It is with regret that Chairman Nick has not been writing of late, but all the vitality of the Scottish referendum has woken me from my slumber.  We are now some seven months from the next general election, and it seems to me that politics has become interesting; to me it is always interesting, but perhaps it is getting interesting to many others as well, or will become so in coming months.  The high turnout in Scotland’s referendum has shown that if the passion can return to politics, then people will become passionate about it too.

…..So back to today’s thoughts……..

This week has seen the annual Labour Party conference, and in between the impassioned pleas for a return to a mythical NHS (that appears to be the Labour equivalent of the Conservatives/UKIPs village England that never really existed) and attacks on such modern bogeymen as hedge fund managers and Russian oligarchs, it has struck me that there is a tension bubbling just below the surface in a way that I cannot remember since my own political awakenings in the 1980s.  Now I may be wrong (it does happen occasionally), but just maybe the Labour Party is becoming the Labour Party again?

It is not bursting forth like a tiger pouncing on its prey, just as the Labour party of Michael Foot and Tony Benn didn’t turn overnight in to the warm and cuddly New Labour of Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson, but more like a pack of Jack Russells, taking bites at its target, gradually getting collectively braver as time advances.

There is still appears to be some lack of self-confidence amongst the leadership as to whether the public will go along with more classically socialist (if that is not an oxymoron) policies, but the signs are there.  We have a 50% top income tax rate, a new property tax on houses valued at over £2m and conveniently forgotten paragraphs regarding the need for continued spending austerity to address the budget deficit and a tougher approach to immigration.

Now with the Conservatives taking similar baby steps back towards Thatcherism to neutralise the threat of UKIP, the next election could offer the biggest policy differences between the major parties since 1987.

Nick

July 1914: Countdown to War by Sean McMeekin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an interesting book that provided significant insight into the way that the Great Powers slipped into World War I almost by accident. My only criticism is that it somewhat rambles in places. If you want something that shows a different angle beyond “it was Germany’s fault”, this is the book for you.

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The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money and Power by Daniel Yergin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A brilliant book; if you are interested in the history of oil, this is the book for you. At a 1,000 pages long it is not for the casual reader, but the effort is well worth it.

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The Revenge of Geography: What the Map Tells Us About Coming Conflicts and the Battle Against Fate by Robert D. Kaplan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An extremely interesting look at how geography impacts on the political world. It certainly puts a new perspective on current world issues such as Iran and Pakistan. Although somewhat tough going in places, certainly worth the effort. A must for anybody interested in geopolitics.

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Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An extremely interesting book about the activities of the international civil engineering firms in the 1970s and their association with the World Bank et al. Although there is a serious streak of paranoia running throughout the book, culminating in a degree of self-absorption, this should not distract from the overriding interesting nature of the tale.

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The Untold History of The United States by Oliver Stone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very interesting book. I think it is reasonable to say that much of the commentary is biased, so you have to accept that the other side of the argument is either ignored or scorned, but it covers many areas of America’s history that never normally gets told. A long book, but kept me entertained throughout.

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Presidents: All You Need To Know by Carter Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a Brit I found this an excellent introduction to the various American Presidents up to G W Bush. Each one gets a chronological description of the main events of their administration, building into a pretty solid socio-economic history of the USA.

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The Indian Mutiny by John Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An interesting but quite brief (circa 200 pages) history of one of the pivotal events of 19th century British imperial expansion. It focuses essentially on the military aspects, and does these well, but do not expect it to cover the wider social, political or consequential aspects.

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Civilization: The West and the Rest by Niall Ferguson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great from Prof Ferguson. I enjoyed the TV series, but the book is certainly better, going as it does into considerably greater detail. Controversial in areas, always insightful and thought provoking. Certainly worth reading.

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A Peace To End All Peace by David Fromkin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A superb history of one of the lesser reported parts of modern times, despite the decisions that were made in 1914-1924 resonating strongly to this day. Strongly recommended for all history buffs.

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