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.
Democrats Had a Shot at Protecting Journalists From Trump. They Blew It.
29 April 2025 @ 3:50 pm
Senate Democrats had a legislative path to shield journalists and their sources from surveillance and subpoenas. They didn’t act.
The post Democrats Had a Shot at Protecting Journalists From Trump. They Blew It. appeared first on The Intercept.
Dems Push for “Educational Gag Order” Over Palestine Lessons in California
28 April 2025 @ 6:41 pm
Critics warn a new bill clamping down on ethnic studies classes over antisemitism concerns goes too far.
The post Dems Push for “Educational Gag Order” Over Palestine Lessons in California appeared first on The Intercept.
Down Two Squad Members, Progressives Come for an AIPAC Democrat
28 April 2025 @ 1:00 pm
Justice Democrats, the group that helped elect the Squad, is backing a primary against AIPAC-backed incumbent Rep. Shri Thanedar.
The post Down Two Squad Members, Progressives Come for an AIPAC Democrat appeared first on The Intercept.
Marco Rubio Silences Every Last Little Criticism of Israel at State Department
26 April 2025 @ 10:00 am
Rubio wants to dismantle the only internal sounding board for critics of Israel — and the only place those criticisms might’ve had any teeth.
The post Marco Rubio Silences Every Last Little Criticism of Israel at State Department appeared first on The Intercept.
Judges Are Slowing Down Trump’s Fascist Deportation Regime. Now He’s Arresting Them For It.
25 April 2025 @ 8:10 pm
In the absence of opposition party challenges and disempowered labor, courts are one of the few sites of meaningful pushback on Trump’s agenda.
The post Judges Are Slowing Down Trump’s Fascist Deportation Regime. Now He’s Arresting Them For It. appeared first on The Intercept.
Pentagon Insiders on Hegseth Leak Hypocrisy: “Full On Shit Show”
25 April 2025 @ 6:58 pm
Current and former Defense officials describe Pentagon unrest over accusations of leaks while their boss shares classified information.
The post Pentagon Insiders on Hegseth Leak Hypocrisy: “Full On Shit Show” appeared first on The Intercept.
Hegseth Purges Defense Advisory Board After MAGA Came For It
25 April 2025 @ 3:42 pm
On Tucker Carlson’s show, a MAGA loyalist ripped the Defense Policy Board. In short order, Pete Hegseth purged all its members.
The post Hegseth Purges Defense Advisory Board After MAGA Came For It appeared first on The Intercept.
Trump’s Very Stable Genius Coin
25 April 2025 @ 10:00 am
Reporters Matt Sledge and Jessica Washington discuss Trump’s growing crypto empire as he deregulates the industry.
The post Trump’s Very Stable Genius Coin appeared first on The Intercept.
Trump Doesn't Need an Executive Order to Kill Progressive Nonprofits
25 April 2025 @ 9:00 am
Fearing retribution from Trump, major donors to progressive organizations are holding back at a time when they need it most.
The post Trump Doesn’t Need an Executive Order to Kill Progressive Nonprofits appeared first on The Intercept.
After Tucker Carlson Guest Attacked a Defense Advisory Board, the Pentagon Nuked Its Website
24 April 2025 @ 8:27 pm
A fired aide to Pete Hegseth had laid into the Defense Policy Board, a political football dominated by hawkish establishment figures.
The post After Tucker Carlson Guest Attacked a Defense Advisory Board, the Pentagon Nuked Its Website 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.
