There’s nothing like a Ken Loach film to get people talking about the government and society. I, Daniel Blake, his latest film about the harshness of Britain’s welfare system, has split opinion. The reactions to the film show the contours of Britain’s deeply segmented society. [OPINION]
When Theresa May took over the post of British Prime Minister from David Cameron, she sneered at her predecessor and criticised his policies. She made it clear she would do things differently. As it turns out, May and Cameron are cut from the same cloth. She is mimicking both his style and his mistakes. [OPINION]
[Opinion] The ongoing fallout from the leak of the Panama Papers has not spared the United Kingdom; the Prime Minister's late father – Ian Cameron – was among those named in the documents. Yesterday, David Cameron admitted having benefited from his father's offshore trust. Is this news? Certainly. Is this shocking? Not really...
The 12th of September 2015 was a remarkable day in UK politics. Despite rivals urging the electorate to vote "anyone but" Jeremy Corbyn – and former Prime Minister Tony Blair suggesting Corbynistas need a heart transplant – the old leftie became Labour leader. How did that happen? "Let's open that black box" is what journalist Rosa Prince must've thought as she wrote about Corbyn's "coup".
The real story of the Oldham by-election was the people ignoring the media. Although by-elections may be slightly less predictable than regular elections, nothing indicated that Labour had any chance of losing the seat. Except in the media, of course. Opinion piece.
The first requirement for a European state to apply for EU membership is ‘respecting its democratic values’. Given that, current members could use a refresher course on what it means to be a democracy. Protests, a vital part of this system of government, are increasingly being repressed. Is Europe forgetting how democracy works?
It took an all-nighter but the Eurozone leaders finally agreed on a third bailout package for Greece. Despite breaking an election promise, the ‘agreekment’ - as European Council president Donald Tusk dubbed it - will allow Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to save face when he defends the deal in the Dutch parliament.
Last Sunday, Spain voted in local and regional elections and may have permanently bid farewell to its two party political system. New and regionalist parties dealt a big blow to the main parties Partido Popular(PP) and PSOE as the Spanish people showed that they are willing to vote for hope when it presents itself. A guiri’s account of the circus that Spain calls an election.
With the UK general election imminent, this is no time to be silent. It's time to ask what happened to the politics-driven music of the Thatcher era. And what can make musicians and citizens alike raise their voices again?
Greece's Prime Minister wants Germany to pay for Nazi war crimes. German press demand an apology from the Greek Finance Minister for (not?) giving their country the finger. Two storms in a teacup that are illustrative for the current finger-pointing between northern and southern Europeans. Instead of assigning blame, why don't we collectively try to find a solution to the euro crisis?
