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Brighton holiday lets: thoughts on regulation and neighbourliness

Brighton holiday lets: thoughts on regulation and neighbourliness

After my last post grumbling about Brighton Holiday Homes, I have been musing on what positive steps could be taken to improve the situation for the city's permanent residents and encourage greater neighbourliness. My suggestions are informed by a few key thoughts. Firstly, that Brighton is a ... Read more »
Book Review: Just Boris: The Irresistible Rise of a Political Celebrity by Sonia Purnell

Book Review: Just Boris: The Irresistible Rise of a Political Celebrity by Sonia Purnell

Never has a political assassination in print been so delicious, detailed, elegant and comprehensive. Having read Just Boris: The irresistable rise of a political celebrity it is almost impossible to like the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. John Bright's assessment of Disraeli (one of Boris's own ... Read more »
Eton couldn't run a state school

Eton couldn’t run a state school

I'm embarassed to say the Prime Minister and I share Eton College as an alma mater. But unlike David Cameron, I had the greater privilege of learning more than a thing or two in the state sector. If Cameron had been to a comprehensive like me, he'd know that Eton just doesn't have what it takes to ... Read more »
What Anders Breivik bought on eBay

What Anders Breivik bought on eBay

Take a look for yourself. This is what Anders Behring Breivik bought on eBay, apparently. The Telegraph is reporting that Norwegian terrorist and confessed murderer Anders Breivik bought some of his equipment and supplies on eBay. They say he used the now suspended eBay ID andrewbrei. At ... Read more »
The language of civil partnerships matters

The language of civil partnerships matters

It's astonishing that New York has only just legalised gay marriage. There are some very touching pictures in the Guardian. The word is right though: marriage. And changing the law in this country does, to a very large extent lie with simply changing a few words. I'm pleased that we have civil ... Read more »
What did the Prime Minister know? And when did he know it?

What did the Prime Minister know? And when did he know it?

The resignation of Rebekah Brooks was inevitable. That Sir Paul Stephenson has resigned too, on the same day as Brooks’ arrest, is remarkable. Surely David Cameron is next in line. I’ve been saying it on Twitter and down the boozer for at least a week. Tonight, even Iain Dale thinks it’s a ... Read more »
Contrition from the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Contrition from the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

... Read more »
Some Regency buzzers

Some Regency buzzers

I could write a very long post about standing for election and getting beaten and what a Green council might mean for Brighton. But who really wants to know my ramblings about that? So instead here are the buzzers. Every candidate knocks on doors and Regency ward is tougher than most. So many ... Read more »
BHCC Budget: Why Labour abstained

BHCC Budget: Why Labour abstained

A few people have asked me why Labour abstained last night on the budget vote for Brighton and Hove City Council. Here’s my best stab at setting a context and explaining the decision. I must say though, that over the last few years, as I’ve learnt more about local government, there are lots of ... Read more »
Worst Royal Wedding? George IV and Caroline of Brunswick

Worst Royal Wedding? George IV and Caroline of Brunswick

(A little guest post I did for someone else as a favour. Shameless recycling) The prize for the worst Royal Wedding ever could easily go to the man who would become George IV. He was Prince of Wales at the time and later Regent. George married his first cousin, Caroline of Brunswick, in 1795. ... Read more »
Two rather arcane points about Labour's leadership election process

Two rather arcane points about Labour’s leadership election process

**NB: I wrote and published this before the results of the Labour leadership election were announced.** It looks like there will be a bit of a discussion about how Labour elects its leader in the next few weeks, especially if Ed Miliband wins. I don’t propose to explain it (not least because ... Read more »
Which Miliband? Reflections.

Which Miliband? Reflections.

As a member of the Labour party, I have felt surprisingly unengaged with the Labour leadership election. I guess I was a bit tired after a tough general election (that I worked tirelessly for here in Brighton) and also I had to concentrate on some other projects. That said, I did go to events down ... Read more »
Douglas Hurd backs Ed Miliband*

Douglas Hurd backs Ed Miliband*

I can't generally do name dropping. Not least because I don’t have names worthy of jettisoning in public. And I obviously shy away from playing the posh school card (for so many reasons). But this tickled so much, that I have to share. I donned black tie and headed back to the alma mater last ... Read more »
The British Prime Minister isn’t a Community Manager

The British Prime Minister isn’t a Community Manager

At the weekly ritual of Prime Minister’s Question Time, where Britain’s head of government is held to account, PM David Cameron condemned comments and pages on Facebook from users supporting murderer Raoul Moat. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, said: “It is absolutely clear that Raoul ... Read more »