29th December 2016 Canberra, Australia
2016 was lots of things. Forgettable wasn’t one of them. It will give students of politics plenty of stuff to write about decades from now. And it will live on in our own memories for years to come. So how to describe the year that was… what? And what does that mean for us in […]
16th September 2016 Canberra, Australia
One of the great joys of being High Commissioner to Australia is the sheer variety of what I do. I’ve learned to expect the unexpected, to travel widely and frequently, and to deal with a diverse range of issues. It’s why I love the job. The last three weeks have been a slightly extreme example […]
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1st August 2016 Canberra, Australia
Last week, we hosted David Lammy MP on a visit to Australia. He came here as part of his review into possible racial bias against BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) people in the British criminal justice system. This work was commissioned by former PM David Cameron, and has the full endorsement of our new PM […]
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, […]