Explainer-in-brief: Dialling down the temperature in Ukraine December 8, 2021 US President Joe Biden and Russia’s strongman Vladimir Putin were on the phone yesterday about what on earth are Russian troops doing on Ukraine’s borders. There’s been bad blood between the two presidents, with Biden previously calling Putin a “killer”. The relationship between Russia and Ukraine has historically been complicated. Europe’s magnetic attraction is at [...]
Why would anyone snog at a Christmas party anyway December 6, 2021 I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the debate that made the headlines last week: should we be snogging under the mistletoe this Christmas, or stay apart to avoid Covid-19 transmission? First of all, snogging is a cringe and uncomfortable word that reminds of Matt Hancock’s taped sins. And we can all agree [...]
Open the floodgates: Britain’s planning reform needs to defend our homes December 2, 2021 Brits have been told to brace for flooding with an exceptionally wet January and February forecast by the Environment Agency. In England, there are 5 million properties – one in six – at risk of flooding. Overflows are a complex issue encompassing planning and resilience, climate change and housing. But it is not one taken [...]
D’oh! Hong Kong and the extradition of Homer Simpson November 30, 2021 Streaming platform Disney+ was launched in Hong Kong this month, but something is missing. To be specific, it is episode 12 of season 16 of the beloved cartoon The Simpsons. In the episode, the Simpsons go to China and visit Tiananmen Square in Beijing. In the square stands a sign saying “on this site, in [...]
Plastic surgery, out of sight but not out of mind November 26, 2021 Cosmetic surgery purveyors will be banned from targeting ads at under 18-year-olds. No more facelifts and perfect breasts on social media, newspapers, broadcast programmes and posters. The regulators took this decision following concerns about teenagers struggling with body image pressures. The Advertising Standards Authority has been candid about the impact that advertisement can have on [...]
Soaring inflation in construction could spell disaster for housing in England November 25, 2021 The construction industry has been hit badly by inflation. Material prices are up: in terms of year on year increase, structural steel is at 65 per cent, reinforcement steel is at 62 per cent and plywood is at 56 per cent. Familiar supply chain problems are causing delays, and the cost of both energy and [...]
We’re probably not losing our marbles November 18, 2021 The Elgin marbles are causing a stir -again- after Boris Johnson and his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis met on Monday. The Greek PM insisted once more that the outstanding sculptures belong to Greece, while Boris shook off responsibility saying it is a matter for the British Museum. The British claim to the marbles dates back [...]
Cumbria coal mine fight goes to the heart of Boris Johnson’s levelling up woes November 17, 2021 Boris Johnson is not in favour of coal, or so he insisted on Monday when asked about the plans to build a new mine in Cumbria. The PM shifted the blame: ultimately it will be on the local planning authorities to decide, he said. Except that it won’t be. The decision has been taken out [...]
Cheat sheet: The sleaze scandal gripping Westminster November 15, 2021 Owen Paterson and Sir Geoffrey Cox are in good company in the sleaze scandal. For allegations of lobbying, please welcome Ruby MP Mark Pawsey, who as the chairman of a packaging lobby group has repeatedly tried to erode environmental laws. His motto? “It is not the packaging manufacturer that is the polluter – people are”. [...]
Just-in-time Sleaze buster: Boris Johnson, the part-time prime minister November 10, 2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has finally plucked up the courage to speak about the sleaze row that has shaken through Parliament. Unfortunately, he hasn’t said much. Johnson commented on the poor performance of Sir Geoffrey Cox, who has spent most of last year advising the British Virgin Island for the modest sum of £1m. The [...]
