NHS England

Behind closed doors: The shadowy dealings of NHS England and Palantir

— The Good Law Project has revealed NHS England’s opaque contract with Palantir, sparking concerns over privacy and transparency. The deal, lacking open tender, raises questions about data ethics and governmental accountability.

Austerity

Child health is in crisis in the UK – here’s what needs to change

— Children are bearing the brunt of austerity. From obesity to infant mortality, child health is affected by sustained under-investment. What can be done to reverse the decline?

OPINION

BBC Scotland: An irresponsible manufacturer of fake British nationalist outrage

— BBC Scotland has been accused of bias and stoking division by scrutinising the SNP’s call for a Tory-free Scotland in the general election, sparking controversy over political reporting integrity.

UK Politics

Michael Gove’s extremism definition: Four things about his announcement that make no sense

— The UK government’s new extremism definition, aimed at curbing violence and intolerance, raises concerns. It is non-statutory, potentially politicised, lacks clarity on its role in counter-terrorism, and risks targeting specific communities unfairly.

UK Politics

The abuse of Diane Abbott by a top Tory donor should have us all thinking about how we normalise racism against women MPs

— Frank Hester’s words about Diane Abbott are only the latest extreme example of the constant discrimination black and ethnic minority women face when they enter public life.

UK Politics

Climate crisis denier Lee Anderson finds common cause with Reform UK

— Tory MP Lee Anderson, suspended from the Conservative Party, joins Reform UK, a climate science denial party. He opposes net zero policies, supports fossil fuels, and works with GB News, known for climate denial.

OPINION

We’re all extremists now

— Rishi Sunak tasks Michael Gove to broaden the UK’s extremism definition, potentially encompassing independence campaigners. The move sparks concerns about stifling dissent and targeting groups critical of the government.

UK Politics

Jeremy Hunt’s budget: The problem for Labour explained

— Jeremy Hunt’s pre-election budget prioritises short-term political gains, aiming to appease voters with key measures. However, this strategy delays crucial investment, sparking concerns about potential public service cuts. The budget also contains multiple traps for Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves.

Analysis

If you follow the degrowth agenda, it leads to an economy that looks a lot like the sickly UK

— Degrowthers advocate cutting investment as a way to reduce the use of precious resources, which is exactly what the UK government has been doing for the last 40 years.

OPINION

Reimagining democracy: A blueprint for a new parliamentary system

— In the face of political upheaval and waning public trust, a new selfless parliamentary system aims to restore trust by prioritising selfless leadership, offering a potential antidote to the rise of populism and revitalising democracy for a more empowered and accountable future.

Budget 2024

Budget 2024: Experts react to the UK government’s last roll of the economic dice ahead of a general election

— The 2024 spring budget aimed to boost UK economic optimism before the general election. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt cut national insurance, but it only partially offset rising tax burden. Mixed reviews indicate the budget fell short of high expectations for pre-election economic moves.

Immigration

Rwanda deal: Why the media should focus more on the policy and less on the politics of immigration

— Media coverage of the government’s migration policies, notably the plan to send undocumented migrants to Rwanda, focuses more on political aspects than policy implications and human rights. Scrutiny should prioritise policy over politics for informed public understanding.

Long-Read

How the failures of Brexit feed Radical Brexitism

— Brexit was expected to end the blame on the EU and foster political accountability. Yet, Brexiters like Truss, Anderson, and Braverman shift blame to globalism and wokeism, fuelling radical Brexitism, seeking new targets, and desiring to “smash the system.”

UK Politics

Quick, blame the deep state! The tactics at play when Tories spout conspiracy theories

— Conservative MPs, like Liz Truss and Lee Anderson, use conspiracy rhetoric to appeal to audiences and build political brand, diverting attention from governance records. Truss’s blaming shadowy forces for her prime ministerial failures follows a familiar pattern.

Budget 2024

Budget 2024: What to expect from Jeremy Hunt’s pre-election tax giveaway

— Jeremy Hunt faces challenges in delivering tax cuts before the election due to a weak economy and a reduced budget deficit. The political impact remains uncertain. Can the chancellor move the dial on the Tories’ grim polling?

Austerity

How the Tories drove Britain’s local services into bankruptcy

— Local councils in Britain face severe financial strain, resulting in cuts to essential services like lollipop patrols, street lights, and public facilities. Austerity measures since 2010 exacerbate the crisis, risking vital community support and infrastructure.