Review of Bonfire of the insanities by John Crace

Published Guardian Faber £16.99 This latest hilarious collection of Guardian political sketch writer John Crace's columns covers the dying days of Rishi Sunak's Tory government through the first year of Keir Starmer's Labour. Crace really has to be one of the best satirical sketch writers around, shooting down the pomposity and incompetence of the political class in equal measure. The day to day terrain of the political sphere is laid bear, as the politicians stumble from crisis to mishap. He takes no prisoners, especially when it comes to the ineptitude of Sunak and his assorted ministers. The nick names given to different ministers seem particularly apt. So, James Cleverly becomes Jimmy Dimly.When assessing Cleverly's credentials as a contender in the Tory Party leadership contest, following the election defeat, Crace questions "what has Jimmy D ever done in government?" The answer:"Very little, apart from turning left into first class, when boarding aeroplanes on government business." In the same contest, there is "Honest Bob" (Robert Jenrick). "If the answer is Robert Jenrick then odds are you've been asking the wrong question," writes Crace. Crace heralds the return of "Lord Big Dave" (David Cameron) to government as Foreign Secretary. Summarised as: "Sunak searches the gene puddle of Tory talent..and finds David Cameron." Crace scythes through one calamity after another, from the flights to Rwanda to the "we'll leave them on the beaches" episode that saw the hapless Sunak depart the D-day commemoration early. Crace has much fun at the expense of Tory convert and later Reform defector Lee Anderson, asserting that he'd said:" Sadiq Khan had been taken over by Islamists and London was now being run by terrorists." Then as Anderson doubles down on his claims, Tory MPs get queasy."And while there are plenty of Tories willing to attest that they had personally seen the London mayor take part in the 7 October terrorist attack, there were still a few who thought that maybe - just maybe- Anderson had gone too far this time." And so the Tory trauma goes on, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt described as "someone unthreatening, if a bit useless." There is "literally nothing to him." Priti Patel "not just dim but dangerous with it." And finally, Kemikazi ((Kemi Badenoch), "the most divisive woman in politics." Someone "who hates the electorate almost as much as she hates her colleagues.And herself. She could start a fight with her reflection " There is a longing to see the back of Sunak and co. The election becomes a formality. Crace does betray a hope in the new Labour Government. He does seem to have swallowed some of the propaganda about the return of adults to government etc. One wonders if he was not something of a Keir Starmer fan in the run up to the election and early days of government. He probably, together with most at the Guardian, was not a Jeremy Corbyn fan. The first year of the Starmer government is chronicled with some hope and sympathy but this eventually reaches the same level of derision as was deployed with the Tories. So the Labour leading lights come under scrutiny. Starmer's boring demeanour and Angel of Death, Rachel Reeves come in for increasing ridicule. Health secretary Wes Streeting is described as: "one of those who always knows he's loved by everyone. By himself more than anyone." On the subject of Reform, Crace is beginning to turn his critical fire on the party as they become a looming political threat. Nigel Farage (Nige) is regularly described in charlatan terms, whilst no opportunity is wasted to link deputy Richard Tice to sun beds and fake tans. Described as:" a man you might find on the shopping channel, trying to flog you an air fryer, that would fall apart within a week." This book provides a highly entertaining romp through the period from October 2023 to last July. The problem ofcourse is that these things rapidly date. So reading the accounts of the dying days of Rishi Sunak in 2026 does seem a bit distant. And many of the calamities of Starmer are yet to come. Reading the column each week in it's first manifestation ofcourse does not suffer such an ageing process but it does when a number are brought together later in a chronology. All that said this is a great read from one of the funniest, wittiest, political writers around. The take downs can be excruciating, leaving the reader in fits but also wondering how did he get away with saying that. Great read, especially in these dark days.

West Ham, Spurs or someone else to face the drop from the Premier League come May

