Recommendations

We have to stop normalising the absurd: Emily Maitlis’ 2022 MacTaggart Lecture

Emily Maitlis did us all a big favour on Wednesday 24 August in her MacTaggart Lecture at the Edinburgh Festival, by exposing the ongoing Tory subborning of the BBC. For those of us who watch Channel Four and won’t watch BBC News, none of this is new. But the full text below of what she […]

Study shows that Testing, Ventilation and Masks Virtually Eliminate Covid Transmission

If you’ve had COVID, you will know it can be pretty serious. Many of us, especially teaching and meeting in poorly ventilated and crowded rooms, especially with most folk not wearing masks, believe that we should bring back some previous restrictions. If you find this difficult to accept, please look through this highly reputable research […]

“It’s time to talk about the Russell Group”

This is a significant and quite brave piece for the Higher Education Policy Institute by Mary Curnock Cook, who was Chief Executive of UCAS (the universities’ ‘clearing’ system) from 2010 to 2017. After leaving school at 16, Mary has worked her way across the UK higher education system. So she knows her trade! Following serious […]

Institute for Fiscal Studies on Education and Inequality

The Institute for Fiscal Studies is not always a very progressive organisation, but its latest research on education and inequality is worth reading, espcially comparing the UK with other European and OECD countries. This is the introduction from the Institute’s media release: “Education levels have risen over time, in the UK and internationally. The share […]

How Tony Blair killed off co-operatives as he pursued his ‘third way’ – Kenny MacAskill MP

This is Kenny MacAskill’s piece in the “Scotsman” on THU 30 JUN 2022 about Les Huckfield’s book “How Blair Killed the Coops”. Les is grateful to Kenny for his careful consideration of some detailed argument. This is the link to Kenny’s Scotsman piece: How Tony Blair killed off co-operatives as he pursued his ‘third way’ […]

Review: Italy Today, Us Tomorrow?

Chris Bambery’s excellent review of David Brodie’s “First They Took Rome” is a most important contribution. Chris’ review and David’s book need to be read and appreciated by all who don’t understand Italy’s export of right wing populism.

Sign up for Newsletter

Our newsletter brings you regular summaries, authoritative research and analysis delivered straight to your inbox.

Please select the topics you are interested in