Key Quotes

"Anyone who believes that exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist."
(Kenneth Boulding)




"Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. "

(Raymond Chandler)





"Live simply so that others can simply live." (unknown)





"I cannot live without books" (Thomas Jefferson)





"Sport is war without the shooting" (George Orwell)





"New York is a great city to live in if you can afford to get out of it" (William Rossa Cole)





The secret of a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits (Patterson Hood)































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Friday 30 July 2010

Whither AV

Some twenty years ago, I wrote several articles and addressed meetings on behalf of the Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform. At the time Labour was on its way to losing its 4th General Election in a row, and many activists were questioning whether Labour could ever obtain a working majority again.

Of course Labour reinvented itself as New Labour and electoral reform fell off the radar, or did it ? The Labour government opened Pandora's box when alternatives to FPTP were introduced for devolved assemblies, the European Parliament and the London Assembly. That said when it came to the House of Commons FPTP was not negotiable, regardless of what was said in the Jenkins Report which favoured AV plus.

Constitutional Change was most definitely put on the back burner by Blair after his reelection in 2001, however it began to revive itself once Brown became Prime Minister in 2007. However not surprisingly having been promised a referendum on electoral reform in 1997 why would anyone have held their breathe when the proposal surfaced again in the 2010 manifesto.

Throughout history the Conservatives have opposed any shift away from FPTP. Parties contest elections because they want to put their ideology into action, they seek political power and the Conservatives know that FPTP has served them well. No wonder that Cameron will campaign against change in any referendum campaign.

The Liberal Democrats are usually seen as the party that favours electoral reform. No one should be surprised as the plurality system penalises smaller parties especially those whose vote is thinly spread around the country. Whether the Liberal Democrats would have advocated change so forcefully if they were one of the two major parties is an interesting hypothetical point.

Nevertheless the Lib Dems have in the past supported proportional systems ( in particular STV), now they are being asked cunningly by Cameron to stake all in a campaign to introduce AV which is anything but proportional. Would AV lead to more Lib Dem MPs, it should be remembered that the referendum is to be coupled with the proposal to cut the number of constituencies to 600 .

AV is a majoritrian system that requires the voter that list candidates in order of preference if no candidate obtains more than 50% of the vote, the candidate with the lowest number of 1st preference votes is eliminated and their voters are redistributed according to the 2nd preferences. This procedure continues until a candidate reaches the necessary 50% plus 1 , which of course most occur when only 2 candidates remain.

The advantages of this system is that it keeps the MP-Constituency link , although this can easily be over stressed : I live in a safe Conservative seat, how often do I call on the services of Eric Pickles ! The disadvantages are that it hands the result over to the second choice votes of failed candidates. It has sometimes been argued that in an election where there are three candidates the main beneficiary would be the Lib Dems, this analysis rests on the assumption that Labour voters would give the Lib Dems their second preference votes and similarly the Conservatives. Of course if the Lib Dems came third in a constituency they would be eliminated and their voters second preference votes would determine the outcome.

Today only a minority of MPs can hope to secure more than 50% of the vote. This prospect recedes as Britain moves to be a legitimate multi party system. Therefore most seats under a AV system will be secured on the basis of vote transference. Faced with a referendum on what is clearly a system with almost as many flaws as FPTP, what should the attitude of the Green Party and other small parties be ?

The campaign will suggest that you are either for the status quo or support change ( defined as AV). Labour it seems will campaign against, on the basis that the plan to reduce the number of constituencies to 600 amounts to gerrymandering. For small parties the key question is will AV result in more candidates being elected than under FPTP ? For the Greens who secured their 1st seat under FPTP in 2010, tactical questions need to be resolved. Could the Party retain Brighton Pavilion under AV. What hope is there that other seats could be won ?

