Research is like rummaging through your dead grandad’s belongings, only to discover some never-told secret. I wasn’t looking for information on Jewish East European immigration; my interest was in Octavius Morgan and his views, as demonstrated by his speeches in Parliament. But you will see what I am getting at if you read this UK… Continue reading Asylum seekers or economic migrants stealing jobs?
Tag: parliament
A pebble on his grave: Albert Grant 1831-1899
He was once so eye-wateringly rich, he bought Leicester Square when it was under threat of redevelopment, just to give it to the nation.
Did Dickens steal Sam Slick of Slickville?
It was not looking like a success. It was meant to be an amusing satiric picture postcard of a book about the exploits of lower middle class sportsmen who aped their betters. The writing was merely meant to wrap around a series of pictures — for the whole concept originated with an artist. To do… Continue reading Did Dickens steal Sam Slick of Slickville?
What are zoos for?
That page of The Graphic from 1895 just keeps on giving. Looking across from the pheasants shocker is another piece of news that has echoes today. Right now there is a half-hearted debate about what economists might call the moneytisation of cultural assets. As the first world (yes I know, we’ve discussed this phrase), falls… Continue reading What are zoos for?
Spare the rod
You have to hope this gathering worldwide storm of populism is not a glissando towards Nazi-ism. Sure, there is a quickening in the political pulse. The disconnected nomenklatura and all-too-connected social welfarists demand that the people get to eat cake when there really is no cake. The dispossessed gather in tribal clans to do harm.… Continue reading Spare the rod
Should an independent Scotland be allowed a British vote in 2015?
If Scotland votes in a binding referendum in 2014 to become a foreign country, can the British Constitution allow the Scots to vote in the UK a whole year later in 2015 — or to send MPs to a Parliament and there to make laws for a country which is no longer theirs? For constitutional… Continue reading Should an independent Scotland be allowed a British vote in 2015?