David Blunkett MP, a former Labour Education Secretary All of the sacrifices during the past months have been about protecting the elderly and vulnerable in our society from the ravages of Covid. The country has united behind the slogan ‘Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save Lives!’ Today it is time to protect our children — … Read more
Freedom to travel where you want is a fundamental democratic right. But in recent days it feels as though anyone who wants to book a holiday abroad ever again is either a weird Covid denier, a sociopath or a vaccine sceptic. The country is desperate for some hope and optimism. Nothing symbolises that better than … Read more
Just imagine, for a moment, what it must be like to be a child in lockdown. Stuck indoors, unable to play with friends and banished from school for weeks and months on end. Now imagine how tough it is for the children from the poorest, most under-privileged homes in society. Ask yourself if you could … Read more
Just imagine, for a moment, what it must be like to be a child in lockdown. Stuck indoors, unable to play with friends and banished from school for weeks and months on end. Now imagine how tough it is for the children from the poorest, most under-privileged homes in society. Ask yourself if you could … Read more
A serious crisis demands serious expertise. When foot-and-mouth disease swept across Britain 20 years ago, the Government had no hesitation in sending in the Army. Their response was magnificent. With implacable efficiency, from the squaddies to the top brass, they set about bringing a chaotic, dangerous situation under control. One man above all symbolised the … Read more
A serious crisis demands serious expertise. When foot-and-mouth disease swept across Britain 20 years ago, the Government had no hesitation in sending in the Army. Their response was magnificent. With implacable efficiency, from the squaddies to the top brass, they set about bringing a chaotic, dangerous situation under control. One man above all symbolised the … Read more
Contrary to expectations, the Democrats have gained the White House by only the narrowest of margins. In fact, Donald Trump substantially increased his own popular vote despite his catastrophic handling of the coronavirus crisis. Support for him from black and Hispanic voters, groups which have traditionally favoured Democrats, grew. Talk of a tide which would sweep … Read more
When two senior police officers were confused last week about the current lockdown rules, I was not surprised. The different regulations and tiers across the country are bewildering and, what’s more, they are changing from area to area, day by day. And if senior police officers are unclear, the public must be, too. Of course, … Read more
When two senior police officers were confused last week about the current lockdown rules, I was not surprised. The different regulations and tiers across the country are bewildering and, what’s more, they are changing from area to area, day by day. And if senior police officers are unclear, the public must be, too. Of course, … Read more
After six long months, our children are finally returning to school and that news has cheered me enormously. Initial reports suggest attendance rates are high. Parents and teachers know that being back in the classroom has incalculable benefits not only for children’s education and futures, but for their mental health and family life, too. If … Read more