Corbyn
Corbyn is exasperating. He endorses Scottish independence not realising how Scottish independence could mean a permanent farewell to Labour being in office. Thank goodness he's no longer a Labour MP.
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Showing posts from October, 2021
True friendship
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True friendship is when Percy tried to warn Ron about how dangerous Harry was (all in the 5th book) and Ron responded by tearing up his letter and throwing the pieces into the fire. True friendship is also Hermione being so moved by that that she offers to complete their homework. True friendship is further demonstrated when Hermione and Ron (especially for studious Hermione) drop out of Hogwarts to help Harry find Horcruxes in order to finish off Voldemort. True friendship is when Hermione bailed Harry and Ron out in the first book involving trolls. In short, Harry Potter teaches what true friendship is; it doesn't matter about the quantity but the quality. I think everyone needs friends like Ron and Hermione (who also forgive Harry when he yelled at them multiple times in OOTP).
The Northern Irish Troubles: The Static Society
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The Northern Irish Troubles are barely understood in the UK; I was in my second year at university before I really understood what were they're about. I think it should be mandatory to teach the Troubles in schools if the government were serious about an EU referendum (with the Irish question being an important one). However, alas, the Northern Irish Troubles aren't on the GCSE syllabus as of yet (maybe because it's too complicated). To help me understand the Northern Irish Troubles is the brilliant book by David McKittrick and David McVae which is a clear and short read. The first chapter in this book is entitled 'The Static Society'. The authors explain how Northern Ireland was divided into two groups: the unionists (the Protestants) who want Northern Ireland to remain in the UK and the republicans (the Catholics) who yearn for a United Ireland. The book further goes onto state how there were two extra elements added to the equation: the British and Irish governm
History of the NHS
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The National Health Service came into being on the 5th July 1948. It was under Clement Attlee's government that it did so. This was as a result of the Beveridge proposals where William Beveridge had stated that the government had an obligation to look after everyone. The government then ensured that treatment was of no expense to each patient and all hospitals were nationalised. Contrary to what some Conservatives have recently said about the NHS, it did not support its creation. They were opposed to it believing it would be too costly - doctors too were scared about losing income. However, it soon proved a huge success, with governments such as that of Thatcher being unwilling to privatise the NHS. Who knows what will happen in the future?!
World Teachers' Day
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On this world teachers' day I'm thinking of the best teachers who taught me. There was the one who believed in me after I had performed poorly; there was the one who gave me biscuits when I nearly fainted in an exam; there was the one who counselled me after I had to leave the classroom because I was crying about my then recently deceased grandmother. I'm thinking of the kindness and empathy these teachers displayed. And, of course, I'm thinking of my own grandparents who were both teachers. On this day I'm thinking of teachers who weren't teachers by profession but who taught me so many lessons - people ranging from Audrey Hepburn to Otto Frank to my friends. Teachers deserve more credit for what they do!
Journey's End
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I first read this play fourteen years ago when I was a GCSE student, and in preparation for my forthcoming interview for MyTutor, I've gone back to it. This is a wonderful play about the futility of war and it explores the effect that war had had on soldiers, especially Stanhope. I'd definitely suggest this as a good play to read!
Indian Matchmaking
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I'm currently watching 'Indian Matchmaking' and am amazed at how much the parents influence their children. In the opening scene there's a mother (of the groom) saying the bride must be at least 5ft3 and that was non-negotiable. She also has to be flexible and outgoing as that what is her son would like. I am aware that arranged marriages are still common in India (Sima, the matchmaker, says there are arranged marriages and then love marriages) but I'm staggered at how much influence the parents have over their children.
Meghan and Harry
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I think the criticism that Meghan and Harry receive is too extreme. Meghan may not be everyone's cup of tea but sometimes she is treated as though she is the public enemy number one. She didn't fit into the Royal Family; that's ok. It's not a crime and I say this as an ardent royalist who loves the Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. I think people forget that mental health is an important issue and they should try to be kinder to Meghan and Harry.
Downton Abbey, series 1, episode 1
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I'd always wanted to watch Downton Abbey but I never found the time. Thankfully, now that I've finished my degree, and waiting to start volunteering and work experience, I finally have the time! Downton Abbey focuses on the Crawley family (Lord and Lady Grantham) and this episode is set in April 1912. The Crawley family have three daughters (Mary, Edith and Sybil) and as they're all female, they cannot inherit their Father's title or estate. The heir to the title was Lord Grantham's first cousin and his son (James and Patrick). The episode opens with the Titanic sinking and the realisation that James and Patrick perished as a result of the sinking. This throws the family into crisis as a total unknown (a third cousin once removed of Lord Grantham) is set to inherit the title and money. Lord Grantham's mother and Lady Grantham seek to smash the entail so that Mary (who was set to marry Patrick) could inherit the money. This episode also sees a new valet, who h
The Human Rights Act 1998
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After the Good Friday Agreement (which came into force on the 10th April 1998), the Human Rights Act 1998 is the second best piece of legislation to come into force. I think this act is worth knowing especially because the current Conservative government (particularly Dominic Raab) want to scrap the Human Rights Act 1998 and replace it with a British Bill of Rights. I think it's dangerous to embark on the road of scrapping rights - it's the question of what they could do next. Also, I'm passionate about the UK (in its entirety) one day re-joining the EU and according to Article 49 of the TEU a country wanting to join the EU has to have a good record on human rights (this is one of the reasons why there is opposition to Turkey joining the EU). The Human Rights Act 1998 has been misunderstood by both the public and politicians. Indeed, Theresa May in 2011 said that she couldn't deport an illegal immigrant because he had a pet cat. This was proved to be untrue. This had n
2nd post: Philomena
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I'm currently reading 'Philomena' by the journalist Martin Sixsmith and the partnership that Sixsmith and Philomena Lee had was subsequently turned into a film of the same name in 2013. There's not much to say from me at this point as I read the book except for the fact I'm horrified at how unforgiving the nuns were towards what they saw as 'sin'. Philomena nearly died childbirth (it was a breech pregnancy) and was denied any pain-killers as the nuns saw that as her punishment for having sinned. It's just ridiculous! I'm not a Christian (although I went to two Catholic schools) and even I know that the basic tenet of Christianity is love and compassion. Those nuns, who inflicted so much pain on Philomena, should be ashamed of themselves.
The Hunger Strikes of 1981
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The intense response to the 1981 hunger strike transformed Northern Irish politics more significantly than the seven week hunger strike in 1980. This is because Bobby Sands meticulously planned the 1981 hunger strike in a way that he thought would force the then first-time Thatcher government in the UK to give paramilitary prisoners their much wanted political status. So, with deaths planned, the 1981 hunger strike generated coverage that transformed the shape of Northern Irish politics. Although the hunger strikers may not have transformed Northern Irish politics in the way they desired (which was principally to be given a political prisoner status and then to fight for Northern Ireland to join a United Ireland), their actions caused a national and international reaction. This ranged from Thatcher nearly being murdered to more recruits joining the IRA to Sinn Fein becoming a more formidable force. Although none of this ended the Troubles, the response to the hunger strikes' actio