July 10, 2025July 15, 2025 Have we become ungovernable? It could be a new board game called ‘Govern that!’ set in a democratic but bankrupt country facing an ever more uncertain world. Each player is Prime Minister. But who will stay in power? The players must first decide what will be their game plan. There are three choices. 1) One Nation: General health of the nation. 2) Golden Division: Government by demonization and division 3) Power for Power’s Sake: using all means necessary to keep it. Nothing else matters. The first is a generalist approach steeped in compromise but …
June 12, 2025June 12, 2025 The Gospel according to the Garden Before we go to the garden, a verse from a poem that could scarcely be less floral or Monty Don: …
May 15, 2025May 15, 2025 Are Christianity and therapy joined at the hip? So, here’s the question: ‘What is the relationship between Christianity and therapy?’ And the answer, of course, will depend on …
March 29, 2023 The Constant Gardener In John le Carre’s powerful story, The Constant Gardener the lead character is a diplomat who is a keen flower-and-shrub …
March 22, 2023 Hopeful Imagination In 587 BC, the Babylonians assaulted Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple. For the Israelites, it was the end of the …
March 13, 2023 Mrs Johnson’s nose ‘It only happened once,’ interjected Fiona Bruce on Question Time, as they discussed Boris Johnson putting his father Stanley forward …
March 7, 2023 Goodbye The only power you have Is the power that I give you And I give it no more I am …
March 6, 2023 Wilderness words: The end of shame So, why do you come here in your sack cloth and ashes? What do you hope for here in the …
February 27, 2023 Wilderness words: Naked intent Naked intent is sitting in the rain in an empty park. Lightning flashes, wind smacks you and batters, as you …
February 21, 2023 Words of the week: verbs and nouns I was talking to an actor during Covid. Work had stopped savagely. Theatres shut; filming seriously reduced. ‘I’ve got too …
February 15, 2023 My word of the week: Lent I once wrote an historical novel, (The Soldier, the Gaoler, the Spy and her Lover) which reminds me what I …
February 9, 2023 Word of the week: Love Love is the greatest thing, sings Peter Skellern. The oldest, yet the latest thing. I only hope that fate may …
