Russell brand

“We know no spectacle so ridiculous,” wrote the essayist Thomas Babington Macaulay, “as the British public in one of its periodic fits of morality.” Indeed not, and this month the home nation of this magazine appears to be having one of those fits again. The speed and ferocity at which powerful people are moving to condemn Russell Brand, a celebrity they once lauded, is astonishing. There is little doubt that the comedian-turned-podcaster, who was jailed this month for ten and a half years for the rape of one woman and three further counts of sexual assault, did considerable wrongs.

This Sunday, steps away from the Washington Monument, a ragtag group of disgruntled, self-described classical liberals, seed oils disrespecters, public intellectuals and former Democrats assembled for the Rescue the Republic rally.  The event was spearheaded by Dr. Bret Weinstein, a “canceled ” evolutionary biology professor turned podcaster. In the days leading to the event, he imagined it as a civilizational moment — “This will be ‘an event’ in the same way that Woodstock was ‘a music festival.’ I truly believe that.” Sadly for Weinstein, the event fell short of a revolutionary event, with most of the crowd concentrating next to the stage, leaving lots of space in the back.

Oh dear. Although Russell Brand once said he had never voted, and never would, as a result of his 'absolute indifference and weariness and exhaustion from the lies, treachery and deceit of the political class', he went on to change his tune when her urged his fans to vote Labour in the 2015 election – and later endorsed Jeremy Corbyn. So, Mr S was curious to discover that Brand has now returned to his old tricks. The comedian-turned-left-wing revolutionary tells the Sunday Times that he didn't vote in the EU referendum as he was on 'holiday': 'How did he vote in the referendum? He mumbles: “I was on holiday.” He didn’t vote over Brexit? “No,” he says sheepishly.

Back in the 2015 general election, Owen Jones became the subject of much mockery thanks to a column he wrote suggesting that Tories had reason to worry after Russell Brand endorsed Labour in the election. Given that Brand went on to claimed he had actually 'f--ked up the election' by inviting Ed Miliband to his house, Jones's claim failed to ring true. But is it a case of second time lucky? As the Corbynites get excited today over YouGov analysis that suggests the Tories will lose seats come June 8, Brand has come out and endorsed the Labour leader.

With the latest ICM poll putting the Tories on a 17-point lead over Labour, it seems as though Jeremy Corbyn's beleaguered party are in a bit of a jam. But fret not -- they have a plan. Today Momentum have released details of its new initiative 'Concerts for Corbyn'. The plan is to inspire the nation to vote for Labour with music. What's more Paul Weller will play at the first of these concerts. Explaining his decision, the rocker said he agreed to perform as he likes 'what Corbyn says and stands for'. So, is this a sign of the swing voter finally being wooed back by Labour? Alas not. It turns out that Weller actually abstained from voting in the general election -- voicing his disappointment at the time that he wasn't able to vote for...

David Cameron has been accused of adopting a 'Project Fear' approach as he tries to convince members of the public to remain in the EU. While this tactic has attracted criticism, take heart that the Prime Minister has at least refrained from adopting the Emma Thompson approach of being plain rude. During a press conference for her new film Alone in Berlin, Thompson was asked about the upcoming referendum. At which point the Nanny McPhee actress took a swipe at old Blighty for being a 'cake-filled misery-laden grey old island': 'A tiny little cloud-bolted, rainy corner of sort-of Europe, a cake-filled misery-laden grey old island.' As for the right approach to remaining in the EU?