Tag Archives: Austerity

All Political Careers -End in Tears

Arrogance, surrounds her, ambivalence blinds her Ignorance dogs her, whilst her Ministers plot Some say weeks, others a month or two – all the while, With no mandate, no authority, little if any support. How to regain the high ground, … Continue reading

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George Osborne, child benefit and the Conservative hard-right 2010-7

Hard-right chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne (2010-6) used the 2008 financial crash to reduce some British welfare payments. His ideological austerity programme was combined with political pragmatism. Child Benefit, which is paid to mothers as a tax free sum, … Continue reading

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Girolamo Savonarola and the bonfire of the vanities

The Franciscan monk Girolamo Savonarola was the antithesis of Pope Alexander VI. Savonarola was an ascetic monk who preached against wealth and conspicuous consumption. Pope Alexander devoted his life to power, wealth and the pleasures of the flesh. As Savonarola’s … Continue reading

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Just Moments in Time

Well over sixty years ago my best friend was a boy named Paul Brewster. Paul was a big lad even at the age of nine or ten where I was comparatively small. Paul and his Mum and Dad lived on … Continue reading

Posted in Autobiography, History, housing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment