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
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer speaks ahead of the U.K.’s general election on July 4, 2024. Anthony Devlin | Getty Images News | Getty Images LONDON — After 14 years of tumultuous Conservative rule, Britain’s Labour Party is expected to shake up the country’s politics with a return to power this year. The left-of-center … Read more
Starmer has tried to wrap himself in the flag and embrace the U.K.’s armed forces — and in doing so, draw a sharp contrast with the leadership of his predecessor, the socialist, NATO-sceptic Jeremy Corbyn. Starmer certainly looks the part. Square jaw, quaffed hair, pressed suit, stern stare. Squint a bit and you can imagine him … Read more
As the European Parliament elections approach, a growing sense of fear stemming from multiple — yet mutually reinforcing — sources seems to be the decisive force shaping electoral behaviour. Citizens of the EU experience uncertainty in the face of broad economic and cultural changes occurring at an unprecedented pace, coupled by unforeseen crises, such as … Read more
Starmer has said this is factually incorrect, but that hasn’t stopped Abbott and her allies crying foul and the leader’s team seems unsure how to respond. At first, it seemed Starmer’s officials seemed happy enough to have the fight with Abbott’s backers — who were also Corbyn’s backers. They thought it proved his point that … Read more
“Enjoy the human side of electioneering,” Aitken similarly urged. “There’s always humor, there’s always humanity, there’s always stories, there’s always a chance to enjoy a pint. And don’t show your own pessimism to your supporters.” When the moment comes, “losing well and graciously is important,” he said. “Politics is purely, completely unpredictable, and you’ve got … Read more
Doctor Botox Olivier Véran, a former French government spokesperson and ex-minister of health, recently announced his next career venture at the Clinique des Champs-Élysées in Paris. For Véran, who was a neurologist before turning to politics, going back to medicine is not all that surprising. What was shocking — and caused some uproar in the … Read more
