The Joy of Six 1296

William Wallace opposes the abolition of district councils on the grounds of efficiency and cost-cutting: "But there is a countervailing cost in local democracy and representation which Liberal Democrats - I would argue - should fight against. Most people see political issues through local experience and daily life.  Now that so many decisions have been removed to Whitehall, with service delivery transferred to private providers or autonomous agencies regulated by central government, it’s not surprising that so many voters see politics as a distant game played in Westminster over which they have no influence at all."

"When Morgan McSweeney replaced Sue Gray as Starmer's Chief of Staff two months ago many expected the government’s communications would improve. They have not. For that to happen Starmer must abandon his vision of politics, at least for now. He needs to recognise that a government - especially today - will to be judged on its actions and its words." It's time for Keir Starmer to embrace populism, argues Steven Fielding.

Jonathan Foley says artificial carbon removal is largely a sideshow when it comes to climate change. At best, it may eventually grow into a minor solution. At worst, it's a distraction from reducing emissions - and plays right into the fossil fuel industry’s hands.

Jonathan Liew on the Global Super League Twenty20 in Guyana, where big oil, geopolitics and cricket collide.

"His book humanises the work’s exalted creators and demonstrates that the Messiah is not a pompous manifesto of faith but a troubled, often desperate quest for consolation. Despite those hectoring hallelujahs, what moves King is the oratorio’s prescription for overcoming personal misery." Peter Conrad reviews Charles King's Every Valley: The Story of Handel’s Messiah.

Welsh carols, Derbyshire ballads and Cajun drinking songs: Jude Rodgers selects the best folk music for Christmas and winter.

And, as it's getting near Christmas, here's a bonus...