A few weeks ago I posted about a ‘fake’ Number 10 Downing Street and so I thought it would be timely to write about the actual Number 10 Downing Street especially as having written about historic and political situations for 6 years that not having yet done so is something of an aberration. After all,… Continue reading The history of 10 Downing Street and a peek behind its famous black door.
Category: Politics
The fake Number 10 Downing Street
It’s perhaps the most famous doorway in the world, number 10 Downing Street. For centuries home of the British Prime Minister and I’m standing in front of it. Except it isn’t and I’m not. Though until just the 1990’s, one could easily walk up and pose on the doorstep of Number 10, since the IRA… Continue reading The fake Number 10 Downing Street
The 9 times Britain has left Europe and why the cycle will happen again.
Much of the world and indeed the country is looking on at ever ongoing Brexit situation. What many don’t realise is that Britain has always had a love-hate relationship with Europe and it’s largely due to geography and history. Around the world and through the millennia, nations on the edge of a sphere of influence… Continue reading The 9 times Britain has left Europe and why the cycle will happen again.
Looking back at 2018 in cartoons
It’s tradition at the end of a year to look back at the events that we’ve lived through and I thought this year that I would do so with the use of political cartoons. It’s amongst the finest of British traditions to poke fun at our leaders and pretty much anyone in authority in a… Continue reading Looking back at 2018 in cartoons
The Divine Right of Kings and the Execution of King Charles I
Ever since I wrote the post Thomas Harrison – Executed whilst cheerful! who was hung drawn and quartered, I have been thinking about the tulmultuous events leading up to the execution of King Charles I. Regicide as it is known, is very rare in British history and usually when it was comitted, it was done so 1500… Continue reading The Divine Right of Kings and the Execution of King Charles I
William Lenthall -The man who risked his life to uphold democracy and defy the King.
Not many people are familiar with William Lenthall but if history were fair then we all would be. For William Lenthall was once the Speaker of the House of Commons and by his actions changed the course of the world forever. On 4 January 1642, King Charles I entered the House of Commons to arrest… Continue reading William Lenthall -The man who risked his life to uphold democracy and defy the King.
Spencer Perceval – The only British Prime Minister to be killed in office
It is said that the more things change, the more they say the same. This is perhaps never more true than in May 1812. Britain was in turmoil. Social and political unrest spread had spread across the country, as old economic models clash with new technologies, and the spectre of global trade tariffs loom large.… Continue reading Spencer Perceval – The only British Prime Minister to be killed in office
Jeremy Bentham, his life, his work and his head!
Jeremthy Bentham is a famous 18th and 19th century political philospher. Unlike many before and since, you can actually visit Jeremy today as he had himself preserved so he could be wheeled out at dinner parties in case his friends missed him. You might never have heard of Jeremy Bentham but I guarantee you’ll find… Continue reading Jeremy Bentham, his life, his work and his head!
The Americans Are Coming!
When war was declared in Europe, the United States of America had no interest in joining what they labelled as the European War. American doctrine of the time was insular with regards to the old world and instead concentrated on shaping the Americas as to its own liking. Indeed a significant portion of the American… Continue reading The Americans Are Coming!
Politics might be serious but elections don’t have to be.
Politics is generally a serious profession, albeit one so often mired in lies, broken promises and unachievable policies. General Elections are the one time we have a chance to change the government at a national level. Whereas in most countries it is a matter of utmost importance and seriousness with some nations even banning even… Continue reading Politics might be serious but elections don’t have to be.