Dusty Wentworth

Two years ago, my life changed in an instant. I had no idea that one ordinary morning would mark the beginning of a journey that would test every part of who I am. October 23rd, 2023 — a date that changed my life forever. It began like any other day, until suddenly it wasn’t. I collapsed without warning at home. When the ambulance arrived, stroke was ruled out, but that was only the beginning of what would become a long and life-altering journey. Doctors didn’t think I’d survive. Yet somehow, I did. ‎ The Eleven-Month Inpatient Battle What followed were eleven long months as an inpatient — three different hospitals, two stints at a Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, and countless challenges along the way. I was fighting battles not only for my health, but for my identity, my independence, and ultimately, my future. Those months were some of the hardest of my life. Every day brought new challenges: learning to move again, to speak clearly, to remember, to rebuild. The neuro...

Presented as a gesture of gratitude and convenience, the digital ID for ex-service personnel is in reality the perfect low-resistance pilot for universal digital identity . The UK Government’s new Digital ID Card for Veterans , launched this month, has been presented as a triumph of modernisation. Ministers describe it as “a secure and convenient way for former service personnel to prove their status.” In practice, it may prove something else entirely: how effectively a government can test compliance on its way towards a universal digital identity system. The digital card, stored within the GOV.UK One Login app , is intended to replace the physical HM Armed Forces Veteran Card introduced in 2018. It displays a veteran’s name, photograph and service branch, allowing access to healthcare, welfare support or veteran discounts. Eventually, officials say, it will link to a wider GOV.UK Wallet – a system designed to hold digital versions of passports, driving licences and other...

I am 52 years old. Until I collapsed at home in October 2023, I was a working man — a retired infantry soldier and a bodyguard. Today, I am disabled, reliant on NHS services and adult social care, and desperately fighting to be a meaningful father to my three young children, aged ten, six, and two. My reliance is a burden my wife should not have to carry alone. Yet, I have exhausted every formal avenue available to obtain the structured care I need to participate in family life — not merely to exist alongside it. On 26 September 2025, I met with my local MP’s casework team to set out, in person, a catalogue of systemic failings I have experienced. These failures are not merely inconvenient; they reduce my independence, increase my isolation from my young family, and place an unnecessary, crushing strain on my wife, who bears the brunt of my complex needs. My detailed submission, outlining systemic failures and structural neglect, was intended to drive political action. Ten ...

Think tanks are often presented as neutral research bodies, offering independent expertise to politicians. Scratch beneath the surface, however, and they look far less impartial. Funded by opaque donors, many function as unregulated lobbying outfits — shaping laws, budgets, and public debate without a shred of democratic accountability. Lobbying in Disguise: The Legal Loophole Britain already has a lobbying register, created by the 2014 Lobbying Act. But here’s the catch: it only applies to consultant lobbyists. Think tanks are exempt. That means a minister can receive a policy paper drafted by a think tank bankrolled by hedge funds, oil firms, or even foreign states — and the public has no way of knowing who really wrote it. Imagine a report recommending lower corporate taxes, paid for entirely by a billionaire who stands to gain most from the change. While the Ministerial Code requires ministers to declare meetings with outside organisations, it does not cover reports, br...

The government’s plan to introduce a compulsory digital ID—marketed as the “BritCard”—is more than just another contentious policy. It is a glaring window into the weakness of the Prime Minister’s leadership, the outsourcing of ideas to external actors, and the panic setting in as Reform UK surges in popularity. Far from strengthening Britain’s borders, the scheme risks wasting money, deepening public distrust, and exposing the government’s detachment from the public mood. Labour’s Historic Reversal The Labour Party once defined itself squarely against compulsory ID. In 2010, after years of controversy, it was Labour in government that scrapped the preceding Blair/Brown ID card scheme, describing it as intrusive and wasteful. The 2010 Labour manifesto pledged to end it entirely, a clear recognition of public opposition and civil liberties concerns. For years, the very mention of ID cards was treated as a cautionary tale of government overreach. Fast forward to 2025, and a L...

