Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Ed Cox Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
This year’s European elections and Scottish referendum may signify a more profound change in British politics than the General Election in 2015, writes Ed Cox. Taken together, they present an opportunity for the people of the United Kingdom to send a clear message to the mainstream political parties. Tomorrow’s local and European elections are not […]
By Andrew Russell Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
In many ways, Andrew Adonis has eloquently argued the case for the voting age to be lowered to 16. But his assertion that the ‘time has come’ simply doesn’t stand up to scrutiny, argues Prof Andrew Russell. Lord Andrew Adonis’ “Lent Talk” on BBC Radio 4 contained some impressive thinking about young people’s political engagement […]
By Rob Ford and Matthew Goodwin Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
After tonight’s second Nick Clegg v Nigel Farage debate, 38% of viewers more likely to vote for UKIP according to a Guardian ICM poll. And there is a real prospect that the party could break through to become one of Britain’s two or three largest parties explain Dr Rob Ford and Dr Matthew Goodwin. UKIP is […]
By Iain Deas, Graham Haughton and Stephen Hincks Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
The BBC’s Evan Davis says Britain needs a second ‘super city’ – and this could be Hebden Bridge. Dr Iain Deas, Prof Graham Haughton and Dr Stephen Hincks are sceptical. In his BBC series Mind the Gap: London v the Rest, Evan Davis argued that the UK’s economy is held back because London is our […]
By Danny Fitzpatrick Filed Under: Westminster Watch Posted:
This year’s Budget is further evidence of politicians’ unwillingness to address an ‘inactivity time bomb’ that in time will undermine our economy, explains Dr Daniel Fitzpatrick. Lower unemployment and improved growth forecasts made this year’s Budget a much happier one for George Osborne. He was helped by the surprising news that most people in the […]
By Catherine Durose, Francesca Gains, Liz Richardson, Ryan Combs and Christina Eason Filed Under: Westminster Watch Posted:
The next election is an unknown quantity, with pundits and pollsters both divided on the likely outcome. However one thing is becoming increasingly clear: there is unlikely to be a large-scale move towards a realignment in the House of Commons, with party selectorates continuing to exert influence which amounts to a continuation of a white, […]
By Rob Ford Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
Immigration is seldom out of the news, but the past month has seen attention spike to new highs as the removal of transitional controls on migration from Romania and Bulgaria has sparked furious debate, writes Rob Ford. Many headlines suggest the British public is implacably opposed to migration, and demand radical action from the government to bring […]
By Ed Cox Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
During Manchester Policy Week, four leading thinktanks debated what government might look like beyond the General Election and towards 2020. In an abridged version of his speech at the event IPPR North’s Director, Ed Cox (pictured above, standing), says there is life beyond the current austerity measures – but only if there are significant changes to present […]
By Duncan Exley Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
During Manchester Policy Week, four leading UK thinktanks were invited to debate what government and the state might look like beyond the current period of austerity. Panellist Duncan Exley (pictured above) of the Equality Trust believes the practice of government will become increasingly difficult from 2015, due to the policies of previous governments and the […]
By Rachel Gibson Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
The question of whether Web 2.0 technologies work in ‘getting out the vote’ is one that remains the subject of some debate. Professor Rachel Gibson, who is leading research into the impact on the electorate, suggests that while online has its place, traditional methods still remain powerfully persuasive. This post is an adapted version of […]