Tag Archives: Politics

Brexit Revisited

Posted on November 14, 2025 by Stephen Shellard

The Democratic Case for Pooling Sovereignty Although I voted to remain in the European Union in the 2016 referendum, this did not reflect an entirely uncritical view of the European project and, in particular, its democratic structures. I was interested … Continue reading →

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Questioning Identity

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Stephen Shellard

Two Tales from Wigtown In his book,  Against Identity, Alexander Douglas quotes Upton Sinclair: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”  Douglas goes on to say: “Well, try … Continue reading →

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The Case in Favour of Open Borders

Posted on October 1, 2025 by Stephen Shellard

Opening the national border to all who wish to come is an unfashionable idea. The  last person  I can recall advocating such a policy was Angela Merkel.  “Wir schaffen das” she said with the confidence of a true leader. We … Continue reading →

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The Curse of Small Political Parties

Posted on August 16, 2025 by Stephen Shellard

How Fringe Factions Fuel Dysfunction in Israel and Beyond [1,097 words, 6 minutes read time]  When Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th 2023, they massacred 1,195 people, 736 Israeli civilians (including 38 children), 79 foreign nationals, and 379 members of … Continue reading →

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Finding a Way Through

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Stephen Shellard

Basic Income, Artificial Intelligence and Reimagining Immigration Universal Basic Income (UBI) – that is to say provision of a living allowance for all citizens regardless of their employment status – is an idea that has interested me for many years. … Continue reading →

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Did I Say That?…Next Question!

Posted on March 2, 2025 by Stephen Shellard

Arguments for Defence and Foreign Aid Spending in a Volatile World.  [2130 words] I’ve spent a good part of my life arguing in favour of defusing conflict by means of unilateral disarmament and negotiation.  I now find myself in the … Continue reading →

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On Street Fighters, Gladiators and Philosophers

Posted on February 9, 2025 by Stephen Shellard

When I first heard news of the spat on Elon Musk’s X between US Vice President JD Vance and former Tory politician, Rory Stewart it brought to mind the Sunday school classes  I reluctantly attended over sixty years ago. JD Vance, … Continue reading →

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The Most Beautiful Words

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Stephen Shellard

I have occasionally listened to radio discussions in which poets have let slip their partiality for a particular word, usually arising from some resonant quality, something mellifluous in the sound or sounds of which it is composed. I find myself … Continue reading →

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Inauguration Blues …

Posted on January 23, 2025 by Stephen Shellard

I  was not paying a great deal of attention as President Donald J Trump went through the ceremony of his inauguration. Clearly, it was a great day for Trump’s admirers and the 1,500 felons he pardoned for their complicity in … Continue reading →

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The Monarchy is Dead …

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Stephen Shellard

But We’re Not Quite Sure What to Do About it So far as I am aware the only significant political party which openly opposes the monarchy in current UK politics is Alba and their ambitions are stated in orderly and … Continue reading →

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