Carney’s comeback suggests viability of Lib Dem ‘resist Trump’ strategy
29 April 2025 @ 1:47 pm
Keir Starmer congratulated Canadian prime minister Mark Carney on his historic general election victory in a statement issued this morning. The UK PM said he looks forward to “strengthening” relations with Canada, and noted Carney’s “personal ties to the UK”. With this message, Starmer alluded to Carney’s tenure as governor of the Bank of England... Read more »
The post Carney’s comeback suggests viability of Lib Dem ‘resist Trump’ strategy appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Kemi Badenoch reveals PMQs advice offered by David Cameron
29 April 2025 @ 8:48 am
Kemi Badenoch has disclosed the advice she received from one of her predecessors as Conservative leader, David Cameron, on how to conduct herself at prime minister’s questions. It was reported earlier this month that Lord Cameron, who was known to enjoy the adversarial exchanges at PMQs from 2005-2016, had worked with Badenoch to help her approach... Read more »
The post Kemi Badenoch reveals PMQs advice offered by David Cameron appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Kemi Badenoch: Local election results will not be reflection of my leadership
29 April 2025 @ 8:15 am
Kemi Badenoch has said the upcoming local election results will not be a reflection of her leadership of the Conservative Party. Thursday’s polls are Badenoch’s first electoral test since she became Tory leader, following her party’s defeat in last year’s general election. The Conservatives currently hold about half the seats up for election, and Badenoch... Read more »
The post Kemi Badenoch: Local election results will not be reflection of my leadership appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
‘Not left or right’: Nigel Farage says Reform UK could be ‘good friend’ to union movement
29 April 2025 @ 7:27 am
Nigel Farage has said Reform UK could be a “good friend” to the labour movement as he hit back at criticism voiced by Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC). In comments last week, Nowak called the Reform leader a “political fraud and hypocrite” who is “cosplaying” as a working-class champion. Speaking... Read more »
The post ‘Not left or right’: Nigel Farage says Reform UK could be ‘good friend’ to union movement appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Ed Davey: Carney’s Liberals secure mandate to combat ‘Trump’s dangerous populism’
29 April 2025 @ 6:45 am
Ed Davey was the first UK politician to react as Mark Carney declared victory in the Canadian election, beating Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives in a remarkable electoral turnaround. The Liberal Democrat leader celebrated Carney’s victory as a triumph over “Trump’s dangerous populism” and urged voters in the UK to likewise take a stand against “hate-fuelled politics”.... Read more »
The post Ed Davey: Carney’s Liberals secure mandate to combat ‘Trump’s dangerous populism’ appeared first on
Local elections set to confirm five-party politics as ‘new norm’, top pollster predicts
28 April 2025 @ 10:55 am
The outcomes of the local elections will confirm five-party politics as the “new norm”, a top polling expert has predicted. Leading psephologist professor Sir John Curtice referred to the local elections as a contest in which five political parties are going to be “serious competitors”. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Monday morning,... Read more »
The post Local elections set to confirm five-party politics as ‘new norm’, top pollster predicts appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Sorcha Eastwood: ‘US talks must not trade away our online safety to Trump and Musk’
28 April 2025 @ 7:45 am
Every parent knows the internet can be a dark, dangerous place for children. We’ve seen the worst of it — from tragic deaths, horrific abuse, radicalisation, and the rise in misogyny and violence levied against women and girls. Algorithms aren’t neutral. They’re designed to maximise engagement, even if it means driving users toward hate and... Read more »
The post Sorcha Eastwood: ‘US talks must not trade away our online safety to Trump and Musk’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Week-in-Review: Robert Jenrick’s blatant manoeuvring bodes ill for Badenoch
26 April 2025 @ 9:15 am
Robert Jenrick is everywhere: read his scathing commentary in the opinion pages of the Telegraph, for whom his output surpasses most regular columnists. Catch him in the GB News studio, either as presenter or star guest. His social media feed, meanwhile, has been curated with polished to-camera videos. In the commons, every institutional avenue is... Read more »
The post Week-in-Review: Robert Jenrick’s blatant manoeuvring bodes ill for Badenoch appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
The UK-EU summit is an opportunity to put a common sense trade deal on the agenda
25 April 2025 @ 2:10 pm
Next month’s UK-EU summit will be the most consequential since Britain withdrew from the European Union. For the first time since the 2016 referendum, we are negotiating with our closest neighbours on specific ways to enhance rather than diminish this most important relationship. With all that has happened this year, it is right that defence... Read more »
The post The UK-EU summit is an opportunity to put a common sense trade deal on the agenda appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
PMQs verdict: In her comfort zone, Kemi Badenoch was still exposed
23 April 2025 @ 2:40 pm
Kemi Badenoch was in her political and ideological comfort zone at prime minister’s questions this afternoon. Since her elevation as leader in November 2024, ConservativeHome has tracked in real-time how far — and how quickly — Badenoch’s fortunes have fallen among the Tory grassroots. In the Conservative bible’s latest league table, she ranks as a... Read more »
The post PMQs verdict: In her comfort zone, Kemi Badenoch was still exposed 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"
The post Scotland takes steps to put culture at the forefront of policy-making appeared first on ARTS PARTY.
