debate

Nine years ago my grandmother passed away at the age of 85. A long time before, she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and when it returned ten years later, her body soon became riddled with it. It was, of course, a distressing diagnosis but she was greatly helped by the honest and sympathetic discussions … Read more

No sooner has the Government gained the upper hand in the fight against Covid – with its roll-out of a mass vaccination programme – than Britain’s defences are being tested by an altogether different invader. A sudden flurry of Russian naval intrusions into our coastal waters over recent months is causing concern at the highest … Read more

Earlier this week I listened as a man who had phoned in to a local radio show struggled to speak through his tears. His mother is dying in a Suffolk care home, yet he has been told he cannot see her until she is 48 hours from death. She is yearning to see him, while … Read more

Once, British banks were regarded as solid and dependable institutions, staffed by responsible people who would guard customers’ savings as they would their own, come famine, flood or war. What was left of that image was destroyed in the 2007/08 banking crisis — symbolised by the queues of people outside Northern Rock branches desperate to … Read more

Last month, Sussex Police were good enough to write to me. Their letter began: ‘Notice of Intended Prosecution.’ That got my attention. It went on to say that ‘it is intended to take proceedings against the driver of motor vehicle…’ — and gave a car number plate exactly the same as mine. Apparently it had … Read more