The independent commentary on British political affairs.
The independent commentary on British political affairs.
May 2008
Vol. 11, No. 11
A People's War: Brenda Boardman | The shadow over Brown's plan's to change the way we are governed: … More…
Available for subscribers to download now, in the Print Magazine section.
With the Home Office seemingly in a state of permanent turmoil, Jon Davis examines John Reid's proposals to split the department and finds political manoeuvering prior to prime ministerial change at the heart of the plans.
Author: Jon Davis
Published: 9th March 2007
Filed Under: Reform, Home Office, Gordon Brown, John Reid
Rod Morgan, former Chairman of the Youth Justice Board, reveals the circumstances behind his controversial resignation in January 2007.
Gillian Jones discusses the dangers inherent in the government's proposals to limit the right of citizens to trial by jury.
Given high public participation in Number 10's e-petitions, Matt Qvortrup argues that it is time for politicians to increasingly take their lead from the electorate in an effort to increase political engagement.
Examining the Blair legacy, Ross McKibbin suggests that the prime minister's achievements, while very real, are in the final analysis very much 'Old Labour' achievements.
The Bishop of Winchester argues that the state is overstepping the mark in its relationships with religious organisations.
Roderick Crawford talks to NICE Chief Executive, Andrew Dillon
The 'no-brainers' Cooksey seems not to have noticed- where NICE is not needed.
Author: Ewan Philips
Published: 9th March 2007
Filed Under: Health, Cooksey, Deltex, Medical Research, Nice
The government needs to measure its success, rather than being so focused on action.
Widespread concerns in academia about the UK's ability to recruit and retain the best scientists.
There is an undeniable 'yuck' factor around research on hybrid embryos, which should not be overlooked or ignored.
Author: Dr Lee Rayfield
Published: 9th March 2007
Filed Under: Health, NHS, Research, Science, Technology
The need to bring together scientists and doctors for research to be translated into advances in patient care.
He argues that conflict with Iran would be a failure. Rather, Iran needs to be tackled in much the same way as the Soviet Union. Containment, not confrontation is the way forward.
Author: Michael A. Leeden
Published: 9th March 2007
Filed Under: Defence, Iran, Nuclear Proliferation
The deal to shut the nuclear facilities at Yongbyon in exchange for 50,000 tonnes of food aid and fuel oil is a step in the right direction, but with Kim Jong-Il the world has been here before.
The Overview of Child Well-Being in Rich Countries is in danger of becoming an opportunity for political point-scoring.
Author: David Bull
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Children, Education, Child Welfare, Every Child Matters, Unicef
The role of research charities and the need for better engagement with bodies such as NICE.
Richard Dowden looks at the potentially huge and positive impact on Africa of its blossoming relationship with China.
Author: Richard Dowden
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Africa, Business, China, Commission For Africa Report
Alexander Howard look at the efforts of Rio Tinto and the World Bank to bring prosperity to the world's poorest region through fostering partnership between private business and public bodies.
Author: Alexander Howard
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Africa, Business, Rio Tinto, World Bank
Parliamentary Brief continues its ground-breaking coverage of the Darfur crisis. Julie Flint examines the ongoing attempts to broker a peace agreement, as well as looking at the main players in the region's rebel movement.
Digby Jones has a new job. Briefly out of the limelight after stepping down from the CBI he is back with a new mission. Parliamentary Brief's editor met up with him at his new City offices to find out more.
The stark challenge facing Britain in a globalised world is that without increasing its workers' skills it could be condemned to lingering decline, argues Kevin Meagher.
Author: Kevin Meagher
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Education, Skills, Training, Leitch Review
Brenda Ainsley discusses the importance of training our young people to be effective communicators in the workplace.
Author: Brenda Ainsley, Basic Skills Agency
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Education, Skills, Communication, Training
Paul Cheshire examines the recommendations of the Barker review of planning and finds it lacking: the start of a solution, not the solution itself.
The Housing Corporation's Steve Douglas talks to Duncan Hadfield about the need to increase the availability of quality affordable housing.
Author: Interview with Steve Douglas, Housing Corporation
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Local Government, Housing, Planning
Phil Allemdinger takes a look at our 60-years-old planning system and argues that change is long overdue.
Reflecting on the overall success of regional development initiatives, Leslie argues that this success needs to be nurtered further lest it be squandered.
Author: Chris Leslie
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Devolution, Investment, RDA, Regional Development
David Carslaw look at the prospects of new automotive and fuel technology to reduce vehicle emissions.
Author: David Carslaw
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Technology, Transport, Climate Change, Global Warming, Biofuels, Emissions, Hydrogen, Vehicle
Giles Waterfield argues for the importance of investing in the maintenance of our atristic heritage.
Donald Shell takes a look at the prospects for Lords reform.
Author: Donald Shell
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Lords, Democracy, Lords Reform, Parliament
John Ludlow is concerned that the Legal Services Bill will undermine confidence in the independence of lawyers and damage their international standing.
Author: John Ludlow
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Legislation, Law, Legal, Legal Services Bill
Steve Bee, Head of Pensions Strategy at Royal London Group, wonders who would want to join a scheme which takes 40 per cent in tax?
Martyn Frampton on the pressures which have led Sinn Fein to take the final step of accepting the PSNI.
We put the myth that greater skills guarantee future success under the microscope.
Paul Taylor, Emeritus Professor of International Relations, LSE, says that in Gordon Brown’s ideas for dealing with the problems of the globalised world much of it is whistling in the wind.
Author: Paul Taylor
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: UN, Globalisation, International Relations, Nato