There's a special place in hell for the intolerant, arrogant politics that Donald Tusk represents

I wonder if it has ever occurred to European Council president Donald Tusk, that the brexiteers, who he has today claimed should have a special place in hell, didn’t have to have a plan. A referendum is just a campaign. The EU membership referendum of 2016 was an advisory referendum that asked the public one simple question: did we want to leave or remain in the European Union. That’s it, plain and simple.

Social networking sites can't shoulder the responsibility for our kids' mental health

Social media companies have become the latest target of public hand-wringing, even prompting Instagram’s head to agree to meet the health secretary, signalling a greater willingness to engage than the platform’s owner Facebook has ever shown before to talk with politicians. Probably a smart move if your company’s products are to be scapegoated for all the ills of our young people.

Domestic Violence legislation makes a big stride in the right direction

It’s not often you hear a charity welcoming a bit of draft government legislation as a “once in a generation opportunity.” But that’s exactly what Sandra Horley, Chief Executive of the charity Refuge, said on the BBC’s Woman’s Hour this morning, in response to draft legislation that would signify a major overhaul in the treatment of domestic abuse.

There's no alternative to Theresa May's deal – we're going to find that out the hard way

Last night, the government experienced the worst defeat since the 1920s, as 432 MPs voted against the EU’s withdrawal agreement. Be in no doubt, this throws the Brexit process in to absolute chaos and makes the bleak prospect of leaving the European Union without a deal a stark and very real one.

There will be no new centrist alliance in British politics

Recent political chatter about a new, centrist force for so-called moderates grew louder yesterday with the revelation that, at some point, Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable plans to quit once Brexit is resolved – so no time soon then! There is also talk of the Lib Dems reforming to permit the choosing of a leader who does not sit in Westminster, a sure sign of their rather tragic fall and loss of place in British political discourse.

Should doctors have to write in plain English? I'm not so sure

Here's an article explaining the recommendation of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges that doctors should write to patients in plain English. It also contains a video demonstrating why – though the level of ignorance by some of those surveyed is rather worrying.

The Catholic lesson on managing the homosexuality question: go back to basics.

If you think about LGBT people, your thoughts this weekend will surely be drawn to the marking of Pride – and well they should be, for this event both celebrates the great strides that have been made towards LGBT equality, and reminds us that, particularly if we look to the global picture, there is much still to be done.
You might not have realised though that the subject has once again taken up a great deal of time at yet another Church of England synod.

A revenge porn crackdown is welcome, though it's founded on outdated ideas

New sentencing guidelines will call for jail sentences of up to 2 years for those who send ‘revenge porn’ images to victims’ families, today's Telegraph reports. IT signals a very clear message that this crime, which became a specific offence only in April 2015, will be taken very seriously and is a serious matter.