By Justin K Kevin McCarthy’s botched (but ultimately successful) bid to become Speaker of the House has shown that the Republican Party of today is far from the united entity that it seeks to portray itself as. Of particular note – and perhaps concern – was the disproportionate influence that more conservative members of theContinue reading “‘Draining the swamp’ or political opportunism?”
Tag Archives: Democracy
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try, try again!
By Lyndon C After fifteen ballots between January 3rd-7th, Kevin McCarthy, from California’s 20th congressional district, finally won the election to be the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Personally, I found it quite easy to sit back and laugh at McCarthy’s second through fourteenth attempts to gain the speakership that arguably shouldContinue reading “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try, try again!”
The 2022 US Midterms – What Happened to the ‘Red Wave’?
By Alastair Thompson Going into the night of the 2022 US midterm elections, spirits in the Republican camp were high – and this optimism was certainly justified. Republican candidates across the country had been picking up considerable momentum in the polls and Joe Biden had achieved a historically low job approval rating of only 38%Continue reading “The 2022 US Midterms – What Happened to the ‘Red Wave’?”
Jacinda Ardern – a new type of leader?
By Angus M According to the UN’s Global Parliamentary Report, the average age of parliamentarians around the world is 53. Under 9,000 of the 46,500 MPs around the world are women, which is just under 20%. One can therefore argue that in the spirit of Hanna Pitkin’s concept of ‘descriptive representation’, where a group electsContinue reading “Jacinda Ardern – a new type of leader?”
On Matt Hancock and I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!
By Sinead D Matt Hancock, Conservative MP for West Suffolk and former Health Secretary, has recently confirmed his appearance in the TV series “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here”: a British reality TV show set in the forests of Australia where celebrity contestants must complete gruelling physical challenges whilst having no contact withContinue reading “On Matt Hancock and I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!”
The Jan. 6 Committee: An Exercise in Cinematography
By Lyndon C A Monmouth University poll showed that the July 2021 hearings of the January 6th Committee had little impact on public opinion; the largest numerical shift was that 4% fewer respondents saw Trump as directly responsible. Following the ninth televised hearing on October 13th, 2022, I remain similarly unmoved. I was hoping toContinue reading “The Jan. 6 Committee: An Exercise in Cinematography”
Why do UK governments typically fall after 15 years?
By Hasan A If we were to look at the periods of single-party dominance over the last 100 years, we would easily notice that not one government has survived for much more than 15 years. No party seems capable of retaining power for much longer – with even Thatcher and Major’s governments falling after 18Continue reading “Why do UK governments typically fall after 15 years?”
The Rwanda Plan
By Harry B So far in 2022, almost forty-thousand people have crossed the channel on small boats to seek asylum in the United Kingdom – nearly five times as many as in the entirety of 2020. The small boat crossings are extremely dangerous and are often tied to people-smuggling operations, as well as placing aContinue reading “The Rwanda Plan”
Was Queen Elizabeth a powerful political force?
By Alex B After news broke of the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September the 8th shockwaves were sent around the United Kingdom and to many parts of the world. Many in Britain and elsewhere would have found it near impossible to imagine a world without the long-reigning monarch after a historic 70-year reign.Continue reading “Was Queen Elizabeth a powerful political force?”
Codified constitution: a remedy for UK democracy?
By Rameen P In recent years, calls have grown for the UK to adopt a codified constitution. Having a single document where fundamental laws and the overall political system are explained would reduce the need for conventions, outline how power is distributed, and arguably better protect our rights. Although many of the dangers a codifiedContinue reading “Codified constitution: a remedy for UK democracy?”