(he's a typical centre-left liberal
That may be so ;-) However he is another ex-Communist (Communist Party of Great Britain) who has moved towards the center. I assume, Sam Aaronovitch, another CPGB'er, is his 'bro. Nope, the son. http://archives.econ.utah.edu/archives/marxism/2002w49/msg00132.htm
-- Michael Pugliese