Category Archives: Opinion
An Energy Transition
Much has been said and written about a transition to a new energy economy and what that may entail. The first thing it involves is a new UK wide industrial strategy that focuses on a substantial investment in domestic manufacturing … Continue reading
Press Freedom Is Important
At a demonstration in Cairo, Egyptian policemen shot two journalists with rubber bullets. In China, journalist Wang Jing was sentenced to nearly five years in jail; her articles caused “unrest”. She wrote about demonstrations that were brutally crushed by the … Continue reading
The EU referendum campaign is finally underway – here’s how to win it
The EU referendum campaign is finally underway – here’s how to win it Sofia Vasilopoulou, University of York Following long-winded negotiations with the 27 other heads of government in Europe, David Cameron has secured a deal that he hopes will … Continue reading
How easy is this diet thing?
If you’re on a clinical trial to reverse your diabetes how easy is the diet aspect? Bear in mind I’m on 800 calories per day – 2 soups, 2 shakes – not very easy. I find it difficult to do … Continue reading
Facial recognition technology creating civil liberty issues
Mastercard apparently want to replsce their “SecureCode” with the use of “selfies” to authenticate online purchases. At the recent Douwnload Festival people who attended had their faces scanned and compared with a database of known criminals by the police. Was … Continue reading
The keep it in the ground campaign may be bad for the future
The Guardian newspaper recently launched a campaign to keep fossil fuels in the ground by encouraging pension funds and other organisations to divest their funds from oil and gas companies. This divestment, they argue, strengthens the argument of those who … Continue reading
The Nationalists have been centralising Scotland
Over the past seven years the Nationalist Government in Edinburgh has systematically and categorically stripped powers away from local authorities and communities and centralised decisions in Edinburgh. From the Highlands and Northern Isles right down to the Borders, communities across … Continue reading
For a European Republic | openDemocracy
There is much in this article I find to agree with. I don’t think elections to the European Parliament should be conducting using national parties. All candidates must stand under a European Political Party banner and manifesto. All media coverage … Continue reading
An Alternative view of the European Elections
Trying to digest what has happened with regard to the European Election results has been a bit disconcerting. The UK media have, as usual, misreported and misinterpreted the results. There has been confusion between “winning” the election and being the … Continue reading
Democracy and What It Means To Me
A couple of years ago the President of the Federal Liberal Democrats posed a question to party members, “why did you join”. The obvious answer – “I was asked” was to be ignored. My response to that question is two … Continue reading
