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Realities 1 day ago

Statement on the General Election

Thursday’s general election may well be the most consequential of our lifetimes. There are only two parties who can form the next government. Boris Johnson and his hard-right Conservative Party present a blunt, nostalgic nationalism; the Labour Party offers a possible break with what Mark Fisher once called capitalist realism. Putting aside the personalities of the two leaders – as the media…

Foreign Policy, Realities 6th December 2019

The Social Review Podcast Episode 27: Cybering for Dummies

This week, Lines gives some explainers on cybersecurity, why we should all be caring more about it and how defence policy will increasingly be written for the digital world. Plus, Jasper, Tyron and Sean break down some of the finer points of Labour’s manifesto pledges on foreign policy and security. iTunes Link

Domestic Policy, Realities 29th November 2019

The TTIP of the Iceberg: Why Labour can win on the NHS and trade

Earlier this week, Jeremy Corbyn revealed that the Government has held secret trade talks with the US on healthcare and medicines – despite Boris Johnson’s repeated claim that the NHS is “not on the table in any way”. The 400 pages of leaked documents confirm what many who work in trade policy already knew: the US’s absolute priority in a future trade…

Culture, History and Strategy, Realities 27th November 2019

In praise of Open Selections

As we approach the general election, the Parliamentary Labour Party is preparing for a substantial shakeup. A wave of defections and resignations has meant dozens of winnable Labour seats were suddenly up for grabs. In most cases, CLPs were given the right to choose their next candidate – and they did. In Nottingham East, Independent Group defector Chris Leslie – described by…

Realities 22nd November 2019

The Social Review Podcast Episode 26: Life on the Doorstep

Jasper chats to Labour activists Miriam, Sean, Michael and Dominique to learn about the art of canvassing and door-knocking, why and how political parties do it, and their funniest stories from life on the doorstep. Plus, William joins for Optimism of the Will – a new segment on what there is to be optimistic about in this week of the 2019 General…

Domestic Policy, History and Strategy, Realities 18th November 2019

Rent Controls, Nostalgia and Localism: Berlin’s Housing Crisis

Over the last few months, a lot has been written about the new Berlin rent freeze – otherwise known as the Mietendeckel. The law has been in the legislative pipeline for some months, and the freeze was finally agreed to by the state cabinet, and then the Senate, in late October. The action is undoubtedly a positive one and a step in…