The Ministry of Fear
- February 28, 2017
- by
- Matt
It isn’t often that I find myself agreeing with John Major, but in the post-Brexit era you often find allies in places where you would expect to find enemies – and vice versa. Certainly I can’t find much to quibble with about Major’s comments yesterday regarding the rise of anti-immigrant sentiment in Europe:
‘I caution everyone to be wary of this kind of populism. It seems to be a mixture of bigotry, prejudice and intolerance. It scapegoats minorities. It is a poison in any political system destroying civility and decency and understanding. Here...
Brexit 2017: The Year of the Mogwai
- January 07, 2017
- by
- Matt
Looking down with a vaguely-superior disdain at the outside world is a long-established Anglo-Saxon pastime. Over the years we have been taught to use the words ‘very British’ to distinguish the bad things that happen in the world beyond from the better things that happen here. We talk about ‘very British revolutions’...
Theresa May’s New Year Message: the Blind Leading the Blind
- January 01, 2017
- by
- Matt
In these uncertain times, as we move closer to the yawning abyss that is Brexit, one can only wait with bated breath for a good dose of platitudinous bromide from the politicians who are about to push us off it to lift the spirits. Maybe idiot-at-large Boris Johnson’s Christmas invitation to get behind...
2016: The Year of Living Fearfully
- December 28, 2016
- by
- Matt
There was a time – it seems many years ago now – when governments in the Western world told their populations that things were getting better, and that they were helping them to get better. In those days voters by and large believed them, and made their political choices from amongst a cluster...
Imagine a Country Without Migrants
- December 23, 2016
- by
- Matt
It’s nearly three months since the idea of a national protest by and in support of migrants in the UK on Feb 20 next year went viral on social media. In that time what began as a Facebook discussion has morphed into the national campaign One Day Without Us. We now have more than two...
Knuckle-dragger Nation
- November 06, 2016
- by
- Matt
I’ve been very lucky these last few days. On Thursday I was part of a panel at the Royal College of Art in London discussing culture, cultural identity and political crisis in a ‘borderless world.’ I was blown away by the passion, eloquence and thoughtfulness of my fellow panel members and so many...
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