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Articles by Jack May
Running on Empty
A confessional hike through self-doubt, sunshine, and the endless call of the beer garden Fatter than I’ve ever been, drinking too much, sleeping badly, snoring, losing myself. I crave quick fixes. Fatty foods. Beers. TV. Sitting down. It’s not fulfilling me but I can’t stop. Why walk when I can eat? Why run when I can drink? Some mornings start gloomily. Bad thoughts, sad thoughts run through my mind. Thoughts I would never act on, but thoughts that don’t feel great.
Why Boris Johnson is far from a harmless buffoon
Fighting the far-right means fighting racist speech wherever we find it, writes Rania Ramli Far from the harmless buffoon portrayed in the media, Boris Johnson is a dangerous threat to many of the values that we hold dear. Whether it’s a normalisation of attacks on Muslim women, a perpetuation of the gendered Islamophobia that is becoming ever more common, or discrimination in employment, his words have consequences.
How we make housing fair
House price rises have benefitted the affluent, but have left many out in the cold, writes Geoff Beacon The housing crisis is well-reported. The enormous increases in house prices have benefited the wealthy, and the lack of supply has meant they are able to charge high rents, hitting the poorest. This story is also an intergenerational one. Older generations gain from house price inflation, as the younger have to pay higher rents.
Instead of nationalisation, Labour should create a construction agency to protect rights
Instead of engaging in a long, expensive and politically difficult effort to nationalise construction, Labour should be leading the effort against exploitation in the construction industry Labour’s 2017 manifesto pledged to build one million new homes during the parliament, with 100,000 council and housing association homes built every year after that.
The Last Word: very stable genius
Holding hands with the school bully will not stop him taking our lunch money, argues Robert Philpot Theresa May’s infamous ice cold death stare can reportedly chill a room and put Cabinet ministers who displease her in their place without a word passing her lips.
Teachers are being forced to subsidise our schools
Cash-strapped teachers are paying for basic teaching equipment using their own money Every government seems to have big plans for education. From the beautiful dream of high quality universal early years provision, embodied by Tessa Jowell’s Sure Start centres, to the Victorian nightmare of Michael Gove’s curriculum reforms, it is clear that politicians see education as a vehicle for progress – or, indeed, regress as the case may be.
Boris and Davis entered cabinet without a plan, and left without one
Cabinet mutineers Boris Johnson and David Davis were never interested in achieving a Brexit compromise, writes Calum Henderson The manner in which David Davis departed his post on Sunday was characteristic of the approach he had brought to the job over the last two years. Resigning at quarter to midnight, his exit had seemed likely for some time, not because he had continually threatened to walk, but because he had been frozen out by Downing Street.
Where is ‘strong and stable’ now?
In the midst of the memes, mockery, and ministerial resignations, we must remember that strong and stable government really is in our national interest, writes Jack May Grant Shapps, Mark Prisk, Kris Hopkins… Brandon Lewis? Then I think it was Gavin Barwell. Maybe Alok Sharma as well? Definitely Dominic Raab, and then finally Kit Malthouse.
‘The greatest socialist achievement of any Labour government’
Shadow secretary of state for health and social care Jonathan Ashworth tells Richard Angell and Conor Pope his plans to invest and reform the NHS to face the next 70 years On 5 July 1948, at Park hospital in Davyhulme, Trafford, Labour health secretary Aneurin Bevan met a 13-year-old girl suffering from a serious liver condition. She was the first patient of the newly-created National Health Service, which was being rolled out that day.
Editorial: the birthday insult
This Conservative government’s stewardship of the NHS is simply inadequate. Most would hazard a guess that this will not have changed by the time of the next election, and the new money promised last month will not have been found ‘The NHS will last as long as there’s folk with faith left to fight for it’ are words ascribed to Nye Bevan in Trevor Griffith’s 1997 television play Food for Ravens.
Honouring Nye Bevan’s dream
The founder of the NHS knew the future of the health service relied on cross-class support, and on embracing change Given the increasingly fractious nature of politics and debate in British society, it is all the more remarkable that there is such strong agreement on the principles behind the National Health Service. Political parties that argue for voters’ attention quickly come across a resilient popular love for both the practical nature of the institution and also the values behind it.
What should schools teach?
The purpose of a great education is simple: it should enable a child to become the author of the story of their life, says Mark Lehain What and how pupils are taught has been argued about as long as there have been schools.
It’s not just the NHS that needs more money
With all eyes on the NHS, we have forgotten to look after our flailing education system, says Jack May Luckily for the British people, Theresa May has decided to throw the baby out with the bathwater, turning her back entirely on the manifesto pledges and policy promises that (almost) got her elected in the 2017 general election.
