I should begin with a warning. My friends and followers of both a left and a right wing persuasion are not going to like this post. On Saturday night I watched Channel 4’s insightful documentary “Margaret: Death of a Revolutionary” where Martin Durkin presented his radical thesis: that Margaret Thatcher was a working class revolutionary,… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher – a working class revolutionary?
Author: C E Lord
Margaret Thatcher – as remarkable and divisive in death as she was in life
I was shocked to learn at lunchtime of the death of Baroness Thatcher, British Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. Ironically, I had just completed a tour of the Palace of Westminster with two friends from Los Angeles, where we had seen both the striking statue of Lady Thatcher in the Members’ Lobby of the… Continue reading Margaret Thatcher – as remarkable and divisive in death as she was in life
Really Mr Cameron? When would you launch Trident?
So, today the Prime Minister visits Scotland to welcome home one of our submarines carrying the current Trident nuclear deterrent, emphasising the benefits of UK defence spending north of the border and the need, as he sees it, for Britain to retain its nuclear capability. He makes that point as well in an article in… Continue reading Really Mr Cameron? When would you launch Trident?
A big weekend in the FA Cup – the women’s cup that is
I am sure many football fans will have a view on who they would like to see as the victors in tomorrow’s FA Cup ‘clash of the titans’ at Stamford Bridge. In many cases it will be which of Chelsea or Manchester United do you dislike less in determining whom you hope will emerge victors.… Continue reading A big weekend in the FA Cup – the women’s cup that is
Polly Toynbee and the polarisation of the benefits debate
This morning I found myself almost without thinking ‘liking’ a friend’s post on Facebook which shared Polly Toynbee’s piece from Thursday’s Guardian “Benefit cuts: Monday will be the day that defines this government” (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/28/benefit-cuts-monday-defines-government). That in and of itself is an interesting departure as I have never been Ms Toynbee’s greatest fan, having felt for… Continue reading Polly Toynbee and the polarisation of the benefits debate
What kind of Liberal votes for secret courts?
I often find myself in a minority being a supporter of the coalition. I strongly believed that the Liberal Democrats could be a moderating influence on the more knee jerk authoritarian instincts of the Conservatives whilst setting the economy straight in a fair but firm manner. I’m not going to talk about economic policy here,… Continue reading What kind of Liberal votes for secret courts?
David Miliband – another moderate bites the dust
The departure of David Miliband from British politics will provoke mourning amongst the sensible centre of the Labour Party, just as Michael Portillo’s decision to retire from the House of Commons ten years ago had the same impact amongst liberal Conservatives, myself included. But the loss of such real talent from political life is a… Continue reading David Miliband – another moderate bites the dust
Sexism in the City (Elections)
Simon Clark’s Bloomberg article “Sexism in the City of London as men rule in elections” (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-25/sexism-in-the-city-of-london-as-men-rule-in-elections.html) draws out a number of crucial issues for the Corporation to tackle as the Council starts a new four year term. Clark’s core point about the gender imbalance of the City’s corporate nominee electors is absolutely valid. As he… Continue reading Sexism in the City (Elections)
‘Standing Up’ has fallen down – some thoughts on the City elections
This year’s City of London elections have been the hardest fought in living memory with 21 out of the 25 Wards being contested by over 150 candidates. The polls took place on March 21st and the results are now in. In my own Ward, I and two of my One Farringdon team colleagues – Wendy Mead… Continue reading ‘Standing Up’ has fallen down – some thoughts on the City elections
Fit and proper people – who are we kidding?
This morning on Radio 4’s Today programme we heard the chief executive of the League Manager’s Association describe the situation at Blackburn Rovers Football Club which yesterday sacked its third manager this season. Michael Appleton was dismissed by an ‘adviser’ employed by the new Indian owners of the Club rather than by the Club’s managing director… Continue reading Fit and proper people – who are we kidding?
C. E. Lord OBE 