Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
A lot has been written about who votes for the extreme right-wing British National Party – but little about why more people don’t vote for it. Stephen Ashe examines what the lack of support for the BNP means for anti-racism and anti-fascism. Between 2001 and 2009, more than 50 BNP councillors were elected and the […]
By Tomas Maltby Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted:
There are few issues more important to EU governments than energy security. Promises of EU solidarity may mean less than they seem, explains Tomas Maltby. The crisis in Ukraine has caused the European Union to urgently revise its policy on energy and energy security. In February the European Council agreed that existing efforts to reduce […]
By David Gadd and Rosemary Broad Filed Under: Featured Posted:
It is not easy to get young men who have been violent to women to talk about it. But when they do opportunities arise to change their behaviour, explain Professor David Gadd and Dr Rose Broad. There is no inevitability that young men who use violence will continue to do so. But for them to […]
With growing calls for the UK to reverse an historic trend of chronic under investment in infrastructure, IPPR North’s Ed Cox believes it’s time to seek out the best and the brightest big ideas. The UK has “chronically underinvested in infrastructure, trailing that of other leading global economies.” That was the damning verdict of the RSA’s City […]
By Rob Ford, Will Jennings, Mark Pickup and Christopher Wlezien Filed Under: Featured, Polling Observatory Posted:
As explained in the inaugural election forecast, up until May next year the Polling Observatory team will be producing a long term forecast for the 2015 General Election, using methods first applied ahead of the 2010 election (and which are also well-established in the United States). The authors’ method involves trying to make the best […]
The decision of the General Synod to allow women to become bishops ends an unpopular (if legally protected) policy of gender discrimination. It brings the Church of England into the modern world while drawing on ancient traditions of shared leadership, explains Professor Kate Cooper. A collective sigh of relief could be heard round the Anglican […]
By Michael Pryce Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted:
Technology policy and defence acquisition can present striking contrasts, writes Dr Michael Pryce. Government policy is supportive of innovation – and often the more disruptive the better. But the highest spender in government on ‘high technology’ – defence – often has an old-fashioned look to it. Looking closely at examples of current military projects, we […]
Anti-immigration parties gained support in the European elections, but politicians’ real challenge is to reform a system that treats undocumented migrants unfairly, argues Dr Claire Fox. Despite the election rhetoric and growing support for anti-immigration politicians, the number of undocumented, ‘irregular’, migrants in the UK probably fell in recent years. Increasingly tough immigration policies and […]
By Alexandra Mullock Filed Under: Featured Posted:
Legislation to permit assisted dying will be debated in Parliament this week, after hitting the headlines at the weekend. Dr Alexandra Mullock explains the legal background and some of the issues Peers and MPs will need to consider. Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying Bill – due to be debated in the House of Lords later this week – […]
By Anita Greenhill Filed Under: Featured Posted:
As cities get ‘smarter’ and are managed by ever increasing streams of data, so the need for clear cross-border legislation becomes paramount, says Dr Anita Greenhill. The news last week that the UK government was passing an emergency law to ensure police and security services can continue accessing people’s phone and internet records, is just […]
