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Kompetenz und Klarheit sind der Schlüssel, wenn der neue Vorsitzende der Labour Party seinen Blick nach vorn auf ein Großbritannien richtet, das sich stark verändern wird.
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has also proved incapable of adjudicating fairly on allegations of sexual harassment. We applaud his commitment to establishing an independent complaints process. …
Starmer must find a way to set out a vision for a new politics that addresses the societal fragilities that have been so painfully exposed in recent weeks . ...
The same questions therefore face a party that defines itself through its aspiration for a fairer, greener world — but with new challenges attached. How would a Labour government restore a healthcare system that rightly commands huge national pride, but that will be left ravaged not just by a decade of austerity but a pandemic? What is the best way of restoring dignity and fair reward to work often labelled as “low skill”? … What measures are needed to reduce carbon emissions while ensuring that the richest have to adapt their lifestyles, like the rest of us? And what is the future of Brexit in a probable global recession? …
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Bubble and squeak is the essence of English common sense, made with leftovers from the Sunday lunch. Long enjoyed on otherwise dreary Monday nights, this hot potato-andcabbage hash, with the outside a delicious crispy brown, provides all the sustenance you need to keep calm and carry on.
But why “bubble and squeak”? The curious name seems more suited to mice than mash — and there are probably thousands of pet rodents called Bubble and Squeak up and down the country. In fact, the name comes from the sound the ingredients make while cooking.
Yes, mashed potato bubbles in the frying pan. And cabbage apparently squeaks. The name is recorded in the Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, a seminal work on British slang created in 1785 by lexicographer Francis Grose. Back then, though, bubble and squeak also contained beef. Fast-forward to 1951, with Britain recovering from the hungry war years, and food bible Good Housekeeping magazine had officially thrown out the meat.
Simple it may be, but this is a dish good enough for royalty. King George IV, who reigned from 1820 to 1830, was known for his extravagant lifestyle and tastes, including fancy French food. Historians, however, say he had a secret passion for good old bubble and squeak. It’s said that Marie-antoine Carême, the celebrated French chef who cooked for George before he ascended the throne, gave up his job in disgust, refusing to cook such bourgeois dishes.
Although it’s made from leftovers, bubble and squeak deserves more than minor culinary status. This dish once had its very own tool — a scraper that looks like something you might use to lay tiles. Unusually shaped, the handle is raised from the blade, making it easy to chop vegetables, press the mash into the sizzling butter and scrape the crispy brown bits from the base of the (ideally cast-iron) pan.
But that’s enough talk of leftovers. Surely, after centuries of satisfying English appetites, bubble and squeak can now be held up as a dish in its own right — not just a hand-me-down hash. And who says you have to wait until Monday to enjoy it? In these uncertain times, we could all do with a bit more bubble in our lives. Just don’t buy the microwave version! It won’t have the same effect.
Practical and adaptable, bubble and squeak can be enjoyed in many ways. I always put a fried egg on top of mine. The runny yolk seems to work well with the crispy coating. You might want to pour some gravy over it — or simply add an extra bit of butter. It’s also delicious with bacon or bratwurst. And, of course, what better way to wash it all down than with an extra-large cup of strong tea?