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.
7 Examples of Gaza Media Coverage That Prove Pro-Israel Bias
12 May 2026 @ 8:58 am
U.S. media outlets were crucial in helping Israel sell the Gaza genocide to the American public.
The post 7 Examples of Gaza Media Coverage That Prove Pro-Israel Bias appeared first on The Intercept.
A Trump U.S. Attorney’s Professional Misconduct Must Be Kept “Private and Confidential”
11 May 2026 @ 10:37 pm
A legal disciplinary panel won’t disclose any details about its inquiry into John Sarcone, a Trump loyalist in New York.
The post A Trump U.S. Attorney’s Professional Misconduct Must Be Kept “Private and Confidential” appeared first on The Intercept.
Israeli Real Estate Expo Advertising West Bank Settlements Returns to NYC
11 May 2026 @ 8:06 pm
The controversial event and the NYPD’s response to resulting protests present a test for Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The post Israeli Real Estate Expo Advertising West Bank Settlements Returns to NYC appeared first on The Intercept.
Dodging FOIA Could Now Mean Arrest and Strip Search, Depending on Who’s Asking
9 May 2026 @ 10:18 am
The DOJ is now treating evading a records request as a crime, a stunning act of hypocrisy from the Trump administration.
The post Dodging FOIA Could Now Mean Arrest and Strip Search, Depending on Who’s Asking appeared first on The Intercept.
Big Finance Might Be Dooming the SPLC — Even Before Its Day in Court
8 May 2026 @ 6:20 pm
Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Vanguard are tamping down on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s donations as the government’s de facto censors.
The post Big Finance Might Be Dooming the SPLC — Even Before Its Day in Court appeared first on The Intercept.
Tennessee GOP Moves to Decimate Black Voting Power After Supreme Court’s Blessing of Jim Crow
8 May 2026 @ 5:21 pm
With the Supreme Court blessing racial gerrymandering, Tennessee Republicans rushed to eliminate the state’s only majority-Black congressional district.
The post Tennessee GOP Moves to Decimate Black Voting Power After Supreme Court’s Blessing of Jim Crow appeared first on The Intercept.
Amid Hantavirus Panic, the Ivermectin Super Fans Are Back
8 May 2026 @ 2:39 pm
Those who cheered ivermectin as a Covid-19 treatment are now making unsubstantiated claims about its use against hantavirus.
The post Amid Hantavirus Panic, the Ivermectin Super Fans Are Back appeared first on The Intercept.
The Supreme Court Ends Multiracial Democracy as We Know It
8 May 2026 @ 10:00 am
As Tennessee eliminated its only majority-Black district, Ari Berman and Tennessee state Rep. Justin J. Pearson explain how SCOTUS enabled the right’s “power grab.”
The post The Supreme Court Ends Multiracial Democracy as We Know It appeared first on The Intercept.
Hasan Piker Is the Democrats’ New Man on the Trail, Whether They Like It or Not
8 May 2026 @ 9:00 am
Insurgent candidates like Cori Bush are tapping Piker as a campaign surrogate — but they still face an uphill battle to winning.
The post Hasan Piker Is the Democrats’ New Man on the Trail, Whether They Like It or Not appeared first on The Intercept.
Maine Dems to Vote on Condemning DCCC Interference in House Primary
7 May 2026 @ 5:31 pm
National Democrats put their weight behind a candidate in Maine’s hotly contested House race just weeks before the primary. Locals are pissed.
The post Maine Dems to Vote on Condemning DCCC Interference in House Primary 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.
Jess Phillips resigns – letter in full
12 May 2026 @ 12:05 pm
Jess Phillips has resigned as a Home Office minister. In a letter addressed to the prime minister, Phillips called on Keir Starmer to step down, saying she could not “keep waiting around for a crisis to push for faster progress”. Phillips is the second minister to resign from the government since the 2026 local elections... Read more »
The post Jess Phillips resigns – letter in full appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
First minister to resign says Starmer has lost ‘confidence of the public’
12 May 2026 @ 8:33 am
The first minister to resign from Keir Starmer’s government has called for the prime minister to step down and oversee “an orderly transition” to a new leader. Miatta Fahnbulleh stepped down as minister for devolution, faith and communities on Tuesday morning. In a letter addressed to the prime minister, she said that the government had... Read more »
The post First minister to resign says Starmer has lost ‘confidence of the public’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Keir Starmer is ‘listening’ to mutinous colleagues, says ‘sad’ cabinet ally
12 May 2026 @ 7:15 am
Keir Starmer is in “listening” mode, a senior cabinet ally has suggested as the prime minister faces a chorus of calls to resign. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, insisted that Starmer is “getting on with the job” but appeared to confirm that he is now considering his political future. Jones recognised... Read more »
The post Keir Starmer is ‘listening’ to mutinous colleagues, says ‘sad’ cabinet ally appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Ministerial aides quit as calls for Starmer to resign grow
12 May 2026 @ 6:31 am
Keir Starmer has suffered his first resignations as the calls for him to step down as prime minister grow. Tom Rutland, a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, was the first to issue a statement announcing his decision to resign. A PPS acts as an unpaid parliamentary assistant,... Read more »
The post Ministerial aides quit as calls for Starmer to resign grow appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Starmer’s attempt to save his premiership – speech in full
11 May 2026 @ 1:05 pm
Keir Starmer vowed to prove his “doubters” wrong in a make-or-break speech on Monday morning. The prime minister warned of “very dangerous opponents”, alluding to insurgent political forces on the right and left, and pledged to embrace a closer relationship with Europe. Read Starmer’s speech in full. The election results last week were tough, very... Read more »
The post Starmer’s attempt to save his premiership – speech in full appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Angela Rayner says Starmer must ‘meet the moment’ – statement in full
10 May 2026 @ 4:18 pm
Angela Rayner has criticised what she calls a “toxic culture of cronyism” in a 1000-word statement issued after this week’s local elections. Rayner, who resigned as deputy prime minister in September 2025, has called on the Labour Party to “live up to our name: we must be the party of working people.” She further warned... Read more »
The post Angela Rayner says Starmer must ‘meet the moment’ – statement in full appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
The stalking horse returns: what Thatcher’s 1989 challenge tells us about Starmer’s test
10 May 2026 @ 12:01 pm
A prime minister under not inconsiderable political pressure faces a leadership challenge from an obscure backbench MP posing as a proxy for more prominent pretenders. These words accurately describe the political landscape Keir Starmer, Britain’s incumbent embattled premier, faces after Catherine West announced her plan to launch a leadership bid. West’s plan, hastily organised in... Read more »
The post The stalking horse returns: what Thatcher’s 1989 challenge tells us about Starmer’s test appeared first on
Starmer’s ‘stalking horse’: who is Labour challenger Catherine West?
