Author Archives: Stephen Shellard

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About Stephen Shellard

I am a retired College lecturer, having worked originally in supported programmes but latterly having taught social science subjects, Psychology and Politics, though my degree was in Sociology. I am from Newry in Northern Ireland, but now live in Dumfries in South West Scotland. https://carruchan.wordpress.com/about/

Jeremy Corbyn: Honest Broker or Untrustworthy “Old Grandpa”?

The Question Time Leaders Special on the 22nd November in Sheffield may seem like ancient history, but the charge  of anti-semitism made against Jeremy Corbyn in the debate has fuelled a widely accepted narrative that fed into Corbyn’s damaging interview … Continue reading

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A Second Round with the Champ: Will Boris Hen it?

During the Tory leadership campaign, Boris Johnson was interviewed by Andrew Neil.  Neil was obviously determined to thwart Johnson from diverting the event into one of his rhetorical flights. Indeed, at  one point, the aspiring party leader interjected: “You’re choleric … Continue reading

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Contracts, Manifestos and Constitutional Reform

On Politics Live Brexit  [22Nov2019], Party MEP Ben Habib,  put in an appearance, waving the Brexit “contract”, the Brexit Party alternative to a manifesto.  The Faragists insist that manifestos are untrustworthy and not a set of serious and binding commitments … Continue reading

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The Liberal Democrats and the Art of the Impossible

“I think I am quite different to the other leaders.”  So said Jo Swinson at the launch of the Liberal Democrat manifesto. [20N0v2019] “They’ve all got an outlook which is very much harking back to the past, whether that’s the … Continue reading

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Boris versus Jeremy

There are I think moments when a leader should stand on principle. There are however other moments when they should listen and be led; this is such a moment.
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Public control of a full fibre network and the implications for our freedoms

I have just been listening to Claire Fox of the Brexit Party on Any Questions [15Nov2019].  She strongly opposes  Labour’s Policy to take BT Open Reach into public ownership and embark on a plan to roll out a full fibre … Continue reading

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Conservatism – A Hopeless Case

I am certainly not a fan of those citizenship tests widely advocated by conservatives for new migrants. Just let them get on with it, I say, and by the time the second generation has matured they will be as distinctively British in their own way as Grayson Perry or Punk Rock Continue reading

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The Unborn will not be Celebrating

“The unborn will not be celebrating.”  So said Arlene Foster as legislation permitting abortion was introduced to Northern Ireland.   It is unsurprising that people who hold religious beliefs should argue against abortion:  however the implication that the unborn might have … Continue reading

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The Uncertainties of Climate Forecast

It would appear that Boris Johnston does not share the sense of emergency regarding climate change as  felt by the youthfully inspired Extinction Rebellion, who he shrugged off early this week as “Uncooperative crusties!”     His father Stanley, by … Continue reading

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The Production of Money: How to Break the Power of Bankers

This book by Ann Pettifor is a clearly written explanation of how the financial system can be used, to activate or redirect the resources of the state in favour of whatever great project may be deemed important. Her arguments are … Continue reading

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