The Spoon Drawer

Source It has been over 6 years since Labour were ousted from power in the UK, bringing their 13-year reign to a rather abrupt end. Despite the fact that Labour oversaw one of the most successful economies in the UK’s history, Blair’s decision to take the country to war in Iraq proved to be too much for some voters, allowing the Conservatives to profit from a swing of 3.7%. However, this swing did not prove to be decisive enough, with the Labour party coming in second, only 1.2 million votes ahead of the third placed, Liberal Democrats. Since then we have heard a variety of bizarre statements from Tory and UKIP voters and politicians, ranging from: “Gordon Brown caused the Credit Crunch” to “Labour have ruined the economy forever”. It remains to be seen just how Labour inflicted a worldwide recession on the rest of the world, but why let facts and reason get in the way of a good old uneducated rant? The truth is that over the last 6 years we have seen Nick Clegg and the ...

Long live small business 2016 is an incredible time to run a business. I won’t get into the argument of idea over execution, but I’ll state the facts. In 2015, 608,100 businesses started up in the UK –  a 4.6% increase on the year before (581,173). The resources that we have at our disposal give us the potential to take any idea from thought to fruition.  As consumers, this avalanche of new brands makes it seem there is an overwhelming freedom of choice when it comes to what we buy. But once we take a deeper look, are we really that free? Oxfam International’s graphic on ‘The Big Ten’ speaks volumes about how we feel versus how it really is. Source Nestle, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kellogg’s feature amongst the ten conglomerates that own pretty much everything we’d ever buy at a supermarket.  Now let’s delve a little deeper into one industry and take look at like at the very bottom of the business food chain. Craft brewing began as a way for avid brewers to creat...

It has been less than two months since the unprecedented outcome of the UK referendum on its continued membership of the European Union was announced. However, there are already an array of signs that a ‘hard-Brexit’ will inevitably lead to years of hardship in the UK. It was hardly a surprise that the loudest advocates of voting to leave, including the likes of Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, quickly back-tracked on their outrageous promises. There was also Gove’s claim that the people of Britain have had enough of experts , while also claiming he wasn’t interested in becoming Prime Minster. Unsurprisingly the latter turned out to be nothing other than a lie and he promptly put his hat in the ring, while stabbing his crony , Boris Johnson in the back. However, we luckily saw both men lose out on the job of Prime Minster, with right-leaning Teresa May taking the reins. There was time for one final twist though, her decision to make Boris Johnson Foreign Secretary was met...

Source The very warm, un-British weather seems to have continued for far longer than any of us anticipated! Us Brits don’t have the opportunity to bask in an abundance of vitamin D very often. So when we do, we do it in the only way we know how – Barbeque! It might only be pushing 20 degrees outside but there we are, deckchairs and cool box in hand, wearing our finest Hawaiian shirts and beach shorts. On particularly sunny days, one might even opt for the British staple, flip flops! The result, is an unparalleled display of optimistic sun cream application and mid-day drunkenness. To any other nation on earth, it’s understandably bizarre, but it only happens once a year, so let us off! Here is how my fellow Brits can host their annual summer BBQ without a hiccup. Food It doesn’t matter where you shop– a great British barbeque must include the following: ·          Sausages ·       ...

Source Recently I undertook the task of planning a surprise party for a friend , and I must admit, found the entire process rather fun and rewarding too.  When it comes to party themes, my personal favourite has always been mods and rockers. Partly due to my love for Brighton and the direct associations it has with the mods and rockers’ conflicts back in the 60’s, but also the fashion and music of the era was rather special too. If you’re planning a shindig this summer, why not make it a party to remember with a 1960s theme.   In order to make your party a little more diverse, a 1960s theme allows you to also incorporate another intriguing youth movement commonly known as hippies.   The 60s were very much a transitional decade, full of changes and excitement with an array of subcultures emerging from the shadows of the 50s, lending itself as the perfect party theme. From hippies to mods and everything in between, the 1960s was an exciting time to live a...

So yesterday (Sunday 19 th June) it was the London to Brighton cycling event, a hugely anticipated British Heart Foundation charity fundraising bike ride between the capital and everyone’s favourite seaside town. Thousands of southerners and biking enthusiasts took to the saddle at the crack of dawn with the Brighton seaside finish line clear in their minds. I actually knew a guy participating this year, so it was not only just important that I was there to cheer him on, but I was also there for the very important fish and chips consumption afterwards. Image Source As a huge cycling fan and a Brighton local, I managed to catch a lot of the action as the riders began to filter their way into the city of Brighton. It was a feast for the eyes for a bike lover like myself, thanks to the array of beautiful racing bikes and the sheer commitment shown in all participants’ faces.  We as humans often shy away from putting ourselves through extended pain, however these guys al...

Source: Tim Brockley Network rail has a long a storied history of controversy. The national company, which oversees almost all the UK’s rail infrastructure, belongs to a collective of rail companies that have been subject to increasing criticism over the past decade. A drop in the level of services provided, as well as the quality of service and clarity in communication with customers is created an increasingly frustrated public. First and foremost are National Rail’s budget woes which, as a public sector company, means that the taxpayers will be paying most of the costs. At current, the company utilises a spending plan worth £38.5 billion known as CP5, intended to run from 2014 to 2019. However, mismanagement of this budget, which also resulted in the sacking of CEO Richard Parry-Jones , has put far more strain on the company and made it likely that the budget will not cover intended costs. External regulators, including National Rail’s own internal regulatory body, h...