Why I Struggle With “Progressives”
Many of my friends and colleagues would describe themselves as “progressive.” I want to agree with them. I really do. I want to be one, but I can’t and [...]
Heaven Is a Place on Earth — and I Was There Yesterday
A few years ago, we bought some woods in Yorkshire. Just a few acres. I couldn’t name half the trees. Yesterday, on Easter Sunday, lying by the campfire (given that [...]
Still Not Even Paying Peanuts
My usually chilled-ness demeanour (some will not agree that I am ever this) rapidly turned to rage today when I saw a “job” ad from a well-known Quaker-inspired national [...]
Mass Delusion
This morning, after feeding our insatiable Labrador—whose pet insurance costs more than many people’s monthly food budget—I wandered to my local coffee shop for my daily caffeine fix. All the [...]
Knock, Knock, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door Many years ago, I stood for the Labour Party in a council by-election in Bilton, Harrogate. I hated canvassing—the intrusion into someone’s privacy—but I [...]
How to Lose All Your Blog Subscribers (and I Couldn’t Care Less)
I wanted Trump to win the last election. There, I said it. And you know what? I’m thrilled he did. That feels better. Yes, I know: Trump is, to [...]
Ten Reasons Why Quakers Dominated Business
Cadburys, Rowntrees, Barclays, Lloyds, Clarks, Wedgwood – these are just a few of the corporate giants founded by Quaker families. Yet, in today’s world, Quaker influence in the business realm [...]
The Net Worth of a (Potentially Bankrupt) Entrepreneur
What keeps entrepreneurs awake at night is the fear of bankruptcy, even if, financially, we are doing just fine. Bankruptcy appears so final. As a lawyer, if I’m bankrupted, [...]
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 [...]
Hallucinating about Sir Ed Davey MP
A few months ago, I was invited to a business lunch to meet Sir Ed Davey MP. Who? You know, the leader of the Liberal Democrats. On my way [...]
