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.
U.S. Officials Called Signal a Tool for Terrorists and Criminals. Now They’re Using It.
25 March 2025 @ 10:42 pm
Despite years of official criticism of encrypted messaging, CIA Director John Ratcliffe revealed that Signal comes installed on agency computers.
The post U.S. Officials Called Signal a Tool for Terrorists and Criminals. Now They’re Using It. appeared first on The Intercept.
Attacks on Hamdan Ballal’s Village Ramped Up After He Won an Oscar
25 March 2025 @ 6:09 am
Since the Academy Awards, the “No Other Land” filmmaker’s village in the West Bank has been targeted by Israeli settlers.
The post Attacks on Hamdan Ballal’s Village Ramped Up After He Won an Oscar appeared first on The Intercept.
DOGE Keeps Trying to Dodge the Freedom of Information Act. So We’re Suing.
24 March 2025 @ 8:05 pm
DOGE claims it’s not an “agency” that has to comply with FOIA. We don’t buy it — and so far judges haven’t, either.
The post DOGE Keeps Trying to Dodge the Freedom of Information Act. So We’re Suing. appeared first on The Intercept.
Exclusive: As Trump Threatens to Deport Him, Momodou Taal Says It's "Time to Escalate for Palestine"
24 March 2025 @ 10:00 am
A Cornell student suing the Trump administration over free speech — and now facing deportation threats — shares his story on The Intercept Briefing.
The post Exclusive: As Trump Threatens to Deport Him, Momodou Taal Says It’s “Time to Escalate for Palestine” appeared first on The Intercept.
Trump Wants Immigrants on U.S. Soil to Hand Over Social Media Accounts to Apply for Citizenship
23 March 2025 @ 9:00 am
Trump is demanding social media handles for citizenship, green card, and visa applicants whether they're already in the U.S. or not.
The post Trump Wants Immigrants on U.S. Soil to Hand Over Social Media Accounts to Apply for Citizenship appeared first on The Intercept.
Israel’s “Culture of Cruelty” Inspires the Far Right Worldwide, Says Pankaj Mishra
22 March 2025 @ 10:00 am
“The World After Gaza” author on what Israel’s war reveals about power, violence, and who sets the rules on the world stage.
The post Israel’s “Culture of Cruelty” Inspires the Far Right Worldwide, Says Pankaj Mishra appeared first on The Intercept.
He Sued Trump Over Free Speech. Then ICE Demanded He Turn Himself In.
21 March 2025 @ 9:34 pm
Cornell student Momodou Taal’s lawyers said the demand was “retribution” for his lawsuit against the crackdown on pro-Palestine speech.
The post He Sued Trump Over Free Speech. Then ICE Demanded He Turn Himself In. appeared first on The Intercept.
Trump EPA’s Next Move: Making It Harder to Sue for Getting Cancer from Roundup
21 March 2025 @ 9:00 am
The corporation behind Roundup herbicide has paid out nearly $11 billion in lawsuits. Now it’s backing an EPA rule that would stop the bleeding.
The post Trump EPA’s Next Move: Making It Harder to Sue for Getting Cancer from Roundup appeared first on The Intercept.
Texas’s GOP Governor Can Arbitrarily Deny Democrats a Seat in Congress Until Next Year
21 March 2025 @ 8:00 am
Texas’s heavily Democratic 18th Congressional District has an empty seat. State law gives Greg Abbott the power to delay the election to fill it.
The post Texas’s GOP Governor Can Arbitrarily Deny Democrats a Seat in Congress Until Next Year appeared first on The Intercept.
Victims of UCLA Mob Attack Sue to “Hold the Aggressors Accountable”
20 March 2025 @ 5:46 pm
Pro-Palestine protesters at UCLA who were attacked by a mob allege that the school did little to stop nearly five hours of violence.
The post Victims of UCLA Mob Attack Sue to “Hold the Aggressors Accountable” 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.
