By the book
Richard Lutz ends each year with his booklist compiled over the past 12 months.
When the Christmas turkey comes home to roost
Richard Lutz rubs his hands with glee at the latest news from the world of grubby greedy people
Decline of the invisible city
Part 5 – The Kerslake Review.
Decline of the invisible city
Part 3: Birmingham – Not for the People.
Decline of the invisible city
Part 2: A Surfeit of Leadership.
Decline of the invisible city
Part 1: No more the world’s best governed city.
How much is it worth then?
Alan Clawley wonders if Birmingham city council will realise they have an undervalued gem on their hands.
Who wants refugees?
Is improvement always a good thing? Alan Clawley poses the question.
The wrong thing to do
“Don’t do stupid stuff” was Barack Obama’s foreign policy advice. The British Government clearly wasn’t listening, writes Steve Beauchampe.
It’s followers that worry me
Alan Clawley ponders a political dilemma.
My life in TV: Sliding towards mediocrity
Richard Lutz continues his tales from the newsroom as he moves from newspapers to TV.
Putin to switch on Christmas Lights
Steve Beauchampe with an exclusive.
Bookshelves and other stories
It’s been a varied week for Richard Lutz, from emptying the house of books via walking in the woods to dealing with British Gas.
Not at all like local democracy
Allowing local authorities to retain business rates only rights one of many wrongs imposed on them by central government writes Steve Beauchampé
Dazed and confused
David Cameron has no credibility when it comes to Syria or Middle Eastern politics in general says Steve Beauchampé.
Argent not credible on Library
What future for the Central Library? wonders Alan Clawley.
God save us
The national anthem is a national embarrassment and we should commission a replacement, says Steve Beauchampé.
2020 Vision
The trick isn’t to give people what they want, but to give them what they don’t yet know that they want, says Steve Beauchampé.
Give ‘em Shelter
Prime Minister David Cameron hasn’t looked anything like a leader this week writes Steve Beauchampé
Military resistance
Richard Lutz ponders the cash Britain spends on defence and asks whether it’s really worth it.
Give peace a chance
A peacenik may lay down with some unsavoury characters. Better that than selling them weapons writes Steve Beauchampé.
Preston leads the way
Alan Clawley reports on a Brutalist success story.
Anyone but the other three
Under Corbyn the haves will have a little less and the have nots will have a little hope, writes Steve Beauchampé.
Scrutiny too late
Alan Clawley asks what city councillors were doing four years ago.
The things they say
Spot the difference in BBC coverage.
The John Peel of politics
Britain’s next Prime Minister could be a 70-year old former Beard of the Year who’s become a hit with young voters. Steve Beauchampé assesses Jeremy Corbyn’s chances.
If roads were like arteries
Alan Clawley comments on the ever-increasing amount of road traffic.
The slow death of the Public Architect
Alan Clawley on an extinct species in town planning.
The Forgotten
As the nation remembers 7/7, Steve Beauchampe issues a reminder of an earlier terrorist attack.
Time for change
Alan Clawley wonders when architectural tastes began to alter.