Category Archives: Debate

Philosophical arguments and willful contraryness

Israel and Apartheid

Posted on 12 June 2010 by Robert

Is ‘apartheid’ a legitimate description of Israel? Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Diary, Israel and Palestine | Leave a comment

Politics of Persuasion on Proportional Representation

Posted on 9 May 2010 by Robert

*This post contains excessive alliteration, which some readers may find offensive. Politics means different things at different times.  During the election campaign, it was the politics of presentation:  of a leader (and his lovely wife), and of a suitable narrative … Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Liberal Conspiracy, London, Politics | 1 Comment

Rob’s #LeadersDebate Reax, Part II

Posted on 22 April 2010 by Robert

Some quick points. I don’t think this was a game changer. By which, I mean, I think the pro-Clegg narrative of the last few days should continue. Clegg avoided a smackdown on the EU because Brown was largey in agreement, … Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Politics, UK | Leave a comment

Rob’s #LeadersDebate Reax

Posted on 15 April 2010 by Robert

First, it was refreshing to hear a political debate without the noise. I mean that not only with regards to PMQs, but to Question Time too. I think there was substance in what all three leaders said, but precious little … Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Media, Politics, UK | Leave a comment

That Hypothetical B&B Again

Posted on 6 April 2010 by Robert

Chris Grayling MP, Shadow Home Secretary, is at the centre of a mini-controversy because he suggested that Christian B&B owners should be able to turn away gay couples. We have been here before, and I have already formed my view.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservatives, Debate, UK | 1 Comment

Simon Singh’s Fair Comment

Posted on 2 April 2010 by Robert

Yesterday, Simon Singh won an important appeal in the libel action he is defending against the British Chiropractic Association. Singh is being sued after writing that the BCA “happily promotes bogus treatments” for which there is “not a jot of … Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Diary, Human Rights, Media | 1 Comment

Chilcott/Blair

Posted on 1 February 2010 by Robert

The reason we actually went to war is not the reason we were told we were going to war. The issue of Iraq clearly needs a Frost/Nixon moment, where the concerns of the public are at least acknowledged by the ex-leader at the heart of the controversy. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Iraq, Politics, UK | 1 Comment

Creating the Haystack

Posted on 6 January 2010 by Robert

An adequate approach to discovering terrorist plots might be to collect less information. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Modern Liberty, Terrorism, USA | 1 Comment

Wootton Bassett

Posted on 5 January 2010 by Robert

The greatest tribute to our soldiers, living and fallen, would be to maintain our principles consistently at home and abroad: This means allowing the Islam4UK march. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Human Rights, Liberal Conspiracy, Middle East, Multiculturalism, Religion, UK | 13 Comments

Answering the McCann Question

Posted on 23 December 2009 by Robert

Mark Pack asked me to write a guest piece for the Liberal Democrat Voice on Libel Reform. It was a good opportunity to dig a little deeper into the argument for reform, and rebutt one of the most common objections to making changes. Continue reading →

Posted in Debate, Human Rights, Law and Order, Lib Dem Voice, UK | 1 Comment