That map in the header says a lot. The 34 years since reunification has (so far?) failed to erase the differences established during 45 years under Soviet rule. (View Post)

Not helped by his picture making him look about 15. I assume though, born in 1983? In which case, an expert on Thatcher obvs. (View Post)

Had lunch with an old friend last week - an avowedly centre-right soft Tory. He surprised me by saying it would be much better if we stopped trying to pretend we could have first-class public service… (View Post)

Just coming back to this my argument with Lucky was his suggestion that you could replace the NHS with "an updated version of the patchwork of friendly societies, private hospitals, charitable h… (View Post)

It would indeed be the major saver of lives... but I very much doubt it would have saved mine. You can opine all you like but I had skin in the game. (View Post)