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.
What We’re Reading and Watching
28 May 2023 @ 10:00 am
Book recommendations and more from Intercept staffers.
The post What We’re Reading and Watching appeared first on The Intercept.
Henry Kissinger, History’s Bloodiest Social Climber
27 May 2023 @ 12:24 pm
America’s schmanciest people love Kissinger. Is it in spite of his monstrousness or because of it?
The post Henry Kissinger, History’s Bloodiest Social Climber appeared first on The Intercept.
The Press is Falling for Anti-Abortion “Fetal Heartbeat” Propaganda
27 May 2023 @ 10:00 am
Reporters are parroting — and spreading — sentimental falsehoods.
The post The Press is Falling for Anti-Abortion “Fetal Heartbeat” Propaganda appeared first on The Intercept.
In a Gift to Polluting Industries, Supreme Court Rolls Back Clean Water Act Protections
26 May 2023 @ 7:30 pm
Industries ranging from animal agriculture to mining to fossil fuel rallied in support of the Idaho couple behind Sackett v. EPA.
The post In a Gift to Polluting Industries, Supreme Court Rolls Back Clean Water Act Protections appeared first on The Intercept.
The U.S. Is Unhappy That Mexico Is Spending Money on Its Own Citizens
26 May 2023 @ 12:00 pm
Mexico’s populist president should instead be spending more on furthering U.S. interests, according to a leaked intelligence document.
The post The U.S. Is Unhappy That Mexico Is Spending Money on Its Own Citizens appeared first on The Intercept.
Jamie Raskin and Rachel Maddow, Brought to You by Peter Thiel and Lockheed Martin
26 May 2023 @ 11:00 am
The progressive stars are headlining a conference organized by a Democratic-aligned think tank — with Palantir and Lockheed as key sponsors.
The post Jamie Raskin and Rachel Maddow, Brought to You by Peter Thiel and Lockheed Martin appeared first on The Intercept.
Economist Stephanie Kelton on the Debt Limit, a Potential Catastrophe We’re Risking for No Reason
26 May 2023 @ 10:00 am
There is absolutely no reason for the U.S. government to default. It may anyway.
The post Economist Stephanie Kelton on the Debt Limit, a Potential Catastrophe We’re Risking for No Reason appeared first on The Intercept.
Jan. 6 Megadonor Helping Ohio GOP Preemptively Overturn Will of the Voters
25 May 2023 @ 11:00 am
In a fight centered on abortion rights, Republicans trying to pass a constitutional amendment could be violating their own new election law.
The post Jan. 6 Megadonor Helping Ohio GOP Preemptively Overturn Will of the Voters appeared first on The Intercept.
Henry Kissinger’s Bloody Legacy
25 May 2023 @ 10:01 am
Exclusive documents and interviews reveal that Kissinger bears significant responsibility for hundreds more Cambodian deaths than was previously known.
The post Henry Kissinger’s Bloody Legacy appeared first on The Intercept.
Leaked Report: “CIA Does Not Know” If Israel Plans to Bomb Iran
24 May 2023 @ 5:52 pm
A leaked intelligence report from February says “Netanyahu probably calculates Israel will need to strike Iran to deter its nuclear program.”
The post Leaked Report: “CIA Does Not Know” If Israel Plans to Bomb Iran 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.
Have continued #Partygate revelations damaged Johnson’s chances of remaining Uxbridge MP?
26 May 2023 @ 6:15 pm
The post Have continued #Partygate revelations damaged Johnson’s chances of remaining Uxbridge MP? appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Week-in-Review: Why Sunak’s migration showdown is more perilous than his predecessors’
26 May 2023 @ 4:44 pm
In 2011, one year after winning office, David Cameron doubled down on his pledge to cut migration numbers to the tens of thousands: “Our borders will be under control and immigration will be at levels our country can manage. No ifs. No buts”. It was classic Cameron speak: the firm commitment to an intractable problem,... Read more »
The post Week-in-Review: Why Sunak’s migration showdown is more perilous than his predecessors’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
‘More revolutionary than Brexit’: Nigel Farage hints at new MP bid
26 May 2023 @ 8:06 am
Former UKIP and Brexit party leader Nigel Farage has again refused to rule out another attempt to become an MP, promising Sky News that if he did do so it would be on a far more “revolutionary agenda than just Brexit”. It comes as official data published yesterday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS)... Read more »
The post ‘More revolutionary than Brexit’: Nigel Farage hints at new MP bid appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Conservative London Mayor hopeful Daniel Korski says he’d build over tube and railways to solve housing crisis
25 May 2023 @ 4:06 pm
The post Conservative London Mayor hopeful Daniel Korski says he’d build over tube and railways to solve housing crisis appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Gripping migration would be a ‘top priority’ in first 100 days of a Labour government, says shadow minister
25 May 2023 @ 8:04 am
The home office is set to release long-awaited data on immigration which will detail the number of people who settled in the UK last year. It is widely expected that net migration will soar to at least 700,000, with some forecasters saying they could near one million in the year ending December 2022. Both estimates greatly... Read more »
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The ban on animal testing for cosmetics hangs in the balance
25 May 2023 @ 7:00 am
Over two decades ago, the UK became the first country to introduce a ban on animal testing for finished cosmetics products. Then in 2013, the ban was expanded to cosmetics ingredients and a sales ban passed in alignment with EU legislation at that time, meaning that companies wishing to bring any new cosmetics products or ingredients... Read more »
The post The ban on animal testing for cosmetics hangs in the balance appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Eight times the Conservative party battled ‘The Blob’
24 May 2023 @ 2:58 pm
“The Blob”, that perennial spectre of Conservative party governance, takes its name from a 1950s B-Movie about an unstoppable amoeba-like mass which devours everything in its path. “There is no stopping The Blob as it spreads from town to town”, the trailer for the forgotten flick explains. Leading man Steve McQueen — in his first... Read more »
The post Eight times the Conservative party battled ‘The Blob’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Civil servants passed Johnson lockdown allegations to police with ‘no ministerial intervention’
24 May 2023 @ 7:52 am
Justice secretary Alex Chalk has insisted that the process by which Boris Johnson was referred to the police by the cabinet office over new allegations of rule breaking during the pandemic occurred “without any intervention from ministers”. It comes as Mr Johnson’s office blasted “yet another politically motivated stitch up” in a statement yesterday. New... Read more »
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Putin’s plan A is nuclear war. Only the West can stop him.
