Dear readers. I would like, if I may, to button-hole you. Like a 'charity mugger' but without the put-on charm and breezy, outgoing demeanour. Or like an alcoholic evangelist without the sartorial elegance. I am currently in the business of writing my third book (you'll have to wait for the details). When that is done, I intend to write a fourth book, distributed as an ebook via this site - essentially, you'll be able to download it for free then pay what you like for it, if anything at all. Then there'll probably be a collaborative effort. In the meantime, I'll be working full-time on my PhD. And of course I'll be doing innumerable talks and events, two of which are coming up next week. Now, this is where it gets tricky. As a full-time student, I can neither work full-time nor claim any benefit. I must depend to some extent on what funding I may win from the Department, in which regard I have reason to be grateful this year. Yet, still here I am, still balling, and still broke. So, I'm throwing caution, pride and clothing to the wind, and launching an appeal. I'm not setting a target with one of those 'thermometer'-style meters advising readers how generous or mean they're being. I wouldn't embarrass you like that. But, just on the down-low, if you do happen to have a spare fiver, know how to use Paypal and know what's good for you, I will consider it a magnanimous gesture on your part if you'd subsidise my labour on this, your favourite political blog. If it helps, remember all the good times you've had here. Remember when I banned Christmas. Remember when I banned you all. Remember when I deleted your comment, assuming you were a troll when you only wanted to start a debate. Remember when I used to swear a lot more than I do now. Remember when I used to blog drunk on a Friday night. And, suitably intoxicated with nostalgia, give.

I have heard that Bookmarks is experiencing its own, painful credit crunch at the moment, and needs to raise approximately ten grand in a very short period of time. Bookmarks is one of the few socialist bookshops in the UK, contains a lot of material that you would otherwise find hard to get hold of including specialist labour journals and so on (partly because they are official booksellers to the TUC), and almost always has decent left-wing books before the mainstream bookshops do. It's also not a bad place for finding out-of-print books, as well as almost-new ones, in the second hand section. And Bookmarks also, in case you missed it, hosted my book launch: if you don't help out, the next one might be held at Speakers' Corner (I jest, of course - the 'Jesuits for Hare Krishna' people wouldn't give up the spot anyway). You can use the appeal page to donate. However, if you can pledge a donation I would encourage you to let Bookmarks know. Give them a ring on 0207 637 1848, or send an e-mail to enquiries@bookmarks.uk.com.