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.
We’re Publishing the Speech That Harvard Suppressed for Mentioning Genocide
5 July 2025 @ 10:00 am
“I wanted to center Palestine,” a Harvard commencement speaker told The Intercept. Read and watch her speech.
The post We’re Publishing the Speech That Harvard Suppressed for Mentioning Genocide appeared first on The Intercept.
“Are We At Risk?” Wave of ICE Arrests Strikes Fear in Iranian Communities
4 July 2025 @ 10:00 am
Iranian immigrants to the U.S. already faced higher scrutiny. After the U.S. waded into Israel’s war on Iran, ICE seems to be targeting them.
The post “Are We At Risk?” Wave of ICE Arrests Strikes Fear in Iranian Communities appeared first on The Intercept.
Supreme Court Lets Trump Banish Immigrants to South Sudan
3 July 2025 @ 10:25 pm
Only one of the eight immigrants set to be expelled to South Sudan is from that nation.
The post Supreme Court Lets Trump Banish Immigrants to South Sudan appeared first on The Intercept.
The Israeli Plot to Extinguish the Journalists Documenting Genocide
3 July 2025 @ 10:00 am
Palestinian journalists live through the same brutal conditions they cover — and describe a pattern of direct targeting by Israeli forces.
The post The Israeli Plot to Extinguish the Journalists Documenting Genocide appeared first on The Intercept.
Trump’s Budget Bill Would Explode Funding for ICE. Top Democrats Aren’t Talking About It.
2 July 2025 @ 9:33 pm
Democrats denounced the bill’s cuts to Medicaid and attempted to rebrand it as “One Big, Ugly Bill.” They didn’t mention its handouts to ICE.
The post Trump’s Budget Bill Would Explode Funding for ICE. Top Democrats Aren’t Talking About It. appeared first on The Intercept.
Why Won’t ICE Comment on Kristi Noem’s Cannibal Stories?
2 July 2025 @ 7:16 pm
The Homeland Security boss said ICE deported a self-eating cannibal but provided no evidence. This plays into centuries of racist fantasies.
The post Why Won’t ICE Comment on Kristi Noem’s Cannibal Stories? appeared first on The Intercept.
They Went to Get Flour With Their Mother in Gaza. “She Came Back in a White Shroud.”
2 July 2025 @ 10:00 am
A brother and sister joined their mother to get food at a U.S. aid site in Rafah. Israeli forces shot her before their eyes.
The post They Went to Get Flour With Their Mother in Gaza. “She Came Back in a White Shroud.” appeared first on The Intercept.
The Whiff of Corruption: Trump’s New Perfume Has Strong Notes of Graft
1 July 2025 @ 6:41 pm
Trump’s wealth grew by over $1 billion in the past year, but the White House insists he isn’t profiting off of the presidency.
The post The Whiff of Corruption: Trump’s New Perfume Has Strong Notes of Graft appeared first on The Intercept.
Senate Passes Trump’s Big, Beautiful Boon for Police
1 July 2025 @ 5:42 pm
The Senate GOP passed its “megabill” on Tuesday — handing police billions in grants to fuel Trump’s deportation regime and tax write-offs.
The post Senate Passes Trump’s Big, Beautiful Boon for Police appeared first on The Intercept.
Trump’s Budget Just Passed the Senate. Brace for a Massive Increase in ICE Raids.
1 July 2025 @ 5:06 pm
The budget gives $175 billion to immigration enforcement. “The orders of magnitude are going to be multiplied,” immigration experts say.
The post Trump’s Budget Just Passed the Senate. Brace for a Massive Increase in ICE Raids. 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.
One year of Keir: why Starmer now faces a reckoning
5 July 2025 @ 10:37 am
Keir Starmer has approached the first anniversary of him becoming prime minister in a ruminative, rueful mood. Across a series of long-form interviews, he has seized on the opportunity to appraise his year-old premiership; the account of events delivered in Starmer’s media meditations is candid, well-considered and — perhaps unintentionally — scathing. The PM’s inaugural... Read more »
The post One year of Keir: why Starmer now faces a reckoning appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
One year of Labour and Europe — why the government must go further on EU reset
5 July 2025 @ 7:15 am
At 10pm on July 4, 2024, when the exit poll was revealed — making it clear that Keir Starmer would be our next prime minister — our hopes for a better relationship between the UK and Europe, with all the economic benefits that would bring, were solidified. The public’s general mistrust in politics considered, to... Read more »
The post One year of Labour and Europe — why the government must go further on EU reset appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Could the 10 Year Health Plan do more to support our NHS?
4 July 2025 @ 7:30 am
Yesterday saw the unveiling of the government’s long-awaited 10-Year Health Plan which sets out in detail their roadmap for transforming the healthcare landscape. It has been in the works for the better part of a year, with significant input from across the healthcare sector. Such is its importance that many have argued the government’s chances... Read more »
The post Could the 10 Year Health Plan do more to support our NHS? appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
The surprise strengthening of Rachel Reeves
3 July 2025 @ 1:47 pm
Rachel Reeves made a surprise, symbolic appearance this morning to aid the prime minister and health secretary Wes Streeting in setting out the government’s 10-year plan for a “Neighbourhood Health Service”. The chancellor told her audience, gathered at a hospital in east London, that it was “great to be here today”. She said Labour would... Read more »
The post The surprise strengthening of Rachel Reeves appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
‘We didn’t get the process right’ on welfare reforms, admits Keir Starmer
3 July 2025 @ 7:27 am
Keir Starmer has admitted that his government “didn’t get the process right” in the handling of its package of welfare reforms. The prime minister conceded that “it matters to” Labour MPs to ensure the process is correct and that his government “didn’t engage” in the way it should have done. The welfare bill, officially the... Read more »
The post ‘We didn’t get the process right’ on welfare reforms, admits Keir Starmer appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
‘There will be an alternative’: Jeremy Corbyn vows to form socialist political party
3 July 2025 @ 6:43 am
The former Labour leader vowed that there would be an “alternative” in place by the time of the next general election.
