Phil's Blog

  Some reflections on choosing a leader   Like many of my friends and colleagues I am a fully paid up member of the Groucho  Marxist tendency. I would never join a political party  that would have me as a member. Until now. Because like tens of  thousands of others I  have now paid my three quid to register to vote in the election for a new labour leader, … [Read more...] about SEPTEMBER BLOG: TO VOTE,PERCHANCE TO DREAM, AY THERE’S THE RUB.

Introduction This is a re-post as my webmaster has set up a system whereby these newsletters will be posted as blogs so everyone on my friends and colleagues list will automatically get  a notification. Apologies if you have read this before, although I have added a post script including some solutions that people  sent in to the little thought puzzle that gives the title of … [Read more...] about July Newsletter : Waiting for the bus

In the wake of the election it is clear that political geography is shifting under our feet. Centrifugal forces in what we used to call ‘British’ society, hitherto held in check, have staked out new and uncommon ground. This moment of de-centering, whether represented by the SNP on the Left, or UKIP on the Right, offers both an opportunity and a risk to everyone who holds on to … [Read more...] about May Blog : A post election comment

  This month, on September 12th, is the anniversary our adopted son’s death. We still do not know the exact medical cause as the inquest has been repeatedly postponed; the pathologist’s diagnosis of Central Pontine Myelinolysis concerns a condition which is almost as mysterious as the circumstances of his death in hospital. CPM is definitely associated with chronic … [Read more...] about SEPTEMBER BLOG In place of Kaddish, a letter for Ste

  I recently had a dream in which I was lost in a city which was familiar- I recognised several landmarks - but also strange in that its buildings had all been painted in garish day-glo colours. Many had giant graffiti sprayed on them depicting grotesque characters and scenes from comic books. As I wandered around the streets, at once enchanted and bewildered, I came … [Read more...] about AUGUST BLOG : Now you see it, now you don’t – Some reflections on the pop up economy