Peter Kenyon

Political language: Why is an NIC increase a tax?

When my critical life insurer ups my cover and hence my premium do I call it a tax, write 'yours disgusted' to the Editor of my daily newspaper, or follow George Osborne's example in his closing remarks in his response to the PBR and brand the company as untrustworthy?    

So what are all these headlines about? I'm glad we have a National Health Service, I wish we had a genuinely comprehensive national education service, I'm glad we such an extensive array of collective provision. There is lots more to do. But a modest increase in NIC except for those on less than £20K a year - a tax. Surely this is better described as a premium?

What's Hawaii got to do with Englishness?

Now for something completely different. Or is it? On St George's Day, Billy Bragg and musical friends were Looking for a New England at the Barbican Hall near where I live. With an election campaign in full swing I turned up after dark from Labour Party campaigning at the end of the first half, as Kitty, Daisy and Lewis's set is ending. They were playing what sounded like a lively Hawaiian tune. Much applause. Then just as they tuned up for the next number, someone shouted out from the stalls: "What's Hawaii got to do with Englishness?" So parochial, and so it proved. Billy never one to miss a political opportunity took up the challenge. He shouts to the audience: "Can anyone tell me about the Hawaiian flag?" Nice one, Billy. It's a story of friendship and respect from one side of the world to the other.