Striking times - Progress
As the world of work changes, unions are waking up to the vast challenges facing younger people, says Jack May Liz Truss’s Instagram is far too close to a piece of absurdist piece of performance art for comfort. Alongside wholesome shots of country life in her South West Norfolk constituency, the chief secretary to the Treasury’s feed sees candid images of her at her desk vie for attention with potentially rule-breaking frontbench selfies in the House of Commons.
What we can achieve in local government
We may not be in national government, but there is still much we can do, writes Ibrahim Dogus I was grateful to be chosen by my Labour comrades to be the next deputy mayor of one of London’s most diverse boroughs. I feel pride, as well as a great sense of responsibility, to have won a seat on the council for Bishop’s ward, and to be elected deputy mayor for a year. I look forward to serving residents to the very best of my abilities.
How to fix our broken prison system
Our prisons are in a scandalous state – ignoring them is both inhumane and a waste of money, writes Jack May At last, from the government shackled, Prometheus-like, to the giant boulder of Brexit and infighting at the expense of all vague semblance of caring about any other issues, something resembling a policy.
The Last Word: How Tessa Jowell embodied the notion of a kinder, gentler politics
The minister who shook up Britain’s antiquated licensing laws would not mind anyone having a drink after 11pm tonight raising a glass to her, writes Robert Philpot It is sign of the respect and affection with which Tessa Jowell was held that her death this week was marked by such extensive and warm media coverage. Tessa was unusual. A politician who made a genuine connection with members of the public, but who also did not attract the jealousy or ire of her colleagues.
Why the war on drugs isn’t working
It is time for a new approach to drugs in the UK – and Jeremy Corbyn’s metro-liberal Labour party can help lead the way, says Jack May Jeremy Corbyn’s management of the Labour party deserves credit where it is due.
In conversation with Peter Mandelson
Join us as our ‘In conversation’ series continues with Peter Mandelson. Peter is a current member of the House of Lords and former secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, secretary of state for Northern Ireland, secretary of state for trade and an EU commissioner. He will be reflecting on this vast experience as he discusses the future of UK trade.
Guilty until proven immigrant
We must change the conversation on immigration, argues Christabel Cooper When Amber Rudd resigned as Home Secretary on Sunday night it seemed – for a moment – that ‘normal’ politics had resumed. That is, the kind of politics where a major national scandal, together with weeks of forensic harrying by well-informed and persistent opposition members of parliament had forced a senior cabinet minister to step down.
The Windrush wake-up call
The shameful mess of the past few weeks must force us all to reset our approach to the politics of immigration, says Jack May It just gets worse and worse and worse. The first stories of Home Office hounding, deportation and detention after decades living in the United Kingdom. The victimisation and dehumanisation. The apparent nonchalance by government in the early days giving way to a frenzied attempt to backtrack and apologise as the scale and severity of the failures became apparent.
Taxation, taxation, taxation: new policies for a new economy
If we want to be truly progressive in government, we have to tackle the tangled web of taxation policy, writes Steve Macey Tax is the elephant in the room when it comes to setting the policy agenda. It may be an area in vital need of reform – much of the tax system is inconsistent and archaic – but, unsurprisingly, it has been an issue that successive governments have failed to address. Yet, this inaction cannot continue.
Easy mode: on - Progress
Big pro-Labour swings in London and the core cities mean 3 May will be a good night for Labour, write Lewis Baston and Richard Angell The polls in 2018 are even Stevens, with both the Conservative party and Labour around or a bit above 40 per cent and usually within a point or two of each other. This is better for Labour than it was in 2016 and worse than in 2014, although polling organisations were almost definitely over-counting Labour throughout the 2010-15 parliament.
I should not be worried for my friends’ lives
Stephen Lawrence Day is a welcome memorial, but it glosses over the systemic change we need to tackle knife crime, writes Kemi Butt Living in inner city London as a young black woman has allowed me to see the true hardships we face as a city plagued by an increase in knife crime. It has also given me an insight into why gang culture has surged in the last decade and what methods I believe could be implemented to reduce the number of fatalities in the capital.
The early years imperative
The royal baby reminds us that inequality starts at birth, writes Jack May Congratulations to the happy couple – the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, now parents of three heirs to the throne in lanes three, four, and five. An heir, a spare, and a possible future tabloid liability – thus are the chief functions of a prince and princess fulfilled.
