Political reform starts at home
Forget the current obsession with reforming the EU, reform of our domestic political institutions is far more important says Steve Beauchampé.
Me, Cammo, My Cutlery Shame and A Small Matter of £100m
Max Carlish continues his amble down memory lane when he crossed paths with a young David Cameron.
My Life and Not So Easy Times with David Cameron (PM)
By Max Carlish.
Of Benefit Street, Birmophobia and Benjamin Z
MAX CARLISH is working on a film with poet Benjamin Zephaniah and local social entrepreneur Jason Turner about finding work for former prisoners. He finds it raises a great deal of questions about Birmingham, its profile….and, of course, the curse of Benefit Street.
Pollutionwatch: Maria Miller
Not all pollution is airborne, as Richard Lutz explains.
Scotch Taped
RICHARD LUTZ, in his Scottish lair, reports on the latest news from north of Hadrian’s Wall.
Benn There, Done That
The death of British politician Tony Benn conjured up a love/hate story with a politician who had been in the public eye for a half century. Richard Lutz remembers…
Blair: Big Trouble in Little Britain
From RICHARD LUTZ.
Cameron The Coward
He ducked out twice. The Prime Minister is spineless, says RICHARD LUTZ.
Lord Rennard And Some Sisterly Advice
The Rennard revelations have been followed by thousands of women, but not all of them totally sympathise with his ‘victims.’ Older career women who dealt with sexism and survived unscathed think they need to toughen up. Are they right, asks Sheilagh Matheson
JFK: 50 Years Ago and What I Remember
If you are of a certain age, you will remember where you were…exactly…when you found out John Kennedy was shot 50 years ago today.
Mitchell police “no further action”
Officers will not be disciplined as a result of Plebgate meeting.
Of Scotland, Independence and That Underlying Uncertainty
With less than a year until Scotland votes for independence, RICHARD LUTZ feels the heat rising in the referendum debate.
Politics and Electric Shock Therapy
from Richard Lutz This week’s electioneering at the annual Labour Party conference had a whiff of righteousness about it- but it could hit a common chord with most folks paying the monthly bills. Or at least worrying about them To freeze power bills for 20 months (if Labour get in) is a winner. I…
Memo to all sections in Department of Health
Laurence Inman has seen a secret memo and, in true Wikileaks fashion, reveals its contents just prior to his arrest.
Russia to establish ‘non-permanent’ bases on Cyprus?
Cypriot Defence Minister Fotis Fotiu told journalists that he was ‘studying the possibility’ of permitting Russian military aircraft to use Paphos airbase and Russian warships to use the port of Limassol.
Total shutdown of Greek ‘BBC’ is unacceptable for an EU democracy – Bennion
The sudden shutdown of all channels of Greece’s national broadcasting company by the Greek government is ‘unacceptable for an EU democracy’, says West Mids and Warks Lib Dem MEP Phil Bennion.
The Elston Interview: Tim Yeo Sits Down With Our Reporter
HOWARD ELSTON (DOA), our political reporter, interviews Tim Yeo as he steps down from a powerful select committee following revelations over his controversial links with energy lobbies.
Surveillance Scandal: It Will Lead Back to Obama
The latest e-spying scandal has Obama’s fingerprints on it, says Richard Lutz
Labour challenge to control Walsall Council
Opposition councillors on Walsall Council will attempt to unseat the ruling coalition next week following, what they call, ‘a year of incompetence, inaction and increasing indifference.’
No foreigners, no gays, no benefit claimants
Steve Beauchampé on Britain’s fractured political machinery….
Howard Elston’s Big Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Nigel Farage?
Sir Howard Elston is shouting at you about UKIP’s success in the UK’s latest round of voting
Sir Bernard Zissman raises £16k with charity debatathon
Former Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Sir Bernard Zissman has put his famed public speaking skills to the test during a debatathon which raised more than £16,000 for charity
Phone win for ‘bedroom tax’ campaigners
Walsall people needing to contact the council’s housing benefit helpline for advice on the so-called bedroom tax can now do so without worrying about excessive phone bills
The Baroness T’s Death? Don’t Make Me Laugh
Maggie jokes? There’re a weird joke in themselves, says writer Sheilagh Matheson
Seven Reasons Why Mrs Thatcher Saved Our Great Nation
Our house historian HOWARD ELSTON (OBE) explains why Baroness Thatcher will always really be remembered in Uk-land
Maggie: The Final Act But Enter Sir Mark Stage Right
Britain steels itself for Mrs Thatcher’s funeral. But her son is there as chief mourner, warns Richard Lutz
Saying goodbye to the Grocer’s Daughter
Laurence Inman’s acerbic commentary on the late Baroness Thatcher
A Night in the Ukraine with Maggie
With that Margaret Thatcher movie now on our screens, Richard Lutz remembers an interview when Maggie’s spin doctor lost his spin
BOBI in Birmingham – a place to do business
It’s March, so that means a visit to The Best of Britain and Ireland show (BOBI) at the NEC. Andy Goff went along for a look.