Tony Hatfield's Retired Ramblings

Education and social mobility- the evidence?

It’s a pity that both Andrew Neil here and my old chum Thersites here and here limit their comments on education and social mobility to their own personal experiences. Now, I’m not for a minute devaluing these observations, but like... Read more →

Sorry for Lembit?

You've just go to feel sorry for Lembit Opik. He was the only Lib Dem MP who regulartly appeared on the box supporting Chuck's decision to hang on. He then appears to be the only MP to throw his lot... Read more →

Asbo's (or Asbos or ASBOs) for sale

Now folks you can own your very own ASBO. There's one for sale on E-bay here Better be quick bids end 26th January! Hat tip Gavin here Read more →

Fast-track to Justice?

I restrained myself from rushing to the keyboard when I read yesterday that the Lord Chancellor’s Department were considering a fast track process to deal with, what the original “leak” described as, petty offences. I have now had the opportunity... Read more →

The Root of all Evil

I've just finished watching the second part of Richard Dawkins' two parter on Channel 4 The Root of All Evil". I came across Dan Jones' magisterial critique if the first part here He promises to complete his dissection of Part... Read more →

You just have to laugh!

I love this report from the Mirror. It's about Tony's gran who, it appears, went in for some graffiti herself . Hat tip Nick Robinson Read more →

A CAUTION-ary Tale

The use of cautioning for adults, reprimands and final warnings administered to those under 16, have come into the public debate surrounding Ruth Kelly and the “Plague of Pervs” I suspect most criminal lawyers have experienced both the good and... Read more →

Another Grand Day Out!

One of the great pleasures of my retirement is to be able to wait for a fine day and get out into the wonderful Northumbrian countryside. Today Anne and I visited the coast between Craster and Dunstanburgh Castle Dunstanburgh Castle-Gatehouse... Read more →

You are fibbing again Tony!

Yesterday in his “Respect” speech you can read in full here Tony Blair, with echoes of his friend Silvio Berlusconi, attempts to show how the judiciary-the judicial elite- and the criminal justice system are failing the people. He gives an... Read more →

Charity?

We all get a boatload of unwanted mail, but I am now finding more and more plastic bags from various charities landing on the floor below the mailbox. I recognise most of the charities, but today this was pushed through... Read more →