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Ruth Kelly resigns from Gordon Brown's cabinet
The British Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has resigned from the government, citing a wish to spend time with her young family as a reason. The British Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has resigned from the government, citing a wish to spend time with her young family as a re... more
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Brown prepares for crucial speech
Gordon Brown is today preparing for a crucial speech to the Labour party conference, which many see as a do or die oppurtunity to set out his stall to remain as leader. Gordon Brown is today preparing for a crucial speech to the Labour party conference, which many see as a do or die oppurtunity to set ... more
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NHS patients' notes "to be sold off"
The government is reportedly considering giving private companies access to the confidential medical records of almost every NHS patient in Britain.
The information is worth millions for some organisations, who could use it for medical research or for helping them to sell products to the NHS.
However, privacy campaigners have said they're "horrified" by the proposals, which could see patients medical conditions, treatments, postcodes - and in some instances, their names - passed on to third parties.
The government says the majority of records would stay anonymous, though names could be handed over if companies felt it was more useful. Patients will also be able to apply through the Data Protection Act to keep their details secret. The government is reportedly considering giving private companies access to the confidential medical records of almost every NHS patie... more -
Alistair Darling promises not to raise taxes
British Chancellor Alistair Darling has promised voters that he would not raise taxes, in a speech at the Labour Party convention.
Well, after borrowing £90 billion he won't need to will he? British Chancellor Alistair Darling has promised voters that he would not raise taxes, in a speech at the Labour Party convention. ... more -
Another Labour MP sacked after calling for a new leader
Gordon Brown appears to be losing his grip on the Labour party as Barry Gardiner was axed as the Prime Minister's special envoy on forestry after joining other backbenchers in asking for nomination papers to trigger a leadership contest to be sent to MPs ahead of next week's party conference.
Barry is not the first MP to push for Gordon Brown to stand down and a new leader to come forward in time for the next general election. Labour appears divided and the instability can only provide the Tory party with increased confidence Gordon Brown appears to be losing his grip on the Labour party as Barry Gardiner was axed as the Prime Minister's special envoy o... more -
The Labour revolt to get Gordon Brown out
Seven more Labour MP's broke ranks to try and oust Gordon Brown as the Labour leader - something which the PM was quick to try and resolve by dismissing MP's trying to remove him and denying them a vote on whether he should be PM.
Joan Ryan was the first casualty and was dismissed from her post as Labour vice-chairman and his special envoy to Cyprus after she called for candidates to come forward and challenge the Prime Minister.
Fionna Mactaggart has demonstrated how these labour rebels are committed to their cause by issuing these strong words to the BBC 'I think we should give a chance to someone else to take over, I really do.'
Labour remain 19 points behind the Conservatives in the latest polls - is it time for him to go? Seven more Labour MP's broke ranks to try and oust Gordon Brown as the Labour leader - something which the PM was quick to try an... more -
Labour hires Saatchi ad agency to 'sell' controversial ID cards
The Government is paying a top advertising agency to ‘sell’ its controversial £20billion ID card scheme to the public.
The Home Office has employed M&C Saatchi to mount a marketing blitz ahead of the National Identity Scheme’s launch in November.
ID cards will allow the Government to hold the personal details of 60million citizens - including fingerprints and iris patterns - on a central database.
> Can't wait until they lose it. The Government is paying a top advertising agency to ‘sell’ its controversial £20billion ID card scheme to the public. ... more -
Government in talks with controversial TV host Jeremy Kyle
The Labour government is considering commissioning a television show with ITV directed at getting people off benefits and back to work. The series, which would cost around £500,000, may be fronted by 'car crash television' talk show host Jeremy Kyle.
The presenter has been criticised recently about his show's perceived lack of subtlety and confrontational style, and has featured segments such as 'Your Baby's Too White To Be Mine!'
Last year a judge sentencing a man who had headbutted a love rival while the two were guests on the programme said, 'It seems to me that the whole purpose of the Jeremy Kyle Show is to effect a morbid and depressing display of dysfunctional people who are in some kind of turmoil.' The Labour government is considering commissioning a television show with ITV directed at getting people off benefits and back to work... more -
Labour creates almost one new offence a day.
