Published in The Independent (June 6th, 2012) Surely even the grumpiest republican struggled to begrudge the community spirit of these past few days. There is something moving when […]
Crime / Policy
Don’t mock ‘hug a hoodie’. It was, and still is, the right message
Published in The Guardian (June 1st, 2012) Like so many famous political phrases, David Cameron never actually said that anyone should ‘hug a hoodie’. No matter. For it became a […]
Economics / Immigration / Policy
Britain’s visa system: a V-sign to visitors
Published in The Guardian (May 15th, 2012) So this is the year Britain throws open its arms and welcomes the world to a unique double bill of sporting […]
Police / Policy / Race
Can the Met ever end the culture of racism?
Published in the London Evening Standard (April 10th, 2012) The first time Victor Adebowale visited London was as a teenager on a school trip to the Geological Museum. […]
Drugs / Policy
Even the police think our drugs laws are absurd
Published in the London Evening Standard (April 3rd, 2012) This year marks an unfortunate anniversary. It is 100 years since the first international treaty to control narcotics was […]
Police / Policy / Politics
This local shakeup will transform the political scene
Published in The Guardian (February 13th, 2012) Soon after becoming leader of Liverpool council two years ago, Joe Anderson flew to Shanghai to drum up investment. He aimed […]
Crime / Policy / United States / World
Oddly, Texas can teach the UK a thing or two on criminal justice
Published in The Guardian (November 21st, 2011) Hang ’em high Texas is not the first place you might look for lessons in criminal justice. The lone star state […]
Health / Policy
The ongoing NHS scandal
Published in The Spectator (October 13th, 2011) Shock! Horror! Another report reveals the shameful care given to the elderly in British hospitals. People in the twilight of their life […]
Immigration / Policy
Immigrants saved my family and are crucial to Britain
Published in the London Evening Standard (October 11th, 2011) One unexpected aspect of life as the parent of a profoundly disabled teenager is that at times it is […]
Education / Policy / Politics
Who, in this nest of vipers, stole a stack of Michael Gove’s private emails?
Published in The Mail on Sunday (September 25th, 2011) Shortly after the last General Election, Michael Gove was travelling by train to an important conference in Birmingham and […]
Policy / Technology / Whitehall
It’s only your money going down the drain
Published in the Daily Mail (September 24th) The scandal is a parable for all that is wrong with government: a tale of such colossal arrogance, incompetence and waste […]
Police / Policy
Our myopic faith in British police supremacy must end
Published in The Guardian (August 17th, 2011) More than three decades ago Tom Robinson rose to fame with a gay rights anthem that began with the lines: “The British […]