Published by CapX (15th March, 2019) On the day the coalition government was formed, I found myself briefly alone with an exhausted David Cameron as he was about […]
Crime / Drugs / Policy
Britain’s police are waking up to the futility of the war on drugs
Published by CapX (23rd October, 2018) Few people would have expected Bernard Hogan-Howe to become the nation’s latest outspoken campaigner for review of our drug laws. Yet this […]
Syria / World
What’s the point of gesture bombing in Syria without a wider strategy?
Published by CapX (12th April, 2018) There is one fact that everyone can agree: the war in Syria is utterly appalling, an eruption of hell that stains humanity. […]
Health / Policy
Ten practical remedies for the ailing NHS
Published by CapX (26th January, 2018) I went to hospital earlier this week for a small but troubling skin condition. Having expected to spend the morning stuck wearily […]
Africa / Liberia / Technology / United States / World
Trump is debasing democracy the world over
Published by CapX (27th July, 2017) When I was in Liberia three years ago covering the ebola epidemic, I was amazed to discover the depth of antipathy many […]
Economics / Politics
Britain is still wrestling with the consequences of the crash
Published by CapX (11th June, 2017) It used to be said that there was a Chinese curse wishing someone might live in ‘interesting times’. As we grapple with […]
Politics
Is this the return of two-party politics?
Published by CapX (1st June, 2017) What a strange and suddenly absorbing election. The anticipated coronation of Theresa May, touching 50 per cent support in polls after calling […]
North Korea / South Korea / World
‘Sunshine Policy’ is simply appeasement of horror
Published by CapX (11th May, 2017) The Sunshine Policy of engagement between the two Koreas ran for a decade until 2008, won the Noble Prize for its originator, […]
Aid / Economics / North Korea / South Korea / World
Capitalism makes people taller. Just look at South Korea
Published by CapX (26th April, 2017) The spring sun shone and cherry blossom fluttered down to the delight of locals as I sauntered through Namsan Park, a beautifully-kept […]
Africa / Aid / Technology
Who’s laughing now? The BBC should not promote aid
Published by CapX (24th March, 2017) So here we go again: Red Nose Day has arrived with japes, high jinks and silly stunts taking place across the land. […]
Europe / Ireland / Politics
Terror and peace: Martin McGuinness’s divisive legacy
Published by CapX (21st March, 2017) For anyone my age, the death of Martin McGuinness brings very mixed feelings. We grew up to a backdrop of bombs and […]
Africa / Aid / South Sudan
Western aid has enabled South Sudan’s kleptocrats
Published by CapX (24th February, 2017) Fine words flowed at birth of the world’s newest nation six years ago. Britain spoke of ‘a moment of hope and optimism […]