This article was first published on the political blog Left Foot Forward. It’s a rare thing for a socialist to be inspired by something Nigel Farage says. Yet, on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, the UKIP leader gave a refreshing stance on policy making, downplaying the significance that economic growth should have in our…
This Christmas it’s time to let toys be toys and children be children
This article was originally published in The Oxford Student newspaper. You may have noticed shops changing across the country. The Let Toys Be Toys campaign has already convinced stores such as M&S and Toys R Us to drop their gendered marketing, with all toys now accessible to boy or girl, labelled instead by category. The distinction…
We must stop shying away from science and start scrutinising it
Last Monday, Newsnight was again dominated by furious debate about drug policy. Peter Hitchens made his first appearance on the programme since a previous controversial confrontation with Russell Brand and this time was joined by actor Matthew Perry. What followed received widespread attention and the video clip quickly clocked over 500,000 views on YouTube. The episode was concerning on…
Inequality based on intelligence is as unjust as any other
This article was originally published in the Oxford Student newspaper. Boris Johnson’s recent comments about intelligence and economic inequality have caused widespread debate and controversy. Speaking at the annual Margaret Thatcher lecture at the Centre for Policy Studies, he commented that “it is surely relevant to a conversation about equality that as many as 16% of our…
The Science Delusion: has science become dogmatic?
This article was originally published in the Oxford Student newspaper. Scientist and author Rupert Sheldrake spoke to George Gillett after addressing an audience at the Oxford Union Rupert Sheldrake’s latest book, The Science Delusion, explores what Sheldrake describes as “the ten dogmas of modern science”. The claim seems radical at first – Sheldrake is questioning mainstream science beliefs…
LJ Trup: A joke with consequences
This article was originally published in Cherwell newspaper. It was written after LJ Trup, a ‘joke candidate,’ was elected as President of the Oxford University Student Union (OUSU). The story made national news, and received attention from the Daily Mail and Independent. You’ve got to admire LJ Trup. He’s landed a speculated £20,000 salary, as well…
On Remembrance Day, we forget those who are most affected by war
This article was originally published in Cherwell newspaper. The boys in military uniform, the saluting, the marching. The waving of our nation’s flag as if it justifies the deaths we are here to remember. The proud brandishing of guns; the very machinery that causes the destruction we mourn over. Poppy day isn’t about remembrance, it’s about glorifying…
The Sun: distorted statistics and dangerous stigmas
This article was originally published in the Cherwell newspaper. The Sun has done it again. Ten years after describing boxer Frank Bruno as ‘bonkers’ and ‘a nut’ for being admitted to a psychiatric hospital, they’ve now launched another offensive against the mentally ill. The newspaper published a front page headlined ‘1,200 killed by mental patients,’ relying on manipulated statistics to…
Ed Miliband and the Daily Mail: Standing up to the strong
This article was first published in the Oxford Student newspaper. Ed Miliband’s rhetoric at the Labour conference last week was bold and inspiring. The real surprise though, considering the track record of politicians, is that he seems to be acting by his principles. Having accused David Cameron of being ‘strong when it comes to the weak’ yet…
Burqas in Schools? Let’s have a serious debate about segregation in Britain’s education system
This article was first published in the Oxford Student newspaper. The latest comments of Home Office minister Jeremy Browne have helped ignite a debate about the freedom to wear veils in schools and public places. Others have joined, arguing that the niqab should be banned because it is a ‘worrying symbol of segregation’ within our education system. Whilst…
The end of the individual, the dawn of the idea: why Twitter is changing the way we think
Today I’m eating humble pie. I’m joining Twitter. My ramblings have been surrendered to a website I once mocked for providing vain, attention-seeking users with a platform to spout about their monotonous life. But there’s no denying that Twitter is now a powerful tool in shaping how we think, argue and reason. If you’ll excuse…
GEORGE GILLETT 