In many ways there is great irony to this piece. While we are in the midst of a Republican controlled White House and a Conservative led Westminster there is a large necessity to discuss why the ideologies to which both governments across the Atlantic supposedly adhere to is in crisis. Whilst it is impossible to…
Category: Politics
Is Trump a true Republican?
Did Trump use the Republican Party to become President or did he set out to be a Republican President?
Is economic globalisation incompatible with national democracy? (Part 1)
The first of a two part essay on the relationship between economic globalisation and democracy, with a particular focus on whether the two can co-exist. Introduction Across the Western world, economic globalisation is under attack. Whether it be Bernie Sanders, Jeremy Corbyn and the author Naomi Klein on the left, or Donald Trump, Marine Le-Pen…
The election, deselection, and Corbyn’s redemption: what’s next for Labour?
With the Conservatives reeling from an election shock and rumours continuing to swirl over Theresa May’s frail premiership, the Labour party comparatively seems to be at ease, a comment that would have provoked laughter only a few months ago. Gaining 30 seats, winning 40% of the national vote, and depriving the Tories of a majority…
2016 – A bad year for progress
To say 2016 was a bad year for progress is an understatement. A right-wing populist surge continues to sweep the Western world, bloody conflict rages on in the Middle-East, and with it comes an outpouring of refugees in unprecedented numbers. The left and the principles of liberalism as a whole have taken a beating, and…
Young people and democracy: a troubled relationship?
If you’re 16 in the UK, you can drop out of school, get a job, pay taxes, and even join the army. Yet, in spite of all of this, you cannot vote. Governments with the ability to send people to war, change the rate of tax and change the laws to which we are all…
Should India be concerned about the Northeast?
A recent attack in Assam suspected to have been carried out by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) killed 13 people. Had this happened in a more populated and economically potent region of India, it would have received far more coverage. Yet, the unfortunate truth is attacks of this nature are all too common…
The Westminster game has failed. So let’s change the rules.
Our democratic deficit is deeper than anyone wants to admit. Governments are elected with less than 37% of the vote and just 24% of all registered voters, whilst voter turnout peaks at 66%. Our upper chamber is the largest in Europe, unelected and unrepresentative of the general public. It’s no wonder why we’ve come up…
Owen Smith cannot be the Labour Leader
Is it not better for a country to have two clearly distinct political parties, or is better for one party to attempt to resemble the other in a bid to get elected? Jeremy Corbyn and Owen Smith are the physical manifestations of these two ideas, with the former having vigorously opposed the Conservative Party for…
What is Obama’s Legacy?
This week’s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia was about much more then Hilary Clinton officially becoming the party’s nominee, it was about the passing of the torch from Barack Obama to his former secretary of state. It was about celebrating the successes of Obama’s presidency and highlighting his substantial legacy. He will now attempt to safeguard…
Can Tim Kaine win the game for Hillary?
Elizabeth Warren, Julian Castro and Cory Booker are some of the high profile names that were touted as being potential Democratic vice presidential nominees, yet it appears that Hillary Clinton has confounded many by selecting Tim Kaine, a little known Senator from Virginia. While this may be perplexing to many at face value, it’s evident…
The Cruel Circle of Brexit
Several areas of the UK with high percentages of ethnic minorities voted in favour of Brexit. They certainly influenced the vote greatly, but is the result now impacting them more than anyone else? 73% of black voters, 67% of Asian voters and 70% of Muslim voters all supported to remain in the EU. Despite this, as country…
Pertinent Problems 