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.
More Than 1 Million People in Lebanon Have Been Displaced. These Are Their Stories.
22 March 2026 @ 10:11 am
Israel’s military strikes in Lebanon sparked a humanitarian crisis, driving thousands to the streets of Beirut.
The post More Than 1 Million People in Lebanon Have Been Displaced. These Are Their Stories. appeared first on The Intercept.
Hegseth Makes Troops Prove “Sincerely Held” Faith in Latest Beard Crackdown
21 March 2026 @ 10:13 am
Hegseth’s obsession with beards risks jeopardizing religious liberties as the military undergoes an apparent Christian nationalist turn.
The post Hegseth Makes Troops Prove “Sincerely Held” Faith in Latest Beard Crackdown appeared first on The Intercept.
Pentagon Implores Civilian Workers to Join ICE “Volunteer Force”
20 March 2026 @ 6:47 pm
The Defense Department is recruiting on behalf of DHS while the latter faces public backlash and a continued lack of government funding.
The post Pentagon Implores Civilian Workers to Join ICE “Volunteer Force” appeared first on The Intercept.
Joe Kent’s Resignation Could Bolster a Wave of Conscientious Objectors to Trump’s Iran War
20 March 2026 @ 3:16 pm
“This is the kind of thing that really resonates: seeing respected people in positions of power validating what many service members feel.”
The post Joe Kent’s Resignation Could Bolster a Wave of Conscientious Objectors to Trump’s Iran War appeared first on The Intercept.
“Liberate Their Bodies From Their Souls”: The Lies That Sell the Iran War
20 March 2026 @ 10:00 am
Ali Gharib speaks to Afeef Nessouli about the latest strikes on Lebanon and peace strategist Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini on the U.S.–Israel assault on Iran.
The post “Liberate Their Bodies From Their Souls”: The Lies That Sell the Iran War appeared first on The Intercept.
Data Centers Are Military Targets Now
20 March 2026 @ 9:05 am
With militaries increasingly relying on artificial intelligence, data centers have emerged as new targets for strikes.
The post Data Centers Are Military Targets Now appeared first on The Intercept.
Pentagon Claims It Needs Additional $200 Billion to Pay for War on Iran
19 March 2026 @ 5:52 pm
“Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys,” said Pete Hegseth, when asked about the funding request.
The post Pentagon Claims It Needs Additional $200 Billion to Pay for War on Iran appeared first on The Intercept.
Seth Moulton Saw Trans Rights as a Political Liability. It Could Doom His Senate Campaign.
19 March 2026 @ 4:02 pm
The Massachusetts congressman is struggling to land his message of generational change with his past anti-trans comments haunting him.
The post Seth Moulton Saw Trans Rights as a Political Liability. It Could Doom His Senate Campaign. appeared first on The Intercept.
U.S. Warmongering Hits Historic Level as Trump Attacks 3 Continents in 3 Days
19 March 2026 @ 11:51 am
Since World War II, the U.S. has rarely, if ever, attacked so many places. “All war. All the time. Everywhere,” one source put it.
The post U.S. Warmongering Hits Historic Level as Trump Attacks 3 Continents in 3 Days appeared first on The Intercept.
Air Force Academy Prepares Ideological Overhaul, With Erika Kirk Bringing “Bold Christian Faith”
19 March 2026 @ 9:11 am
The academy’s oversight board records show leaders dismantling DEI to align with Trump directives. Critics warn the military is becoming “a Christian nationalist praetorian guard.”
The post Air Force Academy Prepares Ideological Overhaul, With Erika Kirk Bringing “Bold Christian Faith” 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
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. Also a bit woke, and does not protect womens sports.
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.
