Public Policy – Eastminster: a global politics & policy blog

TTIP approved? Greek democracy eviscerated? Something is rotten in the state of Europe

July 14, 2015July 14, 2015 by Editor

Editor

Rupert Read joins Baronness Jenny Jones to ask whether 'progressives' can really continue to take for granted that a Yes vote in the UK EU referendum is the right thing to do, given the latest developments in relation to Greece Something that some of us have been urging for a…

We say ‘No more’ to Education Reforms: Education should be in our hands!

May 6, 2015May 6, 2015 by Editor

Editor

Dolapo Okunuga, the winner of our sixth form blog competition, argues that education policy should include teachers and students in the decision making process. “Progress eight anybody?” Teacher regular renewal licence?” It infuriates the teachers, it angers the students. It’s one person holding the great power of choosing and deciding our…

To Vote or Not to Vote: political parties, disability, and the politics of the personal

April 29, 2015May 5, 2015 by Editor

Editor

As the 2015 general election approaches, Peter Handley considers whether the main parties' position on disability policy have done enough to warrant his vote. I guess I should say right at the outset this piece is not an entreaty to those who may read it either to vote or not…

Immigration into the UK at Heathrow Airport.

Immigration in Britain: we are far away from a dispassionate national debate

April 14, 2015April 14, 2015 by Editor

Editor

John Turnpenny explains why immigration has become a such a key political issue in Britain, arguing that there has been an absence of informed debate. Just when I thought I was into a relaxing weekend, sitting back in the barber’s chair, I was returned to the real world with the inevitable question…

MPs’ genetically modified crops report shows a lack of scientific logic

March 4, 2015March 4, 2015 by Editor

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A recent report from MPs on genetically modified crops shows a lack of scientific logic and knowledge about risk, argues Rupert Read. Confusing inconclusive evidence of harm from GMOs, with conclusive evidence of safety, they reach a false and dangerous conclusion - that the EU should give free rein to…

Net interest: Internet infrastructure and the public interest

February 6, 2015February 6, 2015 by Editor

Editor

Dr. Adam Behr explains why net neutrality, a topic about which the public often knows little, is important. He argues that research is needed to track the effects of of changes to traffic management on the net to inform policy. Much of the most public political heat generated recently around the…

Is Labour doing better where the NHS is performing poorly?

January 26, 2015January 27, 2015 by Editor

Editor

For tonight's Newsnight, Chris Hanretty looks at NHS performance and election outcomes. Here, he explains his findings and how to access the data. Labour has made the NHS the main theme of its general election campaign. It's used the NHS as a stick with which to beat the government over…

Simon Wright MP: Devolution to the East

January 12, 2015January 12, 2015 by Editor

Editor

Simon Wright, MP for Norwich South and Private Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minster, responds to the recent debate about Devolution to the East on Eastminster. He argues that there is 'there is no demand for extra layers of politicians or administrative institutions' and the answer is 'devolution on demand'. [caption…

The Presumption of NICE: Paradigms, Policies and Practical Public Reasoning

October 16, 2014January 9, 2015 by Editor

Editor

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) plays a key role in making decisions about health care provision in the UK. Professor Albert Weale considers the public ethics behind the decisions that they make and whether they can really take the politics out of health policy. The National…

In Greece, They Shoot Immigrants, Don’t They?

September 22, 2014January 9, 2015 by Editor

Editor

Immigrants to Greece have often lost their basic human rights, faced harsh treatment and also their voice in the public sphere, reports Maria Kyriakidou. It was April of 2013, when Greece and the international press were shocked by the news that about thirty migrant workers were shot by the supervisors of the strawberry fields where…

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