Since coming to power 11 years ago labour has created over 3,600 new offences, that's an average of 320 a year, almost 1 a day.
Examples of the laws include;
Disturbing a pack of eggs,when instructed to by an autorised officer,
Shipping grain without a copy of the International Grain Code on board,
Offering for sale a game bird killed on a Sunday or Christmas day. Since coming to power 11 years ago labour has created over 3,600 new offences, that's an average of 320 a year, almost 1 a day. ... more -
Cinderella and cohorts arrested in Disneyland
ANAHEIM, California (AP) -- Cinderella, Snow White, Tinkerbell and other fictional fixtures of modern-day childhood were handcuffed, frisked and loaded into police vans Thursday at the culmination of a labor protest that brought a touch of reality to the Happiest Place on Earth.
"Tinkerbell" and other Disney characters were handcuffed Thursday in a protest outside the gates of Disneyland.
The arrest of the 32 protesters, many of whom wore costumes representing famous Disney characters, came at the end of an hour-long march to Disneyland's gates from one of three Disney-owned hotels at the center of a labor dispute.
Those who were arrested sat in a circle on a busy intersection outside the park holding hands until they were placed in plastic handcuffs and led to two police vans while hundreds of hotel workers cheered and chanted.
The protesters were arrested on a misdemeanor count of failure to obey a police officer and two traffic infractions, said Sgt. Rick Martinez of the Anaheim police. They were cited and released, Sgt. Chris Schneider said.
Bewildered tourists in Disney T-shirts and caps, some pushing strollers, filed past the commotion and gawked at the costumed picketers getting hauled away. The protest shut down a major thoroughfare outside Disneyland and California Adventure for nearly an hour. ANAHEIM, California (AP) -- Cinderella, Snow White, Tinkerbell and other fictional fixtures of modern-day childhood were handcuffed, f... more -
'Shocking' rise in homelessness among women
The number of homeless women has risen by nearly 80 per cent in five years, a new report has revealed. Tens of thousands of single women and children are being forced to live in hostels, sleep rough or rely on the goodwill of friends and family as waiting lists for council houses soar.
The use of long-term bed and breakfast accommodation for women and children has more than trebled since 2003, despite a government commitment to end the practice. The majority of adults in temporary housing are single mothers, according to new figures.
The report by the Conservative Party, entitled Women and Homelessness, will highlight the growing numbers of "hidden homeless". The Government has pledged to halve the number of people in temporary accommodation by 2010.
The report reveals 144,000 women are currently on council waiting lists – a rise of 77 per cent in five years. These figures are based on information obtained from 248 councils throughout England and Wales.
The number of women placed in temporary accommodation went up by more than 50 per cent between 2003 and 2007 to 24,428. That figure includes 1,328 women who spent more than six weeks in B&B accommodation – a 330 per cent increase from 2003.
Hostels and B&Bs are often in undesirable areas. One in five women become homeless to escape violence and many more have been abused in the past. Yet 170 out of 248 councils have no women-only hostels.
Homeless charities warn that the situation is worse than the figures suggest, as thousands of homeless women are turned away by councils and so remain hidden from official figures. Councils have narrowed their eligibility criteria as they struggle to cope with growing demands.
Women in temporary housing are at greater risk of violence and of suffering from poor physical and mental health. The problem is also known to have a detrimental effect on the health and education of children. Campaigners and opposition parties are calling on the Government to provide more help for homeless women, insisting that more social and affordable housing be built urgently.
What do you think that the government should do to help those women forced into homelessness and insecure housing? Is the issue of homeless amongst women a more serious one than for men? And what can individuals do to help homeless women and men? The number of homeless women has risen by nearly 80 per cent in five years, a new report has revealed. Tens of thousands of single wom... more -
Red Ken back for good in 2012?
Ken Livingstone has stated he intends to run for Mayor of London in 2012, just in time for the Olympics.
Does this mean taxes will be doubled to pay for the games? Will Boris disappear underneath that hair? Has London had enough of him already? Ken Livingstone has stated he intends to run for Mayor of London in 2012, just in time for the Olympics. ... more -
Asylum seekers assaulted by private security teams, says report
Britain's treatment of asylum seekers has never been worse, according to Labour MP Diane Abbott.