Before it is too late
The London elections could see Labour capitalise on the Tories’ mistreatment of EU citizens in the UK, writes Ivana Bartoletti We have an incredible opportunity this May – Labour could win across London, even in the most marginal of seats – and it is one we must seize. We can achieve this better by putting together a strategy to engage with European Union citizens living in our capital city. These are not easy times for us Europeans in Britain.
Why we are not doing enough to help resolve the Syrian conflict
Military action should be used to force Syria to the negotiating table, writes Bilal Shami According to Theresa May, the recent military response from the United Kingdom (together with the United States and France) against the Syrian regime had a limited and specific objective: to prevent the regime’s repeated use of chemical weapons. Horrible as the regime’s latest suspected chemical attack on Douma on April 7 was, it must not be seen as a stand-alone instance of humanitarian suffering.
Squaring up for a fight
Labour must treat the local elections as the starting gun of a fight for a fair deal for our communities, says Jack May Even while storm clouds of international tension continue to brew and shocking instances of actively harmful government incompetence dominate the headlines, both Labour and the Tories march inexorably closer to the local elections.
What we can learn from the failure of ILAs
Individual Learning Accounts were a radical new policy idea. Bill Cook looks at why they failed, and what lessons the next Labour government can learn When introduced in the infant years of the New Labour government, Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) seemed like a brilliant idea. They aimed to widen participation within learning and help overcome some of the financial barriers faced by individuals.
The left should not be reluctant to condemn despots like Assad and Putin
There has been a worrying response to the latest chemical attack in Syria, writes Sam Bright Anti-fascism has a proud history on the left. Over the past century, British socialists have fought fascism across Europe – even repelling Oswald Mosley and his goose-steppers in London’s East End during the 1930s. These battles have been fought in the name of liberty, democracy, and peace.
The Brexit risk to our regions
From cider manufacturing to nuclear energy, Brexit will jeopardise the thriving industries of the south west The south west is currently home to many industries that will be affected by Brexit. From the construction site at Hinkley Point C on the outskirts of Bridgwater, to the cheese makers in Cheddar, the cider brewers in Taunton and Yeo Valley Yogurts, it is clear Brexit will have a significant impact across the region.
Review - The Everyday Economy
Rachel Reeves sets out her roadmap for a popular economic policy – the question is, will the leader’s office listen? asks Charlie Cadywould To win a majority at the next general election, Labour will have to broaden, not just deepen, its electoral coalition. A ‘one more heave’ approach to win over even more of the demographic groups with which it is already performing well – young people, graduates and ethnic minorities mainly living in large cities – is not enough.
We cannot let racism infect our party
Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to antisemitism, writes Adrian McMenamin Once again, Labour’s problems with antisemitism are in the public eye, and so they should be. Organisations that fail to effectively deal with the problem of racists in their ranks deserve everything they get – and sadly Labour are rightly being accused of failure.
How to combat Brexit? Start in your local area
The numbers show North Norfolk is likely to suffer greatly from a hard Brexit, writes Martyn Sloman Early in January I heard former Europe minister Denis MacShane argue that the best way to combat Brexit was to assemble and publish information at constituency level. He was right: opinion in rural Norfolk is unlikely to be influenced by marches in London. He prompted me to undertake the necessary research and I have produced a comprehensive report, ‘The Impact of Brexit in North Norfolk’.
The transition agreement is nothing more than a series of broken promises
Since the referendum, the government has made (and broken) at least seven promises about the Brexit transition period, explains Francis Grove-White As the draft agreement with the European Union shows, all transition will do is turn us from rule makers to rule takers. Promise: a transition period will be about ‘implementing’ the future relationship, not negotiating it Reality: The agreement shows the bulk of the future relationship will be negotiated after we have left the EU.
Britain’s lost decades
Whoever wins these political games, we are headed for decades of lost success and missed potential, says Jack May It has been a long ten years. When Philip Hammond delivered his spring statement last week, it marked a decade since the last pre-crash budget of 2008, when Alistair Darling delivered rosy forecasts for growth and continued public spending to buoy up services, even as the clouds overhead had already become full-blown grumbling cumulonimbus beasts.
What Philip Hammond ignored about Brexit
The chancellor’s statement glossed over some hard truths, writes Spencer Livermore In his spring statement, Philip Hammond devoted just 75 words to the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union. Yet, concealed in his numbers, the consequences of Brexit now cast a dark cloud over the entire British economy. The chancellor sought to present himself as the great optimist, dressing up the Office for Budget Responsibility’s latest growth forecasts in a positive light.
Only blight at the end of the tunnel
Philip Hammond tried to paint a rosy picture yesterday, but the reality is there is more pain to come, writes Peter Hain In yesterday’s Spring statement Philip Hammond claimed that in autumn 2016 he relaxed George Osborne’s fiscal rules for repairing the public finances, including funding extra public spending in 2018-19.
