Archive for September, 2014
Do we need an English Parliament?
September 22nd, 2014 by Roger Darlington
The failure of the Scottish voters to back full independence but the promise of more powers for the Scottish Parliament has led to a whole host of constitutional questions being posed, perhaps the most controversial being the so-called West Lothian question: why should Scottish MPs be allowed to vote on English laws? Some – especially […]
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A review of the film “Half Of A Yellow Sun”
September 21st, 2014 by Roger Darlington
When was the last time you saw a British movie with an African theme, African location shooting, source material from a black novelist, a black writer and director, and an almost exclusively black cast? Check out “Half Of A Yellow Sun” which I have reviewed here.
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After the Scottish referendum: 10 of the most pressing questions facing the union that is still the United Kingdom
September 21st, 2014 by Roger Darlington
The “Observer” newspaper today has the best part of no fewer than 22 pages devoted to this week’s referendum on Scottish independence and the implications of the ‘no’ vote for the nations, regions and cities of the UK. What this underlines is that one question has been answered (for the time being), but a host […]
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Thank you, Scotland
September 19th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
We’re glad that you decided to stay with us and keep the UK united. Now we have to deliver on the promise to devolve significant extra powers to the Scottish Parliament, but we also have to rethink the whole distribution of power in our four nations – including England – and how the Westminster parliament […]
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Good food news (1): the bioreactive bump
September 18th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
A recent United Nations food report estimates that 100 million tonnes of food is wasted every year globally, with British households throwing away 7 million tonnes. In value terms, the average UK family throws away food worth £700 each year. Studies suggest more than half the jettisoned food could have been eaten. But a solution […]
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Good food news (2): the wonder of baobab
September 18th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
It has been proclaimed a superfood to rival quinoa, blueberries and kale. Its yellow-green, suede-soft pods contain a dry pulp that has more vitamin C than oranges, more calcium than milk, more potassium than a banana, more magnesium than spinach, and more iron than red meat. What is it? Its called baobab. And where is […]
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Today’s the day that the Scots decide whether the 300 year old United Kingdom will continue
September 18th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
Some key facts about today’s referendum: The single question is simply: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” 4,285,323 people – 97% of the electorate – are registered to vote. 789,024 postal vote applications have been submitted. Voting takes place from 7 am until 10 pm today (Thursday). Votes will be cast at 2,608 polling locations […]
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How a Soviet duty officer may have saved the world from nuclear war
September 17th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
You’ve probably never heard of the man or the incident. Either I never knew about it or I had forgottob until I started reading a book this week: “War: What Is It Good For”? The author of the book is Ian Morris and I attended a talk he gave at the House of Commons upon […]
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At last – some good news about the planet
September 16th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
The British media is currently dominated by the Scottish referendum on independence and the ISIS threat in Syria and Iraq. In truth though, the biggest problem facing both Britain and the world remains climate change. But consider this: “The global economy is undergoing a remarkable transformation which is altering our ability to deal with climate […]
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The real story behind the hit movie “Pride”
September 16th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
Last weekend, I saw the new British film “Pride” which tells the true story of how, during the miners’ strike of 1984-85, a South Wales community received substantial support from a London-based group called Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners. I loved the movie and you can read my review here. Today, the “Mirror” newspaper […]
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