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2nd June 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Reptiles, fairies, conspiracies and cock-ups
Did US spacecraft Apollo 11 really land on the moon in July 1969? Was the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, an accident? Are many world leaders in fact shape-shifting reptilians? Back in August I wrote a blog called “Why Turkey can be confident”. I set out why I was so impressed by this wonderful, welcoming country; and […]
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31st May 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria
Bulgaria – The Golden Period in My Life
by Sarah Lampert Sarah Lampert was Third (later Second) Secretary Political in Sofia from 1991 to 1994. Her memories of Bulgaria are of the challenging time of transition between the old guard and the old way of doing things, and the new, but also of the relaxed and sunny atmosphere in Sofia, the stunning Bulgarian […]
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30th May 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Scotland in the UK: Better Together
The referendum on Scottish independence draws ever nearer and the debate is intensifying on both sides. As part of that debate, the UK government has published its 14th paper in a series of analyses, which set out the case for Scotland’s continued Union with the rest of the UK. The focus of this latest paper […]
29th May 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Flying the Turks and Caicos Flag Over the Heart of London
I returned this week from short visits on business and pleasure to London and New York. I timed my return to be in Grand Turk on Monday 26 May to attend my first National Hero’s Day Ceremony. I knew something of J.A.G.S. McCartney’s inspirational life from reading history books about Turks and Caicos. But attending […]
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29th May 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Gravity and the Artificial Pancreas: GREAT Festival of Creativity meets Istanbul
A woman drifts terrified in space, gazing down on earth. A factory turns out millions of computers for $25 each. A craftsman explains why high-tech car design still starts with a sculpted clay model. We’re at “The Seed” in Emirgan, north of Istanbul. Far below, the blue waters of the Bosphorus sparkle. On the terrace […]
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28th May 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Digital diplomacy, communications and the Holy See
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and our global diplomatic network lead the way in the development of digital diplomacy (or “Twiplomacy” as it is sometimes called: Twitter + Diplomacy). Some people, retired diplomats amongst them, have been critical of “tweeting ambassadors”. Yet our experience has been a positive one. Whether we like it or not, we […]
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28th May 2014 Paris, France
Commemorating D-Day: the past and the future
Next week, we will be commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy, and, for the UK, we have the honour of Her Majesty The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in Normandy for 6 June, joined by HRH The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, and briefly His Royal Highness The […]
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28th May 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Debate and Democracy
A couple of years ago I attended a debate in Zarqa in which teams of young people debated the merits of nuclear power. All the participants engaged in the debate in a disciplined way, marshalling their arguments, responding to their opponents’ points and bringing passion and patience to a controversial subject. Both teams had been […]
28th May 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Briefing the Party Room
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop invited me to address the Coalition “Party Room” last night. Around a quarter of the party’s parliamentary members attended. I talked about three things. – What’s going on in the UK – the recent European election results, the forthcoming Scottish referendum, and the return to sustainable economic growth – UK thinking […]
27th May 2014 Washington DC, USA
EU Day: Invitation Received
A nice aspect of my job is that I rarely find myself at the Embassy on a weekend, but earlier this month I happened to spend the better part of a Saturday volunteering my time. It was a special occasion: on 10 May, EU embassies throughout Washington opened their doors for the EU’s Annual Open […]