Fracking heck! The phoney ban

Just over a week ago, I wrote about the government’s announcement of a moratorium on fracking1 . The Oil and Gas Authority had reported that it could not guarantee further fracking “would meet the Government’s policy aims of ensuring it is safe, sustainable and of minimal disturbance to those living and working nearby”. Three weeks ago, Business

Fracking heck!

Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as ‘fracking’ involves the use of chemicals (some dangerous) with vast amounts of water and sand at high pressure to fracture the rock surrounding oil and gas, enabling them to be extracted. At one time, it appeared that fracking might provide a significant addition to the UK’s energy resources. Supporters said

Losing out

There was one piece of really good news this week, although you might have missed it in all the latest Brexit shenanigans. How could anyone possibly think that it would be reasonable to suggest that, at 24 hours’ notice, the Withdrawal Agreement Bill1 , with 115 pages of dense legalese taking about 8 hours just

The Noes have it, the Noes have it…

Since 2010, the Conservative governments have become obsessed with tinkering with the scope of and the arrangements for our democracy. Unfortunately, it appears to be the case of David/Theresa/ Boris fiddling whilst citizens have become more and more frustrated with and alienated from democratic engagement through the ballot box. A group of Conservative MPs have

Our NHS safe in Conservative hands?

Make up your own mind. This information is taken from NHS Key Statistics published today. Cancer waiting times are the worst on record. The waiting time target is that 93% patients should have their first consultant appointment within two weeks of referral. This target was met until recently. This target was met almost every month

Seeing the wood and the trees

The national media has been giving significant coverage to the antics of Extinction Rebellion in their protests. I share many of their objectives in raising the climate change issues but am less than impressed by some of their tactics which are losing them public sympathy. Over the last five years, the local media has devoted

Off the buses

I have written and spoken many times about the disastrous legacy of Margaret Thatcher’s privatisation – she called it ‘deregulation’ – of our bus services. The result has been passengers and routes cut by a third and increased congestion on our roads, with big additional costs for business – and, therefore, in the prices we

Under-occupied

Like you, I’m very familiar with the frustrated outburst “Well, somebody ought to do something about it.” I hear it all the time about fly-tipping, phoning whilst driving, speeding in 20 mph zones, unkempt front gardens, dropping litter, misuse of blue badges…and, most of the time, I share those frustrations. In nearly every one of

Affairs of state

In July 2019, and in his first speech as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said: “We will fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared to give every older person the dignity and security they deserve”. https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/boris-johnsons-first-speech-as-prime-minister-24-july-2019 The need to reform funding for adult social care –

Boris gets something right!

Last week, I questioned Boris Johnson’s character, his ability to tell the truth, and how his behaviour was trashing the UK’s reputation for honesty and fair-dealing. Well, it seems I am not alone in that analysis. I don’t think I have ever heard a more damning judgement than the one delivered by Lady Hale today,