Abott's comments came after the publication of a report detailing nearly 300 claims of assault on asylum seekers by security staff hired by the Home Office to forcibly deport them.
"I have just read one of the most shocking reports about our immigration system that I have seen in 20 years as a member of parliament," she said.
The Outsourcing Abuse report by Medical Justice, which provides medical and legal advice to deportees, found evidence of long-term injuries to asylum seekers.
The incidents include accusations of excessive force, beatings and racial abuse, resulting in injuries ranging from handcuff-bruised wrists to swollen faces, and fractured ribs, wrists and ankles.
Abbott said the report detailed "frightening state-sponsored violence" and accused the Home Office of a "complete failure" to investigate the allegations.
She added that it was a damning verdict on ministers' ability to "inject even a shred of humanity into a failing immigration system".
"It is a test of our society how we treat the weakest and most vulnerable," she said. "There is no reason in 2008 why a wealthy, civilised country should treat people like this."
Harriet Wistrich, a London lawyer who co-authored the report, said that the UK's international reputation as a place of justice has become "more and more tarnished".
The current asylum system was re-traumatising those who fled from violence in their home countries, she added.
"These allegations amount to torture," she said.
Apollo Okello, a failed asylum seeker from Uganda currently facing re-detention and removal, claimed that he underwent "psychological and mental torture" during his time in detention.
"They are doing it to make life more difficult for you so that you accept going back," he said. "All they care about is that you have left the country and they have met their target for removals." Britain's treatment of asylum seekers has never been worse, according to Labour MP Diane Abbott. ... more -
Gordon Brown to lose voting rights under Conservatives
If the Conservatives where to get in power at Westminister they would hope to obtain a strangle hold on English issues by reducing voting power for Scottish MPs and hence disabling much of the labour heartland. The new-regulations would be brought in to overcome what they say to be a "dangerous" threat to the countries constitution, as English laws can be passed without a majority of English MPs. However the new proposals would strip many key figures in the labour party including current Prime Minister Gordon Brown of their vote. Under a Conservative government it would mean complete control of these issues with know accounatability through parliment and a future Labour government could find itself in power but without the numbers needed to pass any laws in England. If the Conservatives where to get in power at Westminister they would hope to obtain a strangle hold on English issues by reducing vot... more
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'White men face jobs ban as new law favours ethnic monorities and women'...
Trust the Daily Express to lead with this ridiculous headline. However, I think the story deserves more attention. This Equality Bill seems a little unnecessary and will breed resentment of the very groups it is trying to support. I appreciate that the pay gap between white men and other groups is often without foundation but is this really the answer? Trust the Daily Express to lead with this ridiculous headline. However, I think the story deserves more attention. This Equality Bill ... more
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Spanish truck drivers on strike.
Thousands of truck drivers in Spain are on an indefinite strike over diesel fuel prices. Prices have risen over 20% since January.
The Spanish government is preparing a plan to assist the drivers, with emergency loans and better contracts.
Several trucks that crossed the picket lines had their windshields broken, their lights ripped out and their tires slashed. Thousands of truck drivers in Spain are on an indefinite strike over diesel fuel prices. Prices have risen over 20% since January. ... more -
Blair to unite Religions
He aims to increase dialogue and practical work between the world's religions. "This is how I want to spend the rest of my life," he said.
Messiah of all good.. or king of PR? He aims to increase dialogue and practical work between the world's religions. "This is how I want to spend the rest of my l... more -
Labour's decline in stoke and the rise of the BNP?
Stoke-on-Trent now it has nine BNP councillors. It used to be a Labour's stronghold.
Will the far right be running the town hall by 2011? Stoke-on-Trent now it has nine BNP councillors. It used to be a Labour's stronghold. ... more -
Downing St is at it's most rightwing since WW2
I worry about what the Tories might do if they get in. I also worry about what Labour might do if it wins another term. Why should anyone on the left seek the re-election of the most rightwing government Britain has had since the second world war? I worry about what the Tories might do if they get in. I also worry about what Labour might do if it wins another term. Why should any... more
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Off the rails
In Britain we put four times more public money into the railways than when they were nationalised. Should the government buy back the railways? In Britain we put four times more public money into the railways than when they were nationalised. Should the government buy back the ... more
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