Introduction This short paper, based on data, examines how the marginal constituencies which will decide the next General Election voted in the 2013 local elections. The 2013 elections took place for the most part in the least Labour-inclined parts of England. They were disproportionately southern and rural, and as well as being areas of traditional…
They say that when you know you’re going to die, you don’t remember the deadlines or the car you had, you don’t wish you’d worked harder or saved more or eaten more fibre – you remember the kisses, the long sprawling days in the park with your friends, the people you loved and who loved…
The successes of Nigel Farage and UKIP in the recent local elections have already provoked much analysis. In particular, the three main parties are now engaging in an intensive period of soul searching as they think hard about how best to counter the numbers of voters opting for the anti-establishment, anti-EU party. A central component…
Andy Burnham’s plan to integrate health and social care is the boldest idea to emerge from Labour’s policy review so far. If he can convince his shadow cabinet colleagues to back it, can he convince the country in 2015? “The Labour party is going to have to decide how ambitious it wants to be,” he…
The idea of the ‘squeezed middle’ is at the heart of today’s political debates about economic recovery and living standards. It’s a pithy phrase reflecting evidence that people in the middle of the income distribution have seen their incomes stagnate while the costs of living keeps rising. But almost all the recent discussion and analysis…
13.46: That brings the Budget to a close, check back at the Fabian Review for a round-up and responses. Thanks 13.44: Housing completions now at their lowest levels since the 1920s, the result of a ‘failing economic plan from a failing chancellor’ who has failed on his own tests Miliband argues 13.41: Richest in society…
Ever since the failure of Northern Rock in 2007, it has been clear that the UK’s banking system is not working. A crisis in the banking system led to a collapse in GDP, a large rise in unemployment and the ballooning of the government’s deficit. The recovery is being held back by tight bank credit…
There is rarely a day that goes by when the following cry isn’t heard: ‘Voters are woefully misinformed on this issue, we need to educate them and dispel these myths!’ If you assumed I was referring to social security, immigration, public spending cuts or a host of other issues, you’d be right – a variation…
Jeremy Hunt’s recent announcement about social care funding has been met with a mixture of cautious relief that something is being done to tackle the crisis, and disappointment that Dilnot’s more generous proposals are not being fully implemented. Social care funding is in crisis not only because of the pressures of an ageing population at…
The abortive attempt by the coalition government to sell of the nation’s forests, the closure of many libraries and significant reductions to arts funding have caused considerable public anger. The cultural fabric of local communities across Britain is being eroded as never before. In contrast, the budget cuts affecting public parks, which are of equal…
Today is International Women’s Day; the time when, across the globe, we celebrate how far we have come in terms of equality, and reflect on how far we still have to go. This year, the official United Nations theme for the 2013 International Women’s Day is, ‘A promise is a promise: Time for action to…
This is a tough time for communities up and down the country and for our politics. Given what people are going through, and the scale of the challenge we face, many wonder whether politicians have the answers any more. This is often fuelled by a feeling that too many decisions are being taken too far…
One of the most persistent myths in British politics is that Labour cannot be trusted with the economy. Following the financial crisis, the coalition parties revived and enhanced this myth with the mantra that Labour’s borrowing caused all our economic woes. Over and over we’ve heard that the previous government borrowed too much; that it…
Sincere condolences to the victim and his family. To our members and everyone in London & beyond, keep safe & stay united. RT @joelmullan: Great first meeting of @youngfabians youth unemployment group this evening. Lots of enthusiasm and creative thinking. Well done @AlvinCarpio RT @GraemeAH: Think North of England has way more public sector jobs than South? Think again - My @leftfootfwd post http://t.co/ul2g7JKiJY #MYTHBUSTING RT @AlvinCarpio: Good morning @thefabians. Looking forward to the first meeting tonight for the @youngfabians policy commission on #youthunemployment #YUteam
As we prepare to move from our home of 85 years, Deborate Stoate tells the story of 11 Dartmouth Street http://t.co/JwL6DtpP8E
RT @CCriadoPerez: Don't make me make Poppy sign it people! Come on, 2 measly little sigs! http://t.co/MU5zvZBBvZ