Published by The Independent (27th July, 2015) The stench of hypocrisy has long hung over the drugs debate. Politicians joke about their own use, then talk tough about […]
Crime / Policy / Politics / United States / World
Could Michael Gove become a liberal hero by reforming prisons?
Published by The Guardian (20th May, 2015) The appointment of Michael Gove as justice secretary was among the more interesting appointments in David Cameron’s first all-Conservative cabinet. Attention […]
Politics
In praise of British politics
Published by The Independent (5th May, 2015) Politics can be a unattractive business. It is often described as showbusiness for ugly people, such is the desire of those involved […]
Drugs / Policy
The war on drugs isn’t working, so let’s stop pretending it is
Published by The Daily Telegraph (30th April, 2015) Outside of their families and friends, few tears will have been be shed for the eight heroin smugglers killed by […]
United States / World
The Democrats could do better than another Clinton
Published by The Independent (13th April, 2015) It is not exactly surprising, but Hillary Clinton has confirmed what everyone already knew: she wants to be president of the United States. […]
Africa / Aid / United States / World
When will our politicians realise Africa has changed?
Published by The Independent (4th August, 2014) The dominant headlines out of Africa are as depressing as always in the Western media: a terrifying disease on the rampage, […]
Europe / European Union / Politics / Russia / Ukraine
Ukraine and the shame of Europe
Published by The Wall Street Journal (22nd May, 2014) There are flickers of hope that calm can descend again on Eastern Europe. We are told that those threatening […]
Arts / Books / China / United States / World
Sunny side up
Published in The Observer (February 23rd 2014) The Upside of Down by Charles Kenny (Basic Books) During the last United States presidential election, the then-rising Republican star Chris […]
Aid / China / World
World hunger has fallen. Now what do we do about the planet’s expanding waistline?
Published in The Independent (January 11th, 2014) In the year of my birth China was engulfed in the worst famine of modern history. One chronicler remembers rushing home […]
Policy / Politics
The tide is turning against homophobia
Published in The Guardian (December 27th, 2013) In Uganda, two people who have sex could end up serving life sentences in prison if they happen to be the […]