The brain is a muscle like any other. I think many people just let their brain atrophy. So when it comes to thinking current affairs, they are not match sharp and opt for the easy route. We have both met many people like that. Not thick. But too lazy in the mind to connect with events that shape their lives.

Populist politics plays into that as it offers easy solutions for difficult problems.

In Victorian times few had the vote. But those who did had no TV or radio. They read "respectable" newspapers every day, poetry, philosophy, history, literature and actively engaged in the arts and intellectual debate. They were also directly involved in commerce, agriculture and industry. Politicians had to be on their toes then. Now I fear they see their role as more of a case of feeding the pond life.

That is why I see populist politics as dirty words. It insults us.

In some ways, even though I lost my career in the public sector because of it, I admire austerity as it was rightly seen as critical and went against mass support. Ditto direct negotiation with the IRA where Major defied his whole cabinet. More of that please.

That figure of 300 million is liberally bandied about and I suspect it may be about right. However, you only have to look at where the Islamic population lives to understand this. Very conservative. largely rural, semi-literate areas of Afghanistan, pakistan, Indonesia, Philippines etc. are bound to have a large % of people who genuinely believe in the Om (or whatever it's called) and feel the calling to ensure a world wide Islamic Caliphate. That would also reflect those who come to this country from those places. At least the 1st wave.

Then again, the vast majority do not believe that. In urban urbane Islamabad, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur they are a fringe group of loons despised of their peers and known to the authorities.

Likewise most who come here. They have not crossed a Continent with hatred for the host nation to chuck bombs or drive down pedestrians; they have come to thrive and educate their kids. That is not to say some will arrive with that agenda; or be turned; and many must be very closely watched.

Moving on, why the beef about sharia law? No, hear me out. Have you heard of the Beth Din? This is an alternative form of redress used by Jews for donkeys years to determine disputes by Rabbinical Law over property, probate, families and other CIVIL matters started in the courts. Both sides have to FREELY agree; the matters still have to be subject to overriding English law; and the courts can delimit the issues and set checks and balances. If extended to muslims and sharia law, it would free up a great deal of court time and save £millions in public expense. And no-one will get their hands (or heads) chopped off.

Just a thought.

That figure of 300 million is liberally bandied about and I suspect it may be about right. However, you only have to look at where the Islamic population lives to understand this. Very conservative. largely rural, semi-literate areas of Afghanistan, pakistan, Indonesia, Philippines etc. are bound to have a large % of people who genuinely believe in the Om (or whatever it's called) and feel the calling to ensure a world wide Islamic Caliphate. That would also reflect those who come to this country from those places. At least the 1st wave.

Then again, the vast majority do not believe that. In urban urbane Islamabad, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur they are a fringe group of loons despised of their peers and known to the authorities.

Likewise most who come here. They have not crossed a Continent with hatred for the host nation to chuck bombs or drive down pedestrians; they have come to thrive and educate their kids. That is not to say some will arrive with that agenda; or be turned; and many must be very closely watched.

Moving on, why the beef about sharia law? No, hear me out. Have you heard of the Beth Din? This is an alternative form of redress used by Jews for donkeys years to determine disputes by Rabbinical Law over property, probate, families and other CIVIL matters started in the courts. Both sides have to FREELY agree; the matters still have to be subject to overriding English law; and the courts can delimit the issues and set checks and balances. If extended to muslims and sharia law, it would free up a great deal of court time and save £millions in public expense. And no-one will get their hands (or heads) chopped off.

Just a thought.