In Defence of Populism
Whilst centrist parties ignore the warning signs and refuse to address the underlying issues, European populists march ever closer to government. Politics undoubtedly comes in waves. For a long time, centrism was the word...
Category: UK Politics
The “Gig Economy”: time for a change of tune
Flexible labour contracts are the new norm. But the left need not fear, for Deliveroo’s workers have shown that social organisation is still possible in the “Gig Economy”. Historically, global economic activity has always...
Heathrow, spread your wings
With Heathrow expansion approved by the government, furore is coming from left and right; objectors need to recognise it was the only real option. Fifty years ago, Harold Wilson set up a commission to...
Europe’s Existential Crisis
EU leaders may well try to punish Britain in an attempt to stave off Continental Eurosceptic movements. But doing so will only hasten the EU’s downfall. Since the UK voted to leave the European...
Working Class Losers
The left-behind are the result of hard problems, not organised malignancy. The problems of Brexit are likely to worsen their lot. On the steps of 10 Downing Street, Theresa May promised a government “not...
Common Wealth
For too long, Britain has neglected her Commonwealth allies. After Brexit, it’s time to change that. Brexit means Brexit. We, “the 48 per cent”, can mourn as much as we like, but Britain voted...
Conservative Paper Tiger
With Labour falling apart, the Liberal Democrats in the wilderness and Ukip searching for a new purpose, the way looks clear for continued Conservative dominance. But the party shouldn’t rest on its laurels just...
Snap Election: All Risk, No Reward
The government must focus on negotiating Britain’s exit from the European Union. That’s why a general election is the last thing anybody needs. Back in 2007, in the midst of a third consecutive Labour...
Who really voted for you, Mrs May?
As a Conservative Party member and someone who actively campaigned for Brexit, I care deeply about democracy. That’s why I think the Prime Minister needs to hold a general election as soon as possible....
Keep Calm and Corbyn On
With the Labour leadership contest finally over, the big question is what happens next? Frankly, no-one knows. But what’s certain is you cannot fight darkness with darkness; Labour need to offer a vision full...
Purple Reign?
With the departure of Nigel Farage and its raison d’être finally achieved, Ukip seems unsure of what to do next. As the party’s factions vie for power, the question remains: what will become of...
Grammar Schools: Do Your Homework, Mrs May
Since becoming prime minister, Theresa May has repeatedly said that she wants to govern for “everyone” and not just “a privileged few”. Would grammar schools help create the meritocratic society envisaged by Mrs May?...
Left Behind
Labour are floundering in their own muck, and their latest argument against Theresa May’s grammar school scheme is just further evidence of why their anti-ambition rhetoric can’t beat the Tories. Theresa May has swept...
Say ‘Yes’ to Jez
As an inevitable September victory for Jeremy Corbyn awaits, Labour must move forward more united than ever. The deep chasm dividing the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) and Labour membership continues to widen, as Jeremy...
A Peerless Democracy?
The House of Lords is well overdue for reform, and David Cameron’s Resignation Honours List has shown why we need an elected upper house, says Antony Tucker. The House of Lords’ continued existence stands...
Brexit Britain Needs Devolution
The Brexit vote was a protest against Westminster and demand for change. If any political party wants to win in post-Brexit Britain, they need to show serious commitment to the devolution of powers to...
Brexit, Brains & Building Bridges
Vote Leave’s revolt against established experts was not a revolt against knowledge or critical thinking, but against elitism and the centralisation of power. “I think people in this country have had enough of experts,”...
Dead End
Alex Moore sees three paths Labour can choose right now. The trouble is: none of them end well. A lot has happened in the past few weeks: Labour MPs staged a protest against their...
Europe: Populists Surge, Leaders Dither
Western politics is increasingly looking inwards. This is an alarming development. The continent’s populists are triumphant: Ukip has Brexit, Le Pen’s National Front wants “Frexit”, and Geert Wilder’s Dutch Freedom party are not far from “Nexit”. Meanwhile...
The Slow Death of Cosmopolitanism
The anti-immigration rhetoric at the heart of the vote for Brexit has become symptomatic of a wider isolationist trend in British culture. We live in an ever more globalised world. As any good economics...
