Environment and Rural Affairs Predictions for 2015
Sarah-Jane Sewell sets out her environment and rural affairs predictions for 2015.
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2015 Energy Predictions
2014 has been an interesting year. A lot has happened, especially with energy. The major events of the year including Russia’s invasion into Crimea and ISIL’s invasion into Iraq and Syria all had a knock-on affect on the energy market. At first, both events pushed oil prices up as supply was threatened when Vladmir Putin cut off gas to Ukraine […]
Fostering democracy in North Korea
In December 2014, hackers attacked the computers of Sony Pictures, apparently in an attempt to prevent the release of “The Interview”, a film depicting the fictional assassination of Kim Jong-un. The attack was praised by the North Korean National Defence Commission, describing it as a “righteous deed”, and although the North Koreans publicly deny any involvement in the attack, US investigators have concluded that North Korea was responsible for these actions.
The Future of Local Government
By Cllr Stephen Canning It’s Monday morning and Ellie’s recycling hasn’t been collected, frustrated she sends a DM to the council Twitter account on her way out of the house. Using geolocation it dispatches a drone to go collect the bag that was missed by the refuse collection and sends her a picture to show it being removed. Later, during […]
From Civic Conservatism to Civic Capitalism
By Tom Hunt The idea of Civic Conservatism was central to David Willetts when he wrote his seminal text on Modern Conservatism in 1992. He presented the argument that for a Conservative, the key aim should be to reconcile support for free markets – which deliver freedom and prosperity – with the belief in the power and inherent worth of […]
Vladimir Putin’s bad week
Mr. Putin’s week started out bad when he left the G20 summit in a huff after Western leaders “ganged up on him” and turned worse after Germany announced they will not be making their 2020 co2 emissions target. It’s been a tough week for the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. First the Putin regime was singled out at the G20 summit in […]
Sheikh down: Mahmood’s questionable journalism
By Steven George-Hilley The fake Sheikh story shows how crime and journalism can get too close for comfort. There is also the terrible pain and suffering that tabloid journalism at its worst can inflict on naive people who are just as flawed as the rest of us “I have to tell you I have never been so nervous in my […]
Gideon’s Gridiron
Why George Osborne’s push for a Wembley based NFL team would be great for the London and American Football By Matthew Gass I usually catch up on enough news during the day, through Today/City AM in the morning and some browsing at lunch, that I don’t feel the need to grab an Evening Standard on the way home. However yesterday’s […]
Grayling has failed to learn from Labour’s mistakes
The Justice Minister, Chris Grayling, is guilty of one of New Labour’s most egregious sins, making unnecessary laws for soundbytes. The Malicious Communications Act 1988 is a monstrous pre-internet law that thoroughly criminalises vast tracts of speech, including jokes, smut, and the glorious English tradition of being thoroughly rude about people who deserve it; so long as these are done […]
The Future of Direct Democracy
By Matthew Gass A potential referendum on Britain’s membership in the EU is taking a central role in the next general election. Therefore, it seems worthwhile taking a look at the role of referenda and direct democracy in British politics. This is especially true in the context of the recent votes on AV and Scottish Independence. Historically it has been […]
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