On the 23rd February, Labour’s lost its safe seat in Copeland. Whilst the seat had been gradually losing labour votes over the years, this was the first-time Labour had lost the seat since 1935. It also marks the first time a party in opposition has managed to lose a by-election in 35 years. Indeed, the […]
labour party
Why does Jeremy Corbyn create so much controversy?
On 24 September at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Jeremy Corbyn was elected Labour leader for the second time. Roundly thrashing Owen Smith, Corbyn increased his percentage of the vote from 59.5 per cent in 2015 to 61.8 per cent in 2016 – even more impressive given that almost 85,000 more voted in 2016. The leadership […]
Interviews with students: what do they really think about Jeremy Corbyn?
P olitics has become a rather confusing mesh of contradictory ideologies and populist policy recently. Gone are the days when a rather posh, stern BBC reporter produced the facts! In their place we have the political commentator, like Exeter’s finest Katie Hopkins; then if we multiple this with the volatility and speed at which fortunes […]
Britain’s bigotry blunder
“L ondon has chosen hope over fear and unity over division.” Sadiq Khan’s message for multiculturalism was by far the most exciting thing to come out of the local council elections. Splashed across the front pages and attracting international interest, the London Mayoral election received more attention than it really deserves, considering the Mayor’s main […]
“The establishment are going to get a bit of a shock” – an interview with Kate Hoey MP
When thinking about the Labour Party’s view towards Europe, most people would say that the party is quite firmly in the ‘remain’ camp. Yet there are some within the party who vehemently want to leave, and they’ve formed a campaign group: Labour Leave. One of the co-chairs of Labour Leave is Kate Hoey, the MP […]
“Diplomacy is not an event, it’s a process” – Alan Johnson MP on the EU
London greets me with the weather that has become near synonymous with the capital; grey trickles tumbling down in front of a yet-greyer sky. It’s a biting January cold, and the disparity between it and the train’s interior makes for a bracing, but welcome, encounter. Having been sat in a metal tube for three hours, […]
Love’s Labour’s Lost: The party’s predicament today
Last week saw the much-anticipated release – in Labour circles anyway – of Margaret Beckett’s report into why Labour lost the 2015 election. Everyone already knew the reasons for the defeat which were outlined in the report. Ed Miliband wasn’t seen as a strong or credible leader, people were afraid of Labour having to kowtow […]
Let’s Get Satirical: ‘Corbyn’s Britain’ to tour UK
In a surprise announcement today, the government revealed that they will be bringing Halloween mazes to the masses, via a travelling funfair that will tour the country over the coming weeks. The maze, which will operate under the name “Corbyn’s Britain”, will visit a number of major constituencies in Britain, including Exeter, Brighton Pavilion, Edinburgh South, […]
Cowspiracy: In defence of Kerry McCarthy
‘Cranky’, ‘loony’ and ‘bizzare’. This was the media’s level-headed response last week to comments made by Kerry McCarthy, Labour’s new Shadow Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Following her appointment to Jeremy Corbyn’s Shadow Cabinet, comments made during an interview in April with animal rights magazine Viva!Life were dug up and published as ‘news’. […]