West Ham, Spurs or someone else to face the drop from the Premier League come May So, as the Premier League season enters the final stretch, the prospect of Championship football looms for either West Ham or Spurs. Both local clubs are deep in the relegation zone. The other teams involved, seeking to avoid the drop are Nottingham Forest and Wolves (Burnley and Wolves can be taken, as gone). It will come as a rude shock to West Ham or Spurs supporters to be hosting Championship football in their vast stadiums should either drop out of the top league. So how has this sorry situation come to pass? Well, both teams have been on the managerial roundabout for the past two seasons. The biggest mistake the owners of West Ham have made was getting rid of manager David Moyes in the summer of 2024. The previous season the club won the Europa Conference League. In Moyes final season, they finished ninth and got to the quarter finals of the Europa League. Moyes is now managing Everton, who sit in mid table, pushing upwards. West Ham appointed former Wolves manager, Julen Lopetegui, who never looked happy in the role. He lasted half a season. Then, came former Chelsea and Brighton coach, Graham Potter. He seemed to steady things, ensuring Premiership safety but then things went backwards at the start of this season. Goodbye Potter, hello, former Notts Forest and Spurs manager, Nuno Espirito Santo. It took him sometime to settle things down but he now seems to have the team going in the right direction. The fans like Nuno but there is a growing campaign against joint owner David Sullivan and chief executive Karen Brady. Many have never forgiven the duo for taking the club away from it's iconic ground at Upton Park. There has also been some bad recruitment. Spurs demise is difficult to fathom. Winners of the Europa League last season, the club seemed to take a leaf out of the West Ham book of mismanagement, then, getting rid of manager Ange Postecoglou. Enter, former Brentford manager Thomas Frank. Things seemed to go well to begin with but then results turned and Spurs have been in freefall since Christmas. Frank was sacked, and replaced with Igor Judge on an interim basis. His tenure though has been no better. He was sacked after 44 days in charge. All of the sides in the relegation scrap, bar Leeds, have had multiple managers this season. Notts Forest top the list with four (Espirito Santo started managing Notts Forest before moving to West Ham), Spurs next with three and West Ham two. So what will happen? Spurs have a better quality squad than West Ham but at time of writing the players don't seem to want to play for the club. West Ham have a good spirit amongst their squad but are overly reliant on two or three players. There is a basic lack of quality and inconsistency. The ideal of ofcourse would be that both survive, which is quite feasible. Indeed, it is that scenario, with Leeds or Notts Forest taking the final relegation place that I would favour. That though will depend on Spurs players coming together for the club and West Ham showing much more consistency - the next few games will be vital.

Grass roots movements are demanding action in areas like water and the natural environment

The recent Channel 4 drama Dirty Business exposed the scandal that is the privatised water industry. Literally thousands of gallons of sewage being poured into our waterways. The damage caused to humans and wildlife. The privatisation of water has been a disaster since it took place in 1989. People were sold the lie that privatisation would bring money and expertise into the sector. The reverse occurred, less money spent on infrastructure, so no reservoirs built, leaks not fixed and sewage pumping into the seas and rivers. Meanwhile, the companies paid out generous dividends to shareholders and piled up debt. It is difficult to see why people cannot see the futility of privatising public utilities. The privateers want one thing -profit. Privatisation offers a great opportunity to asset strip and operate monopolies on vital services. The pattern is well known: sell off assets (often property), the cost to consumers goes up and services gets worse. It has been seen with water, the railways and most recently Royal Mail, yet still this madness continues. Water needs to be renationalised with proper regulation. Dirty Business exposed the ineffectual nature of the Environment Agency, which seems to have an unhealthily close relationship with the water companies it is supposed to regulate. The good news is that people are fighting back and taking control. Dirty Business, features the Windrush Against Sewage Pollution and Surfers Against Sewage. There are many of these type of groups springing up across the country. Here, there is the River Roding Trust (RRT). The growth and influence of this group has been a wonder to behold. Wren members, who attended the recent AGM, will have heard Paul Powesland's inspirational account of how he got involved and fell in love with the river. RRT members take action on the river, monitoring sewage leaks, clearing rubbish and planting trees on the borders. One recent action saw members clear out and recover the Aldersbrook. What is for sure is that the Roding now has a strong group of guardians, looking out for its welfare. Thames Water and the Environment Agency will not be allowed to ignore their responsibilities anymore, on this stretch of water. The Wren Group ofcourse fulfill a similar role with Wanstead Park and the Flats. The Wrens do practical work alongside Epping Forest staff. They also have a significant voice in the management of the area. These type of groups proliferate in this area. So there is Friends of Wanstead Park and the Wanstead Community Gardeners all playing different roles. The growing concern of people about the environment has been reflected in the support for the Nature Emergency called by Redbridge Council in January. An inaugural meeting, attended by over 100 people, to get things moving, took place at In llford library last month (march). Expectancy levels are high. So, much is happening, a real grass roots movement, fired by direct action and demanding results is taking shape. It would be very silly for politicians and other decision makers to take these people for granted. They expect not simply to do voluntary work and get a pat on the head for their troubles. Taking these actions comes with a price which is a real voice in making decisions effecting our natural heritage. The time for talking has long past. People want action, starting with cleaning up our waterways and addressing the biodiversity crisis.Voters at the upcoming council elections will be looking to elect those genuinely committed to bringing about such change. The time for sitting on the fence has long since passed. Onward.

