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.
DOGE’s Lawyer Once Warned That Ignoring Court Orders Would Destroy the Country
21 February 2025 @ 4:33 pm
With DOGE initiatives getting hung up in court, Elon Musk and Donald Trump attacked judges and flirted with defying their rulings.
The post DOGE’s Lawyer Once Warned That Ignoring Court Orders Would Destroy the Country appeared first on The Intercept.
DOGE Said It Cut $232 Million From Social Security Budget. It Was Only About Half a Million.
20 February 2025 @ 8:54 pm
The cut, an anti-trans attack, was the latest example of confusion sown by bold claims that wither under scrutiny.
The post DOGE Said It Cut $232 Million From Social Security Budget. It Was Only About Half a Million. appeared first on The Intercept.
One Month Under Trump: Are You Keeping Up?
19 February 2025 @ 11:30 pm
This week on The Intercept Briefing, politics reporters Jessica Washington and Akela Lacy assess the full scope of Trump's first month in office.
The post One Month Under Trump: Are You Keeping Up? appeared first on The Intercept.
Fetterman Staff Quit Amid Frustration Over “Just Working on Israel All the Time”
19 February 2025 @ 11:20 pm
A former campaign staffer said Sen. John Fetterman’s single-minded focus came at the exclusion of the progressive positions he ran on.
The post Fetterman Staff Quit Amid Frustration Over “Just Working on Israel All the Time” appeared first on The Intercept.
Trump Doesn’t Care About Ukraine or Russia — Just Money
19 February 2025 @ 6:21 pm
Trump is leaving Ukraine with impossible choices: fight a losing war without U.S. support, or submit to economic vassalage.
The post Trump Doesn’t Care About Ukraine or Russia — Just Money appeared first on The Intercept.
Trump and Musk Delight in the Sounds of Human Suffering With Sick “ASMR” Immigrant Video
19 February 2025 @ 5:42 pm
The video might bring pleasure to their supporters, but for us it is a call to shut down their fascist deportation machine.
The post Trump and Musk Delight in the Sounds of Human Suffering With Sick “ASMR” Immigrant Video appeared first on The Intercept.
Poised to Take Over TikTok, Oracle Is Accused of Clamping Down on Pro-Palestine Dissent
18 February 2025 @ 10:00 am
Oracle, which has secret partnerships with Israel, has told employees to love the country or work elsewhere.
The post Poised to Take Over TikTok, Oracle Is Accused of Clamping Down on Pro-Palestine Dissent appeared first on The Intercept.
This Is the Way to Stop Elon Musk
17 February 2025 @ 5:44 pm
Senate Democrats have the power to block federal contracts to Tesla and SpaceX. It’s the path to pushing Musk out of politics.
The post This Is the Way to Stop Elon Musk appeared first on The Intercept.
Trump Is Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud: Federal Prisons Are Purposely Inhumane
16 February 2025 @ 11:30 am
And that’s how he wants to keep it, his executive orders and memos from Attorney General Pam Bondi show.
The post Trump Is Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud: Federal Prisons Are Purposely Inhumane appeared first on The Intercept.
The Columbia Network Pushing Behind the Scenes to Deport and Arrest Student Protesters
15 February 2025 @ 9:00 am
For some members of the WhatsApp group, speaking out for Palestine and criticizing Israel are tantamount to supporting Hamas.
The post The Columbia Network Pushing Behind the Scenes to Deport and Arrest Student Protesters 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.
