The Website for People Who Love Britain - Anglophiles
Politics is back for the autumn, and I'm back too, having taken a break since August. I went to Cornwall for a week - more of which later. While I've been away there have been two big political stories here: Labour's leadership, and the government's cuts. Cuts first. Everyone knows the UK has a … [Read more...]
We're in the "silly season" in Britain now, the period when Parliament is in recess and little happens politically until the party conferences in September. But nowadays, politics happens even in August - though the Prime Minister probably wishes it didn't. First, in America last month, he said … [Read more...]
England crashed out of the World Cup. Of course. Their defeat, conceding four goals to Germany, was abject and depressing even by their own sorry standards, and led to an angry, vindictive inquest from supporters, giving edge to the despond that usually follows England's exit. How is that stars like … [Read more...]
Away from government, the contest for the Labour leadership is beginning to take shape. Nowadays following election defeats, Prime Ministers depart the political scene very quickly indeed. John Major famously went to watch cricket after he was beaten in 1997; this time, Gordon Brown left quickly for … [Read more...]
In one way, Britain's new government - the coalition, as we're beginning to call it - resembles the administration it replaced, rather than representing a break from it. Just as Labour government since 1997 was dominated by the relationship between two men, so this government is clearly based on … [Read more...]
This has been a truly unusual, historic week in British politics. As I delivered Labour's final leaflet in my London constituency, I felt Labour was coming back slightly. Not enough to win, perhaps, but enough to stave off disaster. Election night itself was reasonably dramatic - we spent hours … [Read more...]
Last time I wrote, we'd just had the first election debate and it looked as though Nick Clegg's strong performance promised a breakthrough for his party. It did: Cleggmania swept the country and the Liberal Democrats leapt in the polls, ahead of Labour, making this the most unusual general election … [Read more...]
I wouldn't say there was election fever in Britain; most of the election campaign's first week has been uninspiring, dull stuff without real controversy or passion. That may be because the two big parties both have such visible weaknesses (Gordon Brown, for Labour; most things except David Cameron, … [Read more...]
Last week's budget wasn't much to write abroad about - very few of us here expected it would be. In truth Alistair Darling had very little room for manoeuvre, Britain's budget deficit being so high at just under ï¿¡170 billion. Some government backbenchers might have wanted to bribe the electors … [Read more...]
So now we're sure the general election will be held on May 6th. Not officially. Firm knowledge on the day Gordon Brown decides (and it is his personal decision) to take the short car ride to Buckingham Palace to ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament. Which she certainly will, according to … [Read more...]
I know I usually write about the political controversies and manoeuverings of the day: matters such as the taxes of Lord Ashcroft and the return of Labour in the polls do matter. But some things matter more, and I want to devote my words on this occasion entirely to the life and ideas of Michael … [Read more...]
The huge scandal about MPs' expenses that began last summer simply rolls on and on, and it's becoming more confusing, not less, as audit upon audit comes together with reform upon reform. First Sir Thomas Legg audited the past expense claims of MPs, and ordered sums to be repaid - all the party … [Read more...]
It's always good to discover a new pub so good it becomes an instant favourite - and I was lucky to have that experience this week at the Old Mitre, tucked away in a little alley off Hatton Garden, just outside the boundary of the City. Superlatives come easily when discussing this pub. It's … [Read more...]
Last time, I wrote about Anjem Choudary and his Islamist gang, Islam4UK. Well I doubt I'll be writing about them again, because since then they've managed to get themselves banned. The government has power to "proscribe" organisations under Britain's terrorist legislation, and Home Secretary Alan … [Read more...]
Happy New Year! Snow is on the ground again in London. It's not like much of the rest of the country: my parents are actually snowed in, up North. There's no infrastructural breakdown here, apart from the predictable tube delays. But cold, it certainly is. Ideal weather for settling down with a … [Read more...]
What's your image of Christmas in England? I bet it involves a crisp layer of snow underfoot, or at least a white scene visible from the windows of a cosy house as you tuck into your eighteenth mince pie (my mum's are especially good). Much as we'd all love a white Christmas here, it's a most … [Read more...]
Would he bash the bankers? And how hard? That was the question everyone was asking here this week in advance of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's "Pre-Budget Report", which Alistair Darling gave in the House of Commons on Wednesday. By the wonders of the interwebs, you can see his statement or read … [Read more...]
I was delighted to discover a new drinking establishment very near me last week - it's new to me, anyway - the Crown Hotel in Cricklewood. There are two bars, the busy front one and the pleasanter hotel bar at the side, with comfy sofas and real beer - which is why it appeals to me. It has speakers … [Read more...]
I celebrated Halloween at one of my local cinemas, the excellent Lexi in Kensal Rise (where they also occasionally broadcast opera live from the New York Met; I had to miss Turandot last Saturday, unfortunately). The film was Dracula - Prince of Darkness, an outstanding piece of vintage schlock … [Read more...]
I promised you London; and London it is. One sure-fire way of winding up the English is to call London "London, England" as though any one is likely to confuse it with London, West Virginia or London, Arkansas. Yes, yes, yes, okay - there's a London in Canada, a London in Australia and quite a few … [Read more...]
Southwold Strange: I spend most of my time in London, and will usually be writing London thoughts, dreamed up in London pubs; yet in this, my first piece for Anglotopia, nothing at all happens in London. The thoughts have been thought and the beer has been drunk elsewhere. Lavenham, … [Read more...]
Editor's Note: Our latest contributor here at Anglotopia is Carl - a British Blogger who has kindly consented to gives us fortnightly updates from the mysterious land that is Great Britain. Check out Carl's own blog here. Today I'm posting the first of my fortnightly column for Anglotopia. Let me … [Read more...]
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Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dreams of traveling to the UK whenever we want a reality.
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