It is easy to be high-minded about the Social Contract idea, which may be why it is not yet universally known or accepted. Yes, it is a vision of addressing the main social ills of this country, campaigning to have them put right. And yes, it gains legitimacy by assuming the mantle of William Beveridge, […]
Two options
I never thought that I would end up having a fear about my job! I currently have two part-time jobs. One, there is no problem at all, but the second has become quite a worry. That is because it is working behind the bar in a social club, and I have type1 diabetes, which I […]
Every so often, it’s worth having a look at this table…
OK, I know that countries have very different ways of reporting deaths from Covid-19. But this table, from Worldometer (excluding a couple of micro-states), gives us some idea how the UK is doing in terms of Covid-19 deaths per million of population. Badly. We are second in the world for the rate of deaths, after […]
Who gains from Rishi Sunak’s Summer Economic Statement?
It is easy to criticise Rishi Sunak’s Summer Economic Statement for not doing enough. The Chancellor had a difficult task to assess what size of economic stimulus would be effective. His main aim was apparently to create jobs for those who had lost them or will be losing them soon. But the Statement.is very disappointing […]
Boris on Care: wrong words, right target
The corporate voice of the care sector is up in arms about the PM’s comments on care. Of course, his remarks about care homes, not following procedures were sly and clumsy, but he is right that the care sector should shoulder some of the blame for the virtual decimation of their aged residents. Clap for […]
I went to the pub…light the blue touchpaper and stand well back
Embed from Getty Images I figured that last weekend would be a bit crowded in pubs, so I reserved time in my (not-so)busy diary to visit the pub yesterday. Monday is the new Saturday. All went well. The pub I visited seem to have lots of measures in place, and well-trained staff. I enjoyed an […]
6 July 2020 – today’s press releases
The PM blaming care homes for his failure is shameful Landmark domestic abuse legislation passes House of Commons The PM blaming care homes for his failure is shameful Responding to the Prime Minister’s comments today saying that “we discovered too many care homes didn’t really follow the procedures in the way that they could have,” […]
The herd and the unheard!
Embed from Getty Images There is a current running through this government. It is one of confusion. But, despite my best efforts to not impune motives, I am coming to the view that the current running through this government is one of callousness. Not always intentional, but incredible, too. Sometimes the callousness is because of […]
The Independent View: Overcrowded housing, BAME groups and COVID-19
As the COVID-19 era has progressed, more and more data has pointed towards a deeply harrowing truth – the virus is having a disproportionate impact on BAME groups. According to research from ICNARC, approximately one-third of the COVID-19 patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) have been from BAME groups, despite the fact that just […]
Looking back: How investing in our communities laid the foundations for tackling Covid-19 in York
Embed from Getty Images Just over a year ago I was appointed to the role of Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Communities in the new Lib Dem/Green partnership running City of York Council following the May elections of 2019. I’m hugely proud of the way our team in York rose to the challenge presented […]