Category: Opinion

Another red herring – the timing of lockdowns

In my opinion, the other red herring to be brought into play over the past 24 hours through the Dominic Cummings interview has been the question over whether or not the lockdowns, particularly the first one in March 2020 and the autumn one just after half term should have been earlier and whether that would… Continue reading Another red herring – the timing of lockdowns

A herd of red herrings

The big political dispute over the past few days has been as to whether or not the UK pursued a herd immunity strategy during the early stages of COVID-19.  It’s a red-herring because the answer is of course we were and still are following a herd immunity strategy. The alternative to herd immunity is to… Continue reading A herd of red herrings

Eurovision, hate and indifference

Eurovision returned last night after a one year COVID enforced hiatus. Normal service was well and  truly resumed with outlandish costumes, cheesy lyrics and quirky voting. To cap it all, once again, the UK finished bottom with the ignominious “null points”.  Then as usual, people took to social media to complain that everyone in Europe… Continue reading Eurovision, hate and indifference

The Truth about Hamas

In the last few days I’ve written about the need to respond to events in the Middle East in an informed manner. To speak on Middle East issues must include the responsibility to challenge Israel for unjust, oppressive and illegal behaviour including ongoing occupation of territory, failure to care properly for the human rights of… Continue reading The Truth about Hamas

If you don’t want to be a racist then don’t intimidate and cajole British Jews over what is happening in Israel

Journalist Nazanin Zagari-Ratcliffe remains imprisoned in Iran.  I have Iranian friends. I would not dream of calling them up and demanding that they condemn the Iranian regime.  Of course, I suspect that given their reason for coming to the UK was to seek asylum, I suspect that they wouldn’t hesitate to condemn Iran in far… Continue reading If you don’t want to be a racist then don’t intimidate and cajole British Jews over what is happening in Israel

How should we respond when Israel is in the news?

The focus has returned to the Middle East with rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel and Israeli military force being deployed against the Palestinians. Most commentary has been negative towards Israel with concerns and condemnation concerning the loss of civilian life. How should we respond and engage? Well actually saying nothing might be the best… Continue reading How should we respond when Israel is in the news?

How should we respond to local/regional COVID-19 hotspots?

Over the last few days attention has begun to focus on a few towns and places where Coronavirus cases are on the increase again. Bolton is increasingly making it into the headlines but there are other places where this is causing concern including Bedford. The other concerning factor is that these increases tend to be… Continue reading How should we respond to local/regional COVID-19 hotspots?

A year in lockdown – was it worth it?

What were you doing this time last year?  I was running a temperature and fighting a dry cough.  That’s right I’d gone down with COVID-19.   The result was that I was going to stay at home.  I’d hoped initially that it was just a cold but through the day, it became clearer that it wasn’t.… Continue reading A year in lockdown – was it worth it?

What not to take away from the Meghan and Harry interview

Well the Meghan and Harry interview has done its work in generating a lot of opinion and discussion. It seems to me that polarisation is likely to align along pre-established lines. Steve Kneale writes here about how it is likely to reflect culture with Meghan and Harry’s approach and therefore support reflecting a younger, new… Continue reading What not to take away from the Meghan and Harry interview