Archive for the ‘British current affairs’ Category
Thank you, Scotland
September 19th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
We’re glad that you decided to stay with us and keep the UK united. Now we have to deliver on the promise to devolve significant extra powers to the Scottish Parliament, but we also have to rethink the whole distribution of power in our four nations – including England – and how the Westminster parliament […]
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Today’s the day that the Scots decide whether the 300 year old United Kingdom will continue
September 18th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
Some key facts about today’s referendum: The single question is simply: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” 4,285,323 people – 97% of the electorate – are registered to vote. 789,024 postal vote applications have been submitted. Voting takes place from 7 am until 10 pm today (Thursday). Votes will be cast at 2,608 polling locations […]
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How do you explain the British political system to Chinese Government officials?
September 15th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
This morning, I spent four hours in a hotel in Croydon, south London, giving a presentation on the British political system to 22 senior Chinese Government officials from Beijing. I had to explain that our political system has evolved over many centuries and is therefore particular to our history and culture. It is simply not […]
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Whatever the Scots decide in the referendum on independence, the United Kingdom will never be the same
September 10th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
In my lifetime, I have never known a period of such political high drama as we approach the referendum on Scottish independence next Thursday and the polls show the ‘yes’ vote and the ‘no’ vote neck and neck. It has been inspiring to see serious issues debated seriously (although not always honestly or respectfully) and […]
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Should Scotland become an independent state?
August 26th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
Last night, I spent one and a half hours watching a televised debate on the future of Scotland and the referendum on Scottish independence to be held on 18 September. The debate was between Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and former British Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling. It was the second and last of […]
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Watch Stella Creasy MP trounce Austin Mitchell MP in a debate on the “feminisation of politics”
August 20th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
As I explained in this posting, when Austin Mitchell was first selected as a Parliamentary candidate for the Labour Party in 1977, I was the runner-up at the selection conference. I immediately forgave him: he was a local television personality who was more likely to win the forthcoming tough bye-election than me – and he did. […]
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What are the most popular names for new babies in Britain?
August 16th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
According to the data compiled annually by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the most popular names for children born in England & Wales during 2013 – published this week – were as follows: Position Boys Girls 1 Oliver Amelia 2 Jack Olivia 3 Harry Emily 4 Jacob Ava 5 Charlie Isla 6 Thomas Jessica […]
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An election to the House of Lords? Surely not!
August 4th, 2014 by Roger Darlington
The House of Lords is a very strong contender to be the most bizarre legislative institution in the world. As I explain my “Short Guide To The British Political System”: “Historically most members of the House of Lords have been what we called hereditary peers. This meant that years ago a king or queen nominated […]
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How many countries are in the United Kingdom?
July 23rd, 2014 by Roger Darlington
As far as the Olympics Games is concerned, the UK is one contestant although for some reason we call it Team GB. As far as football’s World Cup is concerned, we have four teams – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – but we still do terribly. Now, when it comes to the Commonwealth Games […]
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Speaker of the House of Commons tells me: “You are a digital equivalent of Che Guevara”
July 22nd, 2014 by Roger Darlington
Last night, I was at the House of Commons for a meeting organised by the snappily-named Parliamentary Internet, Communications and Technology Forum (PICTFOR). The title was “Parliament 2.0: How can the Internet revolutionise British democracy?” The keynote address came from the Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow MP who admitted “I am not […]
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