In the last month we’ve all heard about David Cameron’s proposed crackdown on benefit frauds. Lots has been said around the left about how these proposals are completely missing the mark in terms of where the government can be saving money if need be, but there hasn’t been much of a defense of the benefit [...]
The ever-readable Left Outside has written a response to my post from the other week on Prop 8. It’s well worth a look, but (surprise, surprise) I’m afraid I have some issues with it. His argument, as I read it, is twofold:
First, in order for there to be democracy in a society, there must be [...]
For the last two years or so, I have been engaging in a dastardly plot to destroy the Tory party. Yes, by writing silly outraged-liberal letters to my Conservative MP – to which she must respond – on matters she ultimately doesn’t care about, I’ll hopefully waste enough Tory time and resources to destroy the [...]
Democracy in Britain leaves a lot to be desired – like actual democracy, for example. Governments secure unconscionable power with 33% of the popular vote; parties run multi-million pound election campaigns, ensuring they owe some millionaire or business, something, sometime; the anachronism of the constituency MP is still firmly in place and not going anywhere [...]
This week’s overturning of Proposition 8 in California is obviously welcome news. Amending California’s state constitution to state that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California” is nakedly discriminatory and Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision to strike it down should be applauded.
There is, though, something else that’s important to [...]
There is a lot that is cruddy about our democracy, from the piss-stained benches of the House of Lords to our absurd system of voting. Yet many would agree that the tradition of Prime Minister’s Questions is something to be proud of. The weekly opportunity for our elected representatives to hold the government to account, [...]
Nick Clegg is right about one thing: After 13 years of New Labour authoritarianism laws to restore our liberties really ought to be on the agenda. Yet, despite the scrapping of ID, I do not believe that the Cleggeron government are capable of rising to such a challenge.
So I thought we the I would [...]
Last week the French cabinet approved plans to ban the burqa in public places. Women who wear the veil in public face a fine of $185 dollars and compulsory classes in French values, along with imprisonment if they do not comply.
It goes without saying that a woman wearing a full face veil – her [...]
On saturday I went to rally for electoral reform outside the houses of parliament at an even organised by take back Parliament.
In many ways an excellent event. THe crowd of around a thousand were enthused and engaged. Not least because of the efforts of organiser Guy Aitchison:
Perhaps a point of contention at the event was [...]
Politicians keep going on the radio saying that we shouldn’t be talking about political process, but the economy. They’re telling us not to worry our silly little heads over big boy politics (like electoral reform), and even saying that business is more important than democracy.
The few hundred people who were denied their vote despite going [...]