Tigger and the bear market
Philip Hammond had the opportunity to make some important announcements today. What a shame he chose not to take it, writes Henna Shah Amid further scandal in Westminster, the potential outbreak of World War Three, and a total upending of foreign policy in Washington’s corridors of power, at least one person was cheery today.
Minding the gap - Progress | Centre-left Labour politics
We have made progress on tax evasion, but we must do more – and it needs a chancellor with fire in their belly, says Jack May The Panama Papers, The Paradise Papers, stump speeches and rallies, prime ministerial addresses and chancellor’s statements from the despatch box – tax evasion and tax avoidance have been on people’s minds, even as questions over Brexit and our fiscal spending reign supreme.
Supplying demand
Theresa May finally seems to understand the scale of the crisis, says Jack May. It is just a shame that she has all the wrong answers. Between Sajid Javid’s big interview in the Sunday Times and Theresa May’s speech to the National Planning Conference yesterday, it seems the Tories have decided they better have a pop at tackling this whole housing conundrum. This is an issue that everyone across the political spectrum thinks we need to get a handle on.
Message from the frontline
If you are in higher education (which is inherently competitive and expensive), you have two options available to you and you are able to pursue both. You can enrol in services at your institution, and you can also be referred to NHS services and hope that you are picked up by the community care team before you reach crisis. What happens if you have not gone to university? What happens if you are an apprentice? What happens if you are a young worker?
Love’s labours are not finished
LGBT History Month is not just about being proud of our past – it is about carrying the torch for the future, writes Jack May We have come an extraordinarily long way in the expansion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community’s rights and acceptance; the sacrifices and efforts of those who came before us are vital and must be remembered and respected; we must never forget – as Chechnya, Bermuda and others show today – that rights are never totally secure and must be continually defended...
A genuine workers’ democracy?
The ridiculous focus on whether Jeremy Corbyn was a cold war spy distracts from the actual view taken by elements of the British left on the fall of communism, argues Adrian McMenamin Jeremy Corbyn is not a spy. Nobody sensible or rational has surely ever believed otherwise.
A wake-up call for Labour
The Tories are working to make sure their next general election campaign is not as bad as the last, writes Andrew Gimson The 2017 general election campaign proved a terrible shock for the Conservatives. For although Theresa May had called the election, her party turned out to be totally unprepared to fight it. The Tory machine, which had surprised pundits and pollsters by winning a narrow majority in 2015, no longer existed.
The Conservatives are pushing students into poverty
Labour must be more radical in its support for the poorest students, writes Joe Vinson Yesterday the government launched its ‘major review of post-18 education’ which will supposedly delve deep into the broken system that governs higher education in England, offering reforms which go ‘further than ever before to deliver for young people’. In reality, for the weeks and months ahead we are about to witness the government tie itself in knots about tuition fees and not much else.
How (not) to solve a problem like education
Can the Conservatives create an education system fit for the future? Not bloody likely, says Jack May It is remarkable what passes for talent and promise in the Conservative party these days. For a man touted as a potential Conservative leadership candidate in the early spring stage of budding, Damian Hinds does not come with a great deal to recommend himself.
How Gerry Adams knew he had to change
As Sinn Féin’s president retires, we should remember that only the SDLP drove the progressive case for civil rights in Northern Ireland – Gerry Adams’ conversion to the peace process was out of necessity, not belief, writes Adrian McMenamin Late 60s, bearded, first elected to the Commons in 1983 and a grammar school boy who left with some qualifications but never made it on to university, the similarities between Gerry Adams and Jeremy Corbyn seem strong.
Progressive Britain: A new economy
Stella Creasy, Tom Kibasi and Allen Simpson talk to Conor Pope and Stephanie Lloyd about PFI and economic justice in episode 19 There is a consensus that the old economic model does not work, but not an agreement about what should replace it. Stella Creasy MP talks to Conor Pope and Stephanie Lloyd about PFI, while the IPPR’s Tom Kibasi and and Labour in the City’s Allen Simpson discuss what economic justice and consensus might look like in this new era.
The rise of Jeremy Hawk-yn?
Labour has the opportunity to bolster its defence credentials to win in 2022 and, more importantly, to better keep us safe, says Jack May The image is seared into many of our minds – and a happy memory to return to when political events seem to make reality a little bleak: Liz Kendall, on an away day with the armed forces parliamentary scheme, standing defiantly atop a tank in full army camouflage with a grin on her face.
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