A Lived Example: The Wheelchair Assessment After waiting thirty weeks for an NHS wheelchair assessment, I prepared to attend a crucial appointment. On the morning of the appointment, my car failed to start. Public transport was not an option: buses would not have got me there on time, and even if they had, broken ramps and delays made them unreliable. Missing that appointment would have meant being left in a wheelchair that no longer met my needs, leaving me in pain and at risk of injury. A call to my trusted private hire company changed everything. A driver who knew me arrived quickly, folded and stowed my chair, and ensured I reached the hospital on time. This was not a luxury journey; it was a vital safeguard of my mobility, health, and independence. It illustrates why taxis are not optional for disabled people — they are essential. Introduction The Chancellor’s reported proposal to impose 20% VAT on taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) fares has sparked widespread debate...

They told us writing was dead. That no one reads anymore. That if it can't fit on a reel, a slide, or a TikTok, it doesn't matter. But they were wrong. I still write—and not to chase likes, or feed algorithms, or become an influencer. I write to reclaim something they've stolen: our attention, our agency, and our ability to think clearly in a world addicted to the next swipe. The Rise of the Dopamine Dealers Look around. The platforms that promised connection now pedal compulsion. They're engineered not for truth, but for tension. Not for clarity, but controversy. They thrive on the quick fix—the flash of outrage, the sugar rush of affirmation, the numbing scroll that never ends. This isn't true connection; it's content farming. And the harvest, unfortunately, is our very minds. Big Tech doesn't care if what you post is true, thoughtful, or brave. It cares only that it's seen, shared, and emotionally charged. Substance is punished, often redu...

Introduction In an era of rapid social change and deep cultural introspection, the very concept of masculinity is undergoing a profound redefinition. This is not simply a passing trend; it is a fundamental societal recalibration that invites us to examine—and re-imagine—male roles for the contemporary world. What, then, does it truly mean to be a man in the 21st century? Deconstructing the Traditional Paradigm Historically, masculinity was defined by a rigid set of traits—physical prowess, stoicism, dominance, and the provider role. While once functional in pre-industrial societies, these characteristics imposed significant limitations. They stifled emotional expression, discouraged vulnerability, and offered a narrow, often isolating, vision of success. The dawn of the 21st century marked a pivotal shift. Global movements for gender equality, rising mental-health awareness, and the recognition of diverse identities have forced a necessary reassessment. Today, the modern ma...

Introduction: A Personal Observation I’ve seen the term “alpha male” thrown around far too often—usually by those trying to impress, intimidate, or justify poor behaviour. It’s become a shortcut to something performative, not principled. But what exactly are we glorifying when we chase this idea? Let’s take a moment to look beyond the noise and unpick the myth of the so-called alpha male—and why it does far more harm than good. The Original Wolf Study Was Debunked Many people associate the "alpha male" with wolf packs, thanks to early research in the mid-20th century. But the story is far more complicated—and far less heroic—than pop culture would have us believe. The Origin: The term "alpha" was popularised by L. David Mech in his studies of captive wolves. He observed aggressive, hierarchical behaviour and labelled the top male the "alpha." The Reversal: Years later, Mech himself disavowed this interpretation, admitting that his research was ...

Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power is undeniably a captivating read—an intricate tapestry woven with historical anecdotes, psychological insights, and strategic manoeuvres. Yet, beneath its compelling surface lies a profound and unsettling question: Is this book truly a guide to empowerment, or an unmasking of the toxicity that underpins human nature? In essence, does it reveal a society driven not by cooperation and integrity, but by manipulation, cunning, and ruthlessness? As I navigated Greene’s rules—many echoing tactics employed by spies, criminals, and elite military units such as the SAS—I was struck by an uncomfortable realisation: these principles are not merely theoretical tools for personal gain. Instead, they mirror the covert strategies of clandestine organisations and shadowy actors operating beneath the veneer of civilisation. Power as a Mirror of Human Nature The tactics outlined in Greene’s work—disguise, deception, strategic silence, and manipulation—are...