Refreshingly Independent Politics – smerconish.com is to create a clearinghouse for non-ideological thinking. We want to give people a chance to contribute to, and consume media that isn’t predicated on the usual, extreme talking points of the polarized media. Instead, we aim to promote independent thinking and diversity of thought.
Tag: politics
theintercept.com
The Intercept is an award-winning news organization dedicated to holding mainstream views and misinformation.
A Prosecutor Asked Texas to Kill Melissa Lucio. Now He Says She Should Be Freed.
22 April 2024 @ 6:05 pm
If the courts agree to vacate the conviction, Lucio will have spent 16 years on death row for a crime that never happened.
The post A Prosecutor Asked Texas to Kill Melissa Lucio. Now He Says She Should Be Freed. appeared first on The Intercept.
Columbia Law School Faculty Condemn Administration for Mass Arrests and Suspensions
22 April 2024 @ 4:13 pm
The blanket suspension of student protesters casts “serious doubt on the University’s respect for the rule-of-law values that we teach,” 54 law professors wrote.
The post Columbia Law School Faculty Condemn Administration for Mass Arrests and Suspensions appeared first on The Intercept.
Israel Attack on Iran Is What World War III Looks Like
20 April 2024 @ 5:54 pm
Like countless other hostilities, the stealthy Israeli missile and drone strike on Iran doesn’t risk war. It is war.
The post Israel Attack on Iran Is What World War III Looks Like appeared first on The Intercept.
Lawsuit Links Wild UAE-Financed Smear Campaign to George Washington University
20 April 2024 @ 3:09 pm
The smears spurred Austrian police to raid Islamophobia scholar Farid Hafez’s family home. Then the terrorism charges fell apart.
The post Lawsuit Links Wild UAE-Financed Smear Campaign to George Washington University appeared first on The Intercept.
Since October, Sen. John Fetterman Has Been Building a Roster of Republican Donors
19 April 2024 @ 7:32 pm
“Yes I’m a Republican and I exclusively supported John through the Jewish community for his principled actions supporting Israel.”
The post Since October, Sen. John Fetterman Has Been Building a Roster of Republican Donors appeared first on The Intercept.
Idaho Goes to the Supreme Court to Argue That Pregnant People Are Second-Class Citizens
19 April 2024 @ 11:00 am
The state says EMTALA, a law barring discrimination in emergency medical care, interferes with its abortion ban.
The post Idaho Goes to the Supreme Court to Argue That Pregnant People Are Second-Class Citizens appeared first on The Intercept.
U.S. Troops in Niger Say They’re “Stranded” and Can’t Get Mail, Medicine
18 April 2024 @ 9:22 pm
U.S. military service members interviewed for a congressional inquiry said intelligence reports about how bad the situation is were being suppressed.
The post U.S. Troops in Niger Say They’re “Stranded” and Can’t Get Mail, Medicine appeared first on The Intercept.
Columbia Suspends Ilhan Omar’s Daughter One Day After Omar Grilled School Administrators
18 April 2024 @ 7:41 pm
The university suspended three students out of hundreds participating in an on-campus encampment to protest the Israeli government.
The post Columbia Suspends Ilhan Omar’s Daughter One Day After Omar Grilled School Administrators appeared first on The Intercept.
The Secret U.S. Alliance That Defended Israel From Iran Attack
18 April 2024 @ 6:33 pm
These same Arab nations are now pivotal in stopping Israel from further escalating the war after Iran’s missile and drone attack.
The post The Secret U.S. Alliance That Defended Israel From Iran Attack appeared first on The Intercept.
The Gaping Hole in Supreme Court Rules for Tracking Links Between Litigants and Influence Groups
18 April 2024 @ 1:24 pm
Parties appearing before the Supreme Court can fund the groups that file briefs supporting their arguments — and almost never have to disclose it.
The post The Gaping Hole in Supreme Court Rules for Tracking Links Between Litigants and Influence Groups appeared first on The Intercept.
questioneverything.io
To critically evaluate the global response to COVID-19 and present a series of responsible pandemic exit strategies to help ensure that total harms are minimised.
thefreedomcycle.com/pub/
THE PEOPLE’S UNION OF BRITAIN
Taking back sovereignty through common law.
goodlawproject.org
The Good Law Project is a not-for-profit campaign organisation that uses the law to protect the interests of the public. The Good Law Project fight cases that defend, define or change the law and we use litigation to engage and educate. The Good Law Project challenge abuses of power, exploitation, inequality, and injustice.
whocanivotefor.co.uk
An updated list of candidates you can vote for the up and coming UK elections.
politics.co.uk
Politics news from the UK.
