One of the things I am very passionate about in the political arena is taxation. I think a country’s tax regime tells you a lot about how the government sees itself and its role in society, and also drives the narrative around aspiration and encouragement for people to ‘go forth and prosper’. My view is that … Continue reading »
Filed under Social Commentary …
Happy New Year 2012!
Happy New Year, all! It really has been a while. But it’s great to be back here, committing the proverbial pen to paper and sharing my thoughts with you. 2011 is well and truly gone, and I’m struggling to get used to referring to 2012 as ‘this year’ and not ‘next year’. As I’m sure … Continue reading »
On Economic Growth and Sitting on the Fence
It never ceases to amaze me when there is yet another rant in the media about a business venture, or the pay packet of someone or the other. It’s funny; we all want the comfort that financial prosperity brings, but seem to deny the reality of what it involves. That means aspiration, sacrifice, hard work and then, inevitably, reward. As a … Continue reading »
On the Government’s U-Turns
I had been mulling over an idea for a piece about changes which the government has made to some of its policies. I hadn’t quite got to the point of putting pen to paper, when it was announced that controversial plans to sell off hundreds of thousands of hectares of woodlands were to be scrapped. … Continue reading »
On the Big Society
Here’s the link to a piece I wrote for the political blog Platform 10: http://www.platform10.org/2011/02/big-society-means/ They are having a Big Society week, and my contribution to the debate on the concept was featured on the site today.
NHS reforms – an alternative view?
Though I am a believer in the principles of a free market economy, there are some sectors which I do not think should be left in the throes of the free market. Education is one example, which is why I don’t support the recent rise in university tuition fees. Access to education is one of the major … Continue reading »
Welcome to our new Prime Minister!
Congratulations, and welcome to the new Prime Minister! After what can only be described as a nail-biting election, the first hung parliament in seventy-five years or so and the subsequent uncertainty that followed for a few days afterwards – Is Gordon going? If there is to be a Coalition government, who will the Nick make a … Continue reading »
A Nigerian Tale
I got off the plane and was immediately engulfed by a sea of…something. What was it? I felt beads of perspiration surfacing on my forehead, as if by magic. As I struggled to find something – anything – to mop my brow with, an errant drop trickled down my thigh. It took me a minute … Continue reading »
Gone Too Soon
And so, the musical genius that was Michael Jackson is with us no more. On the afternoon of Thursday 25 June – two months away from his fifty-first birthday, and only three weeks before he was due to start a record-breaking 50-date residency at London’s O2 Arena - he gave up the ghost, and is survived … Continue reading »
Crunch Time Lessons
2009 is here and already the days are flying by. I don’t know about you but I’m hoping for better things, one of which is an end to the uncertainty that characterised the economic landscape last year. For a number of reasons. First, I happen to work in the financial services industry, and it is disconcerting when … Continue reading »