10 May 2026 @ 11:03 am
Catherine West has threatened to launch a leadership bid that could topple the prime minister. The Labour MP issued a momentous intervention after her party’s drubbing in the elections this week. On Saturday afternoon, West called on the cabinet to “reorganise themselves” and put forward their “best communicator” to replace Starmer. Speaking to BBC News... Read more »
The post Starmer’s ‘stalking horse’: who is Labour challenger Catherine West? appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Starmer ally calls for prime minister to resign
10 May 2026 @ 10:45 am
A Labour MP once considered to be close ally of Keir Starmer has called for him to resign as prime minister. Josh Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield, has written an article for the Times newspaper expressing his view that Starmer should oversee an “orderly transition to a new prime minister”. Simons was director of... Read more »
The post Starmer ally calls for prime minister to resign appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Starmer vows to stay on as PM after Labour suffers major local election losses
8 May 2026 @ 8:46 am
Keir Starmer has insisted that he will not “walk away” as prime minister after Labour suffered significant losses in the 2026 local elections. The comments came as it was confirmed that Labour had lost control of eight councils, namely those in Westminster, Southampton, Exeter, Redditch, Wandsworth, Hartlepool, Tamworth and Tameside. Starmer maintained that “tough days”... Read more »
The post Starmer vows to stay on as PM after Labour suffers major local election losses 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. …
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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. …
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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
FOI Network 3: hearing from information officers
11 May 2026 @ 10:18 am
For the the third in our series of discovery workshops, we invited people working with FOI in public authorities to discuss how a network might support them — and we had more than 50 attendees joining us from a range of organisations and specialities. Discussion was lively and informative, with many expressing a thirst for…
FOI Network: what we discovered in workshop 2
20 April 2026 @ 11:42 am
We continue with exploratory work that will help shape what the FOI Network will become, and how it will best serve specific types of those who use Freedom Of Information. Last week, in our second workshop of three, we convened journalists and specialist users to help us understand what the barriers are to their use…
Scorecards “create a level of accountability across the whole organisation to play their part”
20 April 2026 @ 8:28 am
Liz Vango-Smith is Sustainability and Climate Change Officer at Hart District Council, where she manages the climate change programme, helping to meet their carbon reduction targets both internally, and across the district. She recently took the time to speak to us about the part that the Council Climate Action Scorecards play in her work. Liz…
How data might help solve the sewage problem (with a little help from WriteToThem)
16 April 2026 @ 8:03 am
Have you visited sewagemap.co.uk? If you care about your local rivers, lakes and seas, you might want to take a look at this very graphic display of where sewage is being discharged across England. If you’re wondering which sense of ‘graphic’ we mean, well, it’s both: first, it’s easy to see the information at a…
Responding to AI-driven demand on public systems
14 April 2026 @ 12:51 pm
LLMs can increase demand on public systems by removing the friction that previously limited access. One potential result of this is new forms of unconsidered rationing that recreate that friction. Instead, we should move away from zero sum systems and aim for technical and policy approaches that turn unscalable private benefits into efficient collective ones. …
FOI Network: how can we strengthen access to information?
14 April 2026 @ 8:03 am
The FOI Network is an informal coalition of civil society organisations, journalists and academics with an interest in Freedom of Information, convened by mySociety and State of the Future. Last week, we held our first meet-up, in the shape of an online workshop, to discuss and prioritise the ways in which we might strengthen and…
Building skills and capacity in youth organisations, with the Social Investment Business
13 April 2026 @ 11:05 am
We’ve just started a new project exploring how improved data and training could help youth services in England – building their financial sustainability and representing their communities at a national policy level. Working with the Social Investment Business (SIB), which coordinates the government’s Youth Investment Fund, we’ll be talking to youth organisations across the North…
The growing case to protect FOI
8 April 2026 @ 2:36 pm
In a recent blog post, we set out why proposals to reduce the Freedom of Information cost limit would reduce government transparency, without meaningfully reducing the burden on public authorities, since then the opposition to the move has grown. What’s the problem? On 18 March 2026, The Financial Times reported that the government is considering…
How can we tell when AI is actually the right tool for the job?
24 March 2026 @ 9:11 am
Generative AI is good at solving some kinds of problems, and bad at solving others. With the rush to apply AI approaches across the public and private sector, we want to encourage people to use the right tool for the right problem. This blog post proposes a test that makes it easy to understand whether…
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…