Monthly Archives: July 2012

Olympians and social media

Posted on July 31, 2012 by

Summary Why these ones are much more fun – for me Well hasn’t it been exciting boys and girls! Actually, if you were watching the archery it was tremendously so. Each country with three archers firing away in groups of … Continue reading →

Posted in Social media, Sport | Leave a comment

EmptySeatGate

Posted on July 28, 2012 by

Summary Will the corporations and officials take a kicking over this? Empty corporate seats at UK sporting events are not a new phenomenon. The first time I came across this was at Euro ’96. I remember watching Romania vs Bulgaria … Continue reading →

Posted in Business economics and finance, Law and legal issues, Public administration & policy, Social media, Sport | Leave a comment

In praise of Danny Boyle’s Olympics’ opening ceremony

Posted on July 28, 2012 by

Summary A ceremony that won over even the most stubborn of sceptics – myself included. With the negative publicity around the run-up to the Olympics, Danny Boyle had his work cut out. Given that context – and the wider global … Continue reading →

Posted in Sport | 1 Comment

Fighting mental exhaustion, depression and general lethargy

Posted on July 24, 2012 by

Summary How long will this process take? Some of you may not be aware, but I went through a mental health crisis a few months ago – a crisis that knocked the stuffing out of me. I can’t help but … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health | 2 Comments

Tax evasion, tax avoidance, tax breaks – can we get definitions right please?

Posted on July 22, 2012 by

Summary Trying to find clarity in the tax debate – and a way forward These terms are bandied about by all sides and unfortunately only succeed in blurring what for me at least are very serious issues. Tax evasion, tax … Continue reading →

Posted in Business economics and finance, Law and legal issues, Party politics | 4 Comments

Are young people politically apathetic? Not this lot

Posted on July 20, 2012 by

Summary Wingtips for some fine young minds – with more to be added Well…they have had sand kicked in their faces by the political establishment for stuff they didn’t do and/or wasn’t their fault, so they have a right to … Continue reading →

Posted in Party politics, Puffles' Twitter Lists, Social media | 2 Comments

Is the Cabinet too big?

Posted on July 19, 2012 by

Summary Yes. (In my opinion). But why so, and what would a smaller Cabinet look like? This post in part is based on a select committee report calling for fewer ministers, along with a line in Ruth Porter‘s column in … Continue reading →

Posted in Party politics, Public administration & policy | 2 Comments

Cambridge railway station woes

Posted on July 18, 2012 by

Summary It’s my station and I’ll moan if I want to. But for those interested in contributing positively towards Cambridge transport, please respond to the County Council’s transport strategy consultation! Cambridge Station: It seems slightly random for a blog to feature … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambridge, Housing and transport, Public administration & policy | 7 Comments

The unintended consequences of the Olympics’ spotlight

Posted on July 16, 2012 by

Summary When issues previously mainly known about in activist circles hit the front pages. Such as: Sportswear being made in sweatshop conditions in poor countries Shortcomings with outsourcing security functions Censorship Traffic chaos caused by “VIP lanes” Poor living conditions … Continue reading →

Posted in Party politics, Public administration & policy, Social media, Sport | Leave a comment

Scrutinising an ever-fragmenting public sector

Posted on July 15, 2012 by

Summary How can we improve our systems of scrutiny following the G4S shambles? This was something that Margaret Hodge, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee raised in a recent evidence session with the House of Lords’ Constitution Committee. It’s something … Continue reading →

Posted in Public administration & policy | 2 Comments