announced the Chilcot Inquiry to the House in 2009, he said it would take a year to complete. He was roundly mocked by the opposition benches. Time has proven those Tories spot on; here we are, six years later, with not only no final report but nothing in sight in terms of […]
Why Donald Trump makes me feel better about life
As British politics drifts into a weird zone, with the Labour Party moving ever more leftwards, I take great comfort in American politics. Because when I look at Corbyn and his band of moony-eyed followers, I can’t help but feel very right-wing. However, all it takes to feel like some left-wing pinko again is to […]
Something you won’t hear this from me often, but here goes: I agree with Michael Fallon
The defence secretary, Michael Fallon, has added some words of wisdom to what was becoming, from the perspective of the Tory frontbench anyhow, a rather arid and even self-defeating conversation. On Radio 4 this morning, Fallon said that if a definite connection could be made between the Sousse massacre and Daesh, then surely some further […]
Almost 14 years on from September 11th, 2001, and our language around terrorism is still wrong
In the aftermath of the Sousse massacre, David Cameron has spoken a fair amount about the tragedy, both in the House and in public. On Radio 4 the other day, he was talking about Daesh (I’m refusing to call them ISIS or ISIL ever again, except in the context of a quote – they aren’t […]
My Stockholm Speech
Yesterday, I gave a talk in Stockholm, where I am currently, at least until this evening, on the future of British politics. It was put on by the Ohlin Institute, for whom I offer thanks for inviting me to speak on the subject. I’ve put it out on the site to see what others, particularly […]
Why earmarking 2% of GDP for defence spending is a silly idea
An interesting phenomenon within fiscal conservatism in the West is the treatment of defence spending. The theme goes like this: everything the government does should have its budget shrunk – except for defence, which should essentially be limitless in terms of what can be given over by the taxpayer. This reaches its sickening apex in […]
Nigel Farage hits America – a review of that and the UKIP conference he ended up missing most of as a result
UKIP spring conference is underway. Or it might be over – it’s difficult to tell with UKIP spring conference. Anyhow, this year the big story was Nigel’s absence. He turned up rather late as a result of having been in America for the Conservative Political Action Conference. For those who have never been to one […]
Football with the Taliban
It didn’t take me long to figure out that what I had on my hands was not exactly Brazil, 1970 vintage. “Come on, boys,” I said, trying to get into the swing of the whole football captaincy thing and doing an admittedly lame job of it. “If we beat these fuckers we can all go […]
What is a liberal reaction to the Charlie Hebdo shooting?
First off, this is so obvious it shouldn’t need saying, but in such shocking times it is best to be clear about as much possible: condemn the atrocity with no equivocation whatsoever. As no one really is offering an unequivocal response, that shouldn’t need saying. But like I say, when a shock to the system […]
Excerpt from the “Domiano Ndege” chapter of “The History of the African Continent”, by Dr Thomas Neider, 2008
Domiano Ndege’s “All African Republic”, as he proclaimed it, was short lived. A man named Mobutu Sese Seko took over Africana and renamed it Kinshasa several months after the revolution which removed the Belgian imperialists. Mobuto turned Domiano’s fledgling Central African fiefdom into the country of Zaire. Domiano Ndege and three of his closest cabinet […]