http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/tim-soutphommasane/ Tim Soutphommasane is a freelance journalist and a doctoral researcher in politics at Oxford University, where he has got an up-close look at the workings of the British class system. His book, Reclaiming Patriotism: Nation-Building for Australian Progressives (Cambridge University Press), will be published in September. He has written for the Guardian, Financial Times, the Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, and the Age, among others. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/tony-blair-european-union-president/ Retirement never comes easy to politicians. There’s a long line of prime ministers and presidents who, upon leaving office, struggle either to settle back into ordinary life or to fade into the shadows with quiet dignity. Some verge on the comical. The patrician figure of Harold Macmillan was known in his political afterlife to deliver impromptu lectures to train conductors about the history of the British railway system. Others mope in operatic self-pity, with periodic and spectacular volcanic eruptions: Paul Keating the Retirement. Some meanwhile never quite manage to surrender their indomitable will to power. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tim Soutphommasane) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/tony-blair-european-union-president/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/tony-blair-european-union-president/#item654 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:45:28 +0000 Tim Soutphommasane | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/postcard-from-ascot-dont-forget-your-manners/ The arrival of summer brings with it the social season in Britain. During the heyday of the aristocracy, the midsummer would see “well-bred” girls make their grand entry into society. At lavish balls, witty and fine-eyed Lizzys would meet their Mister Darcys. Plain Janes without suitors would be left to contemplate their future as spinsters or governesses. Things have, of course, changed. But for the most part, the Season remains, and is accompanied by just as much genteel anticipation as it would have been during Georgian and Victorian times. The Wimbledon tennis, the Henley Royal Regatta, the Cartier International Polo are all regarded in some circles as events at which one must be seen. Late last week, I headed to what many now consider to be the opening round of the Season: the races at Royal Ascot. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tim Soutphommasane) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/postcard-from-ascot-dont-forget-your-manners/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/postcard-from-ascot-dont-forget-your-manners/#item471 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:45:32 +0000 Tim Soutphommasane | Author bios | The Punch