The post ‘There will be an alternative’: Jeremy Corbyn vows to form socialist political party appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
PMQs verdict: Labour’s woes are bigger than Rachel Reeves
2 July 2025 @ 2:28 pm
After the capitulation come the recriminations. A beleaguered Keir Starmer appeared for PMQs in the commons this afternoon for the first time in three weeks — with Angela Rayner having subbed in for the prime minister across recent sessions. He did so against an immediate backdrop of political chaos. It took just days for the government’s... Read more »
The post PMQs verdict: Labour’s woes are bigger than Rachel Reeves appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Angela Rayner: ‘Not a chance’ I want to become prime minister
2 July 2025 @ 10:05 am
Angela Rayner has dismissed the prospect of her ever becoming prime minister, saying there is “not a chance” she will take on the role. The deputy prime minister said moving to 10 Downing Street would “age me by 10 years within six months”. Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, Rayner commented: “Even before I was in politics,... Read more »
The post Angela Rayner: ‘Not a chance’ I want to become prime minister appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Labour will stick to manifesto ‘tax promises’, Pat McFadden vows after welfare U-turn
2 July 2025 @ 7:28 am
There will be “financial consequences” after the government made major concessions to its welfare rebels, a senior minister has admitted. Pat McFadden, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, indicated that the fiscal fallout of the eleventh hour U-turn will be set out at the budget expected in the autumn. Hours before MPs were set... Read more »
The post Labour will stick to manifesto ‘tax promises’, Pat McFadden vows after welfare U-turn appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Investing in cancer research is one of the smartest economic decisions we can make
2 July 2025 @ 7:00 am
168,500 people die from cancer every year in the UK, and the devastating toll of the disease is far-reaching. It puts a huge physical and emotional strain on patients, their loved ones, and those who care for them, as well as disrupting work and placing pressure on personal finances. In truth, the personal cost of... Read more »
The post Investing in cancer research is one of the smartest economic decisions we can make 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
WhoFundsThem Update: July 2025
2 July 2025 @ 10:33 am
mySociety’s WhoFundsThem work combines technology and volunteers to create better data and visibility on money in politics. We’ve published a report of what we’ve learned, given evidence in Parliament, and made more information available on TheyWorkForYou. This update covers some recently declared freebies, cash for questions paper trails, paid membership of APPGs, and how we…
When MPs/Peers should use FOI rather than Parliamentary Questions
1 July 2025 @ 8:46 am
Parliamentarians (MPs and Peers) have access to two different systems of getting information from the government. As members of Parliament, they can use Parliamentary Questions (PQs) to ask questions and receive information from government ministers. They also have the same rights as everyone else to access information from public authorities through the Freedom of Information…
ATI day in Mechelen
23 June 2025 @ 8:45 am
Transparency is always a strong theme at TICTeC, and since so many members of the Access to Information Network were in town for the conference, we thought we’d take the opportunity to meet up. And so, the day after, several people who run Freedom of Information sites came together in an airy attic room to…
TICTeC 2025: “Energy, open exchanges, and motivation to keep pushing forward tech for democracy”
19 June 2025 @ 12:44 pm
TICTeC is wrapped up for another year. The roller banners are stowed away, the lanyards saved for next year, and now we’re back home from Belgium with memories, insights and enough hope to keep us going ’til next time. It’s always energising to come together with the global civic tech community and share everything we’ve…
How’s your local council doing on climate action?
17 June 2025 @ 8:45 am
The 2025 Scorecards launch today Wondering how your local council’s doing around climate? With today’s launch of the 2025 Council Climate Action Scorecards, you can check their progress right now. And because this is the second edition of Scorecards, you can check not just your council’s scores, but also how they compare with last time.…
Giving evidence on second jobs
5 June 2025 @ 9:58 am
A few weeks ago, I was part of a panel giving evidence to the House of Commons’ Standards Committee on ‘outside employment and interests’ (second jobs). Here’s the video, or the transcript. My evidence was based on our findings and recommendations from our WhoFundsThem project and our Beyond Transparency report. We worked with volunteers to…
Improving transparency from the outside
5 June 2025 @ 9:56 am
As part of our WhoFundsThem project, we released a big report detailing what we learned while working with volunteers to explore the MPs’ Register of Members Financial Interests (RMFI). Many of our recommendations are for changes Parliament should make, but we always want to think about what we can do from the outside to keep…
Tackling the Climate Crisis with Access to Information rights
28 May 2025 @ 2:17 pm
Our hour-long webinar brought together investigative journalist Lucas Amin of Democracy for Sale; Anne Friel, Head of Just Societies at Client Earth; and Joschi Wolf of the German transparency project Frag Den Staat
Introducing TheyWorkForYou Votes
19 May 2025 @ 8:02 am
Today we’re launching TheyWorkForYou Votes – our new vote information platform. Our goal with this service is to create and support better analysis of decisions taken in the UK’s Parliaments. We want this service to both be directly helpful to the general public, and indirectly by providing new tools and data to specialists. We ran…
Norfolk County Council: “Scorecards have helped us strive for greater transparency and accessibility in our climate action efforts”
15 May 2025 @ 8:01 am
The Council Climate Action Scorecards are helping climate officers across the UK to understand which elements of their path to Net Zero are working well, and which areas need improvement. Marina Ebbage, Procurement Policy Officer at Norfolk County Council, explained the many ways in which Scorecards have helped the authority’s Climate Hub team in their…