A legal anomaly is costing the NHS billions
16 March 2026 @ 2:56 pm
The NHS is one of Britain’s most cherished institutions, providing care to millions of patients each year. Yet questions remain about whether every resource is directed towards its core purpose of treating patients. One example is a law predating the NHS that requires it to pay out vast sums each year for private treatment that... Read more »
The post A legal anomaly is costing the NHS billions appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Connor Naismith MP: ‘Why Blue Labour is a key component of True Labour’
9 March 2026 @ 8:00 am
The Gorton and Denton By-election has rightly prompted much soul searching for the Labour Party. One particular piece of analysis arising from the catastrophic defeat is that “Blue Labour”, the party’s socially conservative tradition, should be repudiated. A return to “True Labour, not Blue Labour” goes the cry. But what is “True Labour” and how... Read more »
The post Connor Naismith MP: ‘Why Blue Labour is a key component of True Labour’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Ben Goldsborough MP: ‘Biosecurity must be placed at the heart of our national security strategy’
3 March 2026 @ 8:15 am
This year marks 25 years since the devastating 2001 foot and mouth outbreak. For many, it is a distant memory. For our farmers, it is not. It is a reminder of how quickly disease can bring rural Britain to its knees and how fragile our biosecurity truly is. The scale of that crisis remains staggering.... Read more »
The post Ben Goldsborough MP: ‘Biosecurity must be placed at the heart of our national security strategy’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Labour must not bind Britain’s fate to the failing electoral system
2 March 2026 @ 8:00 am
It’s fair to say that British democracy is in ill health. Labour has inherited rock bottom public trust in politics and a state wracked by austerity. We are working to show that government can deliver again, and this Labour government has rightly set to the task of addressing the myriad problems left us by fourteen... Read more »
The post Labour must not bind Britain’s fate to the failing electoral system appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
The Green surge is coming for Keir Starmer
28 February 2026 @ 8:00 am
The Gorton and Denton by-election is historic by any measure. The result marks the first time that the Green Party of England and Wales, which has existed in one form or another since 1973, has won a parliamentary by-election. In fact, the Green vote share (40.7%) was four times larger than their previous best by-election... Read more »
The post The Green surge is coming for Keir Starmer appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Governing by nostalgia: Reform’s crusade for ‘Christian values’ offers false comfort
26 February 2026 @ 8:30 am
The announcement by Reform UK that they will “restore Britain’s Christian heritage” and that the nation must “uphold its Christian values” captures the contradictory essence of modern populist politics. Politicians of various faiths and none scrambling to weaponise a religious identity that the British public themselves have left behind and show no sign of wanting... Read more »
The post Governing by nostalgia: Reform’s crusade for ‘Christian values’ offers false comfort appeared first on Pol
Olivia Blake MP: ‘Can climate adaptation strengthen UK national security?’
17 February 2026 @ 8:15 am
We are at a critical juncture marked by growing global uncertainty. The institutions and mechanisms that once sustained the post war era are being weakened or dismantled, with consequences that are no longer distant or abstract but increasingly felt by our constituents here at home. But responding to this upheaval means recognising that today’s national... Read more »
The post Olivia Blake MP: ‘Can climate adaptation strengthen UK national security?’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Reaction to Sarwar suggests Labour isn’t ready to depose Starmer
9 February 2026 @ 4:17 pm
The leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Anas Sarwar, has moved first. Declaring that he had to do “what is right for my country”, Sarwar called on the prime minister to resign in a scathing statement. In a press conference this afternoon, Sarwar proclaimed: “It is not easy and not without pain, but my first... Read more »
The post Reaction to Sarwar suggests Labour isn’t ready to depose Starmer appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
‘We go forward from here’, Starmer declares after two top aides resign in 24 hours
9 February 2026 @ 12:43 pm
Keir Starmer has vowed to fight on as prime minister following the resignations of two top aides. Morgan McSweeney, one of the prime minister’s longest-serving and closest lieutenants, resigned as Downing Street chief of staff on Sunday. In a statement, McSweeney said he took “full responsibility” after personally advising Starmer to appoint Peter Mandelson as... Read more »
