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David Porter » Entries tagged with "politics"

Referendal Politics Could Be (Re)birth of Contemporary Democracy

Voters pass judgments in elections and referenda. Not always convenient to rulers, but they’re here to stay in modern democracy as people express opinions. This article first published on Suite 101, 9 November 2011. Matthew D’Ancona used the phrase ‘referendal politics’ in the Daily Telegraph, November 2011, in relation to the fightback and rebirth of (new) democracy in the face of bureaucratic, outdated elites now running Europe. However, as so often in history, politics and news, it’s an old term brought back in a different context. A book by Corinne Comstock Weston (1995) about The House of Lords and ideological Politics, analysed what was called ‘Lord Salisbury’s Referendal Theory’ in relation to the Conservative Party 1846-1922. While Britain then was gradually embracing democracy, the House of Lords was seen ‘as the last bastion … Read entire article »

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Stress Could Be the Next Key Factor in British Politics

Work patterns changed beyond recognition in a decade, occupational stress the norm, few benefit from technology’s ease: can Britain ever take it easy again? This article first published on Suite 101, 8 November 2011. With the pressure of few shopping days till Christmas, financial worries and frantic lifestyles of expectation, social-media and the ‘now’, all ages feel under stress. In-Deed, an online conveyancing company published a November 2011 survey saying that selling or buying a house ages people by two years. They didn’t find how much stress people suffer who can’t sell their homes. How much is healthy, creative stress and how much is destructive? More of the latter has far-reaching consequences for our legislation, legal/educational/welfare/employment/transport systems. In short, for our whole way of life. Most employed accept some occupational stress. When a … Read entire article »

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The Concept of International Justice On Trial

Gaddafi’s non-judicial ‘execution’ polarised world opinion, from those appalled at the circumstances to those just delighted by the dictator’s demise. This article first published on Suite 101, 27th October 2011. In the wake of the death of Libya’s Muammar al-Gaddafi, the airwaves were thick with calls for ‘justice’ for his killers. They received short shrift from the National Transition Council and Libyans sickened by four decades of brutality at the hands of the Gaddafi regime. British Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said Gaddafi was ‘subjected to summary justice’. US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton demanded an investigation saying: ‘The new Libya needs to start with accountability, the rule of law, a sense of unity and reconciliation in order to build an inclusive democracy’. Some commentators were quick to point out that the US showed … Read entire article »

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Ministerial Resignations Are Often Political Theatre At Its Best

This article was first published on Suite 101, 21 October 2011. Now, a year on, in the wake of the resignation of the Government Chief Whip, Andrew Mitchell, over an issue that raises all sorts of questions about integrity, the arrogance of office, police records, hidden police agendas and the judgement of senior politicians… it is timely to republish it. Shakespeare wrote: ‘Nothing in his life became him like the leaving of it’. (Macbeth). If only the same could be said of many who leave ministerial life. The Ministerial Code is issued at the start of each administration by the new Prime Minister. It’s not formalised in the constitution, but has evolved through precedence and guidance. By convention, Ministers inform and explain, apologise, take remedial action and resign in ministerial responsibility. Each … Read entire article »

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Whips Mean Business in Parliamentary Proceedings

This article was first published on Suite 101, 20 October 2011. Now, a year on, in the wake of the resignation of the Government Chief Whip, Andrew Mitchell, over an issue that raises all sorts of questions about integrity, the arrogance of office, police records, hidden police agendas and the judgement of senior politicians… it is timely to republish it. Periodically, Government whips hit the news and people ask, who are they? What do they do? Why do they have such power? The Parliamentary website gives a succinct definition: ‘whips are MPs or Lords appointed by each party in Parliament to help organise their party’s contribution to parliamentary business’. They ensure that most party members vote, and vote according to party wishes. It’s thought ‘whip’ stems from 18th century hunting, where a ‘whipper-in’ … Read entire article »

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Impressionists Have Had Their Day in the Spotlight of UK Stand-Up

Satirising politicians has lost its appeal as they are so bland and because political reality parodies itself. You can no longer make it up. Long-time stalwart of the British comedy impressionist circuits, Rory Bremner, confessed to the Daily Telegraph (October 2011) that he was experiencing difficulty finding work. Channel 4 (who had employed him for 20 years) had no need of his particular services because ‘people no longer recognise the voices’ of top political players. He told Bryony Gordon in her interview that a brilliant impression now ‘would be like showing a dog a card trick’. In the next day‘s edition of the Telegraph, Matthew Norman wrote a personal opinion on Bremner being forced to do a turn on Strictly Come Dancing to earn a crust, believing it was because public interest … Read entire article »

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Is the Clock Ticking for Greenwich Mean Time?

 Should time be called on British ownership of time, along with other old British measurements? Most Brits say ‘hands off our clocks!’ Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), also known as Greenwich Meridian Time, is symbolically marked by a line by the old Royal Observatory, Greenwich, London. Visitors walk along and around it, straddling it for fun. But it’s a serious, acknowledged base for measurement. When clocks change in spring and autumn, GMT remains constant, so time is either + or – GMT. It’s Longitude Zero degrees, and is deemed the mean (average) time the earth takes to revolve from noon to noon. It sets official time, and although there’s now atomic time (UTC), it‘s understood as a global reference point. It is used on the International Space Station, but there are 25 integer World … Read entire article »

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Conference Season Is Fun-and-Games Politics With Serious Purpose

  Autumn party conferences are the only show in town for devotees, managers and media. But do they do any real political good, make any lasting impression? All British political parties, great and small, hold gatherings of their party faithful at some point during the year. Attenders are treated to a succession of debates in conference on substantial issues, the party’s great and good in the flesh, fringe meetings, cabals, sideshows and personalities and opportunists (media and political) working the rooms. It’s a somewhat rarefied atmosphere, cocooned within a ring of high-level security. The rest of the country (starting with locals inconvenienced by security) matter only when they and their opinions are suddenly remembered. Such events allow leaders and would-be leaders to grandstand, network and feel involved. They can make or break … Read entire article »

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The British Policing Poisoned-Chalice Debate Begins

Traditional bobby-on-the-beat policing died years ago under a tide of social engineering. Now, who’d be a cop? Is it a job few will now touch for any money? The ‘Dixon of Dock Green’ (1950s TV police series) style of consensual policing, with jovial, kindly and trustworthy walking coppers keeping everyone safe, vanished long before August 2011’s riots. Some think problems began when the police ‘force’ became the police ‘service’. News on just one day (21 August) from one national newspaper (The Sunday Telegraph) illustrates the problems faced by those policing contemporary Britain, the policed and the taxpayers paying for it. All Bad News Stories The paper reported the search for the new chief of the Metropolitan police as ‘in chaos’: government officials persuading officers to apply. The deadline was put back so … Read entire article »

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Bringing Common Sense to the Common Fisheries Policy

A campaign to change failed rules which control deep-sea fishing is a study in the power of television, celebrity and natural justice. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, chef, writer, broadcaster and campaigner, is a contemporary ‘celebrity’. He has built a reputation for seasonal, ethically produced food. His River Cottage TV series and recipe books won awards, and he’s Patron of the National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association. In the 2000s he became angry about the vagaries of the effects of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), whereby tons of perfectly good fish were being thrown overboard, because it was illegal to land them. The loss of quality food and environmental damage done to the seabed was an affront to common sense. The Regulatory Imperative Labour politician Nye Bevan described Britain as ‘an island of coal … Read entire article »

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