Archive for saturday debate
The Saturday debate: Do we pay too much attention to news from the US?
Here’s your starter for ten in our Saturday slot where we throw up an idea or thought for debate… The tragic killing of six and injuries to thirteen others, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, have received heavy coverage in the UK media, not only in response to the shooting itself but also following up the story [...]
The Saturday debate: Drugs
Here’s your starter for ten in our Saturday slot where we throw up an idea or thought for debate…
Government policy on drugs: what should it be?
The Saturday debate: Should we have more directly-elected Mayors?
Here’s your starter for ten in our Saturday slot where we throw up an idea or thought for debate… Directly-elected Mayors were introduced by Labour to a very mixed reception. Now the idea is back again with the Government pushing for more, arguing that direct accountability of an individual makes for better decision-making and more [...]
The Saturday debate: What should be done about banker bonuses?
Here’s your starter for ten in our Saturday slot where we throw up an idea or thought for debate… Bonus for bankers are in the news once again, with talks involving the banks not yet reaching any agreement and with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg keeping up the political pressure, telling the Financial Times: “The [...]
The Saturday debate: Should federal committees be elected by all party members?
Here’s your starter for ten in our Saturday slot where we throw up an idea or thought for debate… Key party committees such as the Federal Executive and the Federal Policy Committee have a large block of members elected in a postal ballot every two years by the party’s federal conference representatives.* These directly elected [...]
The Saturday debate: Time to let the public vote in party elections?
Here’s your starter for ten in our Saturday slot where we throw up an idea or thought for debate… With the news that Ed Miliband wants to give the public a share of the votes in future Labour leadership elections, and with the Conservative Party already having run several open primaries in which the public [...]
The Saturday debate: What is fairness?
Here’s your starter for ten in our Saturday slot where we throw up an idea or thought for debate… In his recently published book, 22 Days in May, David Laws writes, The coalition needs to redefine what fairness means. Fairness cannot mean just maintaining people above an arbitrary income line, whatever their personal circumstances. Fairness [...]
The Saturday debate: how important should promoting military exports be for the MoD?
Here’s your starter for ten in our Saturday slot where we throw up an idea or thought for debate… The Ministry of Defence’s business plan lays down seven priorities for 2010-15, of which the fourth is: To promote defence exports consistent with export control criteria; as part of a defence diplomacy programme to strengthen British [...]
The Saturday Debate: should the public be able to declare political affiliation on the electoral register?
Here’s your starter for ten in our Saturday slot where we throw up an idea or thought for debate: In many states in the US people register themselves as “Democrat” or “Republican” (with also various options for “Independent” etc.) when they join the electoral register. These lists can then be used by the parties to [...]
