http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/ View our more columnists section for latest world news opinion. Our Birmingham Post writers give their view of the world today. en-gb Birmingham Post http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/29/jon-walker-does-brown-s-vision-of-party-strike-a-chord-with-its-mps-65233-21634217/ Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:33:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/29/jon-walker-does-brown-s-vision-of-party-strike-a-chord-with-its-mps-65233-21634217/ It’s come to something when a left-wing pressure group can do a better job of setting the agenda than the might New Labour spin machine. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/28/karl-george-team-gb-really-meant-business-and-we-can-learnfrom-this-65233-21625969/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:43:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/28/karl-george-team-gb-really-meant-business-and-we-can-learnfrom-this-65233-21625969/ The 2008 Olympics opened and closed with equal amounts of vigour, enthusiasm and celebration. But even those two landmark events cannot exceed the great success by Team GB. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/27/robin-fletcher-stop-whingeing-about-cost-and-put-on-a-show-65233-21616645/ Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:25:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/27/robin-fletcher-stop-whingeing-about-cost-and-put-on-a-show-65233-21616645/ So the Olympics is over. China has done a great job and can refocus on becoming the world’s next superpower. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/26/michael-cashman-we-must-all-work-together-to-minimise-effects-of-credit-crunch-65233-21604958/ Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:13:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/26/michael-cashman-we-must-all-work-together-to-minimise-effects-of-credit-crunch-65233-21604958/ There is no doubt that people in the West Midlands are feeling the pinch. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/22/jon-walker-this-time-brown-must-bring-off-something-truly-spectacular-65233-21587123/ Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:14:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/22/jon-walker-this-time-brown-must-bring-off-something-truly-spectacular-65233-21587123/ The more similar the parties become, the more the gap between them seems to widen. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/21/chris-allen-love-music-hate-racism-be-kind-to-40-something-men-65233-21579017/ Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:36:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/21/chris-allen-love-music-hate-racism-be-kind-to-40-something-men-65233-21579017/ Having written for The Post for about a year now, I’ve often wondered how many people read this column. Beyond a few friends and family members who I obviously bribe and given the lack of fan mail, I have been known to echo the latest X-Files movie, ‘I want to believe’ that people are out there. It’s just very hard to do so. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/21/shahid-naqvi-why-the-sun-always-shone-so-brightly-when-i-was-a-lad-65233-21578990/ Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:32:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/21/shahid-naqvi-why-the-sun-always-shone-so-brightly-when-i-was-a-lad-65233-21578990/ So summer’s over. At least, that’s what it feels like. Technically speaking, autumn doesn’t start until October 26. But looking out the window as I write, it feels as good as a done deal. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/20/terry-grimley-major-takes-a-bow-for-turning-lottery-cash-into-olympic-gold-65233-21571646/ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:09:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/20/terry-grimley-major-takes-a-bow-for-turning-lottery-cash-into-olympic-gold-65233-21571646/ Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and after long years of disappointment from Blair and Brown it was refreshing to hear the statesmanlike tones of the once equally hapless John Major on yesterday’s Today programme. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/19/john-hemming-popular-time-for-injustices-in-the-english-family-courts-65233-21559359/ Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:14:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/19/john-hemming-popular-time-for-injustices-in-the-english-family-courts-65233-21559359/ August is a quiet month. However, things have hotted up in public family law injustices. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/18/brenda-bullock-playground-days-of-innocence-a-fading-memory-65233-21552958/ Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:23:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/18/brenda-bullock-playground-days-of-innocence-a-fading-memory-65233-21552958/ Once, not all that long ago, you could pass by the children’s playground on your way across the park, and stop to watch them playing. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/15/roshan-doug-india-lingers-lovingly-over-british-past-65233-21540797/ Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:25:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/15/roshan-doug-india-lingers-lovingly-over-british-past-65233-21540797/ I don’t know if you are aware but it’s the 61st anniversary of Indian Independence. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/15/we-re-better-off-in-coventry-thanks-very-much-65233-21540795/ Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:24:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/15/we-re-better-off-in-coventry-thanks-very-much-65233-21540795/ I’m not certain if Coventry City Council actually meant to send me a copy of correspondence involving various local big-wigs discussing Policy Exchange’s bizarre report, but it makes interesting reading. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/14/emma-brady-why-i-ll-be-on-the-lookout-for-a-radcliffe-ridge-at-v-festival-65233-21532529/ Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:16:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/14/emma-brady-why-i-ll-be-on-the-lookout-for-a-radcliffe-ridge-at-v-festival-65233-21532529/ Whether it’s London Marathon madness or post-Wimbledon pottiness, there’s nothing us Brits like more than jumping on a sporting bandwagon. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/13/robin-fletcher-hear-our-battle-cry-as-we-march-forwards-to-dig-out-victory-65233-21525472/ Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:45:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/13/robin-fletcher-hear-our-battle-cry-as-we-march-forwards-to-dig-out-victory-65233-21525472/ I’ve written before in this column about the need to remain positive amid the doom and gloom of credit crunches and global warming. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/13/john-lamb-could-this-city-be-a-truly-global-player-and-host-a-world-s-fair-65233-21525449/ Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:41:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/13/john-lamb-could-this-city-be-a-truly-global-player-and-host-a-world-s-fair-65233-21525449/ In 2020 a huge World’s Fair will take place – similar in style to the one that started it all, the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/07/diane-benussi-signposts-to-making-an-enterprise-succeed-65233-21482995/ Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:35:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/07/diane-benussi-signposts-to-making-an-enterprise-succeed-65233-21482995/ Nearly 32 million visitors poured into Birmingham last year, according to newly-released figures. Well, let’s hope they didn’t drive into the city via Five Ways traffic island, because if they did there’s a good chance they won’t come back. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/07/neil-conor-chinese-whispers-give-a-completely-false-impression-of-how-things-are-65233-21482973/ Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:26:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/07/neil-conor-chinese-whispers-give-a-completely-false-impression-of-how-things-are-65233-21482973/ After a trip to China, I felt the full force of a country with an appalling human rights record, and it has left a sour taste in my mouth. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/06/terry-grimley-classical-music-is-dead-and-at-the-same-time-alive-and-well-65233-21476931/ Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/06/terry-grimley-classical-music-is-dead-and-at-the-same-time-alive-and-well-65233-21476931/ There is a general perception that the classical music recording industry is not so much in crisis as lying in ruins. But that’s just one side of the coin. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/05/clare-short-with-gas-prices-soaring-35-pc-we-need-to-go-to-ground-65233-21465860/ Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:07:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/05/clare-short-with-gas-prices-soaring-35-pc-we-need-to-go-to-ground-65233-21465860/ Everyone is worried about their fuel bills. British Gas has announced that prices are to rise by 35 per cent. Only hours later they reported £1 billion in half yearly profits. Prices had already increased by 15 per cent earlier this year and another rise is predicted in the New Year. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/04/brenda-bullock-have-we-learnt-anything-over-the-last-50-years-65233-21461767/ Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:17:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2008/08/04/brenda-bullock-have-we-learnt-anything-over-the-last-50-years-65233-21461767/ Fifty years ago, when I was young, there existed a fairly rigid, two-tier education system in England. On the top there were the independent and grammar schools, whose pupils took O and A levels, went on to university and then took their place as the social and economic elite.