In a celebrated essay entitled Ur-Fascism Umberto Eco reflected on fascism in the Italy of Mussolini and asked the question: are there common features to fascist regimes? He wrote: ‘the term ‘fascism’ fits everything because it is possible to eliminate one or more aspects from a Fascist regime and it will always be recognisably Fascist.… Read More »
The Laburnum If only the small, homely laburnum tree Was as poisonous to squirrels as it is to me, Then the dunnocks and tits that come to feed Could sway in peace to peck at their seed. As it is, squirrels, plump and far-too-smart, Climb and plunder the spoils: they often start By… Read More »
The issue of the legitimacy or otherwise of lobbying government has arisen once more with Cameron’s championing of Greensill Capital. As the ‘crisis’ unfolds, new information is forthcoming daily, so this blog will inevitably be somewhat time-bound. But the issue is indeed critical in that it reflects what C W Mills called the ‘higher immorality’… Read More »
A Canadian colleague and kindred spirit, Dennis Raphael, recently sent me a copy of a pamphlet prepared by the Medical Research Group of the Labour Research Department entitled ‘Social Murder’ and published – ‘price twopence’ – in 1934. It has extraordinary resonance today and warrants a summary. It starts, appropriately enough, with a seminal quotation… Read More »
I’ve just had my first zoom meeting with Paul Higgs and Joanna Moncrieff from UCL. It was a poor substitute for our weekly coffees on Wednesdays in Tottenham Court Road but very welcome nonetheless. I even coped with the technology, having resolutely refused to engage in academic events via zoom for the past year or… Read More »
Which Hat? Usually when I embark on life’s adventures I leave the house hatless and optimistic; Only when it’s shivering cold or raining Above a parsimonious drizzle do I reach For a hat sitting patiently by the door. But which hat is it to be? There are five pegs and six… Read More »
I have ruminated episodically on the trivial issue of whether or not I can claim to be a writer. My provisional conclusion has been that I am an (ex)university teacher primarily, which has of course involved quite a bit of writing, but that I cannot be said to have made my living as a writer.… Read More »
When to Shut Up? Imagine an off-the-cuff conversation With an acquaintance, not a friend, So it’s tricky to gauge the rules. She tells you she prays for her family, For friends, for peace in faraway places. Sceptical, you challenge this faith That prayer can interrupt the flow Of events and act as… Read More »
You Can Feel Uneasy Here we are, sitting in the pub Of a Friday evening, A friendly cluster of garnered chairs, One round in and more to follow; The chatter is split, a couple here, A trio there, some just listening in. Then the topic changes: ‘That Corbyn, thank God he’s gone!’ A… Read More »
The first thing to be said about the origins of rugby is that there is no concrete evidence that they lie with William Ellis’ handling of the ball at Rugby School in 1823. Ex-pupil Matthew Bloxxam’s claim that this was the case has invariably defied verification (not that this altogether deterred Rugby School, which in… Read More »