‘The truth is being withheld’: Heathrow closure claim points to Reform UK playbook
25 March 2025 @ 2:23 pm
Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, delivered a statement in the House of Commons on Monday concerning the closure of Heathrow Airport late last week, as a result of a power cut caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation. Alexander, who had that morning toured the broadcast studios touting Labour’s pothole crackdown, reflected on... Read more »
The post ‘The truth is being withheld’: Heathrow closure claim points to Reform UK playbook appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Starmer is prioritising international security, but is he neglecting security at home?
25 March 2025 @ 10:55 am
Keir Starmer has had a good few weeks. I say that as a Tory donor and someone who has been broadly opposed to the way this Labour Party has governed since coming to power. This isn’t down to luck. He handled the Trump vs Zelenskyy situation very well, and the public noticed. Even better, after sensing... Read more »
The post Starmer is prioritising international security, but is he neglecting security at home? appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Minister appears to criticise Rachel Reeves for accepting Sabrina Carpenter ‘freebie’
25 March 2025 @ 9:32 am
A minister has appeared to criticise Rachel Reeves for accepting free tickets to a Sabrina Carpenter concert at the O2 arena, stating he would pay for his own attendance at shows. Matthew Pennycook, who serves as minister of state for housing and planning, said he does not “personally think it’s appropriate” to accept hospitality offerings... Read more »
The post Minister appears to criticise Rachel Reeves for accepting Sabrina Carpenter ‘freebie’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Labour MPs label Brexit a ‘disaster’ as government urged to intensify UK-EU reset
25 March 2025 @ 9:01 am
MPs lined up to label Britain’s exit from the European Union a “disaster” in a House of Commons debate on Monday evening. Labour MP Stella Creasy vowed at the outset of her speech to speak plainly about the impact of Brexit, which she rubbished as “a disaster by anybody’s metric.” In one of several swipes... Read more »
The post Labour MPs label Brexit a ‘disaster’ as government urged to intensify UK-EU reset appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
The spring statement will pit Rachel Reeves against her party
24 March 2025 @ 3:05 pm
Rachel Reeves spent Sunday morning touring the broadcast studios as she attempted the traditional pitch roll for this week’s spring statement. The chancellor had a headline in mind, and her confirmation that she will seek a 15 per cent reduction in administrative costs across Whitehall, amounting to about £2 billion a year, receives comprehensive coverage... Read more »
The post The spring statement will pit Rachel Reeves against her party appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Keir Starmer: Minister for men not the answer to ‘worrying’ issues facing teenage boys
24 March 2025 @ 9:27 am
Keir Starmer has rejected the view that a dedicated minister for men could help combat the issues raised by the drama Adolescence. The four-part Netflix series, released earlier this month, is said to shine a light on the corrosive impact of social media and misogynist influencers on some teenage boys. Starmer revealed he is watching... Read more »
The post Keir Starmer: Minister for men not the answer to ‘worrying’ issues facing teenage boys appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Lord Frost floats Tory pact with Reform by 2028: ‘We can’t go into an election divided’
24 March 2025 @ 8:15 am
Lord Frost has reflected on the prospect of a Conservative pact with Reform UK as the two right-wing parties continue to fight it out in the polls. The former cabinet minister told attendees of the annual Margaret Thatcher conference over the weekend that “pacts or arrangements will have to be on the agenda” if the... Read more »
The post Lord Frost floats Tory pact with Reform by 2028: ‘We can’t go into an election divided’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Week-in-Review: How Keir Starmer’s ‘insurgent government’ could outpace its opponents
23 March 2025 @ 8:15 am
Keir Starmer has governed in defiance of expectations. From the seat of 10 Downing Street, every policy announcement eschews some past version of the prime minister: the liberal human rights lawyer, the grey technocrat, the “soft left” prophet who prevailed upon the Labour membership, the bastion of political stability. There is no consensus yet on... Read more »
The post Week-in-Review: How Keir Starmer’s ‘insurgent government’ could outpace its opponents appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Minister: Labour is not ‘centre-right’
20 March 2025 @ 10:08 am
Labour is not a party of the “centre-right”, a minister has said amid criticism of the government’s welfare reforms and anticipated spending cuts. The government announced a raft of welfare measures on Tuesday, which it said will help bring more working age people back into jobs and save the taxpayer billions of pounds. Among the... Read more »
The post Minister: Labour is not ‘centre-right’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Jonathan Hinder: ‘The government does not run this country — politicians need to take back control’
20 March 2025 @ 8:55 am
The British government does not run this country. It has given away much of its decision-making power, weakening its ability to direct the country, despite the state’s increasing size. That is the stark reality that this Labour government must confront, and when the prime minister speaks of the need for a more active government, which... Read more »
The post Jonathan Hinder: ‘The government does not run this country — politicians need to take back control’ 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.
