A true democratToday marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Rivonia trial, and the sentencing of Nelson Mandela to life imprisonment on charges of sabotage, and acting to ‘further the aims of communism’. It goes without...Posted 12 Jun 2014
Bun-fight in BrusselsThis was supposed to be the year it all changed. Since the European Commission’s creation, the beginning of each term has been dominated by diplomatic tussling over who would hold its presidency. This process has...Posted 04 Jun 2014
The Margo wayToday, 30th May 2014, marks the start of the official campaign period for the Scottish referendum. “But they’ve been campaigning for ages,” I hear you cry. Well yes, but from here on in all the registered...Posted 30 May 2014
The new rotten boroughs?How would you like to live in a one party state? You may wonder why anyone would ask given that this is the UK, not North Korea. After all, we can all vote tomorrow if...Posted 21 May 2014
38,000 denied a voteTens of thousands of people across England are being denied a vote in next week’s local elections, owing to the undemocratic phenomenon of uncontested seats. In this year’s elections there are seven wards which are...Posted 16 May 2014
One Direction for electing MEPsWe haven’t had a high-profile defection in Welsh politics for a while, so it’s unsurprising that the hearts of some were set aflutter when the former Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney,...Posted 12 May 2014
Closing the EU’s democracy GapThere is an ever-widening divide between the European institutions and the British people. We are members of the European Union, yet most of us don’t feel part of it or able to shape its policies....Posted 28 Apr 2014
A bad week for womenWhat a dispiriting week for women. Following Maria Miller’s resignation, just three out of 22 Cabinet ministers are females – putting the UK government at a 15-year low and near rock bottom in comparison with...Posted 11 Apr 2014
Just three out of 22 Cabinet ministers are femalesWhat a dispiriting week for women. Following Maria Miller’s resignation, just three out of 22 Cabinet ministers are females – putting the UK government at a 15-year low and near rock bottom in comparison with...Posted 11 Apr 2014
As long as it’s interimLast week I attended two different events which discussed the possibilities a written constitution presents to Scotland. This week I am due to attend another. Scotland has already begun to think about what a constitution...Posted 24 Mar 2014