I have a new piece today at Bearly Politics. Thanks to @bearlypolitics.co.uk for giving the space. It may be stating the bleeding obvious here, but If politics pays no heed to moral considerations then we're in serious trouble. www.bearlypolitics.co.uk/p/morality-i...

New post from me about the widening gap between our moral aspirations for the world and global reality, and how we might bring the two closer together. markbraund.substack.com/p/another-wo...

Fabulous obituary by Robin Denselow of Pentangle drummer, Terry Cox. As much a history of the time in which he worked, as a testament to his achievements. Like all the best obituaries. www.theguardian.com/music/2026/a...

Book bans are for fascists! I’ve submitted a petition to Westminster and am waiting to see if it will be approved. We do NOT need to accept 1930’s Germany. It’s essential to democracy that we protect the freedom to read. Who is with us?

What a night. Screening of Broken English, a fascinating insight into Marianne Faithfull's life, starring Marianne herself. and an after film show featuring not only Jarvis but Beth Orton, Rufus Wainwright and Anna Calvi, all superb. Fitting tribute to a remarkable woman. And a great photo from Tim.

Great set of photos. Kavus especially seemed so happy to be on stage playing those songs again.

Great night out in Brixton last night in the company of Cardiacs. I was a bit nervous going up on my own but I quickly ended up in a pub before the gig nattering with fellow Cardiacs fans, who are all a great bunch of people. Definitely my tribe. Tequilas may have been consumed.

A much better photo than the ones I managed to get. Cardiacs in Brixton last night. Gig of the year, and it's only March.

Brilliant night at the Electric Brixton last night. Cardiacs on stonking form with a set of new and old material. A lot of very happy people enjoying something we thought we'd never see again.

Cardiacs in Brixton tonight. Remarkable gig from an exceptional group of musicians. And all a bit emotional too. Tim would have loved it, I think.

New post from me prompted by ongoing events in Iran, and the likely consequences for a civilization that is already on rocky ground. open.substack.com/pub/markbrau...

Anyone else bereft at the end of Call the Midwife? Sunday evenings in January and February will never be the same. But what a way to end: brilliant writing, great stories, gentle but serious politics and some fine acting. RIP Sister Monica Joan, a character of truly Dickensian proportions.

Surely it's time we packed Blair off to the US, where he can hang out with his mate Trump. And he can take Mandelson with him. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Whatever his shortcomings, Keir Starmer has far more in common with Churchill than Trump does with FDR. A Hugh Grant / Billy Bob Thornton moment I feel.

Excellent piece by James Schneider. The consequences of Trump’s attack on Iran will last for years, bringing greater instability, the immiseration of the lives of millions of people in the region, and further economic decline rich and poor countries alike. www.newstatesman.com/world/middle...

If Ted Sarandos has anything about him, this could be a turning point. If he capitulates, he'll lose at least one subscriber.

I would be inclined to believe most people who have a complaint against the police, but Peter Mandelson, err no. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

My latest substack post argues that more people need to vote if we're going to save democracy. markbraund.substack.com/p/engaging-t...

A new post from me today, this one published at Bearly Politics. Thank you @bearlypolitics.co.uk. In it I examine the work of the American philosopher John Rawls and its relevance for the world today. www.bearlypolitics.co.uk/p/rawls-reve...

And, of course, he's never known it, which is part of the reason he's currently shitting on the entire world. Having said that, gazillions of people survive such neglect without becoming criminal narcissists bent on destroying civilization.

It was a privilege to be at @cafeotodalston.bsky.social last night for the launch of Kelly Moran's new album, Don't Trust Mirrors. She is a remarkable pianist and performer. She opened with this stunning track, Echo in the Field. Eat your heart out, Nils Frahm. open.spotify.com/track/508XAH...

And it was a brilliant show. Kelly is an exceptional pianist, an original composer and a brilliant performer. The Sakamoto with Lucina to close was sublime.

Epstein is the sub- plot... My post. open.substack.com/pub/annpetti...

I have never seen anger like this on the Labour benches in private and in public. This is the kind of territory where things can move very fast.

