Ideological obsessions manifest themselves nowadays in all the nooks and crannies of intellectual life. The other day, for example, I received an antiquarian book catalogue through the post and enclosed was a bookmark advertising book fairs taking place in the near future. The bookmark also advertised the 30th Annual Conference on Book Trade History to be held at Stationers’ Hall … [Read on]

In the spirit of Jonathan Swift’s ‘Modest Proposal’ is there a good case to be made for nuclear war? There are far too many of us on the planet to allow its survival, and if you think of us as microbes, the world is in need of an antibiotic. It is not a problem of global warming, but the physical … [Read on]

Going to a press showing of John Singer Sargent’s watercolours at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in South London. A terrible schlep in this hot weather and you may wonder why I want to do it. This is the first major showing, eighty of his watercolours, in a hundred years, which is not that surprising; who wants to look at a … [Read on]

Should ‘Islamophobia’ be added to the diagnostic handbook of the American College of Psychiatrists? Words ending in the syllables ‘phobia’ or ‘phobic’ indicate an irrational fear over which patients have no control. This of course is how an increasingly radicalised BBC wishes the population to view anybody who objects to mass Islamic immigration. Medicalising political dissent however can lead to … [Read on]

CV: Private or good grammar school. Oxbridge degree in PPE or Classics. The public pretend they don’t approve of this but realise there is no real alternative if they want a bright, well educated leader. Marital Status: Married even if Lesbian, preferably with children. People still expect this as single, childless people are still considered odd. Mental state: Must be … [Read on]

Adulation and glee, as a surge in the youthful Labour vote wins Canterbury and other university-graced seats. The Corbyn cult has certainly gained momentum among the financially challenged younger generation, for the crusty Marxist promises of  change from the debt-ridden drudgery of Tory Britain. This dalliance with socialist ideology could be viewed as a swing of the political pendulum, but … [Read on]

Dr Zhivago returns to his Moscow house after fighting in the war to find a Soviet has seized his property. Nice Mr Corbyn has similar plans for you.

I have just received a message from a good friend in America: ‘Dear Jane, Our hearts are heavy for your nation.  I realize the fire was not terrorism per se, but it seems that the conflagration was a reflection of another way we are at the mercy of our governments’ poor choices and priorities. No sprinkler system with all that … [Read on]