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
A county council’s view of the Scorecards
26 March 2025 @ 9:12 am
The Council Climate Action Scorecards were recently mentioned in East Sussex County Council’s Written Questions (see question 12, on the council’s score for mitigation and adaptation). When we spot that the Scorecards are helping to inform councils’ conversations like this, we often make contact to find out more. East Sussex were happy to fill us…
Volunteering for Scorecards opens new possibilities
25 March 2025 @ 9:58 am
The Council Climate Action Scorecards project, which assesses local councils on their climate action, is only possible thanks to a large number of people who give up their time to volunteer. Their job is to source and analyse data from a variety of places, analysing more than 40 different possible pieces of climate action that…
Making FixMyStreet and FixMyStreet Pro more accessible
14 March 2025 @ 9:09 am
Our front-end designer Lucas Cumsille Montesinos highlights some of the work he’s been doing recently to make FixMyStreet and all integrated co-branded versions of the service running on FixMyStreet Pro more accessible – a crosspost from the SocietyWorks blog. ___ Over the past year we have been collaborating with users of FixMyStreet and FixMyStreet Pro…
Updating TheyWorkForYou’s voting summaries
13 March 2025 @ 9:04 am
Last year we undertook a major overhaul of our approach to the voting record summaries on TheyWorkForYou. This was aimed at creating a sharper and clearer throughline to the summaries, supported by updated explanations of parliamentary voting. We have just made the first update to our voting summaries of the new Parliament, with the information…
mySociety’s democracy work in 2025
13 March 2025 @ 9:03 am
Over the next few months we’re making some major updates to TheyWorkForYou improving our coverage of registers of interests, votes, and the email alerts system. If you’d like to be updated as things are released, please sign up to our newsletter. What do you value about TheyWorkForYou and our democracy work? We want to understand…
News from the ATI Network – Feb 2025
6 March 2025 @ 1:46 pm
February has been a whirlwind but we’re back deep in TICTeC organisation and looking forward to the sunny summer sun in Belgium in June. Let’s see what the network have been up to this month! FragDenStaat: are promoting the use of FOI to counter the activities and disinformation spread by the far right movement in…
Beyond Transparency: Q&A
5 March 2025 @ 4:07 pm
Yesterday we had a launch event for our new features on TheyWorkForYou and report on money in politics. We didn’t get time for all the questions, so we’ve answered a few now. You can also a look at the report, the new features on TheyWorkForYou, and donations are appreciated if you like this direction for…
Has your local authority declared a Nature Emergency?
4 March 2025 @ 1:14 pm
Has your local authority declared a Nature Emergency? – Find out with a new service from the Woodland Trust, Climate Emergency UK, and mySociety! The UK nations are among the most nature-depleted in the world. But there’s hope! Just as we’ve found with climate action, the UK’s local authorities hold the power to drive the…
WhoFundsThem: the findings
4 March 2025 @ 12:01 am
To rebuild public trust in our political system we need better data, stronger checks, tighter rules and ultimately, systematic reform. Over the last few months, 50 volunteers helped the TheyWorkForYou team go through the Register of Members’ Financial Interests (RMFI), line by line, for all 650 MPs. We were looking for specific bits of information,…
“The scale of the challenge might sometimes feel overwhelming, but it’s possible to break it down”
26 February 2025 @ 3:36 pm
We spoke to Martin O’Brien at Lewisham Council about the Climate Council Action Scorecards, and the ways in which he’s used them to support his role as Head of Climate Resilience. The Scorecards assess all UK councils across a large variety of different climate actions, publishing the final marks online, for both councils and the…