It is a tribute to the emotional power of poetry that, when I think of "Four Weddings and a Funeral", I remember the single funeral rather than the multiple weddings. "He was my North, my South, my East and West" - Matthew's rendition of WH Auden's Funeral Blues as he eulogized Gareth, lent pathos to one of…
Living off the fat of the land
Flying Cattle Class tends to bring out the worst in me. After being herded through check-in, security and boarding I make a beeline for my aisle seat , generally having boarded early enough to lay claim to the corner of an overhead baggage compartment that is actually over my head. Flying Cattle Class is all about marking territory.…
The Greatest Show on Earth?
Laurence Spiegel was my first political hero. Never heard of him? Don't worry - nor had Google the last time I checked. The one and only time I worked on the campaign team for a British General Election it was for Laurence Spiegel . That was an important election for two reasons: despite polls showing a clear advantage…
Olympic spirit lost
My trip to New York cancelled last week courtesy of Superstorm Sandy, I decided to take advantage of the hour before anyone realized my calendar was empty to clear my desk. Forgetting the utterly ignored disposable cup of coffee nestling under a sheet of foolscap, I watched in helpless horror as it tipped drunkenly on its side and lazily cast forth its…
Tax Break 