Politics & Society

The Coronation of Edward VIII in a 1936 Christmas Book

Publishing is a notoriously slow industry and even the long lead magazines can take months to produce. So it’s absolutely vital that they are future proofed as best as possible and what could be more solid than the upcoming Coronation in 1937? So in 1936, when they were putting together the Big Christmas Wonder Book, …

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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 tourist resort and tourists are critical to the …

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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 heroes) rather sums up Purnell’s thrust: “He is a …

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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 partnerships in Britain …

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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 possibility, having previously …

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