In the BBC News, and other outlets
On Good Friday, the BBC News website published an article “Could artificial intelligence benefit democracy?” which featured my failed bid to become the MP of Selby and Ainsty, and [...]
A True Friend?
On my first day at university, I met a fellow northerner, who I shall refer to as “S”. S and I were both obsessed with football. He lived on the [...]
The Manchester Bomb
On Saturday 15 June 1996, my best friend and I – both 16 – had planned to go shopping in Manchester. That morning, my mate was dropped off at [...]
In Harm’s Way in Gaza
Recently, I finished reading In Harm's Way by legendary BBC reporter Martin Bell, published in 1996. Bell, as you may recall, came to prominence as a war reporter in [...]
Joining The Army
This Remembrance Sunday, like every Remembrance Sunday, I remain mentally stuck. I don’t know what to think. Growing up obsessed with military matters, I spent most of my pocket money [...]
The Lie I Told to Become a Lawyer
Picture the scene: aged 24, I am – nervously, sweating in a cheap suit – sitting in front of a panel of four imposing male equity partners, in a spacious [...]
Dodging Landmines in Nagorno-Karabakh
In the spring of 2005, to gather ideas for my second unfinished book The Anti-Guidebook, I travelled, solo, to Armenia. Why Armenia? Because, I had “done” South-East Asia and [...]
Money
I’m typing, 36,000ft in the air, on my return flight from Milan to Gatwick. Guess how much my flight cost, just for me, without a bag? £12. Two hours, plus [...]
Trump and the Massacre in Goa
Oops: I should have applied sunscreen today. My face is red. Silly me. I’m typing in a hotel bar, then sipping my first Venezuelan rum. Here in North Tenerife, [...]
The Sick Man of Europe
(Written during take-off from Tenerife South, Airport) Travelling on a rickety bus in rural Thailand, back in 2000, I had my only epiphany. The vast distance from home - [...]