Donald Trump is the ‘bravest man that I know’, says Nigel Farage
21 February 2025 @ 6:51 am
Nigel Farage has hailed Donald Trump as the “bravest man that I know” hours after contradicting the US president’s claim that Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a “dictator”. Addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington DC, the Reform UK leader claimed that Trump’s political comeback in the United States is driving a resurgence... Read more »
The post Donald Trump is the ‘bravest man that I know’, says Nigel Farage appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
From Starmer to Farage: what responses to Trump’s attack on Zelenskyy reveal
20 February 2025 @ 2:58 pm
Donald Trump’s evisceration of diplomatic consensus and disdain for multilateral action is remaking the world order at a pace spectator governments, most of all those in Europe, are struggling to comprehend. Every social media tirade, standard diplomatic procedure dictates, should justify some new summit so agreed action can be considered and implemented. Earlier this week,... Read more »
The post From Starmer to Farage: what responses to Trump’s attack on Zelenskyy reveal appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Starmer backs Zelenskyy as Ukraine’s ‘democratically elected leader’ after Trump attack
20 February 2025 @ 9:22 am
Keir Starmer has rejected Donald Trump’s characterisation of Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “dictator”. The UK prime minister dismissed the claim by the US president in a call with his Ukrainian counterpart on Wednesday evening. According to a Downing Street readout of that conversation, Starmer told Zelenskyy it was “perfectly reasonable to suspend elections... Read more »
The post Starmer backs Zelenskyy as Ukraine’s ‘democratically elected leader’ after Trump attack appeared first on Politics
Why a circular economy for organic waste is a key opportunity to promote growth and food security
20 February 2025 @ 9:00 am
The new Labour government has got off to a flying start when it comes to waste and resources policy, but it could be missing a key opportunity for delivering food security and sustainable growth through a circular economy for organic waste. Action so far includes progress on the Deposit Return Scheme, delivering new incentives to... Read more »
The post Why a circular economy for organic waste is a key opportunity to promote growth and food security appeared first on Politics.co.uk
Opposition parties take aim at Rachel Reeves over inflation rise
19 February 2025 @ 2:24 pm
The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has been a conspicuous presence in the headlines recently — and not just on account of her zealous commitment to economic growth, which Labour stresses at every given opportunity. A recent BBC News investigation found Reeves stopped working for the Bank of England nine months earlier than it stated on her... Read more »
The post Opposition parties take aim at Rachel Reeves over inflation rise appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Ex-defence secretary Ben Wallace says Trump parroting Russian ‘propaganda lines’
19 February 2025 @ 11:09 am
Ben Wallace has accused US president Donald Trump of echoing “propaganda lines” from the Kremlin. The former defence secretary’s comments came after Trump appeared to blame Ukraine for starting war against Russia. In a press conference on Tuesday, the US president criticised Kyiv’s negotiation skills and suggested the war in Ukraine could have been “settled... Read more »
The post Ex-defence secretary Ben Wallace says Trump parroting Russian ‘propaganda lines’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Kemi Badenoch says Lib Dems ‘not on Twitter, but they are in local communities’
19 February 2025 @ 9:27 am
Kemi Badenoch has dismissed the Liberal Democrats as a party of “foolish ideas” while appearing to acknowledge their advocacy of the interests of local communities. The Conservative leader was asked to summarise the United Kingdom’s political landscape for an international audience during an interview with Canadian psychologist and DailyWire host Jordan Peterson. In her reply,... Read more »
The post Kemi Badenoch says Lib Dems ‘not on Twitter, but they are in local communities’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Kemi Badenoch embarks narrative ‘ARC’ of incoherence
18 February 2025 @ 1:48 pm
Kemi Badenoch’s worldview is unapologetically uncomplicated, steely in its simplicity. On just about every issue, her pronouncements are predictable
The post Kemi Badenoch embarks narrative ‘ARC’ of incoherence appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
Sadiq Khan: ‘Brexit was a mistake’
18 February 2025 @ 9:17 am
Sadiq Khan is set to tell European Union (EU) diplomats that “Brexit was a mistake” as he renews calls for closer alignment and a youth mobility scheme. At a summit hosted by the London mayor and attended by the EU’s Heads of Mission in the UK, Khan will tell delegates that Britain’s withdrawal from the... Read more »
