Well, the family have returned to New Zealand and will shortly be updating me with their considered views on the two countries. Their visit caused me to reminisce about the past and current events led me to recall my time working in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv. I have spent time
May 3rd, 2022. It’s a few days until the family returns to NZ, disappointed with the signs of poverty in the UK. A contributor to poverty has been the growth of the second home market. This has caused problems in holiday regions (13,500+ in Cornwall). Whilst recognising the
April 27th, 2022. Well, it’s been a busy couple of weeks. Family arrived at Heathrow and managed to clear immigration etc in an hour, which given the horror stories in the media lately was a pleasant surprise. There have been 400 metre queues and waiting times of up to
April 6th, 2022. As the Covid restrictions are being removed and life returns to a semblance of normality it was time for another day out. It was a beautiful spring day, a clear blue sky and 15°C when I hit the road. The prospect of a 200-mile drive up
4 April 2022. Since my last report many of my sources have managed to leave Myanmar and are safe in Europe, and mostly the USA. It is becoming apparent that more and more, the global nature of disputes and conflicts is demonstrated in the interconnectivity of reactions and support for
March 27th, 2022. Well, the Chancellor had his spring economic statement last week, which was a complete waste of time. He confirmed the rise in National Insurance from 11% to 12.5% which is portrayed as a 1.5% rise. In actual fact, it is a 10% increase in the
During my travels around the world working in countries with various systems of government, it became apparent that in countries with conflict zones there has been a rise in “Ethnic Entrepreneurs” (EE). Contrary to logic, these aren’t people from an ethnic minority who have become business people and entrepreneurs
March 6th, 2022. The events in Ukraine have caused the UK to examine its relationships with Russian Oligarchs. In part, this is only because investigative journalism still exists in the UK and daylight is being shone on the Oligarchs. Roman Abramovich is attempting to divest himself of the ownership of
March 5th, 2022. In a change from my usual political letters from the North, I thought I would relate my travels from Friday. With the gradual freeing up of the UK from restrictions I have managed to start returning to some semblance of normality and resume business meetings and visits.
Information Opinion February 23rd, 2022. As the crisis in Ukraine continues it is worth examining its possible global impact and how it is interlinked with other possible flashpoints. Many years ago, Kissinger influenced the likes of Nixon and Bush with his policy of triangular diplomacy regarding Russia (Soviet Union) and
Information Opinion February 24th, 2022. As expected, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has started, and reports of major casualties and civilian bloodshed are becoming apparent. As the rest of the world is looking for a response the EU and UK are putting together economic sanctions and supplying additional weaponry to
February 20th, 2022. I have hesitated to comment on the crisis involving Ukraine as whatever I say or forecast will probably turn out to be wrong and leave me with egg on my face. However, it is providing a shelter behind which Boris Johnson can hide, shielding him from the
February 21st, 2022. Observing from afar always allows one a certain measure of detachment but on the other hand, it means that I am not close enough to the “action” to obtain all the data and facts. One thing that seems apparent is that there is a distinct lack of
February 11th, 2022. In the UK, things are slowly getting back to normal. I had the delight of a day in Belfast to attend a seminar on peacebuilding in a post-conflict society, but more of that later. It is a few years since I was last in Belfast and then
February 8th, 2022. Language can be very confusing, with even English being able to be constructed so as to have multiple meanings (just ask Boris Johnson). Since 2016 all road signs in Wales have to be printed in Welsh with the English translation underneath. Previously, either language could be first.
3rd February 2022. February 1st was the anniversary of the coup in Myanmar. It was marked in Myanmar by silent protest and absences from work. I have not been sending updates from Myanmar because of concern for my sources there. I feel happier today because some have managed to leave
