Interesting to compare your observations with mine. I think yours really relate to Istanbul - I was only there for a couple of days at the start and end of my trip. For instance, in the rest of Turke… (View Post)

Off topic: I've spent the last month in Turkey, mostly on the west coast. Here are my impressions, for anyone interested: - English-speaking Turks are, unsurprisingly, annoyed with their governm… (View Post)

Also in the 90s the Conservatives were pursuing Conservative policies, so at least their 32% core vote turned out for them. This time, they're pursuing Brownite policies, so even their core vote… (View Post)

I think the precedents of Gordon Brown and John Major are persuasive - if the polls don't turn, he'll hang on as long as he can. There's no persuasive evidence that any month is better… (View Post)

... though: - the five million or so who died in his wars somehow never got to see the great leap forward in social progress - he was one of very few leaders in modern history to reintroduce slavery … (View Post)