Leeds edge past West Ham on penalties to secure semi-final at Wembley - 2-2 (4-2 pens)

Leeds emerged eventual winners of this gripping FA cup quarter final, after a penalty shoot out at the London Stadium. Leeds began the game more brightly, with Noah Okafor drawing an early save out of home stopper Alphonse Areola, who pushed his shot round the post. West Ham then came close, when a Jarrod Bowen pull back was touched on by Taty Castellanos but keeper Lucas Perri pushed away. Perri then saved from Bowen, after he had been put in by the industrious Adama Traore. Leeds took the lead when James Austin set Okafor off down the right, his cross was collected by Ao Tanaka, who was allowed space to twist and fire home, via a deflection off the bar. Castellanos then saw his effort on the half volley go just over the bar. In the second half, Castellanos was unlucky to see his header come back off the post, from an Adama cross. All looked lost for West Ham, when the referee awarded a penalty, after a VAR intervention ruled that Maximilian Kilman had fouled the Leeds player in the box. Dominic Calvert Lewis converted the resulting penalty. Some of the unsympathetic home fans then booed Kilman for the rest of the game - hardly a way to install confidence. All seemed lost, as the game entered added time. But first, a Bowen shot came back of the post into the path of Mateus Fernandes, who fired home. Then, a Fernandes cross was prodded home by Axel Disasi. Extra time. West Ham dominated extra time, having two goals disallowed for offside. The first, when keeper Perri came out and headed on, only for Castellanos to slide home, was most perplexing. The offside came earlier in the play when Castellanos strayed inches offside. The second, a Bowen shot coming back off a post to be finished by Pablo. Again, offside. West Ham stopper Areola, then had to go off being replaced by rookie Finlay Herrick. He endured a debit of fire, facing the penalty shoot out. He saved the first but misses by Bowen and Pablo saw Leeds go through to a semi-final against Chelsea. West Ham were left to rue what might have been. West Ham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo felt his side showed great character under pressure. "We must now keep going," he said.

In the Print at Kings Head Theatre

This entertaining play covers the duration of the year long Wapping dispute, between 1986 and 1987, focusing on key players Brenda Dean, general secretary of the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (SOGAT) and Rupert Murdoch. Dean played nicely by Claudia Jolly and Alan Cox as a surly Murdoch dominate proceedings, jousting over the issues at stake. Other characters come and go. So there is Russell Bentley as foul mouthed Sun editor Kelvin McKenzie and Alasdair Harvey as urbane Sunday Times Editor Andrew Neill. Writers, Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky, who previously wrote Gang of Three, nicely capture the conflictual relationship between Dean and Murdoch. So there is Murdoch, who wants change at any cost, seeing more profit for him as progress. Dean, on the other hand, is not opposed to change but wants it done more humanely. The difficulty of Dean's position is illustrated in a sub plot about the unions being able to use the News International equipment to produce a left of centre paper "between the Guardian and Morning Star." The Labour Party director of communication agrees. "Peter's (Mandelson) a man you can trust," says Murdoch, to much mirth in the audience. But Dean wants to produce the paper using the traditional print methods, only to be informed by the union lawyer Joan Harrison (Georgia Landers) that it would at best last a year. Dean probably receives a generous treatment in the play, given that her role was certainly not approved by all in the trade union movement. Some felt she sold out and were suspicious of her secret meetings with Murdoch. After the dispute, SOGAT merged with the National Graphical Association, with Dean losing out to Tony Dubbins in the election for leader. She stayed in the role for a year, then went to the Lords in 1992. The depiction of Murdoch is spot on, seeing himself as some sort of industrial evangelist for the newspaper industry. Winning and profit being all that matters, people have no value. This is nicely underlined by the sight of Murdoch destroying all around him. So his right hand fixer is sacked, while Andrew Neill is moved out of the Sunday Times. "Andrew Neill is someone you must kill with kindness. But make sure he is dead,"is one memorable line. Even Eric Hammond, general secretary of the Electrical Electronic Telecommunication & Plumbing union, who worked with Murdoch to undermine the other unions is described as "duplicitous" and so expendable. Overall, this is an enjoyable play, never going too deep into the detail of the dispute but managing to set it in the the wider context of struggle between organised labour and the Thatcher government. The cut and thrust between characters is lightened with witty dialogue and a little slapstick. Director, Josh Roche, keeps the 90 minute narrative (no interval) moving at a good pace. Well worth watching to get an insight on the past 1980s industrial struggles, including the mendacity that led Murdoch to dominate the media terrain of the next 40 years. Most enjoyable. * Till 3 May

Why did BBC not cover 500k anti-far right march in main news programs?

