The JSPrice Perception

Nicky Morgan (Image: Daily Telegraph) The Labour Party are on the verge of losing their status as the official opposition in Westminster. Well, that's if you believe in the press in recent weeks. It is true to say the party have endured another extremely tough year. From the attempted career assassination of their current leader, Jeremy Corbyn to being part of the losing campaign in that tiresome EU referendum. It's just been a year of failure. I don't think any of their MPs would look back at 2016 with great fondness. However, all isn't doom and gloom. The polls may not be on their side at the minute, and their recent by-election performances leaves a lot to be desired. But they still have time until the next general election - whenever that is - to turn things right. At the moment though, they are prone to defeat. Most of their MPs wanted Corbyn to resign, he didn't. They wanted to oust him through a pointless election, they failed. Most of them campaigne...

Francois Hollande (Image: France24) For me, it's hard not to sympathise the soon departing President of France, Francois Hollande. The Socialist leader is the first in modern French history to decide against running for a second term in office. He was elected in 2012 and promised so much hope to his people after the rather painful Nicolas Sarkozy era. However, as the country continues to struggle both economically and socially, and the President's personal life under the negative spotlight, Hollande's approval rating dipped to the lowest levels seen from any leader in a very long time. Hollande felt that therefore, he had no choice but to tender his resignation so his Party has a greater chance of election success. When I say 'greater chance', I mean from zero chance to a tiny chance - and that's if you believe in the unreliable polls. But as my headline suggests, I have to say that from an outsider's view, I have to commend Hollande on facing the...

Fidel Castro (right) with Mikhail Gorbachev (Image: RIA.ru) If I were to sum up 2016 in a post, I'd look no further than the recent passing of Fidel Castro. The former communist Cuban leader died at the slender age of 90 and while this isn't really a surprise to many, considering his age and lifestyle, his movement in my eyes is powerfully reflected in today's politics. Before I explain why, I have to bear in mind that this has been an extraordinary year where politics has never seen so much potential change in a space of a year since pre-Castro. The series of huge events witnessed across the world have stunned the world. For every story, whether it's the crisis in Syria, to the UK's EU referendum, to Donald Trump's US Presidential election success, people have been split between frustrating despair and angrily joyous. The chances of these emotions calming anytime soon is very slim indeed. But back to Fidel Castro. While his passing was possibly the l...

President-elect Donald Trump (Image: 10News) I haven't been able to hide my disappointment about Hillary Clinton's failed attempt to be United States' 45th President. Her defeat to Donald Trump has sent shockwaves across the globe. From aspects of American society that didn't expect such event would happen to politicians that prayed for a different result, this election got everyone talking - and the debate isn't likely to go away anytime soon. I know I shouldn't be disappointed - Donald Trump won't be my President as I don't live in the States. Yet with US's underlining global power and influence, whatever their administration pledges, would affect all of us in some capacity. Now, Clinton and departing President, Barack Obama have accepted the result and have graciously done so. And I'm sure the protesters who, in recent nights, have taken to the streets showcasing their disgust over the election result, will calm and do what they can...

Heathrow Airport (Image: NTM) It is widely recognised that a growing number of people want to 'look good' - whether it is buying the new and trendy handbag, or hiring a personal trainer with the hope of achieving that desired physique. More of us are even visiting private clinics, spending thousands to making our skin look younger through Botox and fillers. What do these activities have in common? Vanity. I represented a Harley Street cosmetic surgeon more than a year ago and he told an audience once that one of the key reasons why people went to him was 'vanity'. He is right. After all, the Dictionary 's definition of 'vanity' is when an individual has "excessive pride in one's appearance, qualities, abilities and achievements" and had taken actions accordingly. We are all guilty of this and honestly, within your limits, there's nothing to be ashamed of. I say 'within your limits' because sadly, we can be impulsive spender...

David Cameron in front of a buzzword I want scrapped (Image: Daily Telegraph) Being a keen follower of politics, I find there is nothing more annoying than hearing buzzwords. You know, those overly used terms spoken by politicians with the full intention to relate to their targeted audience - getting down with the kids, if you like. The reality, however, is that they're doing everything in their power to bore the wits of millions. So I have taken it upon myself to compile a list of such words and phrases that should really not come from anyone's mouth in the foreseeable future. You may want to take an opportunity of using this article as some sort of drinking game whenever you hear or watch a speech or debate and utter such terms - though I wish not to be held responsible for your alcoholic actions. Please feel free to use the comments space at the end of this post to suggest more words you want gone and discuss your reasoning. Brexit - Us British souls love a good ...

