Musings of a Libertarian

  Motorists across the country are feeling the pinch as fuel prices skyrocket following the war in Iran. The most recent data from the RAC shows that since the war began, average petrol prices have risen by 6.81p to 139.64p a litre. Diesel has increased by 14.81p to 157.19p, and these prices are likely to go higher. Spare a thought too for rural dwellers dependent on heating oil, who have seen their prices jump by an even higher proportion. Some have been quick to condemn retailers for profiteering, failing to realise that over half the pump price is now made up of tax. Though much lower than on petrol or diesel, tax on kerosene for heating still makes up around 20% of the purchase price. The answer to lower prices is exactly the same today as it was two weeks ago: lower taxes and a government willing to back greater domestic energy production rather than standing in its way. If ministers were serious about shielding motorists and households from global shocks, they would stop bloc...

Saturday saw the deputy leader of a major UK political party - The Greens' Mothin Ali - join a pro Iranian regime demonstration in London calling to "globalise the intifada," among proudly displayed portraits of Ayatollah Khameini, as the party gained Gorton and Denton but lost Tehran in an eventful 24 hours. Now, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are absolute - Ali committed no crime in attending this moronic gathering and he is welcome to spew whatever bile he pleases - hate speech is free speech - including in Urdu. The issue is that the irony of using his freedoms to defend a brutal dictator appears completely lost on him. Reports indicate that the Iranian regime gunned down over 30,000 of its own citizens during January's protests, the far left in the West remaining silent even as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stormed hospitals to finish off the wounded. The Islamic regime has ruled Iran with an iron fist since 1979, with Iran consistently ran...