Let's assume that the votes of eliminated far right candidates would finish in the Tory column, but what if a Labour candidate was eliminated or a disillusioned Liberal Democrat. Of course the key to success is surviving long enough in the race to benefit from vote transference. It doesn't take long to realise that AV in particular and majoritarian systems in general weren't invented to benefit small parties with thinly spread vote.

In truth only list systems (perhaps operating at regional level) or the Additional Member System offer short term hope of further electoral success.

Is this referendum a once in a lifetime chance ? If AV replaces FPTP, could PR be introduced at a later date ? At present there are many questions that need consideration. Strange however the referendum may well throw up a situation where British has only its second national referendum to consider introducing an electoral system that in truth no party really wants.

Playing Catch Up

Its a week since I put my thoughts on events. As far as politics goes I've been giving some thought to the likely referendum on electoral reform but I'm planning to write a more in depth piece on this. So I concentrate on a few bits and pieces: the best piece of news is the banning of bull fighting in Catalonia. reading some articles it is clear that this activity has never been mainstream entertainment in Catalonia, but frankly it's a start, and one to be applauded. It's not often that crime stories affect me, but the sentence given to two teenagers who "happy slapped" and killed an aging Asian man in Tooting has. The incident occurred just a couple of hundred yards from where I grew up. An area where I always felt safe as a child. Perhaps that why I've wondered what makes boys attack someone in an unprovoked attack. The death of the man will have devastated his family, the sentences for manslaughter were in no way fitting for the crime. However I'm left wondering why ?

An issue that has interested me came by accident. We drove to Brighton in the week, and on the road into the town centre passed a community garden. In a built up area what better use of derelict land. It seems the garden is in danger from a Tesco development. The area has numerous other grocery outlets, so there is a real question as to whether Tesco is needed.
Here's hoping that the local community's views will be taken into account before planning permission is granted.

A day in Brighton and the chance to relive what an English seaside holiday is all about. A walk on the pier, swerving the amusement arcades, a stroll along the promenade viewing souvenir shops selling postcards that still exhibit humour that would have been dated 30 years ago. A sit on the beach watching a lifeguard struggle to hoist the Red Flag and the chance to reacquaint myself with a deckchair. Lunch of course was fish and chips, but this time with a difference a pub called the Fishbowl offered Indian Fish & Chips , it only seemed right to experiment.

The last week has seen AFC Wimbledon put the final touches to this season's squad , and the squads are off to the West Country for the weekend to play Exeter City (the reserves are at Tiverton). Meanwhile the next home game as against an Arsenal XI . I've been asked to pen an article for the fanzine, so I need to collect my thoughts. Of course tomorrow is the Emirates Cup and we're off to see Arsenal v AC Milan, yesterday saw the release of the new Arsenal home shirt and mine arrived. I went for Diaby on the back, at least there's little chance he'll be sold. The summer's saga over Cesc Fabregas seems to be coming to an end. Wenger has made clear, not for the first time, that Arsenal are not interested in selling, and Barcelona have enough debt to ensure that they can't throw "silly money" at the transfer. Yet once again Arsenal fans have had to withstand rumour and speculation regarding a player. European Clubs seem to be able to operate in this way without UEFA taking any sanctions whatsoever.

The Test match season is with us. England's 1st Test match against pakistan has started at Trent Bridge. Eoin morgan ( England's finest Irishmam) scored a maiden test hundred on the first day. He brought up his century with a straight six, a fine innings. Earlier in the week the T20 quarter finals took place, and the locals will be happy as Essex have made the final four.

Thursday 29 July 2010

Wedding Day and beyond

Nearly a week since the last post, the reason being that the last week was focused on my daughter's wedding on Saturday. All the preparation was put into context on the day. The morning spent at the hairdressers , having a shave and wearing a suit of clothes that were rather alien to my usual style.

A very emotional experience for my family. Being the Father of the Bride allowed me to accompany my daughter as we walked into the room where the ceremony took place, and then later in the day giving the FOB speech. It's a strange speech to make it that it gives the opportunity to look back on life. In my case this allowed me to talk about my daughter's life over 31 years and select key times.

