In a statement, his family said Prescott, who had Alzheimer’s, died peacefully on Wednesday, “surrounded by family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery.” The statement said Prescott spent his life “trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment.” “John dearly loved his home of Hull and representing … Read more
While the spin doctors put a lot of energy into trying to ensure everything runs without a hitch, all too often circumstance conspires to derail the best-laid plans. The unwritten rule of British politics, that if something can go wrong at conference it usually will, means both euphoric new Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his … Read more
Yet a win by a conservative outsider is hardly unprecedented, with movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger having served two terms as governor from 2003 to 2011. Gove commented that Hilton “has the policy smarts and the drive” to take on the job. He noted that “of course it’s a blue state, but governor races are different, … Read more
Common challenges The collaboration is just one strand in a growing transatlantic network of center-left think tanks and political operatives shaping policy and political messaging in Washington and London. Common challenges on both sides of the Atlantic include immigration, housing and pressure from the left on issues such as the Gaza crisis. Matthew McGregor, the … Read more
Polling suggests the public has mixed views on extending the franchise. In June, Conservative pollster Michael Ashcroft found 52 percent of voters were “strongly” or “somewhat” opposed to lowering the voting age, compared to 38 percent in favor. And some democracy-watchers argue that boosting the franchise may be ineffective without better civic education. “I don’t … Read more
Those opposed to the idea — which, unsurprisingly, includes most hereditary peers — complain the plan is incomplete, partisan (because most hereditary peers are Tory) and gives too much power to the prime minister. Conservative peer Thomas Galloway Dunlop du Roy de Blicquy Galbraith, better known as Lord Strathclyde, is a former leader of the … Read more
The report received input from an employee in Oracle’s health division, and other health tech companies. Health campaigners say the proposals would preference GP “chains” run by private companies. “On substance, Blair wants Labour to close your GP and have you talk to a chatbot instead,” said Sam Smith at Medconfidential, an organization that campaigns … Read more
It’s important civil servants “know what ‘good’ looks like,” said Robyn Scott, founder of Apolitical, a learning platform for public officials. “Because there are a lot of great companies out there … and there are a lot of snake oil salesmen.” Greasing the wheels of government Right now, AI isn’t widely used across government. The … Read more
Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, left, and U.S. President Joe Biden speak at the start of the meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 11, 2023. Paul Ellis | AP The U.K. and U.S. have a lot in common — a shared language, history, democratic ideals and … Read more
This election was largely a repeat of 1997 as only 29 seats changed hands. Dubbed the “quiet landslide,” the assumption of another Labour victory meant turnout dropped to 59 percent, the lowest since universal suffrage began in 1918. 1945 — Labour majority of 145 At the last election to be held in July, Clement Attlee’s … Read more
