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.
State Lawyer Quits Over Ron DeSantis’s Unconstitutional Attacks on Abortion Amendment
21 October 2024 @ 10:15 pm
“A man is nothing without his conscience,” the Florida health department’s top lawyer wrote in his resignation letter.
The post State Lawyer Quits Over Ron DeSantis’s Unconstitutional Attacks on Abortion Amendment appeared first on The Intercept.
Don’t Believe the U.S.–Israel Fantasy for Lebanon
21 October 2024 @ 8:43 pm
Israel and the United States are already speaking about a Lebanon post-Hezbollah. They’re getting way ahead of themselves.
The post Don’t Believe the U.S.–Israel Fantasy for Lebanon appeared first on The Intercept.
Meta’s Israel Policy Chief Tried to Suppress Pro-Palestinian Instagram Posts
21 October 2024 @ 5:40 pm
Jordana Cutler, Meta’s policy chief for Israel and the Jewish Diaspora, repeatedly flagged for censorship posts by Students for Justice in Palestine.
The post Meta’s Israel Policy Chief Tried to Suppress Pro-Palestinian Instagram Posts appeared first on The Intercept.
After Major Industry Donor Pops Up, Harris Makes Bizarre Proposal: Crypto for Black Men
21 October 2024 @ 10:00 am
Losing Black voters to Donald Trump, the Harris campaign has an idea for helping Black men. But what does it mean?
The post After Major Industry Donor Pops Up, Harris Makes Bizarre Proposal: Crypto for Black Men appeared first on The Intercept.
Pegasus Spyware Maker Said to Flout Federal Court as It Lobbies to Get Off U.S. Blacklist
21 October 2024 @ 4:01 am
On the same day lobbyists for NSO met with Rep. Pete Sessions, a lawyer from the lobbying firm gave $1,000 to “Pete Sessions for Congress.”
The post Pegasus Spyware Maker Said to Flout Federal Court as It Lobbies to Get Off U.S. Blacklist appeared first on The Intercept.
Trump’s Housing Platform Is as Absurd as It Is Cruel — and That’s the Point
20 October 2024 @ 12:00 pm
From building futuristic cities to rounding up unhoused and undocumented people, the plans send a message about who does and doesn’t belong in Trump’s America.
The post Trump’s Housing Platform Is as Absurd as It Is Cruel — and That’s the Point appeared first on The Intercept.
Israeli Military Joins In on Settlers’ War to Displace Palestinian Bedouins
20 October 2024 @ 10:00 am
With the Israeli military standing by or, increasingly, joining settler attacks, Bedouin communities are especially vulnerable.
The post Israeli Military Joins In on Settlers’ War to Displace Palestinian Bedouins appeared first on The Intercept.
The FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Program Has a New Target: Animal Rights Activists
19 October 2024 @ 11:00 am
The agency urged meat industry groups to help the feds crack down on activists for potentially violating bioterrorism laws.
The post The FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Program Has a New Target: Animal Rights Activists appeared first on The Intercept.
After Israel Killed Hamas Leader, D.C. Pushes to Hand Palestine to Saudi Arabia
18 October 2024 @ 5:57 pm
Bent on a “mega-deal” security pact with Saudi Arabia, Congress and the Biden administration see their chance.
The post After Israel Killed Hamas Leader, D.C. Pushes to Hand Palestine to Saudi Arabia appeared first on The Intercept.
Texas Lawmakers’ Unprecedented Actions Halt Robert Roberson’s Execution — For Now
18 October 2024 @ 2:47 pm
Following the state Supreme Court’s last-minute intervention, Roberson is expected to testify next week at a legislative hearing on Texas’s junk science law.
The post Texas Lawmakers’ Unprecedented Actions Halt Robert Roberson’s Execution — For Now 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.
As budget battles loom, NHS reform can provide Labour with much-needed purpose
21 October 2024 @ 1:31 pm
After months of unsteadiness, it suggests Labour and Starmer are learning to strike a better, more sustainable political balance.
The post As budget battles loom, NHS reform can provide Labour with much-needed purpose appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Andy Street refuses to say if he will vote in Conservative leadership contest
21 October 2024 @ 9:08 am
The Conservative former mayor of the West Midlands insisted he will not be endorsing either Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick.
The post Andy Street refuses to say if he will vote in Conservative leadership contest appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
We are paying the price for neglecting women’s health
21 October 2024 @ 7:12 am
Half of women in the UK believe their health is treated as second-class by the NHS. But this isn’t just costing them; it’s costing our economy. New polling commissioned by the Create Health Foundation shows that millions of women are being failed by our health service, leading to missed work and billions in losses for... Read more »
The post We are paying the price for neglecting women’s health appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Tim Farron: ‘The migration debate lacks humanity and perspective — safe routes are the answer’
17 October 2024 @ 7:00 am
A million people are estimated to have been displaced from their homes in southern Lebanon since Israel’s air strikes began against Hezbollah. These include many Syrian refugees who had previously fled to Lebanon to escape civil war. And Iran’s missile attacks in retaliation is in turn forcing Israelis living near the border to flee to... Read more »
The post Tim Farron: ‘The migration debate lacks humanity and perspective — safe routes are the answer’ appeared first on Politics.c
PMQs verdict: Rishi Sunak has long outstayed his welcome
16 October 2024 @ 1:19 pm
Rishi Sunak’s sustained presence at the opposition despatch box is fast progressing from tragedy to farce.