It was a perfect day, in beautiful weather in a lovely setting. The day ended with us dancing the evening away. Perhaps fittingly after the bride and groom had departed we finished the night with my wife, son and his partner all on the floor doing "New York".

The next day didn't start too well. I thought I hadn't drunk that much ! As I said I only had three beers , shame they were pitchers. Nevertheless I mentioned to perform all my duties including the drive to Gatwick to take the newly married couple to the airport. The most amusing feature was winding up the guest who parked his Porsche outside our house. he moved car three times before he thought his precious vehicle was safe.

Monday and Tuesday were further focused on domestic responsibilities, so nearly a week has gone by since I last commented on Politics and Sports. For once they'll have to wait till tomorrow.

Thursday 22 July 2010

Big Society or Small Communities

I've been thinking some of this through for the last couple of days but only now have I had the chance to try to tie up the loose ends.

There seems to be a rightward shift in many countries as governments of different political shades respond to financial difficulties by slashing public expenditure. The media presents these policies as inevitable and the public in Britain seem to accept it in the way that a patient accepts unpalatable medicine from the doctor.

Of course things have been slightly different in the USA where Obama has pushed through his health reforms which will undoubtedly increase the public purse. Across the world there seems to be dissatisfaction with government, people are increasingly alienated from the political process. Nowhere has this been more clearly illustrated than with the Tea Party movement in the US.

In America however there has always been a large constituency of people who see government as a force that "enslaves" people. Their understanding of liberty and freedom derives from 18th century liberalism. Almost unbelievably many of those who call for the scraping of government programmes are actually the very people that these schemes are designed to help.

Yet the most powerful explanation was the call from the floor of the Chicago stock market when the man who is credited with creating the Tea Party movement is alleged to have said :
"why should I pay to support society's losers."

And so to Britain, the Conservatives have been a low tax party for as long as most of us can remember, it is a core belief of most Conservatives that people should keep as much of their personal wealth as possible. With the choice between cuts and raising taxes the Tory is in doubt which fork in the road to take. The sting is that they never explain that there is another route.

When Cameron launched his Big Society concept this week it was predictable that Labour politicians seized upon the response that people were being asked to volunteer to mask the effects of cuts in public spending. Sadly I think this may be the wrong line. Society needs more volunteers, in the past youth organisations, sports clubs, activities for the elderly have benefitted greatly from voluntary help. There is a genuine issue here, why aren't people volunteering today ?

In youth work I'm confident that child protection regulations have had a detrimental impact, but the root cause is more complex surely. There is a mood that questions why anyone gives their time freely. Many if asked would reply "How much am I getting paid ?". Of course I realise this analysis ignores the thousands of people who raise money for charity by taking part in sponsored events.

Should those on the left attack Cameron's call for a nation of volunteers. Obviously if the volunteers are replacing paid qualified staff the answer is yes, however if schemes encourage local people to identify with and relate to the communities in which they live then I sense we oppose at our peril.

A volunteer army that clears derelict land and develops community space and gardens or that fights back against litter would surely be applauded.

I'm left with the view that at local level there is value not in the "big society" but in the "small community", while across the country there remains an urgent need for properly funded, qualified people to deliver the essential services that are being jeopardised by cuts in the public sector.

Tuesday 20 July 2010

The End of a Road

I'll start today on a personal note, it's the last day of work till September. Not surprisingly teachers across the country will be celebrating the end of term. However this seems a much more personal landmark, 35 years ago I started off my life as a history teacher. History is still as fascinating, but yesterday afternoon I taught my last history lesson. A strange feeling to know that I may never again explain the pros and cons of the open field system as opposed to enclosure.

From September I become a part-time teacher of Politics, the interest that motivated me to switch direction and embrace history is still there. The driving to establish a link between the past and the present, but as Marx said the purpose is not simply to interpret the world, but to change it, and therefore as I've known for many years Politics is where I'm best suited.