23 May 2023 @ 1:35 pm
Having once boasted the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world in 1991, Ukraine is the only country to have voluntarily given up its nuclear weapons. Ukraine’s decision was based on the Budapest Memorandum which gave Ukraine formal security guarantees from the USA, the UK and Russia. After Russia’s violation of every possible international treaty, no country in... Read more »
The post Putin’s plan A is nuclear war. Only the West can stop him. appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Braverman vs. the ‘Blob’ is a saga fraught with political pitfalls — for Rishi Sunak
23 May 2023 @ 11:56 am
After a brief sabbatical from scandals following the exit of Dominic Raab, Rishi Sunak’s government faces another round of probity questions courtesy of his home secretary’s conduct over a speeding fine. Suella Braverman is accused of trying to swerve public ignominy by asking impartial civil servants to help arrange a private speed awareness course, with... Read more »
The post Braverman vs. the ‘Blob’ is a saga fraught with political pitfalls — for Rishi Sunak appeared first on
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.
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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"
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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
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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?"
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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"
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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"
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theyworkforyou.com
Keeping tabs on the UK’s parliaments & assemblies
AskGov wins Copenhagen Democracy Summit Tech Award
22 May 2023 @ 1:54 pm
Great news from the Copenhagen Democracy Summit this week, where AskGov, the Access to Information website for Georgia, was recognised with an award for Democracy Tech. The civic tech organisation ForSet runs AskGov, using our Alaveteli platform, and you may remember that we had a valuable exchange of views and experiences with their cofounder Teona…
Climate monthnotes: Mar/Apr 2023
27 April 2023 @ 5:45 am
Once again it’s time for our monthly roundup of what the Climate team has been doing in the last, er, two months. Plenty to write about at least. First on the list is another milestone in the journey towards Climate Emergency UK’s Council Climate Action Scorecards – the start of the Right of Reply process.…
#Democracy2043 at the Festival of Debate
13 April 2023 @ 9:41 am
What if you could reshape democracy for the better – and you had twenty years to do so? That’s the question our panel will be tackling at our #Democracy2043 event, part of the Festival of Debate – and we’ll be asking for your thoughts and ideas, too. Join us in person in Sheffield, or online…
What we want to know about WhatDoTheyKnow
5 April 2023 @ 8:09 am
Have you used our Freedom of Information website, WhatDoTheyKnow, for something noteworthy? Or do you have fond memories of it that you’d like to share? Please tell us all about it here. Perhaps you’re: A journalist who used FOI requests sent via the site (or the Pro service) to inform news stories A campaigner who…
15 years of WhatDoTheyKnow
4 April 2023 @ 10:56 am
2023 is a momentous year for us, marking not only mySociety’s 20th anniversary but also the 15th birthday of our flagship Freedom of Information (FOI) service, WhatDoTheyKnow. For over a decade and a half, we’ve been working to empower journalists, activists and campaigners, researchers, and tens of thousands of curious citizens to access information from…
Neighbourhood Warmth monthnotes
30 March 2023 @ 8:11 am
This is the first in a short series of monthnotes about our Neighbourhood Warmth project. It has also been crossposted on the blog of our project partner, Dark Matter Labs. Month 0: It’s getting hot in here Here’s a question posed by Immy Kaur at the Retrofit Reimagined event last year: “What if the climate…
Innovations In Climate Tech: Grantee update 2
27 March 2023 @ 10:05 am
Our second Innovations in Climate Tech grantee was im23 (previously known as Better Futures), working in collaboration with Sandwell Council. They put forward a proposal for researching and scoping a database to share climate projects from councils across the UK. We were excited by the possibilities of this project, which is all about councils learning…
Reflections on TICTeC Labs: did we unlock civic tech impact?
24 March 2023 @ 9:02 am
If you’ve been keeping up with our blog, you’ll have seen a series of new projects rolling out over the past few couple of months: these are the concrete outcomes of the TICTeC Labs programme. You can access them all here. TICTeC Labs was a new and, in retrospect, quite bold project for mySociety, involving…
Amplifying our successes beyond the civic tech community
22 March 2023 @ 10:41 am
Fundación Multitudes have created and delivered training for civic tech organisations in how to get stories about their projects and successes into the mainstream media. Funded by our fourth TICTeC Labs subgrant, the initial training took place from December 2022 to February 2023, with ten participants from Indonesia, Macedonia and the Philippines. At our fourth…
Maai Makwa: civic tech for water monitoring, education and conservation
16 March 2023 @ 9:52 am
Maai Makwa is an open source, open data and public domain project from The Demography Project, Kenya, and it’s the outcome of our fifth TICTeC subgrant. Our fifth Civic Tech Surgery discussed the question of how the civic tech community can learn from, and contribute to, climate action, to drive impactful societal change. The subsequent…