DEBATE: With one in three of us wanting to keep working from home, is it too soon to urge Londoners back to the office? With one in three of us wanting to keep working from home, is it too soon to urge Londoners back to the office? Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction, says YES. For months we were told to stay at home and hide from the deadly virus. Unfortunately — for the government and our economy — [...]
Does Philip Hammond deserve a peerage? Does Philip Hammond deserve a peerage? Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction, says YES. Philip Hammond became a mighty irritant to Tory Brexiteers during his time as chancellor, so it is unsurprising that many of them are irked by Boris Johnson nominating him for a peerage. It’s true that he passionately opposed Brexit and was [...]
DEBATE: Is a new ‘Trump deal’ the answer to the Iran nuclear problem? DEBATE: Is a new ‘Trump deal’ the answer to the Iran nuclear problem? Is a new “Trump deal” the answer to the Iran nuclear problem? YES, says Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction. Does anyone genuinely believe that Donald Trump’s objection to the Iran nuclear deal was based on detailed analysis of its contents? No. Trump rejected it as part of his obsession with dismantling Barack Obama’s legacy. [...]
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: Does the former Tory leadership hopeful Rory Stewart have a shot at becoming London mayor? October 7, 2019 Does the former Tory leadership hopeful Rory Stewart have a shot at becoming London mayor? Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction, says YES. Rory walks on – on to London. But does he stand a chance? Of course he does. The popularity of Sadiq Khan is waning, and the Conservatives’ candidate, Shaun Bailey, is woeful. [...]
DEBATE: Will David Cameron be remembered for anything other than Brexit? September 18, 2019 Will David Cameron ever be remembered for anything other than the EU referendum? YES, says Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction. In a few decades, after the Brexit mania has passed, we will reflect on this era with a different perspective. David Cameron will of course be a key player in the books, TV shows [...]
DEBATE: Are we headed for a General Election before 31 October? July 30, 2019 Are we headed for a General Election before 31 October? Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction, says YES. The optimal route to electoral success for Boris Johnson is to get Brexit over the line by 31 October and then call an election. But clearly, this is easier said than done, and apparently Boris and his [...]
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. [...]
DEBATE: Is the uproar over Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK in June unwarranted? April 25, 2019 Is the uproar over Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK in June unwarranted? Freddie Jordan, a freelance writer, says YES. President Trump’s visit has unleashed the same public mania as would Lord Voldemort’s. He may be unctuous, and some might prefer to watch his comedy of errors play out from afar, but to throw a childish [...]
DEBATE: Is John Major correct that we need a cross-party government to steer the UK through Brexit? April 2, 2019 Is John Major correct that we need a cross-party government to steer the UK through Brexit? YES, says Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction. In the best-case scenario, a “strong and stable” government with a majority, clear priorities, and an overarching strategy would be leading the way on delivering Brexit. Instead, we have a shambolic [...]
