From parking spaces to living spaces: the opportunity hiding in NCP's collapseNational Car Parks entered administration this week, and the coverage has followed a predictable script: jobs at risk, iconic brand in trouble, another casualty of post-pandemic Britain. All true. But the real story isn't about what's being lost. It's about what could be gained. NCP operates 340 car parks across the UK – at airports, hospitals, railway stations, and city centres. That's 200,000 parking spaces sitting on some of the most strategically located urban land in the country. Land with road access, public transport links, and existing planning permissions for intensive use. And right now, it's available at a fraction ... (more) |
This House: James Graham's play reviewedThe latest episode of Political Fictions is all about governments struggling with small majorities in the 1970s: Mark and Cory talk about James Graham's play This House. The hit play, available to stream from the National Theatre, is about party whips trying to prop up a government without a secure House of Commons in the 1970s. Mark and Cory marvel at the kipper ties and rotary dial phones, discuss the importance of treating your political opponents with respect, and ponder whether works of art would be improved if they spent more time celebrating the achievements of Labour governments. Regular listeners ... (more) |
Democratic capitalism should not stop at the ballot boxLiberal Democrats are, at our best, a party of power and of how it is used, utilising social-democratic and liberal ideas. We have long understood that freedom is not secured simply by declaring rights. It depends on how power is distributed across society; who holds it, who can challenge it, and whether it is accountable. That instinct has shaped our commitment to constitutional reform, civil liberties, and the decentralisation of the state. But there is one area where this liberal insight remains underdeveloped: the economy. We pride ourselves on living in a democratic society. Yet for most people, the place ... (more) |
Labour MPs revolt on international aid cutsThe Independent reports that Keir Starmer is set to face the wrath of Labour MPs over confirmation of significant cuts to overseas development aid (ODA). The paper says that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is expected to make an announcement to parliament on Thursday over reduced allocations for aid, more than a year after the prime minister announced plans to reduce the funds from 0.5 per cent of GDP to 0.3 per cent by 2027: Keir Starmer is set to face the wrath of Labour MPs over confirmation of significant cuts to overseas development aid (ODA). The Foreign, ... (more) |
Oh, those Russians: Antony Beevor on Rasputin and the RomanovsThe British military historian Sir Antony Beevor is busy promoting his new book Rasputin and the Downfall of the Romanovs. Here he in the guest on Jackson van Uden's History with Jackson podcast. Not only did I love Sylvia by Focus when I was 12, I could name all the Romanov tsars in their correct order. I had developed a fascination with Russian history after reading Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie. Sadly, that knowledge has been lost over the years, along with reams of chess opening theory and the ability to construct proofs in formal logic. (more) |
The Joy of Six 1490"Our reviewers found that the guests or 'experts' are predominantly drawn from a pool of right wing commentators, politicians, polling organisations, or think tanks. The supposedly counterbalancing minority voices often have little real stature or expertise and are challenged or interrupted much more than the guests who agree with the presenter's views."Alan Rusbridger introduces The New World's special investigation of GB News and of Ofcom's abdication of its role. Thomas Worth sets out the threat the invigorated Greens pose to Liberal Democrat ambitions: "While it isn't likely the Greens will take seats from us, it is possible they will prevent ... (more) |
Why Liberals must extinguish the so-called 'Culture Wars'On Tuesday afternoon, I found myself scrolling Twitter - as one does (even if it invokes a sense of despair) - and could not help but feel disgusted by how so many speak of their peers. Social media has always brought out antisocial tendencies in some people, and it's a well-studied psychological phenomenon. Except I'm not sure it's just a phenomenon anymore. While most people in the real world are relatively nice and prosocial, over the last few years we have seen grievance politics bleed into the real world - with dangerous consequences In the wake of the Southport murders, ... (more) |
London bars shun Margot Robbie's gin over shellfish allergen concernsLadies and gentlemen, we have our Headline of the Day. Well done to everyone at the Guardian. (more) |
Focus: SylviaSylvia was that rare thing, a European hit in the UK in 1973. Despite being an instrumental, it got as high as no. 4 in the singles chart. And Focus's guitarist Jan Akkerman finished near the top in music papers' polls for the best guitarist for a good while afterwards. Me? I loved this record when I was 12. (more) |
The Green ThreatA post on X from Luke Tryl, the UK Director of More in Common, the other day changed how I viewed the rise of the Green Party. The post was in response to the latest polling from Ipsos, which had us sitting on just 9%, the lowest we've polled since the 2024 General Election. In the post he said, 'If the Lib Dems go into May with the Greens eating at their progressive flank it could well limit their gains in e.g. the new East and West Surrey councils, Sussex and other south east districts'. As a longstanding member in ... (more) |