Attention seekers hijacking a symbol to push their own agenda’? That was the opinion of Tory MP Johnny Mercer in the Telegraph earlier in October but not about the red poppy, this was about the white poppy. Some might argue the same could be said about ‘attention seeking’ for anyone wearing any poppy or badge. …
Or should that question be which person has won hearts and minds? Now more than ever, politics is about the people behind the policy and by that, I don’t mean the voters, I mean the leaders. For many of the people stood at the polling booths today, the names on the ballot paper will be …
General Reflection – which party has won voters’ hearts and minds? Read More »
I’m going to ask you a very difficult and politically sensitive question… Here goes…what biscuit do you like? There. How do you deal with that one PR guru? We live in strange times when politicians have to hold a focus group before they can commit to naming (and perhaps shaming?) their favourite biscuit. Never mind …
Last night, I was fortunate enough to attend the BioCity Annual Lecture, given this year by Professor Molly Stevens of Imperial College London Amongst many accolades, Professor Stevens has been recognised as one of the ‘Top 100 Young Innovators’ and ‘The Times Top 10 scientists under 40’. It was an inspiring evening for all in attendance, …
Hack a hairdryer: IBM’s hot air hacks off scientists Read More »
What a week it has been (so far) for Jeremy Corbyn. Winning the Labour leadership contest by a landslide by effectively NOT playing the PR game but secretly doing just that. Jeremy won a lot of hearts and minds by being himself. He is unvarnished. He is everything that most politicians are not and that …
With today marking Queen Elizabeth II becoming the UK’s longest serving monarch, a poll by Sky Data shows that 70% of Brits would like to see the monarchy reign forever. All seems rosy for her majesty. Indeed, the popularity of the monarchy in general terms has rarely been so high, aided by the social capital …
Will Michael Gove’s latest “Golden Rules” of grammar “impact” you? Technically they shouldn’t, especially under Mr Gove’s own rules – he abhors adjectives as verbs you see…”impact”. However, (he hates starting a sentence with “however” too) does it actually matter? I’m not so much speaking (sorry…”writing”) so much about Michael Gove’s version of grammar rules …
Gove on grammar – Panda-ing to pedants or good advice? Read More »
With the FIFA annual congress meeting in Zurich today, one man appears to be somewhat absent – as I write this anyway… Whether you are a football/soccer fan or not, most people know the name Sepp Blatter. So far, teflon Sepp has managed to avoid the direct controversy that has surrounded his reign and tomorrow’s …
FIFA FO FUM – sponsors smell the blood of corruption Read More »
The final PMQs of the coalition government will take place later today in the Commons but…has it rescued or ruined either leaders’ common touch as they seek your vote in May? It is a divisive topic. Many people won’t watch it or listen due to the timings or their location. Many find it utterly repellent …
With crowds thronging the streets, the cortege of one history’s (and tellingly, literature’s) greatest villains King Richard III, wound its way to his new resting place at Leicester Cathedral. I heard on the radio at midday today that queues had been as long as 4 hours and even now (3pm) are still 1-2 hours long. …
As Leicester embraces its kingly gift, what of Nottingham and Derby? Read More »