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. …
Continue reading "Why is creativity the most important political concept of the 21st century?"
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"
The post Drawing the Future appeared first on ARTS PARTY.
theyworkforyou.com
Keeping tabs on the UK’s parliaments & assemblies
News from the ATI Network – March 2025
3 April 2025 @ 1:05 pm
Here is our monthly round-up of news from the transparency organisations in the ATI Network. This month, we have updates from Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Croatia, Hungary, Greece, South Africa and Latin America. What a global hum of transparency activity! Access Info Europe have brought a joint legal challenge against the European Commission’s new…
Legal reform of FOI laws in France
2 April 2025 @ 2:18 pm
These are notes from a recent ‘fireside chat’ held by the ATI Network. For the sake of frank conversation and knowledge exchange, the session was not recorded, but you can read on for the main points. Laurent and Xavier from the French Alaveteli site MaDada were talking about their learning process from working with Access…
TICTeC 2025: schedule now live
1 April 2025 @ 10:01 am
If you’ve been holding off from booking your place at TICTeC until the full schedule is announced, this is your sign to act! You can now see all the sessions, together with info on who’ll be presenting and what they’ll be talking about on the TICTeC 2025 page. We’ve already introduced our amazing keynotes, Fernanda…
Devolved parliamentary registers of interest now on TheyWorkForYou
27 March 2025 @ 8:45 am
At the start of the month we made a major update to TheyWorkForYou coverage of registers of interests. This added enhanced registers of election donations and gifts (using volunteers to add more details and summaries to disclosures made after the last election) and a highlighted interests page. We have also released a major report looking…
A county council’s view of the Scorecards
26 March 2025 @ 9:12 am
The Council Climate Action Scorecards were recently mentioned in East Sussex County Council’s Written Questions (see question 12, on the council’s score for mitigation and adaptation). When we spot that the Scorecards are helping to inform councils’ conversations like this, we often make contact to find out more. East Sussex were happy to fill us…
Volunteering for Scorecards opens new possibilities
25 March 2025 @ 9:58 am
The Council Climate Action Scorecards project, which assesses local councils on their climate action, is only possible thanks to a large number of people who give up their time to volunteer. Their job is to source and analyse data from a variety of places, analysing more than 40 different possible pieces of climate action that…
Making FixMyStreet and FixMyStreet Pro more accessible
14 March 2025 @ 9:09 am
Our front-end designer Lucas Cumsille Montesinos highlights some of the work he’s been doing recently to make FixMyStreet and all integrated co-branded versions of the service running on FixMyStreet Pro more accessible – a crosspost from the SocietyWorks blog. ___ Over the past year we have been collaborating with users of FixMyStreet and FixMyStreet Pro…
Updating TheyWorkForYou’s voting summaries
13 March 2025 @ 9:04 am
Last year we undertook a major overhaul of our approach to the voting record summaries on TheyWorkForYou. This was aimed at creating a sharper and clearer throughline to the summaries, supported by updated explanations of parliamentary voting. We have just made the first update to our voting summaries of the new Parliament, with the information…
mySociety’s democracy work in 2025
13 March 2025 @ 9:03 am
Over the next few months we’re making some major updates to TheyWorkForYou improving our coverage of registers of interests, votes, and the email alerts system. If you’d like to be updated as things are released, please sign up to our newsletter. What do you value about TheyWorkForYou and our democracy work? We want to understand…
News from the ATI Network – Feb 2025
6 March 2025 @ 1:46 pm
February has been a whirlwind but we’re back deep in TICTeC organisation and looking forward to the sunny summer sun in Belgium in June. Let’s see what the network have been up to this month! FragDenStaat: are promoting the use of FOI to counter the activities and disinformation spread by the far right movement in…