High pressures squeeze and crush, but low pressures damage too. Losing the atom-level buzz that keeps us held safe in the balance of internal and external pressure releases dangerous storms, disorientation and pain, write ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and MIRIAM GAUNTLETT
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Cosy links in the world of think tanks
David Cameron addressing a Centre for Policy Studies event in 2006. His former special adviser on housing Alex Morton is now head of policy at the Thatcherite think tank
EDMUND GRIFFITHS makes a robust defence of sortition, the chosen method of picking attendees for the new left party’s inaugural conference from the membership at random, but sounds the alarm on the eye-watering number of suggested delegates
The NEU kept children and teachers safe during the pandemic, yet we are disgracefully slandered by the politicians who have truly failed our children by not funding a proper education recovery programme — here’s what is needed, explains KEVIN COURTNEY
The appalling bigotry and bias of London’s police force has been obvious for years – and the police leadership does not appear inclined to do anything about it, writes CLAUDIA WEBBE
As Holyrood elections approach, BRIAN LEISHMAN MP argues that Labour’s time has come — to open a new chapter which puts an end to the years of managed decline
ASSAF TALGAM talks to an Israeli Communist lawmaker about the need to use every tool of democratic and non-violent struggle; how Israeli society has changed since October 7 2023; and the persecution of the left in the parliamentary arena
DAVID CAMERON’S former special adviser on housing is now simultaneously head of policy at leading think tank the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) and a consultant at a lobbying company which helps businesses with “political influencing” — it’s a clear illustration of the ecosystem linking corporate lobbyists, think tanks and No 10.
Alex Morton was Cameron’s housing special adviser from 2014-16. He helped to draft the housing bits of the 2015 manifesto and is a frequent commenter in Conservative circles, writing frequently for Tory website ConservativeHome.
In April 2016 Morton left No 10 to join a lobbying company, Field Consulting, which offers to help companies “influence a political decision.”
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The new angle from private firms shmoozing their way into public contracts was the much-trumpeted arrival of ‘artificial intelligence’ — and no-one seemed to have heard the numerous criticisms of this unproven miracle cure, reports SOLOMON HUGHES
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Keir Starmer’s hiring Tim Allan from Tory-led Strand Partners is another illustration of Labour’s corporate-influence world where party differences matter less than business connections, writes SOLOMON HUGHES
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