Kim Kardashian surrounded by guards (Image: Daily Mirror) You may initially find it bizarre, possibly offensive and irrelevant when I put Kim Kardashian and Jimmy Savile in the same context as I do here. True, they are both completely different people - one is a reality TV star whose biggest crime is craving attention, while the other was a notorious child sex offender. But in the context of what I'm writing here, they have something key in common - and recent stories which they were subject to over the past week or so, fuels my argument. The argument is simple - it is in relation to the term 'celebrity' and how it is being interpreted by the general public. It is also in relation to the perception of 'us' against 'them', and the media's attitude towards those who possess such status. Therefore while both Kardashian and Savile are from different countries, different eras and have different attitudes, we feel as a collective, that they are ...

Donald Trump v Hillary Clinton (Image: CBS Miami) American politics has always been at the forefront of the global news agenda. The United States has become so powerful, the outcome of their general elections are a matter of life or death for the rest of the world. This particular campaign, where its citizens are set to take to polling stations in less than two months from now, has never seen the stakes so high. Here, we have two front-runners. On the Democrat corner, we have Hillary Clinton and on the Republican corner, we have Donald Trump. I may have described it as a boxing match just now, but even that is an understatement. Having never visited the States, and only judging by my self-interest and research, this is turning into a bloody battle not likely to escape our minds anytime soon. I mean, between the pair of them, there have been insults coming from one side and accusations from the other. My head is pounding after reading countless number of stories, predictions an...

A march in Paris as a result of an 'Islamic' inspired attack (Image: Daily Telegraph) Let's talk about religion. Oh dear, I hear you cry. Whatever many think, I feel it is vital to get to the bottom of religion because it appears everything bloody and dramatic is being done in the name of it. From the first century when Jesus died on the cross, crucified by Romans in the name of God, to Henry VIII changing Britain's primary religion just so he can divorce. But centuries ago, religion was a key factor in many decisions that were made. Things haven't really changed in the past century. Adolf Hitler killed millions of those who followed the Jewish faith because of their beliefs. Northern Ireland had to practically force a peace deal in the late 1990s because Catholics and Protestants were fighting against each other. Now, Islam is often pin-pointed whenever we hear about a conflict of some kind. If you believe in the West-led media, it's currently Isla...

Londoner Mo Farah and Sheffield-born Jessica Ennis-Hill set to see their cities drift away from Westminster bubble (Image: Daily Mail) I don't know about you, but I'm loving this year's Olympics. The daunting talk about Brazil's corrupt politics, high levels of extreme poverty and the doping scandal are secondary topics for discussion while the spectacular sporting action and country's tourism boost are dominating headlines. But for me, I've been particularly impressed by UK's togetherness in pride for Team GB's overwhelming success so far. The country's dominance in rowing and cycling is something worth celebrating and hopefully they can provide a new wave of inspiration for many that London 2012 sadly couldn't. With Team GB continuing to shine in Rio de Janeiro, it's a big shame that back at home, political leaders are going out of their way in breaking up the country. In this rate, come Tokyo 2020 Olympics or whoever hosts the 2...

Nelson Mandela campaigned against Apartheid in South Africa (Image: menupause.info) Everyone has at least one social cause they are passionate about. Some of us spend our livelihoods fighting for our version of 'right', and have inspired millions of others to do the same. Notable examples of such include Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Emmeline Pankhurst who spent years and years campaigning for the end of Apartheid in South Africa, against racism in the United States and for women's right to vote in the UK respectively. I use these three instances in particular because Mandela, King and Pankhurst started these campaigns for personal reasons. Mandela faced 27 years behind bars because he was vocal against the brutal and racist treatment he and many others received from the Apartheid ruling. King was a constant target of racism in 1950s America where black people were often segregated in public. Pankhurst, in the earlier part of the 20th Century, simply wante...

Gun crime statistics, provided by LBC I'm sick of hearing about widespread violence on the news day in, day out. It's happening far too often now and it's being highlighted with greater emphasis. These past two months alone has seen mass-murders in Orlando where dozens were killed in a nightclub; in Nice, a man took a lorry and ran over hundreds during Bastille Day, a short week after; a deadly failed coup in Turkey claimed more lives. And as I write this, Munich are in the mourning process after multiple shoppers were needlessly killed on a casual Friday afternoon. These four particular atrocities have something significant in common - the culprits used a rifle of some sort to shorten the lives of hundreds and cause emotional pain for thousands more. I'm not a believer in coincidence, and I'm not the sort who goes out of my way in actively agreeing with Piers Morgan. However, when I absorb the news and hear these tragedies, I cannot help but think that...