177. Olaf Scholz: Putin, Power, and Far-Right Populism
23 February 2026
iPad debut blogpost on iPad, Vince and Gove
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Post
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27 December 2010
Yes, I got an iPad for Christmas. Yes, I had a couple of blogfree days while enjoying Christmas and getting used to typing on ice, which is a bit how it feels till you get the hang of it.
We have been up in the Scottish Highlands, and despite the snow and the cold, yes I have been out on the bike and yes, this was a form of masochism from which my feet took a while to recover. It also meant I missed Burnley's first away win of the season, confirming Fiona in her view that they do better when I am not there. And yes, this is all a load of inconsequential blah designed to fill a bit of space and then be able to say I have successfully posted my first blogpost via iPad
Oh, and yes, I watched the Christmas version of Strictly Come Dancing, and yes I felt mild sympathy for former Saint Vince, and a major squirm when he said he hoped David Cameron was watching because his dancing showed a coalition working well. Oh dear, the perils of pre-recording!
A word too for Michael Gove, who is quickly developing a habit of coming up with half baked policy proposals which he quickly has to change as common sense comes pouring in from what the top brass in the government doubtless see as rather common people.
As some of you may know, I am about to publish volume two of my diaries, Power and the People, which cover the first two years of the Labour government.
We certainly had problems along the way, but I think it took a while longer before ministers started to weaken themselves quite so powerfully as Vince and Gove have done. I remain unconvinced that David Cameron cares too much about the weakening of others.
Now off to try to get a few apps. Promise not to go on about them.
White Christmas here in eastern Finland. -28C on the Christmas Eve.
I once cycled to school (3.7 kilometres) in -36C! We have snow for about six months a year, but I have never experienced any problems with cold weather or snow. You simply put enough clothes on. And we have equipment to deal with snow. To slippery places we put sand. And I had spikes in the front tyre of my bike.
Long overdue away win for Burnley! Brian Laws has my 100% backing. But we must sign Cork and Guidetti permanently plus CB and CM. Premier League here we come again!
Great to see a U-turn on Bookstart!
Enjoy reading your blog.
Lyn
Newfoundland, Canada
But now we need the blog iPad app!
In your first two years your policy was to maintain all Tory spending in all departments at pre 1997 levels.
Despite all your protestations about individual cuts like school sports and free books, which were half baked and crazy, you have not scheduled your proposed cuts if you were in power.
What would they be, line by line, Al?
Alastair, I feel sure you can give Michael Gove tips on the perils of moving from journalism to government. Life’s a little more complicated than 500 words can make if seem may be the gist of one of them.
I can’t believe you missed the tradition of a trip to Barnsley on Boxing day. Mind you I did too, I live in NZ one so it’s a long distance affair.
Sorry but I don’t share your support for Brian, in fact I was very disappointed when he was appointed. Forgive my pessimism but I thought we were doomed to Championship football for the foreseeable future. This comment coming from someone who traversed the globe to see them play and win at Wembley.
Anyway welcome to the world of the iPad – careful, it can get addictive.
Let’s start by cutting bankers’ bonuses and tax evasion, eh Dick? Top it up with a whip-round from the millionaire-dominated Cabinet and there won’t be any need for public sector cuts, will there?
You have a rose tinted calculator, lad, perhaps the one used by Brown for ten years.
Oh and what did he do to stop tax evasion in that time?
Oh and how many millionaires in the last Labour Cabinet(s)?
Catch a grip.
I’m not aware that Gordon did much to stop tax evasion – New Labour was very wary of antagonising the rich who had, after all, been mollycoddled for eighteen years. Also I don’t know how many millionaires there were in the Labour Cabinets of 1997 – 2010 – perhaps you could enlighten me? I do know there were – I think – two millionaires in Harold Wilson’s Cabinet (1964 – 1970), so millionaires in Labour Cabinets are not exactly unprecedented.
I think New Labour’s greatest achievement was keeping the Conservatives out of office for thirteen years. As I’m sure we all know, NL made itself electable by pinching a lot of Tory policies, specifically not introducing regulations into free market capitalism and not being too concerned about people becoming filthy rich. Nevertheless NL did manage to wrest some crumbs from the capitalist table – minimum wage being a good example. Reforms of that nature are all I expect from Labour, and don’t let’s underestimate them in a capitalist world.
My rose-tinted calculator includes the present government’s own official figures on tax evasion, figures which are frankly staggering. I don’t think Sir Philip Green and friends need lose too much sleep while Team Camneron is in office, do you?