Is UK politics institutionally racist?

Trevor Phillips thinks it is: The public in this country would, he believes, embrace a black leader but the system would prevent it happening. “Here, the problem is not the electorate, the problem is the machine.” It was no coincidence that there were only 15 ethnic-minority MPs, he said. “The parties and the unions and… Continue reading Is UK politics institutionally racist?

A masterclass in missing the Zeitgeist by Hazel Blears

Claims the little one: In her speech, Ms Blears also complained about a “spreading corrosive cynicism” in political discussion. She turned her fire on political “bloggers” – accusing them of fuelling disengagement by focusing on “unearthing scandals, conspiracies and perceived hypocrisy” and of being written by “people with disdain for the political system and politicians”.… Continue reading A masterclass in missing the Zeitgeist by Hazel Blears

From Smallville to Metropolis: how Obama represents the American Dream

I sincerely hope this post isn’t seen as being disrespectful to someone who was clearly a remarkable woman, but Madelyn Dunham’s death today has a weird kind of appositeness. I’m hardly the first person to point out the almost fictional-feeling narrative of Barack Obama’s election campaign. He has a background that is almost too perfect,… Continue reading From Smallville to Metropolis: how Obama represents the American Dream