Published in The Independent (October 15th, 2009) Each week, the Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellensbosch University in South Africa issues an update on China’s activities in Africa. […]
Health / Policy
The health service needs whistleblowers
Published in The Independent (September 9th, 2009) Soon after Alan Milburn became Health minister in 1997, he wrote to employers across the National Health Service telling them that […]
Disability / Health / Policy
The NHS is flawed. Here’s the evidence…
Published in The Independent (August 28th, 2009) It was the most painful of the emails that I’ve received over the past week. It began, like dozens of others, […]
Africa / Libya
Warning: it is dangerous to get too close to Gaddafi
Published in The Independent (August 26th, 2009) Amid the fading grandeur of Tripoli sits one of the world’s best museums, offering a glimpse into Libya’s astonishing heritage. Alongside […]
Disability / Health / Policy
Why I don’t believe that the NHS is sacrosanct
Published in The Independent (August 21st, 2009) It was a simple thing. Another blood test, some more investigations into whatever flawed gene or missing protein might be the […]
Africa / Aid / General
Big men, bankers and the stench of corruption
Published in The Independent (August 18th, 2009) Frederick Chiluba is a sharp dresser. The one-time bus conductor who rose to become President of Zambia has a fondness for […]
Africa / Nigeria
Never mind the rebranding – Nigeria needs rebuilding
Published in The Independent (July 30th, 2009) Nigeria’s minister of Information has launched a campaign to rebrand her country, attempting to lure foreign investors and tourists under the […]
Afghanistan / World
False hopes and phoney democracy
Published in The Independent (July 15th, 2009) And so the charade begins once again. A state ripped apart by war, poverty and corruption promises to hold elections, and […]
Immigration / Policy / Politics
How our politicians failed to stop the rise of the far right
Published in The Independent (June 9th, 2009) A few weeks ago I attended a think-tank lunch held to discuss whether the rise of the left was inevitable in […]
Arts / Immigration / Music / Policy
This outburst will strike a chord around the world
Published in The Independent (May 7th, 2009) Abbas Kiarostami’s outburst against British officialdom will strike a chord with artists all around the world. However famous, however inspirational, they […]