It’s that time of year again! Charlotte (mainly) and I have been working on getting shoeboxes packed to send to children in some of the world’s poorest countries for Christmas. This has always been my preferred type of charity. It’s so important to know where your money is going, to know that it’s actually going […]
Article first published for The Burkean, in response to the incredible power of Brandt Jean hugging Amber Guyger in court, the woman who had killed his brother. What if that were me? I don’t have a list. A list of people I hate, a list of people I can’t forgive, a list of people who […]
In the last few weeks, I’ve been a guest on the North East edition of the BBC Sunday Politics. I’ve spoken about Brexit and political strategy to BBC Radio Tees and BBC Radio Newcastle and I’ve been a guest on TWR Radio on various occasions about issues such as Tesco job cuts, Brexit (of course) […]
Written for The Burkean, September 2019 There’s always dichotomy in modern politics: Brexiteer or Remainer; pro-Trump or anti-Trump; Right or Left. To an extent, I’m used to this. I’m a chessplayer after all, which pits the black pieces against the white. That’s part of the beauty of the game: winners and losers, right and wrong. […]
Written for the Journal, August 2019 I’ve been a victim of crime in the past, on at least three occasions – vehicle crime and a random unprovoked assault. One in seven people in the North East were victims of crime last year. Crime destroys lives, tears apart families, and rips at the fabric of society. […]
First published in the Chronicle & Journal I’ve got little choice but to mention the B-word. Again. Over the years, I’ve tried to keep some variety in my columns and avoid causing too much distress to the many BOBs (Bored of Brexit) who just want the whole thing to be over and done with, Brenda-from-Bristol […]
Published in the Newcastle Journal July 2019 Forsaken, almost human. Leonard Cohen’s words from Suzanne spring to mind, unbidden. Christian theologians would take umbrage at the word ‘almost’ being used in reference to Jesus. Cohen’s capricious muse mixed whimsical, crazy humanity with overwhelming vulnerability. These last five years have seemed an eternity, or gone in the […]