DEBATE: Should parliament continue to allow remote voting until the threat of Covid-19 has passed? Should parliament continue to allow remote voting until the threat of Covid-19 has passed? Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow and chair of the Education Select Committee, says YES. What has Brazil got to do with the controversy about whether or not there should be a hybrid parliament? Some of those who want to deny MPs who are [...]
DEBATE: Should Big Ben bong on 31 January to mark Britain’s exit from the EU? Should Big Ben bong on 31 January to mark Britain’s exit from the EU? Alex Deane, a Conservative commentator, says YES. Whether a bell rings at a certain time is a trivial thing. But it is symbolic, and symbols matter — to people, and to nations. Stymieing the ringing of a bell that rang two [...]
Should Tory strategists be nervous now Donald Trump is in town? Should Tory strategists be nervous now Donald Trump is in town? Ben Rich, chief executive of the think tank Radix, says YES. Of course they should be nervous. With nine days to go, the Conservatives have got everything to lose and little to gain. The Tory strategists have worked hard to minimise the opportunities for [...]
DEBATE: Does the spate of Conservative MP resignations suggest that the party’s ideology is narrowing? November 1, 2019 Does the spate of Conservative MP resignations suggest that the party’s ideology is narrowing? Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction, says YES. The Conservative party has been a formidable election-winning machine because of an ability to adapt to its circumstances. This strength comes from its diversity as an alliance of various political factions, united by [...]
DEBATE: Should companies be supportive of employees who want to take part in today’s climate strike? September 20, 2019 Should companies be supportive of employees who want to take part in today’s climate strike? YES, says Amelia Womack, deputy leader of the Green Party. Climate chaos does not mean business as normal, and it’s especially important that the business community sends this message. Already, the climate emergency is likely to cost the world’s largest [...]
DEBATE: Should the Conservative party deselect MPs who rebel this week? September 4, 2019 Should the Conservative party deselect MPs who rebel this week? Alex Deane, a Conservative commentator, says YES. Everyone, subject to exceptions not applicable here, has a right to stand for parliament. But nobody has a right to be the adopted candidate of a specific party. That party’s members, activists and leaders must be willing to [...]
DEBATE: Do the students who have just got their A-levels have less to look forward to than past generations? August 16, 2019 Do the students who have just got their A-levels have less to look forward to than past generations? Charlotte Gill, a freelance writer, says YES. A-level results day is one of the most joyous occasions of the year, reminding us of how much talent the UK has. But among the fanfare remains an awful fact: [...]
DEBATE: Is Donald Trump right to label China a currency manipulator? August 7, 2019 Is Donald Trump right to label China a currency manipulator Alex Deane, a Conservative commentator, says YES. Once again, President Trump “triggers” his opponents by doing what he said he would do. He promised on the campaign trail to designate China as a currency manipulator; indeed, he’s late on this as he undertook to do [...]
DEBATE: Is 4G on the Tube something to get excited about? July 22, 2019 Is 4G on the Tube something to get excited about? Ben Askins, managing director at Verb Brands, says YES. “Sorry I didn’t get back to you, I was on the Tube” is an anecdote that our grandchildren will be shocked by. While it’s true that no one will be able to stop the incoming onslaught [...]
DEBATE: Does it really matter who becomes the next leader of the Liberal Democrats? July 2, 2019 Does it really matter who becomes the next leader of the Liberal Democrats? Alex Deane, a Conservative commentator, says YES. It is all too easy in British political life to write a party off – and it’s usually wrong. I know Tories who thought in the Blair heyday that they’d never be in power again. [...]
