Published by The Daily Mail (26th September, 2018) My daughter Iona had a seizure at 5am yesterday. Her eyes rolled, she screamed, her limbs flailed and her body […]
Policy / Politics / Transport
Whoops – there go the railways, says Westminster’s answer to Mr Bean
Published by The Guardian (20th September, 2018) Imagine you were running a business and one of your senior managers left a trail of disaster in their wake. First, […]
Drugs / Policy
When will politicians realise that the war on drugs has been lost?
Published by The Evening Standard (9th August, 2018) Last year I went on patrol in Dayton, Ohio, with an affable police officer called Andy Teague, who told me […]
Immigration / Policy / Race
Islamophobia should be called out
Published by The i paper (30th July, 2018) I went to get my eyes tested on Saturday and ended up in fascinating conversation with my optician. She told […]
Africa / Arts / Immigration / Music / Policy
Britain is open for business? Not for African artists
Published by The Guardian (27th July, 2018) Moonchild Sanely oozes star quality. When musicians from Africa Express – the organisation I co-founded – went to South Africa earlier […]
Europe / European Union / Greece / Immigration / Policy
Left to rot on Lesbos
Published by The Mail on Sunday (8th July, 2018) I drove past tavernas filled with tourists looking out over fishing boats bobbing on the blue sea, then down […]
Health / Policy
Happy birthday, NHS – but we must be more honest about its failings
Published by the Evening Standard (5th July, 2018) After an orgy of self-congratulation, the big day has finally arrived as the National Health Service celebrates its 70th anniversary. […]
Policy
This moment in the trans debate reminds me of the fight for gay rights
Published by The ipaper (2nd July, 2018) More than a decade ago I was listening to a radio item about transgender people when I made some glib comment […]
Crime / Policy
Short sentences prove prison doesn’t work
Published by The Times (28th June, 2018) This is a depressing time for prison reform campaigners. Ministers have announced they are building two new jails ready for another […]
Drugs / Policy
Game over for the war on drugs?
Published by The i paper (25th June, 2018) It seems incredible that it is just two weeks since I was with a single mother and her son in […]