The post ‘We go forward from here’, Starmer declares after two top aides resign in 24 hours appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Starmer leadership crisis will test the Labour herd
8 February 2026 @ 12:12 pm
Keir Starmer has entered the stay of execution phase of his premiership. On Wednesday, the prime minister instructed Labour MPs to support a government amendment to a humble address tabled by Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative Party. The official opposition called for the release of documents relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the US;... Read more »
The post Starmer leadership crisis will test the Labour herd 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
Reducing FOI cost limits will reduce government transparency
19 March 2026 @ 3:46 pm
Key points Lowering the cost limit time would reduce the scope of the Freedom of Information Act, giving government departments greater leeway to deny requests. This will have a disproportionate effect on high-impact Freedom of Information requests made by journalists and researchers. It represents a new restriction on public scrutiny of government, counter to promises…
Exploring a European Civic Tech Hub to tackle barriers to civic tech impact
17 March 2026 @ 4:29 pm
Our latest TICTeC work to help improve the impacts of civic technology takes its form in a collaboration with Sitra (the Finnish Innovation Fund). Together, we are exploring the development of a proposed European Civic Tech Hub. As part of the Democracy Shield, the European Commission has committed to creating a European Civic Tech Hub…
FOI Fest 2026
26 February 2026 @ 10:00 am
Last Thursday, a diverse set of people with a common interest came together at Birkbeck College in London for FOI Fest — a one day conference examining the successes, challenges and future of the Freedom of Information Act. We heard from a wide range of perspectives: those who use FOI, those who process requests, those…
Mapping energy data to help community spaces take part in electricity network flexibility
17 February 2026 @ 3:36 pm
While the mapping services we’re most well known for are FixMyStreet, MapIt, and the Local Intelligence Hub, we do occasionally get the opportunity to collaborate with other organisations that share our ethos and could benefit from our expertise building flexible, easy-to-use data maps, for their internal teams or external supporters to use. One such example…
AI self-governance: it’s a continuous process
12 February 2026 @ 9:04 am
In July 2024, we published our AI Framework, a first attempt at setting guidelines on how we utilise AI in our work at mySociety. The basic principles running through that framework can be summed up as “Use AI responsibly, and only when, all things considered, it is the best tool for the job”. That position…
Improving the Written Questions system
11 February 2026 @ 9:42 am
Submitting evidence to Parliamentary inquiries is one of the ways in which we can have an effect on the way things work in this country. As you may recall, we recently contributed to the Scottish Parliament’s Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee on Freedom of Information reform, and now we’ve submitted written evidence to the UK…
When you have a big Freedom of Information project, many hands make light work
2 February 2026 @ 11:12 am
WhatDoTheyKnow Pro, our Freedom of Information service for users such as journalists, researchers and campaigners, now comes with Projects bundled in at no extra cost. That means that, as well as sending batch requests more easily, you can also bring in colleagues or volunteers to help you refine and analyse the data you receive in…
How to get active with the Council Climate Action Scorecards
30 January 2026 @ 10:08 am
As we’ve seen in our recent case studies, the Council Climate Action Scorecards — a joint project between Climate Emergency UK (CE UK) and mySociety — rely on the power and energy of volunteers. Most volunteers get their start when they help to mark councils’ climate action for the Scorecards; and then some, it seems,…
New report: Shifting landscapes
29 January 2026 @ 10:24 am
Today we’re launching a new report: Shifting Landscapes: A practical guide to pro democratic tech. This report builds on the conferences, seminars and conversations we’ve been having in our TICTeC programme over the last few years, to present a comprehensive picture of where pro democratic tech is now. We explore how technology can strengthen and…
Faster reporting on FixMyStreet: start your report with a photo
22 January 2026 @ 4:56 pm
A new feature has been released for FixMyStreet giving users the option to start their reports with a photo, the data from which can be extracted to speed up the reporting process. As well as making the reporting process quicker, this new functionality should also increase the accuracy of reports, removing the need for users…