A serious (but wry) look at the language you need to know in order to understand today's political conversations. 2020 was in many ways the culmination of several years edging towards a dystopian Orwellian nightmare, where language takes on new meanings from those that we are used to. So you may find the following summary of key terms helpful in navigating today's political discourse. It is of course totally neutral in a subjectively objective manner (see how this new world of language wo...

Abstract : Proving your ID is no longer optional in many scenarios, and an official scheme is desperately needed for many reasons. The UK needs to change its position on this critical issue. The world has changed. The UK must catch up. Traditionally the UK has resisted introducing a national form of ID. But this is an anomaly in the modern world. Almost every other country has an ID system for its citizens, and these days it typically includes biometric features. Why on earth would it not...

The distress caused about exam grades is highly understandable. But it misses the point completely. They’re not actually that important. Ditch the angst. Feel the freedom. The cornerstone of all education is the skill of analysis. So let’s get one thing clear right up-front. The distress and anxiety currently awash among students and their parents is obvious and very understandable. Sympathy and empathy abound for those receiving their grades and worrying about what they mean for the future...

Who are the Planning Law changes going to benefit? Mostly, not you. Beware the double bluff. Populist presentation of a Trojan policy The Prime Minister has announced what are presented as radical reforms of the Planning System (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-build-build-build). But who will these benefit ? The Government is careful to profile what it will mean for households. Less bureaucracy for extending your home. Anyone who has dealt with planners and the planning system wi...