Roman Leicester wasn't built in a day 2Four years ago I wrote: What with one thing and another, it's been two years since I posted something from this series. So let's carry on the with the first part of its treatment of Roman Leicester. It's time we had the second part. Its YouTube blurb says: In part 2 of this episode exploring the archaeology and legacy of Roman Leicester, we examine the lifestyles of Ratae's former residents, uncovering amazing stories of love, life and death in the town. (more) |
How to spot a RacistI don't know about you, but I find it rather irritating when some 'patriot' (sic) with a flag tells me what it means to be English. I find it similarly galling to have explained to me what Zionism means and how it relates to my Judaism. These helpful Greens give me their definition of Zionism and tell me that it's racist – but it's ok, because there are plenty of 'good' Jews who are anti-Zionists. But I still choose to call myself a Zionist. And because Zionism, while not meaning the same as Judaism is deeply entwined with Judaism, I ... (more) |
Spread it aroundTaxing inheritances. I understand the Tories are about to discuss inheritance tax today Many years ago I heard a suggestion, I can't remember from whom, but probably the Liberal Party, which I found it very attractive. The proposal was that inheritance tax should be charged not on the estate leaving the bequest but on the recipients receiving the bequests (note the plurals.) The recipients would be able to inherit modest amounts tax free, but pay tax on big bonanza inheritances, or a multitude of modest ones. Thus, if we define a "modest amount" as, say, £50 000 (though that's beyond ... (more) |
Plans resubmitted for controversial 'state-of-the-art' crematorium next to Northampton secondary schoolThere's nothing sinister about this. Nothing sinister at all. Our Headline of the Day Award travels down the A508 to the Northampton Chronicle & Echo. (more) |
Cleaners From Venus: Illya Kuryakin Looked at MeA wonderful homage to the Sixties as they were or should have been. Rita Tushingham. Harold Wilson. David Hemmings. David Bailey. The Avengers. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (more) |
Shambolic, careless Reform and their disappearing councillorsThe Mirror reports on an online tracker by Best For Britain which reveals that 51 Reform UK councillors have quit, defected or been suspended since May amid questions about Nigel Farage's leadership. They say that Nigel Farage's party is losing a member of the 2026 intake every three days on average due to resignations, defections and suspensions: Julia Meadon, the group's director of digital, told The Mirror: "We've been closely monitoring Reform UK's shambolic approach to local government - and surprise, surprise, their councillors are quitting and being turfed out in their droves. "While Farage slurps oysters and sips champagne ... (more) |