Cameron's six point plan
Ayushman Jamwal examines how David Cameron plans to change British policy now that the Lisbon Treaty has been ratified
The Lisbon Treaty aims to improve the cross-national functioning of EU institutions by transferring legislative powers from member governments to the European Union. It has now been completely ratified after the 27th member state, the Czech Republic, signed it leading it to function as EU law by December.
In the UK, since the Labour government has failed to provide the referendum to the treaty promised in the 2005 elections, the nations ties to Europe have become a recent bone of contention before the elections.
Remember, remember the fifth of November
In the wake of Bonfire Night, Cosimo Montagu has a think about the modern significance of this strangely political festival
Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night? This is a question that I got to wondering on the evening of Saturday October 31, when while working at my desk, the sounds of fireworks could be heard in the distance.
Eventually I figured out that these sounds were coming from Bute Park, and I stepped outside my front door on Miskin Street to catch the last half of what was a very impressive fireworks display. However, before the automatic mind leap that occurs for many of us between the hearing of explosions and assumption that fireworks are being let off, I must admit that I had a moments pause. How do I know that fireworks are being set off, and not bombs, rocket attacks or mortars? It was the fact that the sound of explosions gave me this positive, warm and fuzzy association with celebration and bright colours that aroused my interest and caused me to consider why we celebrate Bonfire Night.
The Commonwealth: a reactionary union
Chaitanya Marpakwar accuses the Commonwealth of being a reactionary, colonialist waste of money that serves no purpose
The Indian capital of New Delhi is hosting the upcoming Commonwealth Games in 2010 and President Prathiba Patil was at Buckingham palace to receive the ‘baton’ from the Queen Elizabeth II. This meant she became the first head of state of a Commonwealth country to receive the baton from the Queen Elizabeth.
The Commonwealth has 53 member states including Tuvalu & Kiribati ,but none of them have shown this level of obsession to the colonial hangover that their head of state presents her/him self in the former colonisers palace.
Style vs substance
Chris Tarquini examines our politics of style and its sinister implications
Whether it’s ‘yes we can’, kissing babies or riding a bike to work, modern politics seems to be overrun with gimmicks, catchphrases and charismatic new leaders.
With 2010 presenting a challenging environment for parties to engage with the electorate over the issues the argument ‘they’re all the same’ may mean style rather than substance reigns supreme next time Britain heads to the polls. The television era has meant that many voters now make their decisions at the ballot box due to who they would rather have a beer with or who has the most heart-warming smile.
The big debate
Lloyd Rees considers the arguments for and against televised political debates
Leaders’ debates have been a staple of foreign democracies for decades. However this opportunity to place potential leaders under public scrutiny has eluded the UK, something which Sky News wishes to change.
They allow potential leaders to lay out their policies live on air, with the viewing public able to directly compare them with the opposing parties, without the influence of a lot of party political spin.
Do you want to talk about it?
Lauren Cowie reveals her thoughts about our beloved leaders' recent attempts to save the world from total annihilation
They say that a problem shared is a problem halved. This week the G20, the big global players, met up in the political equivalent of a Macmillan coffee morning to bandy round some ideas about how to save the planet from economic doom.
It has apparently been a great success. Everyone has been very nice and agreed to share the 1.1 trillion dollar cake. Or so it has been portrayed.
Taking care of business
As Barack Obama's healthcare reforms complete one step on their journey towards reality, Sophie Spence has a bit of a look
For decades US Democrats have sought to provide universal health cover and their dream could soon be realised. Last Saturday night Barack Obama’s proposed healthcare reform bill scraped through and was passed by the House of Representatives.
The bill was passed by 220 votes to 215. Although this is a narrow victory, it is a huge milestone nonetheless. Cheers erupted as Nancy Pelosi, the house speaker, declared the victory. It is President Obama’s first significant domestic victory of his presidency.
About gair rhydd
- About
- Advertising
- Awards
- Comment Policy
- Contact Us
- h4. The _gair rhydd_ news pod!
- Joining The Team
- Notice Board
Search
Atom RSS Feeds