Jeffrey Bezos is destroying the Washington Post for the same reason Musk destroyed Twitter and Ellison is destroying CBS—oligarchs oppose the free press when if it threatens their wealth and power. They don’t want normal people to see what is happening in America.

Adding to Starmer’s woes and questions about his judgement, the entire basis for his decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation has just collapsed. The proscription order should be rescinded at once and the Government should apologise for abusing anti-terror laws.

Time for a New Economic Paradigm open.substack.com/pub/markbrau...

Just make Zelenskyy President of the World and be done with it. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...

I’m not sure it would be possible today for anyone to live a life as remarkable as that lived by Hans Hermann. What a story. And a great obituary by Richard Williams. www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...

Surely the economic chickens will come home to roost before the next Presidential election. Oh, assuming there is one.

We were talking about this more than 30 years ago when I was working in development in Mozambique. Several NGOs had already stopped 'sponsor a child' schemes even then. The wheels turn very slowly sometimes. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

My latest Substack post, inspired by the words of the great @pattismithh.bsky.social. markbraund.substack.com/p/the-people...

For someone who was supposed to be a PR expert, Mandelson seems to be about as self aware as the Andrew formerly known as Prince. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

All you need to know about yesterday's extra-judicial killing of an innocent American woman by US government agents, courtesy of the estimable @marina-purkiss.bsky.social on the @jeremyvine.bsky.social show. As Marina says, America is lost. substack.com/@marinapurki...

Mandelson was always teetering, but he's now clearly gone over to the dark side. And why is @theguardian.com giving him coverage? Oh I forgot, that the whole point now. Only the words of liars, sycophants, extremists and appeasers are worth reporting. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

The BBC never fails to disappoint. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Dear BBC, We've all seen the footage. Trump and his entourage are lying through their collective teeth. Could you at least point this out?

I'm writing about the Palestine Action hunger strikers at the moment, any of whom could die at any moment, and the astonishing media and government silence surrounding them. The Establishment seems to have become even crueller than when Thatcher was PM.

He does indeed. Excellent article, sound if rather depressing conclusion.

I hope John plender knows more about the financial markets than he does about jazz. Because jazz is certainly not 'a little bit tired these days'. I shall read the rest of his article now. How the bubble bursts - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT

My latest substack post. Something completely different for the New Year featuring: @sofasound.bsky.social @thelastdinnerparty.bsky.social @stereolabgroop.bsky.social English Teacher, and Black Country, New Road But in what order? markbraund.substack.com/p/the-5-best...

Because it's the end of the year, and because people like lists, and because I was fortunate to see some great gigs this year. Happy New Year everyone! open.substack.com/pub/markbrau...

I love the look on Greta's face here. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Tragic timing. Massively underrated songwriter. RIP Chris. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/d...

Fabulous obituary of Humphrey Burton by Barry Millington in the @theguardian.com. A remarkable life. I had no idea he was involved in so much. His influence shaped so much of the cultural life of the second half of the 20th century. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

New Substack post from me: If we can’t raise the money we need for the NHS via taxation or by borrowing, then perhaps it’s time to consider Helicopter Money. markbraund.substack.com/p/why-not-us...

My latest post: when geopolitical reality dredges up childhood memories. markbraund.substack.com/p/we-dont-wa...

Oh my goodness, here's a photograph of @joannechocolat.bsky.social holding her copy of my all time favourite album. Confirms my theory that the best writers have the finest taste in music. And in case he hasn't seen it, cc: @sofasound.bsky.social. www.loudersound.com/bands-artist...

Oh Joy. The ‘City’ minister in the UK’s Labour government has plans to make Britain the world leader in the biggest Ponzi scheme ever created. These people are too stupid for words, and appear not to have a shred of moral integrity between them. giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

Chapter 7 of my historical novel, The Roaring Twenties, the second book in The Bloomsbury Trilogy, is now available to read - for free! It’s June 1920, and members of the Bloomsbury Group gather for the wedding of James Strachey and Alix Sargent-Florence. bloomsbury.substack.com/p/the-roarin...