Rwanda Bill passes as House of Lords opts not to table further amendments — as it happened
22 April 2024 @ 9:39 pm
Peers in the House of Lords have decided not to oppose the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill in a major victory for Rishi Sunak. The bill will now go for royal assent, the final step before it becomes law. Late Monday evening, MPs voted 312-237 to reject the final Lords amendment to the... Read more »
The post Rwanda Bill passes as House of Lords opts not to table further amendments — as it happened appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Sunak pledge tracker. Is the PM delivering on his ‘priorities’?
22 April 2024 @ 2:18 pm
After a difficult first few months as prime minister, Rishi Sunak undertook in January last year to define his time in Downing Street in the clearest possible terms with “five pledges”. He called on the doubting public to “trust” him as he rolled out five shiny new pre-election pledges: place your faith in me and... Read more »
The post Sunak pledge tracker. Is the PM delivering on his ‘priorities’? appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Politics@Lunch: Sunak’s Rwanda gamble comes with serious risks
22 April 2024 @ 1:10 pm
The below content first appeared in Politics.co.uk’s Politics@Lunch newsletter, subscribe here and never miss this daily briefing. Five months after Rishi Sunak first unveiled the Safety of Rwanda Bill as a response to the Supreme Court’s ruling against the full deportation scheme, today is the day the controversial legislation is expected to finally clear parliament. More... Read more »
The post Politics@Lunch: Sunak’s Rwanda gamble comes with serious risks appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Rwanda Bill: Rishi Sunak vows deportation flights will begin in ’10 to 12 weeks’
22 April 2024 @ 9:45 am
Rishi Sunak has held a press conference in No 10 Downing Street today, ahead of crunch votes on the Rwanda bill this afternoon and likely this evening. Urging peers to allow the legislation to complete its passage through parliament, the prime minister warned that his political opponents “have used every trick in the book to... Read more »
The post Rwanda Bill: Rishi Sunak vows deportation flights will begin in ’10 to 12 weeks’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Rwanda Bill: Kigali is safer than London, claims deputy foreign secretary
22 April 2024 @ 8:04 am
A cabinet minister has suggested Kigali, the Rwandan capital, is safer than London as the government seeks to pass its Rwanda bill through parliament today. Rishi Sunak is set to hold a press conference in Downing Street this morning, ahead of crunch votes on the Rwanda bill this afternoon and likely this evening. The prime... Read more »
The post Rwanda Bill: Kigali is safer than London, claims deputy foreign secretary appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Week-in-Review: Conservative splits and sleaze spell Major doom for Rishi Sunak
20 April 2024 @ 8:47 am
Consider this take on former prime minister John Major’s beleaguered premiership, reportedly written as the 1997 general election results rolled in: “Nobody elects a divided party” or rewards “weak leadership, sleaze [and] a poorly run campaign”. In short, so bereft had the Conservative Party become of unity and purpose, John Major deserved to fail in... Read more »
The post Week-in-Review: Conservative splits and sleaze spell Major doom for Rishi Sunak appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Reinventing democracy: Britain deserves a constitution fit for the 21st century
19 April 2024 @ 7:30 am
Britain is achieving near-Victorian conditions arising from policy errors such as poor privatisations going back over thirty years, and it’s not just the Tories who are to blame. Poor politics leads to poor economic outcomes, then to people giving their rulers a kicking at the ballot-box. The need is to turn the absolute power of... Read more »
The post Reinventing democracy: Britain deserves a constitution fit for the 21st century appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell re-arrested
18 April 2024 @ 4:23 pm
Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive and husband of the former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, has been re-arrested. In a statement, Police Scotland said a 59-year-old man was arrested this morning in connection with the ongoing investigation into the party’s funding and finances. He was taken into custody at 9.13am on Thursday and is... Read more »
The post Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell re-arrested appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Conservative MP Mark Menzies loses whip over alleged misuse of campaign funds
18 April 2024 @ 9:49 am
A Conservative MP has been suspended from the party after being accused of using campaign funds to pay off “bad people”. Mark Menzies, who represents the constituency of Flyde, is alleged to have used thousands of pounds given by donors to fund medical expenses and to have made a late-night call to an aide asking... Read more »
The post Conservative MP Mark Menzies loses whip over alleged misuse of campaign funds appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
PMQs verdict: Rishi Sunak finally distances himself from Liz Truss
17 April 2024 @ 1:59 pm
It was little surprise that Keir Starmer focussed his questioning on the return of Liz Truss at PMQs this afternoon. The former prime minister’s publicity tour for her new treatise, Ten Years to Save the West, has aligned perfectly with parliament’s return post-recess — and Labour has taken advantage. Yesterday, Labour’s chief attack dog Jonathan... Read more »
The post PMQs verdict: Rishi Sunak finally distances himself from Liz Truss appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
artsparty.org.uk
Introducing arts thinking into politics and promoting creative, scientific and evidence based ideas that improve the lives of as many people as possible, while mindful of the few.
