25th July 2016 Canberra, Australia
If a week is a long time in politics, the last four weeks in the UK have felt like decades. In Australia, you’ve had your election and there is (finally) a winner: congratulations to Malcolm Turnbull. In the UK, our political system has convulsed on the back of the decision by the British people to […]
17th June 2016 Canberra, Australia
It is 26 years since a British MP was murdered. Back in 1990, the victim was Ian Gow, a Conservative politician, murdered by the IRA. In those days, we had come to half-expect such terrible events to punctuate the rhythm of life in the UK. But it was from an enemy we knew and recognised […]
19th April 2016 Canberra, Australia
It’s Autumn in Canberra. The view from my window looking out towards the Brindabellas is one of grey skies and multi-coloured trees. The cockatoos are out in force, squawking around the place. For the first time, this all feels familiar. That’s because it’s been a year since we arrived in Australia, landing in Canberra to […]
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4th February 2016 Canberra, Australia
In my travels around Australia I am often asked about the EU referendum. And many of those asking are Britons or people with deep ties to the UK. The interest is understandable. The last referendum on this issue was 40 years ago. Ultimately it will be the British people who decide whether we’re stronger and […]
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12th January 2016 Canberra, Australia
While I was being born in September 1967, David Bowie (real name David Jones) was 20 years old, and trying to make it big in music. Thrilled to receive a letter from an American fan who had actually heard his music, he penned this response. I love this letter – it speaks to the humility, […]
15th November 2015 Canberra, Australia
This time last year, I was in Paris with my family, visiting friends and exploring one of the world’s most beautiful cities. We did the usual things – climbed the Eiffel Tower, visited Sacré-Coeur, gazed at the impressionist art at Musée d’Orsay, ate in cafes and restaurants. And on an unusually warm Autumn weekend, we […]
29th October 2015 Canberra, Australia
Last Monday I was at Parliament House in Canberra for the première of the wonderful British film Suffragette. The evening featured two fantastic performances, the first by Carey Mulligan in the film’s lead role – surely worthy of an Oscar nomination at least. The second was by Ian Smith, our Honorary Consul for South Australia. Epsom-born […]
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29th July 2015 Canberra, Australia
I have been travelling a lot in the last few weeks, which has made me reflect on what is ‘home’ and what is ‘away’. Let’s just say it’s not so simple as for the residents of Summer Bay! First of all, as a diplomat, it doesn’t help to become too attached to one place, because […]
30th June 2015 Canberra, Australia
Over the last two weeks, I’ve taken part in a number of events to mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta. My personal highlight was undoubtedly introducing Prime Minister Tony Abbott to an audience of over 300 people in Parliament’s Great Hall, to deliver the British High Commission’s annual Magna Carta lecture. As I said […]
10th June 2015 Canberra, Australia
Before I came to Australia, someone said to me: “You’ll lay a lot of wreaths”. The comment recognised, I think, an Australian paradox that I’ve also noticed now I’m here: how a nation which is so informal and at ease with itself can also be attached to the art of the ceremony and the more […]