This is the betwixt and between week in the UK so in theory not much is happening, in practice though…
The National Archives opened the Cabinet files from the Blair government, most of them from 2000 and 2001. Of the 600 documents, 170 have been digitalized. This is the National Archives take on what is important: https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/stories-from-home-and-abroad-in-the-cabinet-office-file-release/
The Times have stories from the Archives about Blair wanting to welcome Putin (despite US reluctance) and that Britain backed a plan to kill Osama Bin Laden nine months before 9/11 https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tony-blair-wanted-to-welcome-vladimir-putin-with-birthday-cufflinks-6q7j85w7f
A LGBT charity Scotland had to refer itself to the police after various allegations emerged. https://archive.vn/2022.12.23-203437/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/12/23/lgbt-charity-refers-police-sexual-exploitation-fears/
The Charge of the Woke Brigade? 150 students at Lincoln University took an offense aka a decolonising tour of the campus to identify potentially problematic historical figures – Lincolnshire born Tennyson was included as his views were imperialistic. Tennyson died in 1892. A spokesman for the university stressed they were not looking to rename buildings or tear down statues at this time. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11577637/Lincoln-University-chiefs-blasted-branding-poet-Tennyson-problematic-imperialist.html
One large donor has decided not to keep giving money to Durham University and gave £400k to the Free Speech Union instead as he was appalled at the lip service Durham gave to free speech when they were actively suppressing it. Before this year, he had been Durham’s largest single donor. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/12/27/ex-durham-donor-cuts-university-cash-fund-fight-free-speech/
History Reclaimed (If you haven’t discovered them, they have really interesting articles on history www.historyreclaimed.co.uk ) has claimed that the BBC is effectively rewriting history in its documentary output – for example, they never bother to explain about the British role in ending slavery or why Freetown in Sierra Leone is called such ( it was set up as a place for freed slaves to return to). The report was widely reported in the broadsheets. https://historyreclaimed.co.uk/can-we-trust-the-bbc-with-our-history/
Another report, this time from the Campaign for Common Sense looked at the BBC drama output and found a left leaning bias, including an over representation of ethnic minorities in senior roles which flatters to deceive. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/12/29/bbc-dramas-warping-modern-britain-allowing-left-wing-bias/
Boxing will have a new transgender category but everything will be separated out by natal sex – the so-called ‘at birth’ policy. You are not going to see a woman fighting a man, according to the chief executive. They are going to ring fence transgender. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2022/12/29/exclusive-boxing-introduce-new-transgender-category/
Lord Ashcroft visited Ukraine earlier this month and writes about his three days visiting the country – mainly around Odessa and Kherson. He illustrates how it has changed. He encountered despair, optimism and hope for the future. Many in Ukraine think Putin will be toppled soon as Russian tend to be unforgiving on leaders who fail. I am so currently reading Overreach by the Spectator correspondent and form Newsweek bureau chief Owen Matthews which covers the beginning of the war – worth a read if you are interested in the background. He has been covering the region for over 25 years. https://conservativehome.com/2022/12/28/lord-ashcroft-my-special-report-from-the-frontline-in-southern-ukraine/
The op-ed by Fraser Neilson in the Telegraph points to the fact that democracy is currently stronger at the end of the year than it was at the beginning, thanks in no small part to Ukraine. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/12/29/global-backlash-against-vladimir-putin-has-rejuvenated-democracy/
Whoopi Goldberg opens her mouth and puts her foot in it again. In an article for the Times magazine, Goldberg made some inappropriate comments to the journalist. You can read the article here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/whoopi-goldberg-till-film-hollywood-race-cancel-culture-c5lgc656v Goldberg has now apologized for those comments (again): https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/whoopi-goldberg-apologises-for-repeating-hurtful-holocaust-comments-mj20z6zjz
Never knowing out done in the apology stakes .Ex PM Theresa May gave an interview where she seemed to support Nicola Sturgeon’s reform to the GRC. Her spokeswoman has now said that wasn’t what she meant. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/theresa-may-denies-supporting-holyroods-gender-reform-rpq3qrt22
The Unredacted was shown in a small art house cinema in North London to sold out audiences. It will now be eligible for the BAFTAs. It was a film they tried to cancel and FAIR became involved in trying to help. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/most-cancelled-film-of-the-year-accepted-as-bafta-contender-l0xxm7mpr
Northumberland is getting a new museum. This one will be dedicated to the Anglo-Saxon Golden Age and specifically centered on Ad Gefrin near Yeavering which was the famous meeting place of the Angles in Northumberia. The museum will be in Wooler and will create 50 jobs. The Venerable Bede describes Ad Gefrin in his history of the Angles. https://historyfirst.com/northumbrias-anglo-saxon-golden-age-brought-to-life-in-14m-museum/?twclid=239kb4bxc6lmm05561269fdwtg
Finally Hogmanay kicks off today in Edinburgh – the world’s largest open air festival to welcome in the New Year (apparently). 3 days and Scotland gets 2 bank holidays to recover, not just the single day as we get in England. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hogmanay-in-edinburgh-back-with-a-bang-5jcbj9djz
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.
Ah! You're early today, Ma'am. And, lol... So the Scots need TWO days to recover. Why does that not surprise me?
Another all-around great round-up of articles to peruse. That's *great* of Mr. Hillory to give so much money to Your FSU. I'll look into some of the other articles after my short walk. last Friday it was -8. Here today on Dec. 30 at 3:45am it's 57. Go figure.
TY, as always, Michelle. Hope You and Alison have the Happiest New Year. :-)