The post PMQs verdict: Rishi Sunak has long outstayed his welcome appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Kim Leadbeater: MPs have a ‘moral obligation’ to legalise assisted dying
16 October 2024 @ 7:42 am
Leadbeater has said her bill to legalise assisted dying is “not about ending the lives [of terminally ill people], it’s about shortening their death”.
The post Kim Leadbeater: MPs have a ‘moral obligation’ to legalise assisted dying appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Roz Savage: ‘My Climate and Nature Bill will lock the science into law — and pave the way to a sustainable future’
16 October 2024 @ 7:00 am
The CAN Bill would establish a whole-of-government strategy for climate action, built on three pillars: climate, nature and people.
The post Roz Savage: ‘My Climate and Nature Bill will lock the science into law — and pave the way to a sustainable future’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Inflation falls below Bank of England’s 2% target for first time in three years
16 October 2024 @ 6:09 am
UK inflation fell to 1.7% in the year to September. It marks the first time inflation has fallen below the 2% target for three years.
The post Inflation falls below Bank of England’s 2% target for first time in three years appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Labour’s national insurance gamble will come with serious risks
15 October 2024 @ 1:33 pm
Already, an allegation has arisen that Labour left parts of its manifesto ambiguous in order to avoid scrutiny during the election.
The post Labour’s national insurance gamble will come with serious risks appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Keir Starmer warns budget will be ‘tough’ as he refuses to rule out employer NI hike
15 October 2024 @ 8:16 am
Keir Starmer has refused to rule out raising National Insurance for employers in the budget at the end of October. The prime minister was asked repeatedly on Tuesday whether his manifesto commitment ruling out an increase in National Insurance extended to employers or focussed specifically on employees. But Starmer told the BBC that Labour’s manifesto... Read more »
The post Keir Starmer warns budget will be ‘tough’ as he refuses to rule out employer NI hike 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
Helen Darbishire
18 October 2024 @ 3:02 pm
All at mySociety were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Helen Darbishire. We have lost a valued partner, a fellow advocate for transparency and a friend.
Interest disclosures for last week: landlords and tennis
16 October 2024 @ 8:58 am
During debates in Parliament, if an MP has a conflict of interest, they are supposed to disclose this as part of their speech. In practice, many of these disclosures don’t have detail on exactly what the conflict is. As part of our WhoFundsThem work, we are experimenting with a machine learning approach to detect these…
Democracy month notes: October 2024
11 October 2024 @ 10:01 am
Ok, doing these regularly fell apart at *about* when the election happened – but let’s get back on track! WhoFundsThem On the WhoFundsThem work, last week we inducted the 50 volunteers who are going to answer 32 questions for 650 MPs. We’re using the crowdsourcing software we developed for the Council Climate Scorecards with CE…
Open standards: the key to efficient fault reporting
9 October 2024 @ 9:19 am
Open standards remove barriers to communication between civic services and systems. They enable you to provide the flexibility of choice that members of the public expect without sacrificing resources or getting locked into contracts with suppliers.
WhoFundsThem: We’re creating better information about MPs financial interests
2 October 2024 @ 8:35 am
There's a lot in the news right now about the Register of MPs’ financial interests, where MPs are supposed to declare all extra income and donations they receive. From our initial work delving into this, we've seen that there’s a lot to be done to improve this information and get a better understanding of the influence of money in politics.
Cotswold Council’s Climate Board is using the Scorecards to monitor their Net Zero work
2 October 2024 @ 8:25 am
Apologies to Cllr McKeown for pronouncing his name wrongly in this video! Here’s a better pronunciation. The Council Climate Action Scorecards is a joint project between mySociety and Climate Emergency UK. Annie from Climate Emergency UK chatted to Cllr Mike McKeown, Cabinet Lead for Climate Change and Sustainability at Cotswold District Council, about how they’ve…
Notes from the Access to Information Network
1 October 2024 @ 9:06 am
Welcome to autumn, and as we have breezed past Right To Know day let’s take a look at what the Access to Information network have been up to this month. FragDenStaat: released their most recent “redaction art” for Right to Know day on September 28th 2024, this piece comes from Saxony – an area which…
What do we know about MPs’ financial interests?
25 September 2024 @ 8:59 am
In our new WhoFundsThem project we are making summaries of MPs registers of financial interests to add to TheyWorkForYou. We want to take these existing disclosures and add context to make them easier to understand. To do this, we are taking a hard look at how all the existing disclosure processes work (and when they…
Bracknell Forest’s proactive approach to the Climate Scorecards
23 September 2024 @ 10:13 am
Why is one local authority proactively providing the answers to the Council Climate Action Scorecards marking? We find out.
Proactive steps to prevent data breaches by public authorities
11 September 2024 @ 8:27 am
mySociety’s Transparency team has developed a new tool, the Excel Analyser, which helps reduce the potential harms associated with accidental releases of large amounts of personal information. The Excel Analyser scans spreadsheets before they are published on WhatDoTheyKnow, identifying metadata types that are often the cause of large data breaches, such as pivot cache data,…