Archive for category: Voices

  • Is it time for London Independence?

    Jim Jepps explores whether it’s time to go our own way.   Last week Labour’s mayoral candidate came out in favour of independence for London. Ken Livingstone told the Evening Standard that “he will use “amazing charm and subtlety” to get New York-style independence for the capital. Mr Livingstone, 66, […]

     
  • Rethinking democracy: Power to the People

    Grenville Mills looks at ways to empower communities in the face of a democratic deficit.   There is an ugly, seamier side to our political administration. We all know it exists but like zombies are meekly accepting it as part of our culture in a frightening Orwellian sense. What I’m talking about […]

     
  • The changing face of dogs in London: a vet’s perspective.

    Islington vet, Caroline Allen, writes on the changing face of dogs in London.   I’ve been a vet now for 13 years, 10 of which have been spent in London. Mostly it’s a job I love, but it can be deeply frustrating having to pick up the pieces of some […]

     
  • Fact check: Lib Dems play dangerous maths on the far right

    A few weeks ago at the Uprise Mayoral “youth” hustings Brian Paddick made what seemed to be an off-hand remark. He claimed that a vote for the Liberal Democrats could keep the far right BNP out of the Assembly. There was so much nonsense being spoken that night that it […]

     
  • Union protests at proposed wage cuts in Southwark

    This  morning UNISON organised a lobby of Southwark Council over proposed 40% wage cuts for 70 part time staff members. The workers who are mainly Pupil Support Assistants (PSAs) are facing proposed cuts in their hours from 25 to 15 hours a week but will be expected to handle the […]

     
  • Young people finding ways to put their skills to use

    Ellie Clayton writes about making work of idle hands: Young people are finding alternative ways of putting their skills to use. Faced with a hugely competitive job market an increasing number of enterprising young people are turning to charitable and community projects as an alternative way of applying and developing […]

     
  • When will London’s personality politics end?

    As we approach the London Assembly elections in May Londoners will naturally become more interested in what the different parties have to say to them about their vision for London. However, they’re far more likely to find out what the parties think the flaws of their opponents are than any […]

     
  • Celebrating International Women’s Day in London

    Agnieszka Karch takes a look at International Women’s Day as it moves into its second century.   On the 8th of March, London will host a number of events in celebration of the 101st International Women’s Day. It will celebrate the diversity of London’s women, but also remind us of […]

     
  • Has Mayor Johnson betrayed taxi drivers?

    David Davies explains why cabbies may not be backing Boris.   The Mayor was forced to admit in an interview last week that when he said to the Assembly that the phone hacking scandal was ‘codswallop’  he was completely wrong. Investigations have subsequently shown that there has been significant corruption, […]

     
  • Do we have answers on People’s Question Time?

    Dave Mentiply wonders how open to questioning the Mayor really is.   In his 2008 manifesto pledge to make London more accountable (pdf), Boris Johnson criticised Ken Livingstone’s attitude towards the People’s Question Time. He vowed to increase its frequency to a minimum of four each year thereby giving Londoners a […]