The Bitter Cost of Austerity: How Closing Youth Clubs Threw London’s Young People Under the Bus
When the UK embarked on its grand experiment with austerity in the 2010s, few anticipated the quiet but profound impact on youth clubs. After all, how much harm could cutting a few “extraneous” services really do? Well, as it turns out, quite a lot. Across London, about 30% of youth clubs closed their doors between 2010 and 2019, leaving thousands of young people adrift—no small feat in a city known for its thriving youth culture. But ...
Rory Stewart – Ignorance over Knowledge.
I have been listening to a great podcast recently. It is by former Tory politician, Rory Stewart. It is about how alleged knowledge can cause hubris and bad decision making on the presumption politicians know human behaviour. Stewart discovers that Human behaviour is often unpredictable, especially when people become aware of policies designed to control their actions. They tend to adapt in unexpected ways, which can undermine the intended ...
Trying to Understand the Phenomenon of Voting for Donald Trump
Alright, let’s get real here. Voting for Donald Trump feels, to many of us, like watching someone voluntarily order the hottest dish at the Curry Garden and then acting surprised when it burns their mouth to bits. So what’s the logic that makes some people genuinely want to dive back into a plate of “Make America Great Again” vindaloo. There has to be a reason, doesn’t there? Voting for Trump is insane but why is insanity laughing in ...
Why Paying Taxes is Actually a Good Thing (Yes, Really)
Let’s be honest: nobody jumps for joy when tax season rolls around. But here’s the thing—paying taxes doesn’t have to feel like a government-mandated grift. In fact, it’s one of the best investments we can make in, well, not living in a pothole-ridden, polluted mess with a crumbling NHS. Hard to imagine, but true. Look at Scandinavia (Yes, The Land of Skiing and Punctual Trains) Consider this: countries with higher taxes—think ...
Why The Mauritanian Should Terrify Anyone Who Thinks Human Rights Are Optional
After watching The Mauritanian, I was left with one pressing thought: anyone who believes human rights are negotiable might want to give this film a go—and maybe have a serious word with themselves. Right now, both candidates for the Conservative Party leadership are openly talking about the UK pulling out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). If that idea doesn’t send shivers down your spine, this film certainly will. What ...