Arts Party Conference 2019
16 August 2019 @ 9:30 am
The Arts Party welcomes it’s first party conference from the heart of where water meets dirt, Brighton. We will be hosting debates for purposes of socialising, conversation and recreation. Located in Camelford Street, Brighton, BN2 1TQ, United Kingdom. All are welcome to attend, please use the contact form below to register your interest. [Fully booked]
The post Arts Party Conference 2019 appeared first on ARTS PARTY.
Dinner for few
9 June 2019 @ 12:41 pm
A short and stark reminder of the state of play in politics today/yesterday. Thanks to a Dinner for a few, award winner from Nassos Vakalis. DINNER FOR FEW from Nassos Vakalis on Vimeo.
The post Dinner for few appeared first on ARTS PARTY.
Scotland takes steps to put culture at the forefront of policy-making
6 July 2018 @ 9:31 am
A CULTURE STRATEGY FOR SCOTLAND – reflecting the past, challenging the present, shaping the future . The strategy seeks to stimulate a step change that will bring about a shift in how society and government view and value culture. It aims to build collaborative alliances that will help to realise the full potential of culture …
Continue reading "Scotland takes steps to put culture at the forefront of policy-making"
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Arts teachers in decline
5 July 2018 @ 9:35 am
As well as a fall in teaching hours, the arts has lost almost a quarter (9000) of teachers working in secondary schools in England since 2011. Sourced from https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/arts-teacher-numbers-plummet-almost-quarter
The post Arts teachers in decline appeared first on ARTS PARTY.
Why the Arts Matter
12 May 2018 @ 7:11 am
We’ve come across a great graphic that really sums up why the Arts matter – enjoy!
The post Why the Arts Matter appeared first on ARTS PARTY.
Creativity and politics
17 April 2018 @ 11:19 am
Heather McGhee talks about the influence that music, film, and other arts can have on social change. https://thecreativeindependent.com/people/heather-mcghee-on-creativity-and-politics/
The post Creativity and politics appeared first on ARTS PARTY.
Why is creativity the most important political concept of the 21st century?
17 April 2018 @ 11:15 am
There is no concept more politically important today than creativity. I’ll give four reasons why but first a definition. ‘Creative’ has narrow, broader and even broader connotations in English. It’s the last of these we should be most interested in. The narrow meaning immediately leads one to think of activities directly associated with the arts. …
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The post Why is creativity the most important political concept of the 21st century? appeared first on ARTS PARTY.
Arts can help children avoid a lifetime of gang crime
14 April 2018 @ 11:05 am
Andria Zafirakou, who won the $1million title in Dubai last month, said subjects such as art, music and drama can transform the lives of vulnerable young people and give them the confidence to walk away from gangs. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/arts-can-help-children-avoid-a-lifetime-of-gang-crime-says-1m-prizewinning-teacher-a3813071.html
The post Arts can help children avoid a lifetime of gang crime appeared first on ARTS PARTY.
