Dan Taylor's published two policy papers this week.
1/ via @policywise.bsky.social, a Wise in 5 on unpaid carers and govt support: www.policywise.org.uk/wise-in-5
2/ via @growthandreform.bsky.social, examining 10 years' of inclusive growth in Barking and Dagenham growthandreform.org/resource-hub...
The Matthew Doyle allegation is extraordinary. Starmer is becoming Johnsonesque in racking up things that should be resigning matters.
In case you missed it, our Dan Taylor was on BBC Radio 4's Free Thinking programme last month, discussing humility and Spinoza with @drmatthewsweet.bsky.social, Robert Buckland and guests. Listen here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
I think he shouldn't feel the need to be circumspect out of loyalty.
Starmer showing a really unpleasant side to his character in the Commons. Absolutely trashing Robbins. If he was a Tory, he'd be gone on the basis of this performance.
Kudos to the crews, but not something to be celebrated.
Normalising six month+ patrols is not good for either national security nor for the submariners who man the deterrent.
I think people are struggling to realise we are living in extreme times. It's not the noughties anymore.
Reminder: if you can't defend your country, there is no welfare, no social security, no health, etc.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Has Darren Jones just given low level security vetting officials a veto on all appointments? There could be good reasons to overrule a recommendation.
Thanks Huw! Will definitely send you a copy
Article accepted! And it's an absolute cracker on UK strategic defence reviews, with maeve ryan and @anglo-japan45.bsky.social. Could be timely...
Why though? Would it be impossible to set up a nationalised company to provide the remaining gas and oil we need in the transition, which was a not for profit and sold at cost rate, insulating us? Would it really cost more than the 70bn Sunak spent on subsidies?
Yes, you're bang on. The Army is currently set up to scale up so there's lots of legacy kit and latent structures.
With respect, this contradicts your earlier point. If you want to focus on home defence you ring the islands with Type 45s...
The Army is tiny. As you say, it can deploy a brigade and do civil emergency duties. That's surely the lowest you can go?
It doesn't. But UK right have cut defence more than the left for decades. Welfare and social security provision are generationally unfair. It's not progressive to defend that. The money has to come from somewhere and that's the biggest pot. State pension alone costs twice the spend on defence.
A system that screws over the younger generation won't have their loyalty either. Pensioners have their triple lock. What equivalent iconic policy ensures young people have a stake in their society?
True. And old defence hands do love to gatekeep. But if you check out how many social science/humanities projects have been funded by UKRI on defence since 2022, it is bugger all. A couple of scholarships and fellowships...
Sort of. Historically the link was usually about education, health care and social security so you have a population who are fit to fight. The current system actively discriminates against those likely to be called upon in favour of the sick and elderly.
Having just had yet another ESRC rejection on a project trying to look into UK defence, I'd say it might be nice if they funded some research on this at some point. Just sayin...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
I love how bitter the unsuccessful nominees are in the Olivier awards. The most talented actors in the world can't hide their bitterness. Cheered me up no end.
I presume that doesn't require anything more than adjusting sentencing advice?
That's where we differ. I don't think increasing enforcement is reasonable. The argument has been captured by lobbyists with a very low risk threshold. Public policy should be about finding a balance.
In a public policy affecting 70 million people, driving over 300 billion miles a year, there will always be anomalies. What the author is proposing is ramping up surveillance of all drivers and criminalising far more people. It fails on cost/benefit terms.
The Guardian seems to be publishing a lot of unscientific nonsense lately. What gives? The UK's roads are among the safest in Europe. The number of deaths is tiny and has been going down for decades. Objectively, this is an area we've got about right...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I do of course know this, you'll be shocked to learn I've thought about it *loads*, and written about it, too. The fact London still retained political rights over Australia when Neighbours entered production is a useful way of reminding ourselves that these things are process not event, I feel
This is an incredible military feat. If either crew had been captured, that would have had major political implications.
The Society offers grants for university students undertaking research on any aspect of the British Army. The deadline for applications is Friday 1 May, and full details can be found on the website. Please consider applying if eligible and share widely.
www.sahr.org.uk/urg-rules.php
Ooh, could this be a Denmark 1992 Euros scenario? What are the odds of Italy winning the world cup?