The news story that has made me reflect since I read it at the weekend, as the horrific fact that the last female white rhino was killed in the Kruger National Party in S.Africa. The desire for quick wealth has led to the massacre of rhinos for their ivory tusk. In killing the last female, the poachers are of course destroying the source of future revenue. In a twisted way this is little different from trawlermen who overfish to the point of destroying stocks. How little humans have learned, it is remarkably depressing.

Culturally I have returned to an area of interest over the past few days- the American South. BBC4 which is at times an outstanding channel featured a documentary beautifully entitled " The Dirty South"( copyright DBT) that compared the South of Gone with the Wind with the gritty reality of Tennessee Williams and beyond. Truly absorbing. Tacked on was a biography of Hank Williams. Now Hank was the original live fast, die young American singer. He died before I was born, yet his music has been the inspiration of many of my favourite singer-songwriters.

Being the last day of work , my thoughts are turning towards the holiday and my hope to catch up on some reading I've postponed over the past few weeks, however before that I must put the final touches to a speech. The wedding of my daughter this coming Saturday, brings with it the responsibility of addressing the assembled, as Father of the Bride. While the preparations for a day increase in intensity, I'm felt thinking about the past 30 plus years since Caroline was born. Perhaps that's what's fascinating about life, it affords us these moments that as we look forward, we inevitably review the past.




Saturday 17 July 2010

Friday on my mind

The last couple of weeks have seen a shortage of interesting political stories, then all of a sudden they come in waves. So today I'll catch up on the developments that have taken my interest.

Firstly the Catholic Church reveals that the attempted ordination of women priests is a crime. A news story that tried to lessen the bad publicity regarding the Church and child abuse , turns into an own goal of huge proportions. The PR department of the Vatican might think its Ok to lump together child abusing priests and women who want to play a full part in church life, but for the rest of us it rings of values centuries out of date. Just why thinking, liberal people and especially women remain loyal to an institution that practices gender apartheid is bewildering. In the weeks ahead I suspect there will be a growing wave of protest against public spending on the Pope's visit to Britain.

While on the subject of public spending, Cameron seems to be back tracking on his pledge to keep free bus passes for the over 60s. Now I must admit a certain amount of self interest here.
However having already scraped free swimming for pensioners, it is just another example of those who are unable to pay taking the brunt of the cuts being inflicted by the CON DEM government.

Is the BP Gulf of Mexico saga coming to an end, I suspect that if the new cap prevents further seepage then the media will lose interest fast. This of course will be little use to the inhabitants around the Gulf whose lives and way of life have been massively affected in recent months. What is being conveniently forgot is the destruction the spill has reaped upon wildlife and the ecosystem of the Gulf. What price should BP have to pay for that ?

It has been revealed that the CON DEM govt is prepared to permit deep sea drilling off the coast of the Shetlands. Now while the oil companies may celebrate, the people of Scotland will once again potentially suffer. After the recent events in the Gulf of Mexico what sane person would agree to deep see drilling off the nation's coast. It seems that the government that promised to be the greenest government in the country's history is nothing of the sort, and Cameron is , in the words of Palin a supporter of " drill, baby, drill".

Thursday 15 July 2010

Go West

Last night and an opportunity to see Ingatestone v Great Baddow in Twenty 20 action. Weatherwise a very strange evening where the sun shone and the rain fell simultaneously. A couple of beers at the ground, and Graham captaining the team. Ingatestone amassed 200 an excellent score, and Graham chipped in with 30, made up principally and drives and nudges into th gaps. Unlike most batsmen at this level, Graham prefers the off side, obviously the opposing captain didn't work his out for a hile as he had a ring of fielders protecting the leg side boundary.
The light and weather deteriorated and he had to leave before Baddow's reply but I later discovered that Baddow made 170 for 4. The victory ensured by Graham having a ring of fielders guarding the boundary. Without doubt evening T20 cricket is now one of the pleasures of summer.

