Reform UK’s record-breaking billionaire donation exposes a political funding system that allows private wealth to overwhelm democratic choice. Parliament must act before the next election. A British political party has just secured the largest single donation in our political history. Ben Delo, the cryptocurrency billionaire and co-founder of BitMEX, has announced a further £36 million… Continue reading Politics is not for sale
Tag: inclusion
Dolly Parton: Faith, Freedom and a Life of Generosity
I was deeply saddened yesterday to hear of the death of Dolly Parton at the age of 80. Seeing her film 9 to 5 as a child in the 80s was probably the first time I encountered the singer/songwriter and it was also an early influence on my being a feminist and having a distaste… Continue reading Dolly Parton: Faith, Freedom and a Life of Generosity
Jesus, Justice and the radical politics of Love
Having spent much time recently thinking and writing about my politics and also about my faith, I have been considering how the two intersect and how they inform each other. This is especially so as I find that my Christian faith has influenced my move to the left politically, which contrasts sharply with those on… Continue reading Jesus, Justice and the radical politics of Love
The tragedy of Jason Arday and of racism in academia and society
Jason Arday’s death demonstrates yet again racism has not disappeared from British society. It has changed its language and sometimes its clothes.
Freedom, Inclusion, and Solidarity – a statement of my political beliefs
I have spent much time this year thinking about politics and have dedicated a number of my blog posts to examining current affairs in the United Kingdom and globally. As well as providing commentary on issues that are in the news and about which I care deeply, I have also dedicated some time to reflect… Continue reading Freedom, Inclusion, and Solidarity – a statement of my political beliefs
Women’s Sport is rising. Now the rest of us must raise our game
It is time to recognise that the threats to women’s sport are invisibility, underinvestment, inequality, abuse, and exclusion from power (and not trans people’s participation). As the City of London’s Lead Member for Sport I spent 24-hours this week at the Global Summit on Women & Sport in Birmingham, which the City was proud to… Continue reading Women’s Sport is rising. Now the rest of us must raise our game
Pride matters more than ever
Every year, around this time, somebody asks whether Pride is still necessary. It is a question that usually comes from one of two places. Sometimes it is asked in good faith by people who look around them and see same-sex marriage, openly LGBTQ+ public figures, rainbow lanyards in workplaces, and Pride flags flying above civic… Continue reading Pride matters more than ever
Kemi Badenoch is wrong about the Public Sector Equality Duty
There are many legitimate debates to be had about how government works. How much regulation is too much? How should public services balance competing demands? When does process become bureaucracy? These are all fair questions. What is not a serious contribution to that debate is Kemi Badenoch’s latest attack on the Public Sector Equality Duty… Continue reading Kemi Badenoch is wrong about the Public Sector Equality Duty
Fear, Fracture, and the Future of Britain
There are moments in politics when an election result is more than an electoral event. It becomes a warning light. This week’s local election results across England, alongside contests in Scotland and Wales, feel like one of those moments. Not because voters should somehow be criticised for expressing frustration. Democracy means precisely that citizens are… Continue reading Fear, Fracture, and the Future of Britain
Protecting women’s sport: a line drawn too bluntly – my message to the IOC President
Sport must safeguard participants and ensure equity and fairness, but this must be done based on science and fact and not as a kneejerk reaction to political or cultural pressure. Today I have written to Kirsty Coventry, President of the International Olympic Committee, whom I deeply admire and whose election I celebrated just over a… Continue reading Protecting women’s sport: a line drawn too bluntly – my message to the IOC President
