As the London 2012 Olympics approach, a campaign is born to give the voice to the majority of British people who stand to gain little from the games, funded by 11bn of taxpayers' money. Who are the real beneficiaries? How do the people occupy the Olympics?
'Respect' MP George Galloway has won an unexpected and resounding victory in Bradford West, calling into question the political status quo.
London elects its Mayor in May by a direct vote. Boris Johnson, the Tory 'buffoon' and present incumbent looks sets to win again over Ken Livingstone, who seems bereft of sparkle and substance. But what are the peculiar politics of Boris? How has he turned Thatcherism into something people want to
The report on England's riots recommends protecting children from excessive marketing. Too little, too late. If we want to prevent future riots, we have to kick back against consumer culture in its totality.
There's no surprise that it costs a lot to dine with the British Prime Minister. But calls for party funding reform are misguided – we need to undermine the parties, not strengthen them.
The London-based utopian librarian returns to endure management prose and to imagine the wonders of a labour-saving, shelf-stacking robo-picker. Throw in a Dickens bi-centennial celebration, a bargain-hunting council and the "the old ethnics" to understand the surreal world of public services that
The Prime Minister has conceded that there will be a Scottish independence referendum and argued the case for the Union on these terms. This is a historic moment for Britain. openDemocracy asks its readers for their response in an open forum on the future of the Union.
A management consultant working in healthcare speaks out on what can be a cynical profession, thriving on the fear and uncertainty of clients. He forecasts a worrying future in which consultants play a central role as the NHS prepares itself for radical reforms.
After the tuition fee protests, before the market-friendly White Paper on Higher Education was silently abandoned, there was a crucial space for reflection on the English university. Was it facing a neoliberal attack? Or essential reform? What was the ideal university? And how could it be realised
If the claim to financial privilege over the Welfare Reform Bill stands, little stops the Coalition from forcing through a broad range of laws. Say goodbye to checks and balances! Scrutiny, farewell!
