Author Archives: odeboyz

Committed Comrades

Through the early to mid 1980s Margaret Thatcher waged a vindictive and unrelenting war against the Labour movement in general and specifically the Metropolitan County Councils. Her nemesis was Ken Livingstone the ultimate “left” Leader of the G.L.C. at County Hall … Continue reading →

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Democracy: The London Borough of Havering (2)

(Chris and Del)

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Jam Jars were worth a penny Glass Tizer bottles With metal spring stoppers, tuppence halfpenny Quart glass beer bottles threpence. All year round in forty nine These went down Theberton Street to the “rag and bone” shop The few coppers … Continue reading →

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Lance Armstrong: a joke

Now that Lance Armstrong has given up on drugs he’s going to compete in the Tour de France on a Kawasaki 750. (Chris)

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Democracy: London Borough of Havering 2014 (1)

(Chris and Del)

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A God for the twenty- first century

I’m God I’m not Yahweh, the Holy Ghost or Allah I’m your god. I’m not a jealous god, or a vengeful god I’m not omnipotent and, especially, I’m not omniscient. I’m not judgemental and I’m erratic and inconsistent I’m an … Continue reading →

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How economists use the word ‘only’

“The poorest half of the population still owns nothing… the wealthiest 10% now own only two thirds of what there is to own rather than nine- tenths.” Thomas Piketty Capitalism in the Twenty- First Century

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Just Yesterday Ago

In 1989 (I can’t believe that is twenty five years ago) I was the Branch Secretary of the National and Local Government Organisation (NALGO) in Hackney, I was at the head of a bunch of left wing extremists.The Communist Party, … Continue reading →

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The best of times

To tumble down grass field slopes With friends in high pitched yells of “Geromimo” Laughs from the belly as Bert boshed the cow-pat His hand to his elbow in poo.   That day was just one in that short summer … Continue reading →

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Military Service Act, 1916: Conscription

The Military Service Act changed Britain forever. The act meant that the state had the right to put British men in lethal danger i.e. the trenches. But these reluctant warriors didn’t want to fight and, worse, they were literally second … Continue reading →

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