It might not be the biggest news story of the day but Thierry Henry has signed to play for New York Red Bulls in the MLS. Thierry has had an astonishing footballing career in Europe both at Arsenal , Barcelona and from France, now he decides to see out the remaining years of his career in the USA. Thierry's image may have taken a few knocks after France's controversial victory over Ireland in the World Cup but there is little doubt that he will market football well in NYC.
The reception he received when he returned to Arsenal last season as a spectator and player showed the affection in which he is held by Gooners.

Wednesday 14 July 2010

A day off !

No work today. Today made paid employment seem like a holiday. My mission if I had any choice was to get my mother's safe open. The locksmith came and three hours later he was still having difficulty getting it open. My joke that in Western films they often used dynamite was only half spoken in jest. Anyway eventually it opened and the first half of the days battle with the M25 was complete.

The paper's most interesting stories featured the serialisation of the Prince of Darkness, Peter Mandelson's diries entitled " The third Man". Seems Mandelson has irritated Blair by getting his book published first. Blair allegedly has had to change the title of his book from " The Journey" to " A Journey". It has much about him that he would consider the former title in the first place.

Today a photo was published showing Cesc Fabregas in a Barcelona shirt. Now I sense the explanation is that his team mates in the aftermath thought it would be a laugh to pull the stunt of pulling a shirt over his head and photograph it. Whether it is more significant only time will tell.

In the world of cricket history was made today. Australia played Pakistan in a test match at Lords. Pakistan are the home team, Australia being unable to travel to Pakistan because of security concerns. The ground had a reasonable turnout given that Tuesday is a work day, of course Pakistan benefit because they have 4 tests against England later in the season.

Monday 12 July 2010

Late Tackle

By Sunday night I felt exhausted, I felt if I saw the M25 again I'd scream. Saturday saw a trip to Tooting then onto Burgh Heath and finally an afternoon sitting in the sun watching AFC Wimbledon's first pre season friendly against Charlton Athletic. These first games of the season in recent seasons have been the beginning of a getting to know you experience, as manager Terry Brown introduces a mixture of new signings and trialists. On Saturday the Dons certainly handled the intense heat better than their league opponents who looked disjointed. The Dons ran out victors 2-0. An encouraging start in front of just over 1400 spectators.

On Saturday the media was full of the end of the Raul Moat affair, was it always going to end in his death. Should the media have devoted so much attention to the manhunt. Should such operations be acceptable as Friday night TV. Its impossible not to find the whole end game remarkably unpleasant.

Sunday morning saw an early morning trip to Heathrow, once back home perhaps the highlight was the cropping of our dwarf french beans at the allotment. Its amazing how rewarding and fulfilling it is to grow your own crops.

Sunday night saw the World Cup Final which will be remembered for the number of bookings given out, in my opinion justifiably by English referee Howard Webb. Both sides spurned chances before the game went to extra time. Spain , the less guilty of the two sides in terms of bookings if not fouls, eventually brought on Cesc Fabregas who with 3 minutes remaining found Iniesta with a finely judged pass and the Barcelona midfield player fired diagonally home. To say the Dutch didn't take defeat well is an understatement.

I don't think this world cup will long be remembered for the football. The dodgy ball and below par performances will see for that. South Africa was put on the world stage , but what will be remembered is vuvuzelas and Paul, the predicting octopus who as it happens went for Spain in the final.

Saturday 10 July 2010

It's getting hot !

The World Cup is coming to its final. On Sunday Holland will take on Spain. Spain, often cast as underachievers disposed of Germany 1-0 in the second semi final. Spain as ever played possession football countering the German threat on the break, with the simple adage that if your opponent doesn't have the ball they can't score. ironically the winning goal was scored with a bullet header from a corner and by a centre back !

