The Guardian - 25th of February 2025 "By refusing to back negotiations for the past three years, the UK has become irrelevant to the search for peace – we must change course" On the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, British policy towards the war is in a mess. The continuing official British position, echoed … Continue reading Britain’s insistence on total Ukrainian victory was misguided – it’s time for a realistic compromise
Tag: politics
In Just Proportion – Counterpunch
November 22nd, 2024 There are many reasons for regretting the resurrection of Donald Trump, but one overwhelming reason for welcoming it is that he is a peacemaker, not a war maker, and will actively leverage America’s power to pacify an increasingly dangerous world. Western leaders do not actively seek war with Russia, China, or Iran. But they … Continue reading In Just Proportion – Counterpunch
Speech in the House of Lords – Autumn Budget 2024
11th of November 2024 My Lords, there are many things to welcome in this Budget, particularly on the spending side. I am less keen on some of the tax proposals, which seem to be mean-minded and counterproductive, such as the tax on knowledge. The spending commitments are important because they reverse the disastrous policy of … Continue reading Speech in the House of Lords – Autumn Budget 2024
Speech in the House of Lords – Ukraine
Below is my speech on Ukraine in the House of Lords on the 25th of October. Unfortunately, time constraints forced me to leave out two bits of my argument which I will put in brackets in the text. "My Lords, I am usually put last on the speakers’ list in any debate on this topic, … Continue reading Speech in the House of Lords – Ukraine
The Roots of Europe’s Immigration Problem – Project Syndicate
17th of October, 2024 Over the years, “Fortress Europe” has relied on a mix of bribery and force to keep out undocumented migrants fleeing wars, famine, and conditions of extreme poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. But such measures are no solution to a problem that ultimately stems from much larger global and historical forces. LONDON – … Continue reading The Roots of Europe’s Immigration Problem – Project Syndicate
Speech in the House of Lords Conduct Committee: Code of Conduct Review – 8th of October
"My Lords, in taking part in this debate, I must declare an interest: recently, I was a victim of the committee chaired by the noble Baroness, Lady Manningham-Buller. Although this is not the kind of interest a Member is normally obliged to declare, I believe that my personal experience has given me a certain insight … Continue reading Speech in the House of Lords Conduct Committee: Code of Conduct Review – 8th of October
Milton Friedman – economic visionary or scourge of the world?
The Spectator, 13 January 2024 Monetarism, with which his name is associated, has long defined economic policy. But what would Friedman have made of the banking collapse, so soon after his death in 2006? The Keynesian economist Nicholas Kaldor called Milton Friedman one of the two most evil men of the 20th century. (Friedman was … Continue reading Milton Friedman – economic visionary or scourge of the world?
Britain’s Illusory Fiscal Black Hole
Project Syndicate 18th of September, 2024 "Shortly after taking office, the United Kingdom’s new Labour government announced the discovery of a massive shortfall in public finances. While much of the political debate has centered on the size of this fiscal hole, the real culprit is the set of arbitrary rules that British governments have imposed on themselves … Continue reading Britain’s Illusory Fiscal Black Hole
Robert Skidelsky 