Burnham is leading an administration that seems to have learned nothing from the administrations that governed the UK since the global financial crisis (GFC) in 2008. All these administrations failed. Keir Starmer failed, Rishi Sunak failed, Liz Truss failed, Boris Johnson failed, Theresa May failed, David Cameron failed, Gordon Brown failed. By failed we mean the Prime Minister … Continue reading Burnham’s Administration is on the road to failure—Editorial
“The Architect or the Bee?”
Michael Murray “A bee puts to shame many an architect in the construction of its cells. But what distinguishes the worst of architects from the best of bees is namely this: the architect will construct in his imagination that which he will ultimately erect in reality. At the end of every labour process we get … Continue reading “The Architect or the Bee?”
Building and Apprenticeships—Views from the front line
Eamon Dyas I came upon this as a post from someone called Robert Stewart on Facebook. His profile says that he "is a property entrepreneur, former RAF fighter pilot and housing commentator specialising in unlocking housing supply through commercial conversion, brownfield development and planning reform". Apparently he also ran a scaffolding company. Although he’s not … Continue reading Building and Apprenticeships—Views from the front line
Nonsense about government bonds
Martin Seale The mainstream media is full of stories about bonds. The fear being spread is that the Labour government will be unable to sell UK government bonds to a private sector that is apparently worried about whether the UK government might go bust. The UK mainstream media is unimpressive at the best of times. But … Continue reading Nonsense about government bonds
Human Connections
Eamon Dyas Musk predicts that within 5 years, apps, email, etc. will all be gone, replaced by AI Everything will be generated by AI on your device (formerly known as a "phone"), delivering everything it thinks and decides you want or need to your screen - Elon Musk 1.5-min clip from a Joe Rogan interview … Continue reading Human Connections
Diane Abbott speech to Peace Conference
Letter to the Editor I attended the London Peace conference on 20th June and in some respects it was quite impressive. Central Hall Westminster was full to the brim, both in the main hall and the smaller hall. Standing room only. Large delegations from both France and Spain with smaller delegations from most European countries. Conference … Continue reading Diane Abbott speech to Peace Conference
Notes on the News
By Gwydion M. Williams Real Civilisations Don’t Clash Western Freedom: I Did It My Way, You’ll Do it My Way It’s My Disaster, I’ll Replay If I Want To China Keeps the Market Beasts Under Control The Bad News Drones You’ll Do It My Way (Again) The Faulty Founding Fathers of the USA Snippets Inequality … Continue reading Notes on the News
PALESTINE LINKS
ICC's Japanese president says she 'won't give up' despite US sanctions (Middle East Eye, 27 August 2026) Armed Israeli settler ‘hikes’ aren’t new — but they’re becoming deadly (Aharon Porath & Roei Kleitman, +972, 26 August 2026) US designates Palestine Action activist group 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' (Middle Ear Eye, 26 August 2026) Hundreds of academics and … Continue reading PALESTINE LINKS
The pursuit of European unity through war
Eamon Dyas I think John Mearsheimer's question as to why the politicians of European countries appear to have lost the ability to think strategically and logically when it comes to Russia has to be seen in the context of the EU. With the systematic attempt to erode the idea of separate national interests and subsume … Continue reading The pursuit of European unity through war
Democracy et cetera
Brendan Clifford It has been demonstrated in recent years that the United States is not only the leader of world democracy, but is the foundation on which it exists, and without which it is unlikely that it would exist. Leaving aside the United States, the democratic world is Europe. Europe was laid out as a … Continue reading Democracy et cetera
The Soviet Union as a Failed World State
By Gwydion M. Williams From Soviet Globalism to Russian Imperialism Lost Globalisation Soviet Elites Reverting to a Ruling Class Talking Turkey Was the Soviet collapse a failure of socialism? Or a failure from the 1960s of the strongest single socialist state? A failure caused by rival nationalisms, and a reluctance to move on from 1930s visions? At … Continue reading The Soviet Union as a Failed World State
Sahra Wagenknecht Newsletter
Labour Affairs says: The BSW is coming back. [New polling suggests that the BSW is in a position to gain seats in the Sachsen – Anhalt (Lower Saxony) regional elections. Despite all the campaigning against them and the promotion of the fake left ‘Die Linke’ party as a diversion, the BSW, the representative of peace, freedom … Continue reading Sahra Wagenknecht Newsletter
Burnham’s story should have been Inequality, not Devolution—Editorial
If Andy Burnham is to have any hope of reversing the decline of the Labour Party he needs to have a fairly simple but compelling story. One good story would be inequality. He could say that he is going to reverse the inequality that has developed in the UK in the 47 years since Thatcher first came … Continue reading Burnham’s story should have been Inequality, not Devolution—Editorial
The Limits of Devolution—Editorial
In his speech in Manchester on 29th June, Andy Burnham made some interesting proposals. He wants all parts of the UK to be able to take greater public control of essential services like water, housing, energy and transport. He also pledges 10-year plans to bring down the cost of these essentials to individuals, families and … Continue reading The Limits of Devolution—Editorial
The origins of Rock
John ClaydenThe Skinheads one of the early youth cults in Britain still have memorial gatherings in Yarmouth on the east coast where they retain their affection for Ska music which is of Jamaican origin.The adoption of black music by working-class kids after the war is interesting. It seemed to be a country-wide phenomenon. Why did … Continue reading The origins of Rock
The Ukraine War—an Update
Eamon Dyas The idea that Kiev is “in ashes” [report 2 July 2-26] or that a single night of a Russian attack of such intensity represents a change in Russian tactics is what I find difficult to believe. What Russia did the other night was retaliatory rather than the expression of a new tactical perspective. … Continue reading The Ukraine War—an Update
Fortress Football: The Debacle That Is the 2026 World Cup
Alexandros Schulman At the time of writing, it is just hours before the opening ceremony in Mexico City is due to commence. The flags are hung, the broadcast crews are in position, and we are about to go live. That moment should be one of celebration, but for any keen observer of the game, it … Continue reading Fortress Football: The Debacle That Is the 2026 World Cup
Burnham and growth through increased defence spending
By Eamon Dyas On Sunday 28 June the former Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Tony Radakin, said in an interview with Laura Kuenssberg on BBC that whoever follows Keir Starmer as Prime Minister would have to operate “almost like a wartime Prime Minister” in the light of global threats. These comments were no doubt … Continue reading Burnham and growth through increased defence spending
Labour Affairs 