Trump could learn a lesson or two from Bush on “Fake News”

By Christopher Featherstone, Doctoral Researcher, Department of Political Science and International Studies School of Government, University of Birmingham Fake news, as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, can be “false stories that appear to be news, spread on the internet or using other media, usually created to influence political views or as a joke.” The accusations … Continue reading “Trump could learn a lesson or two from Bush on “Fake News””

What is developmental leadership?

Kyle Smith, DLP and Professor David Hudson, International Development School of Government, University of Birmingham Development and change take more than a leader: it takes organisation, politics, a network and a voice. Political will alone is not enough. Follow Teuila’s journey in creating change. By working with a diverse group of individuals and organisations from … Continue reading “What is developmental leadership?”

Why compulsory voting alone can’t fix a broken political system

Dr Susan Dodsworth, International Development Department School of Government, University of Birmingham This Saturday, Australians – myself among them – will vote in a federal election. As in previous elections, voter turnout is expected to exceed 90%, in part because Australia is one of a handful of countries to enforce compulsory voting. Whenever Australia’s high … Continue reading “Why compulsory voting alone can’t fix a broken political system”

Your guide to Brexit: What is the UK facing?

It’s less than six months until the UK’s departure from the European Union. The party conferences have ended with the May Government clinging to a compromise “Chequers Plan” — but with the Prime Minister so embattled by hard Brexit-ers that she dare not mention it by name. Uncertainty prevails. So what are the prospects for … Continue reading “Your guide to Brexit: What is the UK facing?”

All bets are off: What’s the deal with Brexit?

By Professor Scott Lucas, Professor of American Studies Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham It is less than six months until the UK’s departure from the European Union. The party conferences have ended with the May Government clinging to a compromise “Chequers Plan” – but with the Prime Minister so embattled … Continue reading “All bets are off: What’s the deal with Brexit?”

A lion in the jungle or a dancing queen? Theresa May at the Conservative Party conference

By Dr Matt Cole,  Teaching Fellow Department of History, University of Birmingham The annual conference of the UK Conservative Party is an intriguing conundrum: it determines much more than it decides. This year, facing Brexit and the future of Prime Minister Theresa May, was no different. There was no vote over the UK departure from … Continue reading “A lion in the jungle or a dancing queen? Theresa May at the Conservative Party conference”

Brexit’s Effect on the National Health Service and immigration

By Professor Mark Exworthy, Professor Jean McHale and Dr Nando Sigona, University of Birmingham The impact of Brexit on the NHS With six months until Brexit, the UK’s National Health Service is beset by uncertainty over staffing, patients, medicines, devices and public health, especially if there is No Deal. As 30% of NHS staff come … Continue reading “Brexit’s Effect on the National Health Service and immigration”

Brexit: The Prospect of Deal or No Deal

By Professor John Fender, Professor of Macroeconomics Department of Economics, University of Birmingham With six months to go before the UK’s Brexit departure from the European Union, we still do not know what arrangement will follow. But we can anticipate some of the consequences. No Deal The UK will find its trade relations deteriorating immediately … Continue reading “Brexit: The Prospect of Deal or No Deal”

Presidential Precedents

By Anoushka Raval, Department of Political Science and International Studies School of Government, University of Birmingham With terms like impeachment, collusion, and hush money on everyone’s lips it’s hard not to look to the past for guidance on where current developments in ‘Trumpland’ are heading. While there is not a simple equation to predict what … Continue reading “Presidential Precedents”

HMP Birmingham – the challenge of privatisation within a struggling prison system

By Dr Anna Kotova, Lecturer in Criminology Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology The recent revelation of the issues in HMP Birmingham, which was run by G4S, and the consequent takeover of the prison by the government raise a range of questions about both privatisation of prisons, and deeper endemic problems faced by our … Continue reading “HMP Birmingham – the challenge of privatisation within a struggling prison system”