Every so often I have the privilege of hearing a speech that is inspiring and thought provoking. As readers of my blog will know, my political inspiration doesn’t always from ‘my side of the aisle’ and so it was last week, when a Labour politician grabbed my attention and my applause by the power and… Continue reading A true leader in #London, Haringey’s @ClaireKober speaks out for inclusive visionary leadership, and warns against populism and surrendering power to vocal minorities
Tag: politics
Recent events a wake-up call to politicians: austerity must end, we need a kinder, fairer way
In My Opinion piece written for The Smithfield Gazette, June 2017 The last twelve months in British and global politics, along with incidents of domestic and international terrorism, and the horrendous fire at Grenfell Tower in West London must surely be the wake-up call needed for those of us involved in public life to think… Continue reading Recent events a wake-up call to politicians: austerity must end, we need a kinder, fairer way
Ruth Davidson – a new kind of politician, a new kind of politics
Writing a post like this is liable to inflame some of my fellow Liberal Democrats and other friends who simply dislike Tories, but the results of Thursday’s elections to the Scottish Parliament deserve comment, not least because of the extraordinary revival of the Scottish Conservatives under their leader Ruth Davidson. I am proud and fortunate to… Continue reading Ruth Davidson – a new kind of politician, a new kind of politics
Syria vote: a victory for British democracy
Last night’s vote in the House of Commons not to endorse the Government’s proposed intervention by the UK armed forces to deter any future use of chemical weapons in the Syria’s brutal civil war is – whichever side of the principal argument you are on – a victory for British democracy and our parliamentary system.… Continue reading Syria vote: a victory for British democracy
Stephen Fry’s call to arms – why the IOC must act on Russia
I have always had the greatest admiration for Stephen Fry – his talent, his passion, his humanity, his advocacy for equality and for those, like him, who struggle with their mental health. I had the good fortune once to share a long train journey with him and found him to be not only the hugely… Continue reading Stephen Fry’s call to arms – why the IOC must act on Russia
In memory of Harvey Milk – defending principles, fighting prejudice
Yesterday evening, my partner and I watched the 2008 film Milk, which tells the story of the political career of San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk, America’s first openly gay elected public official. Milk was an inspirational figure who overcame prejudice and even violence during his campaigns to be elected, but was ultimately assassinated in… Continue reading In memory of Harvey Milk – defending principles, fighting prejudice
Attacked by Guido – a political rite of passage?
This morning I had the dubious privilege of being ‘done over’ by the Guido Fawkes political blog order-order.com. Some friends have suggested that I should wear it as a badge of honour, almost a rite of passage in my political career. I’m generally an admirer of the Guido blog, indeed I link to it directly… Continue reading Attacked by Guido – a political rite of passage?
Margaret Thatcher – a working class revolutionary?
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?
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
C. E. Lord OBE 