The Shortest History of Ireland by James HawesThis review appears in the new Liberator - issue 435. You can download it free of charge from the magazine's website. The Shortest History of Ireland James Hawes Old Street, 2026, £15 Teachers tried to tell you many things when you weren't listening properly, but here's some history they really didn't teach you at school. James Hawes tells the story of Ireland from the earliest times to the present day in a way that is constantly surprising and enlightening. I shall first urge you to read this book and then share a few of its most startling insights. One of ... (more) |
Could Burnham do it?My previous comments on the Makerfield by-election were made public recently. It seemed that the by-election was a gift to Reform. They had won every ward in the constituency in the recent local elections. People don't take well to unnecessary by-elections. Reform were chucking everything at it. But after a week of campaigning, it is becoming less of a Reform certainty. Doubts have crept into my (more) |
First surgeryYesterday, along with my Lib Dem councillor colleagues from the Whickham area, we held our first advice surgery for residents outside Whickham Library. Our thanks to the people who stopped to speak to us and especially to those who congratulated us on our re-election. Here are a few photos of the event. (more) |
Tom Arms' World ReviewThe Thucydides Trap There has been much talk recently about the "Thucydides Trap". China's President Xi Jinping is reported to have warned Donald Trump during his recent trip to Beijing that China and America were heading straight for the "Thucydides Trap." So what is it? It is a term coined by the diplomatic historian Graham Alison in his book "Destined for War." Allison uses Thucydides' history of the disastrous Peloponnesian War between Sparta (the established power) and Athens (the rising power) to argue that when one power becomes to challenge the hegemony of an existing power then war is inevitable. ... (more) |
Lord Bonkers' Diary: In return for a chunky donationAnother day with Lord Bonkers. Do I detect The Plot here? Tuesday In answer to an appeal for material for the Beltane bonfire, I call at a publisher's warehouse that is simply choked with hardback copies of Boris Johnson's memoirs. They are only too pleased for me to take them off their hands - in return for a chunky donation to the Home for Distressed Canvassers at Herne Bay, of course. I shall add them to the usual Liberal Democrat policy papers and some Morello trees that have been felled in my orchards. That should make a jolly blaze! The ... (more) |
Aiye-Keta: Afro SuperHere's Steve Winwood in 1973 playing what came to be called "world music" more than a decade later. "Aiye-Keta" (which means "the third world" or "the third life" in Yoruba) was a collaborative project between Winwood, who plays guitar and keyboards, the percussionist Remi Kabaka and Abdul Lasisi Amao, who plays saxophone and flute. Remi Kabaka, who died last year, played with John Martyn, Hugh Masekela and, on Rhythm of the Saints, Paul Simon. He is the father of Remi Kabaka Jr, the drummer and producer of Gorillaz. Abdul Lasisi Amao died back in 1988. He was a founder member ... (more) |
A kinder, gentler politicsEvents this week has had me thinking about Jeremy Corbyn's call for A kinder gentler politics ten years ago. A noble aim, sadly not followed by many of his own supporters. ( ask many Labour members to the right of his supporters) The first event was some posts on David (son of John) Prescott's Facebook page. David stood for the Greens this year in Hull, got a respectable amount of votes, and arguably split the vote to allow a reform member to unseat the sitting Lib Dem Councillor. David, who ran a very good social media campaign during the election, ... (more) |