DEBATE: Should Philip Green be stripped of his knighthood? February 15, 2019 Should Philip Green be stripped of his knighthood? John Oxley, an expert in law, history, and Conservative politics, says YES. Knighthoods are honours, tied to historic notions of chivalry. They are awarded not just for achievement, but for character. Removing them is a public repudiation of bad behaviour. Leaving them in place is tacit approval. [...]
The heating revolution is firing up February 15, 2019 There is a revolution happening. The way in which we own assets and pay for goods – unchanged for centuries – is being turned on its head. Ownership is waning and the heyday of pay-as-you-go services is coming to an end. We now overwhelmingly lease cars instead of buying them, pay for communications as a [...]
It’s time we called out the Home Office for its shameful attitude to refugees February 15, 2019 “There’s no place like home”, Dorothy says, as she taps her red heels together three times and returns to the place she loves. She’s right. Your home is your shelter, It’s your community, your friends, your local shops and landmarks. It’s dedication and love for your area. Building a home takes time and investment; familiarity does [...]
Mark Kleinman: Aviva’s missed deadline ensures brickbats February 15, 2019 Viva Aviva? For such a stalwart of blue-chip boardrooms, Sir Adrian Montague suddenly can’t put a foot right. Four years after taking over the chairmanship of Aviva when John McFarlane scuttled off to Barclays, he’s ended up in a rather large pickle of his own making. Sacking Mark Wilson as the insurer’s chief executive last [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Jefferson has been Waiting Patiently to unleash her aeroplane February 14, 2019 WHAT a strange week that was. Last Thursday racing was suspended due to the equine influenza outbreak and there were concerns that next month’s Cheltenham Festival could be in trouble. Thankfully the show is now back on the road and we’re blessed with a proper Super Saturday tomorrow. The ITV4 cameras will be showing action [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Monalee all set for first Festival glory in Ryanair February 14, 2019 THOSE of you with long memories will remember that I recommended backing Henry De Bromhead’s MONALEE at fancy ante-post prices for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle back in 2017. Everything looked to be going swimmingly rounding the home turn as the favourite Death Duty started to tread water and when Monalee took over coming down [...]
Horse Racing Preview: David Pipe looks at his chances this weekend February 14, 2019 WHAT a strange week we have had with the whole equine influenza saga. I’m glad that common sense has prevailed, and we are now back racing. We vaccinated all of ours last month and routinely take temperatures twice a day, so it hasn’t really affected us much. All our staff have been taking extra care [...]
Ollie Phillips: England’s emphasis on the collective has turned the side into a multi-faceted one with a shot at a Six Nations Grand Slam February 14, 2019 England have enjoyed a perfect start to the Six Nations but the length of the tournament and physical nature of rugby means squad depths will always be tested. Mako Vunipola was one of the stand-out players in the wins over Ireland and France but an ankle injury means the back-up options now come into question. [...]
Options are running out for the man who destroyed Venezuela February 14, 2019 It takes some front for a man who has presided over a double-digit recession for three successive years to claim that his country is being destabilised by a “gang of extremists” rather than his own inept economic performance. But that is exactly what Venezuela’s embattled President Nicolas Maduro did this week, when he stated that the [...]
DEBATE: Is Valentine’s Day just a commercial gimmick? February 14, 2019 Is Valentine’s Day just a commercial gimmick? Beatrice Timpson, a political communications consultant, says YES. Frankly, if he turns up on Valentine’s Day without a Cards Galore “Be mine forever” teddy, a bunch of garage-forecourt-fresh coronations, and a candle reeking of potpourri, ditch him. He’s clearly not serious. He’ll run off with Audrey the au pair before [...]