Politicians vs Representative Democracy
Democracy noun, a form of government in which the people have a voice in the exercise of power; typically through elected representatives. Origin: Greek demokratia, from demos ‘the people’ + -kratia ‘power, rule’ – Oxford English Dictionary Recently, I found myself sitting in the public gallery during a meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council, [...]
The end of opposition
Yesterday the official opposition gave up. In a packed room at The Insititute for Education Ed Balls finally confirmed what many of us have been thinking for a while: The Labour Party aren’t the alternative. As the cuts continue to bite, the wages of workers remain stagnant and the economic outlook for the UK remains [...]
Three things about the independence referendum scrap
First: let’s get one thing straight. Nations have a right to self determination in international law. David Cameron may quibble about the devolved powers of the Holyrood Parliament under the Scotland Act. He may even, if it came to a battle in the international court, win. In my experience the arc of judicial rulings bend [...]
Dick of the Year – Theresa May, Nadine Dorries and Louise Mensch
This is a nomination for Bright Green’s Dick of the Year 2011 award by Naomi Beecroft. To submit your own nomination email 200 words (or thereabouts) to editors (at) brightgreenscotland (dot) org. I’m nominating Theresa May, Nadine Dorries and Louise Mensch for their remarkable dedication to anti-women, to bigotry and to bullshit. Theresa May wants [...]
Lib Dems aren’t modifying Tory policy. They are allowing it.
As the European elephant in the cabinet room finally rears and strains the Clegg-Cameron bonds, many Liberal Democrats are once again questioning why they are in government at all. And the response is the same as ever: “We had to go into coalition” they are told “because if we didn’t, the Tories would get to [...]
Bingo! Osborne’s Autumn statement: fun for all the family
Thought the pre-budget report was going to be enraging? Worried that watching it will set you on a trajectory which will inevitably lead to the need for a new TV, replacing that with a shoe sized hole in it? Never fear! The good folks at nef (the new economics foundation) have cordially invited readers of [...]
Tory Women: why “female” and “feminist” aren’t interchangeable
The current government’s spending cuts disproportionately affect women. That’s not my opinion; it’s fact. Women make up 65% of the public sector workforce, so are more likely to be affected by the redundancies and pay freezes which are being imposed. Most single parents and housing benefit claimants are women, so more women than men will [...]
Lower Than Vermin
Maggie, Maggie, Maggie! Die, die, die! This was one of the most enthusiastic chants I heard outside the Tory party conference on Sunday; two decades later, protesters in Manchester haven’t forgotten what happened under the governments of the 80s and 90s. But then Manchester has a very long history of resisting Tory policies, and to [...]
Stop Lying About the Nation’s Credit Card
We’re making sure that this generation does not bankrupt the next. Not saddling them with our debts, not maxing out on the nation’s credit card, but building a better future for our children. Tory Party Chairman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi For a party feigning concern about “the nation’s credit card”, the Conservatives are remarkably comfortable with the [...]
Abortion Rights: Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics
There’s a certain irony to promoting “non-directive counselling” as a means of reducing the abortion rate. But I’m starting to think that the coalition government doesn’t really understand irony. The Department of Health announced today that they are planning to use NHS funds to support independent abortion counselling – provided by anti-abortion pressure groups – [...]
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