The royal prerogative

I have just been watching a recording of the ceremony of the proclamation of “The King” (as I suppose we shall now have to refer to him).  I was expecting it to be slightly ridiculous, full of archaic flummery and twaddle. Indeed, there was quite a lot of that, but it actually had a serious purpose and brought home to me how some of our key constitutional principles are dependent on the monarchy.  It is a warning that any attempt to replace the monarchy with a republic needs to be very carefully thought through.

Why school uniforms?

I notice that a new law is due to come into effect in England in September that will “protect parents ... from unnecessary school uniform costs” by forcing state schools “to remove unnecessary branded items from their uniform requirements, allowing parents to shop around or hand clothes down more easily.”  (See BBC report).  Well, I suppose that is welcome as far as it goes, but why is there so little questioning of the peculiar practice of dressing schoolchildren in identical, old-fashioned and expensive clothes that neither they nor their parents would dream of wearing in any other context?

Based on various visits over the years to Europe and North America, I had supposed that school uniforms were a peculiarly British affliction, and that their prevalence would be limited mainly to the UK and some former British colonies. However, it seems that I was wrong.

Wrong answer

The Labour Party seems very pleased with itself following Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement that, if he were Prime Minister, his Government would freeze energy prices at current (August 2022) levels for six months and pay for it by a further “windfall tax” on energy companies.  Apparently, opinion polls show overwhelming public support for such a measure, which is also endorsed by the LibDems and the SNP.  Of course, it is easy to make such declarations when there is no chance of being able to carry them out.

The economic puzzle

I have no sympathy for either of the Conservative leadership candidates, and I wish they could both lose.  The prospect of the economically illiterate Liz Truss as prime minister is appalling.  However, I do have some sympathy for the dilemma that they face with regard to fiscal policy and indeed economic policy more generally.

Climate change and my diet – should I go vegan?

 Twenty years ago I would have thought it cranky and absurd to go vegetarian – let alone vegan. I enjoy eating and have never really accepted Valère’s dictum¹  “Il faut manger pour vivre et non pas vivre pour manger”. However, I have been concerned at the growing consensus that our (especially western) diet is disrupting the ecology of the planet and exacerbating climate change. So what should I do about it?

Books I read last year (and ones I started but didn’t finish) – updated

It is nearly two years since I listed the books that I had read – or at least started to read – during the previous year, so I thought I should repeat the exercise – only this time covering nearly two years. The list is not in chronological (or any particular) order and may not be complete.

Should I give up on the Labour Party?

I joined the Labour Party in 1962, and it has been part of my life for almost 60 years. During that time I have been a loyal member, canvassing for the Labour candidate at elections, delivering leaflets, stuffing envelopes, knocking on doors and carrying out almost every Party office except that of MP. Yet, after 60 years, I am seriously considering resigning.