On Thursday night Surrey blew their last chance of qualifying for the T20 Quarter Finals with a limp performance against Middlesex of all teams. At the time i was disappointed to miss the game because of an extended work day, the result of a meeting to discuss the "well-being" survey.

That meeting which focussed on the small "quick fixes" rather than the underlying problems may have created more frustration than it alleviated. One person in its immediate aftermath describing it as "rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic" in that it failed to focus on the issue of workload. My immediate concern is that results were analysed based on the average score, which can conceal some serious issues. If 50 people respond to a survey 40 say they aren't harrassed at work, but ten say they are, the average minimises what for those 10 people may be a highly unsatisfactory situation that should be dealt with urgently.

I have finally finished A level exam script marking. Earlier in the week I was phoned and asked if I could take some more, reluctantly but realistically I accepted another 80. Anyway the cash will come in handy with our daughter's wedding just a couple of weeks away.

Finally a week or little news, the TV has focussed on the fugitive gunman on the loose in Nortumbria, I sense that such coverage may lead others to copy cat these "John Rambo" like escapades. It is likely to end in either the fugitive either killing himself or being shot by police, but its the type of story that the modern media like to focus upon, and if that's not enough the BBC have Paul the psychic octopus that predicts the results of football matches, for the record he thinks Spain will win on Sunday !

Wednesday 7 July 2010

7th July

This morning the News is dominated by a gunman on the loose in the North East, yet it's the 5th Anniversary of the 7/7 attacks on London. A day after London rejoiced after being awarded the 2012 Olympic Games, the city was rocked by bombs on the Underground and a bus. The suspicion heaped upon many Londoners in a days after just because they were of arabic or asian appearance was only too real. Yet the resilience of the city was also shown, I hope today that the media finds an opening to reflect on the events of that day.

Yesterday was another day on the M25 as we visited the bank and solicitors to handle my aunt's estate. Not sure what was more challenging, having all the correct certificates and paperwork pertaining to my aunt or trying to prove my mum's identity. In a world of cards, passports and driving licenses that many of us carry ,the elderly re so often left behind. When cheques are phased out in a few years time, I feel for some elderly people who will experience difficulty accessing their own cash. The decision to do away with the pension book and the trip to the post office might have been administratively convenient for government but it did little to assist pensioners.

Spent the evening watching Holland v Uruguay. Over the years Uruguay have shown the primitive side of football, while Holland have been Europe's finest exponents of the beautiful game. From the 1974 side of Cryuff through the Gullitt and Van Basten years the Dutch have demonstrated how the game should be played. When Bergkamp scored in my opinion the finest world cup goal I've seen to dispose of Argentina in 1998, the Dutch method of individual skill and the belief that all players should feel confident with the ball at their feet shone through. Last night Holland did enough, what awaits them as a final against either Spain or the old enemy Germany.

Tuesday 6 July 2010

Funeral

I make no apology for focussing on a personal event today. My aunt's funeral. The last funerals I have attended have been of young people cruelly struck down in their twenties by forms of cancer. Today the emotions were very different, my aunt was ninety three and in reality had been existing rather than living for some time. Exactly when this change occurred is open to question, and I suppose is at the root of many moral discussions about life, euthanasia etc.

Funerals are events that make you consider your own mortality, especially when you are there with your mother, wife and children. Being asked to make a speech in memory of my aunt was no easy ask, compounded by the mother's request not to make it too personal. Anyway after a few compromises I decided to hang it all on the difference between a long innings and a good innings. I'm not sure Geoffrey Boycott or my boyhood hero Ken Barrington would indistinguish between the two.

The lashings of evangelical christianity were as ever difficult for me to cope with. I understand that these are sincerely held beliefs, I just wonder whether these people would exercise the same level of tolerance to people of no faith like myself, as I'm expected to exhibit to them. As ever I'm left asking myself how people such as these can be so fixed in their views. In the past I may have been descibed as politically dogmatic, but my political rigidity pales into insignificance when compared to religion. I commented to my son after that there must be a business opportunity for secular funerals.