Creativity and the arts in decline
1 February 2018 @ 11:34 am
Creative arts subjects are being cut back in many secondary schools in England, a BBC survey suggests. More than 1,200 schools responded – over 40% of secondary schools. Of the schools that responded, nine in every 10 said they had cut back on lesson time, staff or facilities in at least one creative arts subject. …
Continue reading "Creativity and the arts in decline"
The post Creativity and the arts in decline appeared first on ARTS PARTY.
Drawing the Future
20 January 2018 @ 10:34 am
A report launched by Education and Employers and found that children’s career aspirations only marginally differ from age 7 to age 17. It also showed that some sectors vital for economic health look set to be badly under-resourced in future. In the biggest survey of its kind, primary school children aged seven to 11 were …
Continue reading "Drawing the Future"
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theyworkforyou.com
Keeping tabs on the UK’s parliaments & assemblies
What happened to all the APPGs?
9 April 2024 @ 11:20 am
Over Easter, some groups went missing in Parliament. No, not lost tourists: of the 722 All Party Parliamentary Groups registered in March, only 444 are left – a 39% decrease in the space of a month. What caused this, which groups have been removed, and what happens next? Tl;dr: we’ve published the changes as a…
Council Climate Action scorecards support climate officers
8 April 2024 @ 8:08 am
Lucie Bolton took the position of Climate Strategy Officer at Rother District Council in 2022. Since then, she’s found the Council Climate Action Scorecards project an invaluable support for her work. Hearing this, we were of course keen to find out more — so we asked Lucie to share her journey, from brand new climate…
Access to Information network: data visualisation Show and Tell
3 April 2024 @ 10:24 am
Organisations all around the world run Freedom of Information sites based on our Alaveteli platform. There are also sites running on other codebases. Either way, we’re all working to the same goals, and we believe that each site can learn from the others: for that reason, we’ve set up the Access To Information (ATI) network,…
TICTeC keynote speaker announcement: María Baron
25 March 2024 @ 9:03 am
We’re excited to announce the first keynote speaker for our 2024 Impacts of Civic Technology Conference (TICTeC)! Join us on 12 and 13 June — in London or online — and you’ll hear from María Baron, founder and now Global Executive Director of Directorio Legislativo. This year, one of the major themes at TICTeC will…
“Don’t be afraid to copy” and four more highlights from the Scorecards Successes Conference
22 March 2024 @ 2:48 pm
To reach the UK’s 2050 net zero target, all local authorities need to take serious action across all of their operations. But what exactly should they do, and in what order? To get the most out of the brilliant data uncovered by the Council Climate Action Scorecards, Climate Emergency UK commissioned Anthesis to research and…
Creating datasets from FOI data
21 March 2024 @ 4:24 pm
Responses obtained from a widespread FOI project can be difficult to analyse, until they are sorted into neat datasets. This allows you to make valid comparisons, pull out accurate statistics and ultimately ensure your findings are meaningful. In our third seminar within the Using Freedom of Information for Campaigning and Advocacy series, we heard from…
Guest post: What are the questions MPs ask that don’t get answered?
19 March 2024 @ 5:21 pm
This blog post is part of our Repowering Democracy series. We are publishing a series of short pieces of writing from mySociety staff and guest writers who are thinking about how our democracy works and are at the frontlines of trying to improve it. This week, we’re re-publishing a blog post from Anna Powell-Smith at…
Council Climate Action Scorecards help councillor to get a sustainability motion passed
18 March 2024 @ 10:18 am
We were more than delighted when this news story crossed our radar, showing in detail how Cllr Andrew Murray, of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, used the Council Climate Action Scorecards to gain support from his fellow councillors for climate action. Cllr Murray’s proposed motion even referred to the Scorecards themselves: “This Council acknowledges…
Democracy month notes: February
12 March 2024 @ 1:42 pm
Previously: January! Gaza ceasefire blog post I wrote a blog post about the Gaza Ceasefire opposition day votes – especially focusing on how there ended up being no recorded votes. This is the kind of responsive work we’d like to do more of. We don’t need to duplicating every explainer out there, but we want…
Climate monthnotes: January & February
6 March 2024 @ 9:31 am
It’s so tempting to start each of these with a clichéd “where did the time go?” or “how is it X month already?”, but in this case, it really does feel like 2024 is running away from us! January kicked off with Louise, Alex and I heading to the Democracy Network conference, where the theme…