Spanish dictator Francisco Franco died 50 years ago today November 20. JIM JUMP looks back at his blood-soaked rule and toxic legacy on Spain today
Latest editorial
Labour’s missed opportunity on Lords reform
It is impossible to ignore the huge flaws in our unelected second chamber — yet despite Labour’s promises of consultation, PAULINE BRYAN argues that it is falling short of doing what’s needed to safeguard democracy
Members of the House of Lords seated ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in chamber of the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster, London, July 17, 2024
Inspired by a hit TV show, KEITH FLETT takes a look at the murky history of undercover class war
While the Greens have won popularity for their call for a wealth tax, it’s unclear whether they’d be willing to break with the most powerful forces of capitalism, argues NICK WRIGHT
Neutrinos are so abundant that 400 trillion pass through your body every second. ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and MIRIAM GAUNTLETT explain how scientists are seeking to know more about them
The British government won’t confirm wide reports it has withheld intelligence sharing with the US over fears Trump’s attacks on boats near Venezuela are illegal, writes LINDA PENTZ GUNTER
The collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation poses an existential threat — but do today’s politicians have the capacity to deliver the more resilient and sustainable economics of tomorrow, wonders ALAN SIMPSON
THERE does seem to be an English exceptionalism that allows commentators to sing the praises of our democratic structures while failing to see its flaws that would be considered unacceptable if they were present in another country.
I say “English” as I think the populations of the other nations in the UK tend to have a less rosy view.
Imagine the critical comments that would rightly be made of a wealthy influential country that had an unelected second legislative chamber with some members there on a hereditary basis; that had reserved places for members of the established religion; that is one of the largest legislative bodies in the world; that doesn’t have fair representation from the nation’s regions; that has less than 30 per cent women members and favours ex-MPs and members from selected well-paid professions. We would probably question the country’s democratic credentials.
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Labour must not allow unelected members of the upper house to erode a single provision of the Employment Rights Bill, argues ANDY MCDONALD MP
With turnout plummeting and faith in Parliament collapsing, BERT SCHOUWENBURG explains how radical local government reform — including devolved taxation and removal of party politics from town halls — could restore power to communities currently ignored by profit-obsessed MPs
