Dr. Henry Tam
@henrytam
Author: 'Time to Save Democracy', 'Communitarianism', 'Against Power Inequalities', 'Who's Afraid of Political Education', 'Tomorrow's Communities', 'Whitehall through the Looking Glass', etc. More info from:
Infantino: This Peace Prize is for you, pls keep the peace during the World Cup. Trump: Sure, I'll pause the war & you'll get rid of any red cards against US players during the tournament. Infantino: Of course, your imperial highness. Trump: After the World Cup, war back on. Infantino: Understood.
What might a wealth tax involve? 1% on assets above £10m and 2% on assets above £1bn. And just see who will be lining up to oppose it.
In politics, there's the occasional option of putting the person who's presenting you with a near-impossible problem, in charge of finding the most improbable solution. Henceforth, it'll be called the Healey-Treasury Manoeuvre.
Badenoch likes to attack Burnham as a "people pleaser", Presumably, she puts a high premium on upsetting people at the heart of her political mission.
Forget abstract ‘Net Zero’ debates. Explain how renewables development creates more jobs, lowers energy costs, & better tackles climate extremes – than costly drilling for fossil fuels. #Renewables
It’s inadequate to do things & not tell ppl, It’s bad to tell ppl you’ll do things but not do them, & it’s still not good enough to do things & tell ppl. You need to talk with ppl, do what’s agreed, & discuss next steps.
Education in citizenship and politics is essential for democracy. 'Who's Afraid of Political Education' from Policy Press with 50% discount until the end of July - use code BUP07 at checkout: policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/whos-afraid-... @moorsee.bsky.social @eddieplayfair.bsky.social
Friends, citizens, Clactonians, You can go on putting up with utter rubbish, Or you can bin it all for good.
US player given a red card, Trump calls FIFA, and the standard automatic ban from the next match is lifted. England's player given a red card, People joked about asking Trump to call FIFA, and the standard one match ban is extended to a two-match ban. #NuffSaid
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The Russian Revolution got rid of Tsar Nicholas II, & ended up leaving the people in the hands of Stalin. The American Revolution got rid of King George III, & ended up handing the country over to the whims of Trump.
Aren't the ppl most critical about politicians caring too much about the provision of an adequate welfare safety net, often the loudest cheerleaders for rapid AI advancement that will leave society with even fewer jobs?
Those politicians who are so keen to ban protests against the killing of innocent people in Gaza, What have they to say about 'protests' that burn vehicles, attack police officers, and threaten local residents?
On 18 June, Reject hate, back hope. To the merchant of menace, Let it be: Nope.
Aren't those who say that Englishness is an ethnicity that only White ppl can claim, also the ones who want England (geographically defined) to have its own government for 'English' people? Isn't that a roundabout (and not racist?) way of advocating England for (White only) English people?
If people are to trust governments to act in their interest, Governments must trust the people in using reliable information to guide collaborative policy development: bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/whose-govern...
To recognise Brexit is hugely damaging to the UK, and yet feel compelled to assure Brexit voters that it's now the new status quo, It's a bit like ... To recognise Covid is a deadly infectious disease, but insist we must assure the anti-vaccine brigade that we won't take any public health action.
Communitarianism can no more be linked to the odd comments about communities, Than utilitarianism can be linked to casual remarks about what may possess utility. The development of communitarian ideas should be considered with reference to their actual history: link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
Some say it should just be about policies, not personalities. Trust me, I'm into policies. But I'm also well aware that inspiring, persuasive personalities can reach people who would otherwise not listen at all. Politics needs sound policies, AND leaders who can engage the public.
At Fawlty Tower, don't mention the war. At Cabinet meeting, don't mention the local election results.
Terminological 'distinction': 'Far Right' - proudly racist, misogynist, intolerant, intimidating, and seeking to take power by any means. 'Hard Right' - blatantly racist, misogynist, intolerant, intimidating, but deny it shamelessly, and planning to win power through mass deception & fearmongering.
Biden left it too late to bring in an alternative option for the US voters, & Trump got in. Is Starmer going to leave it too late to have an alternative option for UK voters, & let mini-Trump in?
No single policy solution, but a wide range of improvements that should be brought in at all levels: policypress.co.uk/time-to-save...
How Charles the Third should greet Trump the Last: "Listen, given your appalling behaviour, we're abrogating the 1783 Treaty of Paris, and reclaiming our North American colonies south of the Canadian border. You have ten days to move to Russia."
The incomparable skills of Sir Olly: He never saw the UKSV report on Mandelson, He knew nothing of the details of why those doing the vetting would recommend against giving Mandelson security clearance. Yet he knew how to mitigate the risks & authorised Mandelson's security clearance anyway.
Money buys power, longevity, and control. Poverty is a death sentence. But the fightback against the false gods has begun ... www.amazon.co.uk/Hunting-Gods... #CommunitarianParable
As Agatha Christie might ponder ... Why Didn't They Ask Wormald? Surely, Olly Robbins might check a decision like overruling a major security vetting recommendation with his boss, the Cabinet Sec - who was at that time Chris Wormald. & would Sir Chris keep that to himself? All will be revealed soon.
Yes, civil servants are not to pass the info in security vetting to Ministers. The question is when a civil servant OVERRULES the recommendation of the security vetting for a major govt post, should he consult a Minister beforehand, inform a Minister afterwards, and in the Mandelson case - did he?