The post Sadiq Khan: ‘Brexit was a mistake’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
MPs would get vote on deployment of British troops in Ukraine, minister suggests
18 February 2025 @ 8:57 am
MPs would get a vote before British troops were sent to Ukraine “if circumstances allow”, a cabinet minister has indicated. The prime minister has declared he is prepared to put “our own troops on the ground if necessary” in Ukraine if there is a deal to end the war with Russia. Ahead of an “emergency... Read more »
The post MPs would get vote on deployment of British troops in Ukraine, minister suggests 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"
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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
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"
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theyworkforyou.com
Keeping tabs on the UK’s parliaments & assemblies
TICTeC 2025 keynote announcement: Fernanda Campagnucci
10 February 2025 @ 10:33 am
The keynote speakers set the tone for TICTeC each year, kicking off the conference with a timely provocation that seeds ideas through the sessions that follow, and informs new channels of discussion. Our first keynote announcement for TICTeC 2025 is Fernanda Campagnucci, Executive Director of InternetLab, who brings unparalleled expertise in transparency, digital transformation, and…
The Action Scorecards help staff justify climate action
6 February 2025 @ 10:50 am
Cambridge City Council was the second highest scoring district council in the UK on the Council Climate Action Scorecards, a joint project between mySociety and Climate Emergency UK (CE UK). Given their success, Climate Change Officer at Cambridge Janet Fogg was keen to tell us how they’ve been using the Scorecards since they were launched.…
The Scorecards show councils what ‘good’ looks like
6 February 2025 @ 9:24 am
Kelly Murphy is the Climate Change Officer at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, a local authority in Hertfordshire that oversees a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas. As Kelly explained, Welwyn Hatfield works collaboratively with nine other authorities within the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (along with County Council and Hertfordshire Futures), where they share…
January 2025 News from the ATI Network
4 February 2025 @ 4:06 pm
2025 definitely felt like it’s had quite the entrance and things have been full and exciting here at mySociety’s transparency team! So let’s take a look at how 2025 started for the ATI Network mySociety: have been working hard putting together a schedule for TICTeC, there’s going to be an ATI day on June 12th…
Borough council appreciates what they “learn and and get out of engaging with the Scorecards”
31 January 2025 @ 2:22 pm
Following a call out by Climate Emergency UK (CE UK) to councils across the UK that were using the Scorecards, we were grateful that Gedling Borough Council responded and wanted to talk more. Annie from CE UK spoke to Sim Duhra, their Climate Change Manager, and learned about the current and potential uses of the…
Scorecards empower residents to get involved in climate action
31 January 2025 @ 1:55 pm
In many of our recent case studies, we’ve seen how councils benefit from the Council Climate Action Scorecards — but they are also of use to campaigners and residents who would like to fully understand, or perhaps get involved in, their local authority’s climate action. We heard from a Cirencester resident about how information on…
How Scorecards sparked a wave of carbon literacy training at South Cambs Council
31 January 2025 @ 1:37 pm
The Council Climate Action Scorecards are having tangible effects in councils across the UK, encouraging better, more effective climate action. We recently asked councils to let us know what the Scorecards have done for them, and Luke Waddington, Climate and Environment Project Officer at South Cambridge District Council, answered the call. Pleasingly, the Scorecards have…
TICTeC 2025 keynote announcement: Marietje Schaake
30 January 2025 @ 11:12 am
Every year at TICTeC, we strive to find keynote speakers that can speak directly to the present moment for the civic tech field. At a time when tech and democracy are becoming ever more entwined, we’re delighted that Marietje Schaake will be kicking off the first day of proceedings at TICTeC. Marietje is a former…
How to get to Mechelen for TICTeC 2025
23 January 2025 @ 1:41 pm
Eurostar booking is now open for the dates that TICTeC is running (10 -11 June), so it’s a great time to benefit from the best travel prices. Even if you’re not coming from the UK, read on for advice on how to join us in Mechelen, easily, cheaply or sustainably — and ideally, all three!…
You’re travelling to Mechelen for TICTeC
23 January 2025 @ 1:37 pm
…so why not stay a few more days? We’re all busy people, but if you’re making the trip to Mechelen in Belgium for TICTeC this June, it makes sense to stay on and sample some of the city’s unique attractions. First things first: if you haven’t already read our post on how to get to…