Monday 5 July 2010

Bats and balls

After the week I had I needed to enjoy the weekend. It started well on Friday afternoon when Holland proved what I sensed that Brazil couldn't cope when the going got tough, Wesley Sneijder proved once again that he's fine player.

Saturday Morning we went to Chelmsford to buy me some black shoes, I really can't remember when I last had a pair, I think it is well over ten years. Anyway for funerals and weddings they are part of the uniform and now I have them. Saturday afternoon allowed us to watch Graham open the bowling for Ingatestone. 12 overs and 3 wickets including a very good caught and bowled. We left in time to watch the Germans put Argentina (even with Messi) put to the sword. Overdosing on the World Cup, its so much more interesting at the business end, allowed me to watch Spain struggle to beat Paraguay. Spain looked a good deal more convincing with Cesc Fabregas on the pitch in the second half.

On Sunday we went to the Oval to watch Surrey take on Glamorgan in the T20. There are few places I'd rather be on a sunny summer's day than the Oval, sitting in front of the pavilion. Cricket allows me to detach myself from other issues and for a few hours all I focus in is the battle between bat and bowl. Sadly after a decent knock by Ramps , Surrey were restricted to 168. Glamorgan struggled at first until Tom Maynard , a promising bat took a liking to the Surrey bowling in general and Rory Hamilton Brown in particular. Hamilton Brown made some errors managing his bowlers and Tremlett who was by far the most threatening and economic bowler was left with an unbowled over. In the end Glamorgan got to the target with 3 balls to spare. It was a defeat that was clutched from the jaws of victory. All very disappointing.

We kept away from the newspapers over the weekend, once again the dominant theme is government departments must prepare to make 40% cuts. The public are again being sold the "there's is no alternative" story. As Graham has said to me in many other European countries they wouldn't put up with it, they'd be protests and strikes. Sadly in Britain in 2010, at best people moan. It is tragic that the public's resistance has been so battered.

Friday 2 July 2010

A long week

Its Friday afternoon and literally the first chance to sit and write. Since Monday morning the week has consisted of completing tasks and resolving problems. Not surprisingly its been dominated by my aunt's death and the arrangements for her funeral. Inadvertently it reminds you of your own mortality and the things that are important to you, as I trailed from office to office, to collect this and register that, the past and the memories contained within take centre stage rather than the events and issues of the present.

After two days of M25 travel and undertakers, solicitors and the like, I was pleased to take a day out to watch the ODI England v Australia at the Oval. The 50 over is on its death bed, replaced by T20, it leaves you wondering why batsmen struggle to 5 an over. The crowd seem to lose concentration in the middle of each teams innings. On Wednesday Australia batting first showed how this form of the game should be played, both Ponting and Clarke (who was left stranded on 99) produced fine innings, and plundered some fairly mediocre bowling. On a warm summers day 290 should have been a manageable target, but of course it wasn't. England lost wickets whenever a partnership seemed likely. Perhaps at 3-0 up in the series, England weren't as focussed as they should have been.

Returning to work, I was presented with the news that there is going to be subject inspection next Monday. of course I won't be there because of my aunt's funeral, but once again I'm watching teachers under siege, fighting back with a mound of paper to placate an inspector.

As the week ends, Surrey record an away win at Derbyshire. The World Cup gets down to the quarter final stage. Arsenal reveal next season's shirt, a classic design of Red with White Sleeves. No argument there, and I managed to get a ticket to see Gaslight Anthem in London in October.

Politically the government refuse to stop oil companies deep sea drilling in the North Sea, why they should think a ecological disaster is any more unlikely here than it was in the Gulf of Mexico is baffling. It seems the referendum on AV will be held next May, to coincide with elections to devolved bodies and local councils.