Some 500,000 people march and rally in London against the far right - most would think, a major story for national broadcast networks, but not the BBC. The British state broadcaster failed to cover the march in its main national bulletins (5.30 and 10.10pm) on the day. A car crash involving American golfer Tiger Woods and a variety of sporting events were considered to have more news value. The BBC did cover the march on its regional version BBC London and online. Other broadcasters, such as ITV and Channel 4 mentioned the event, though not in depth. Public order seems to be the editorial framework adopted for such events. Ironically, the event organised by the Together Alliance was in response to the surge of the far right in the UK, as typified by a rally organised in London by Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley Lennon) and addressed by Elon Musk last year By contrast, this drew blanket coverage across the media. So, what is going on at the BBC? There has been a dumbing down of news going on for some years. This has, particularly, seen sport becoming a premier staple of coverage. But beyond this there has been an Americanisation of coverage, with viewers no doubt wondering at times, whether this country has become the 51st state of the US without their knowledge. What is alarming is the way in which the BBC has helped the advance of Reform and the far right, sometimes just by omission - as with the march. Increasingly, Reform politicians are being normalised as acceptable alternatives for government. At its worst, this approach treats the prospect of Nigel Farage as PM as an inevitability, rather than a possibility. A party of just 8 MPs (four of whom are defectors from the Conservatives) is offered the opportunity to comment on everything. There is no shortage of the oxygen of publicity. Take the BBCs flagship program Question Time. Reform or apologists for the party are given a place on the panel nearly every week. The exposure and treatment is far more favourable than for the Liberal Democrats (71 MPs) or Greens (5 MPs). Indeed, it is interesting to contrast the favourable coverage given to Reform with the hostile approach to the other rising force of the moment: the Greens. The hostility to the Greens and leader Zack Polanski is reminiscent of the approach taken to the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn. The BBC hides behind it's charter and claims of the need for balance. This seems to now border on the absurd. Why for instance do programs like Question Time , Newsnight and news bulletins feel the need to give platforms to so many commentators from the far right. These programs literally provide second jobs for many at GBNews,the Telegraph and Sun. The great irony of ofcourse being that this group would all favour abolition of the BBC as a licence fee funded broadcaster forthwith. The most absurd recent interpretation of balance from the BBC concerned climate change, when for years the science was clear but the Corporation insisted on treating fossil fuel industry backed skeptics on an equal billing with those warning of the dangers. The BBC eventually caught up with reality, after much criticism of its position. The new Direct General Matt Brittin needs to take a long hard look at where the Corporation is positioning itself. It has made huge errors in the past, which need facing up to and addressing. Among these were it's part in demonising Corbyn and the climate change position. The promotion of Reform is the latest manifestation of such editorial misjudgement. The BBC needs to find a backbone and reconnect with it's founding principles of truth, neutrality and balance. At present it seems determined to normalise the abnormal, which could result in the far right taking power here very soon.

Review of Ruth at the Wilton Music Hall

This excellently crafted musical about the life and death of Ruth Ellis grips throughout. Ellis, the last woman executed in Britain, in 1955 has been a controversial subject over the years. Her family are still seeking justice. In this version, there is the double take with Ellis in her prison cell in dialogue with executioner Albert Pierrepoint. He is excellently played in fatherly fashion by Ian Puleston-Davies. Meanwhile, the story of Ellis's life go on in the split stage all around. Ellis is played by Bibi Simpson in the cell and Hannah Traylen during the life story. Mel-Li Yap plays Ellis as a child. There are also excellent performances from Connor Payne as abusive partner David Blakeley and John Faal as unrequited lover Desmond Cussen. Andy Morgan and Denise Silvey do an excellent job directing and producing this musical, keeping a nice pace and interlocking the scenes well into a strong narrative. The set design from Nicolai Hart-Hansen is clever managing to use a small space to create multifaceted story telling. The depiction brings a certain Marilyn Monroe imagery to the Ellis portrayal, particularly, the cell scenes. The musical essentially revolves around the two relationships. The first, abusive one, with racing driver David Stanley, the second with Pierrepoint for 21 hours in the cell before execution. The double standards of the 1950s are clear for all to see. The power imbalance between men and women, with the violence, control and patriarchal judgement all evident. There is a chilling parallel with society today. The songs ring out, illustrating the dialogue. One particular effective tune by the "working girls" brings down the lawyers and judge, who also happen to be clients. The Pierrepoint interchange delves into the iniquities of capital punishment. Ellis referring to the executions of innocent men Derek Bentley and Timothy Evans, while Pierrepoint insists there must be a deterrent. Though, Pierrepoint later, in response to Ellis's admission of killing one person, says he has killed over 400. The Pierrepoint scene ofcourse is a total fiction,seeing him interceding with the Home Office to try and get clemency for Ellis. In reality, there was a 50,000 petition but then Home Secretary, Gwilyam Lloyd George, rejected it. The hanging of Ellis, though, is said to have deeply effected Pierrepoint. He did his final execution two weeks later. Ruth is an excellent production, taking a well known story and introducing a number of more contemporary themes. The interchange of dialogue and music works well to bring a strong narrative to life. Well worth seeing. Runs till 28 March.