December 19, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Blair’s foreign policy: the aftermath
I done gone done a post over at The Sharpener based on the latest Chatham House report on Blair’s foreign policy legacy. Word of warning – get yourself a thermos of tea ready before you start… It’s a long ‘un…
December 15, 2006
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
What with all the exitement yesterday, what with Blair being questioned by the police, the investigation into bribes over British arms deals with the Saudi dictatorship being dropped “in the national interest”, the official announcement that Princess Diana’s death was … Continue reading
December 14, 2006
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
Yesterday lunchtime: “Tony Blair has said the NHS is the “pride of the country” amid criticism of mismanagement and a huge deficit.” Yesterday evening: “Health minister Lord Warner has resigned and will leave his job at the end of the … Continue reading
December 13, 2006
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
Has anyone got the full version of Menzies Cambell’s speech on Britain’s relationships with the EU and US? Because this looks to be the second speech by a relatively minor British politician (with a certain amount of influence) in a … Continue reading
December 12, 2006
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
You see, the reason I’m cutting back on UK politics is that it’s all just so damned depressingly predictable all the time. Although, it has to be said, even I was a tad surprised at the news that, first of … Continue reading
December 10, 2006
by Nosemonkey
7 Comments
In the world of Nosemonkey, there are a few givens: 1) I can’t do maths 2) The NHS is the single biggest problem facing the UK, and the cause of most of this country’s woes, but no one will ever … Continue reading
December 6, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Blair’s foreign policy: the aftermath
(Originally published on The Sharpener) Professor Victor Bulmer-Thomas, in his last briefing paper as Director of non-profit foreign policy analysts Chatham House, is suitably damning of our dear foreign policy obsessed PM – with a few nice little digs to … Continue reading
December 4, 2006
by Nosemonkey
6 Comments
So the army’s alleged to be targetting schools in deprived areas for recruitment? About bloody time, surely? For decades, pupils from public schools have been pretty much forced to sign up to basic military training via the Combined Cadet Force … Continue reading
November 30, 2006
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
(An overly simplified, probably overly opinionated overview of the “Special Relationship”) Britain’s position in the post-WWII Europe was always envisaged by the Americans as the middle-man. They liked the idea of a united Europe after having (albeit belatedly) found themselves … Continue reading
November 29, 2006
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
The always tip-top Jim Bliss has a follow-up to my post of yesterday, with some intriguing points about the constitutional implications of the Republic of Ireland’s apparent involvement with secret CIA flights: “An independent neutral republic not only has a … Continue reading
November 24, 2006
by Nosemonkey
11 Comments
He really just doesn’t get it, does he? “A new contract between the state and the citizen setting out what individuals must do in return for quality services from hospitals, schools and the police is one of the key proposals … Continue reading
November 21, 2006
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
Yes kids, that’s right! It’s the most exciting day of the year – EU budget day! Weeeeeeeeeee! If you really, really must, EU Politix have a nice (mercifully short) summary of the usual potential issues – notably the spat between … Continue reading
November 19, 2006
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
Two years ago, a semi-anonymous blogger was telling them that the 2012 Olympics were likely (not including infrastructure development and PR) to cost around £4.7 billion, rather than the initial estimate of £2.3 billion. Now they’re estimating £5 billion – … Continue reading
November 18, 2006
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
I know I promised a return to quality on this place, but this is going to be more like Popbitch. Sorry… Politico spot: John Reid coming out of the Cavendish Square exit of the Oxford Street branch of John Lewis … Continue reading