Occasionally political decisions give observers a glimpse into the heart of a political party…

George Osborne’s decision to cut the higher rate of tax while cutting welfare benefits in a time of austerity betrayed a heartlessness that the Tory party has struggled to disown. Sinn Fein’s decision to turn Bobby Storey’s funeral into a mass celebration of Republicanism in a time of global pandemic lockdown was very revealing. The party which lead the way in calling for lockdown and was most opposed to relaxing restrictions; the party which opposed the opening of cemeteries to …

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Should we all wear face masks? Read my lips…

As understatements go it was a good one. “It would have been much better if there had been engagement….with devolved administrations ahead of this announcement” said Nichola Mallon referring, with impressive restraint, to the announcement by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps that face coverings would be compulsory on public transport in England from 15th June. Most people would assume that speaking to the other three Transport Ministers before announcing a significant change in policy was not only good manners but essential …

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Modern life has lost the daily sense of ebb and flow…

Who would have thought that walking is almost as good for depression as taking an antidepressant?  As we all now know from the Government’s Coronavirus advice, exercise is not just good for our physical health but also for our mental health.  And not just any old exercise, the best is green exercise, exercise surrounded by nature. Creation feeds our souls and spirits.  Looking at the birds of the air and considering the lilies of the field reassures us of God’s …

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