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Thinking the Unthinkable: Britain and a New Europe

  Leaving the EU and the break up of the euro have been called ‘unthinkable’ by some. Yet history teaches that thinking the unthinkable sometimes works. This article was first published on 29 November 2011 on Suite 101. Britain’s had an uneasy relationship with the European Union and its predecessors for forty years. Until recently, some powerful British voices urged the UK to abandon the pound and embrace the Euro. However, fast-moving, spiralling out of control events and crises are set to change old thinking. Sometimes, in the search for the new, the past is rediscovered and given a modern twist. What Would Churchill Have Said? In his book European Integration and Disintegration, Robert Bideleux commented on the widely-held view that Winston Churchill believed a united Europe of states was possible, but without Great Britain’s … Read entire article »

Filed under: Articles at Suite 101

The Verdict

Bungay Theatre Group at the Fisher Theatre, Bungay Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 23 November 2012 Queen of Crime Agatha Christie wrote Bungay Theatre Group’s latest venture as a play, not novel or story, because its compelling narrative translates well on stage. Set in a 1950s Bloomsbury flat, it’s a journey through personal tensions, despair and hope. It’s taut, clever writing, described by some as close to melodrama. It’s a who-dunnit without the who. We know that a spoilt student (lively Jessica Delf) over administers medicine to the wheelchair-bound, cantankerous wife (Janet Wright) of the weak professor (John Sauverin) she is infatuated with. It’s a thriller-mystery but more about characters and ageing, love and marriage, with side commentary on ‘foreigners’. Directed by Emily Delf and Stephen Went who both take roles, it carefully … Read entire article »

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Scotland’s New or False Dawn Will Have to Break Soon

Whether Scotland should/could break from the UK, will be another elephant in the crowded room of British politics over the next few years. This article was first published on Suite 101, 17 November 2011. It is relevant today. The issue has far from gone away. As autumn gives way to a forecast long, bleak winter, the voters of Scotland will be wrestling with tax/spending issues and fallout from the Euro’s collapse at one end of the scale, to the proposed daylight hours changes at the other. The question of how much Scotland suffers/benefits from changing winter/summer time is symptomatic of a wider issue. Scotland has to face a once-in-a-lifetime decision, a unique opportunity, challenge and responsibility in the next three years. As Scots struggle like other Britons with their finances and winter difficulties, … Read entire article »

Filed under: Articles at Suite 101

Energy Policy Needs New Ideas or It Could Burn the Government

Crowd-sourcing may be worth a try as the Government tries to keep affordable heat and light on and transport moving in this coming winter. This article first published on Suite 101, 16 November 2011, and as another winter approaches, it is a s relevant as last year. In the age of social media and mass voting on issues via phones, ballots and violent protest, harnessing the received wisdom of crowds could be just what the Government needs to get it off the energy policy hook. November saw another Commons debate triggered by an epetition, whereby the public votes on hot topics for Parliament to consider. Many MPs voiced strong opposition to the planned January fuel duty hike, reporting businesses, retailing, hauliers and individual people finding rocketing fuel prices unaffordable. Gone are the … Read entire article »

Filed under: Articles at Suite 101

Referendal Politics Could Be (Re)birth of Contemporary Democracy

Voters pass judgments in elections and referenda. Not always convenient to rulers, but they’re here to stay in modern democracy as people express opinions. This article first published on Suite 101, 9 November 2011. Matthew D’Ancona used the phrase ‘referendal politics’ in the Daily Telegraph, November 2011, in relation to the fightback and rebirth of (new) democracy in the face of bureaucratic, outdated elites now running Europe. However, as so often in history, politics and news, it’s an old term brought back in a different context. A book by Corinne Comstock Weston (1995) about The House of Lords and ideological Politics, analysed what was called ‘Lord Salisbury’s Referendal Theory’ in relation to the Conservative Party 1846-1922. While Britain then was gradually embracing democracy, the House of Lords was seen ‘as the last bastion … Read entire article »

Filed under: Articles at Suite 101

Stress Could Be the Next Key Factor in British Politics

Work patterns changed beyond recognition in a decade, occupational stress the norm, few benefit from technology’s ease: can Britain ever take it easy again? This article first published on Suite 101, 8 November 2011. With the pressure of few shopping days till Christmas, financial worries and frantic lifestyles of expectation, social-media and the ‘now’, all ages feel under stress. In-Deed, an online conveyancing company published a November 2011 survey saying that selling or buying a house ages people by two years. They didn’t find how much stress people suffer who can’t sell their homes. How much is healthy, creative stress and how much is destructive? More of the latter has far-reaching consequences for our legislation, legal/educational/welfare/employment/transport systems. In short, for our whole way of life. Most employed accept some occupational stress. When a … Read entire article »

Filed under: Articles at Suite 101

Whistle Down the Wind

Norfolk Youth Music Theatre at Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich Reviewed published in the Eastern Daily Press, 3 November 2012 From the opening with the full cast on stage, this show both moves and gladdens the heart, stirs emotions and leaves room for plenty to think about. There is an escaped convict on the loose just before Christmas. Village children think the stranger in the barn is Jesus. On that story hangs a variation of the Nativity and parables and events from the Bible, including a Judas character in the boy (George Hunt) who betrays the Man, sympathetically played by John Chitty. Rough, rural family life is captured perfectly with props and effects handled well. The acting and singing in the children’s chorus/disciples’ commentary is priceless; their parents wonderfully odd. The church nativity scene is hilarious. The orchestra … Read entire article »

Filed under: Reviews

Advertising, Television, Web and Film Are the Entertainment Now

As social media, the web and television become interlinked, advertising/shopping/retailing looks set to be the cement that holds it all together. This first published on Suite 101, 31 October 2011 Research studies, commentators and various net and commercial pundits are busy jumping on bandwagons as the advertising industry ensures its prosperity in all media. Advertising, love it or hate it, is going to get ever more intrusive as technology evolves. Brand Loyalty Since 2010 in the UK, it’s been legal to place products within both television shows and films. This goes way beyond mere sponsorship and focusses on simple messages: this hero drinks this particular beverage; that attractive girl is into those named shoes. Now, with simple technology and high motivation, media and advertising are teaming up to retro-fit products into programmes and movies … Read entire article »

Filed under: Articles at Suite 101