Archive for September, 2009
Germany’s elections – what are the implications?
Posted by James Gubb in European Union on 30/09/2009
A victory for the conservative-liberal alliance’ is what you could call it. The Christian Democratic Party in alliance with the Free Democratic Party – having campaigned for tax cuts and a return to nuclear energy – ended four years of an awkward co-operation between the CDU and its rival Social Democratic Party. Read the rest of this entry »
More on Burnham’s recent politics
Posted by Laura Brereton in Health on 28/09/2009
The Health Service Journal has a thorough article explaining the further spread of confusion over the Government’s recent revelation of preference for NHS over independent healthcare providers. Could the Department of Health’s commitment to choice and competition truly be unravelling? Read the rest of this entry »
Unchartered territory
Posted by Anastasia de Waal in Education on 25/09/2009
Civitas has been following the progress of US ‘Charter schools’ – state-funded but independently run institutions, akin – in principle at least – to Academies. Since their establishment Charter schools have been notable for their comparatively higher success in standardised testing.
Rule Britannia revisited
Posted by admin in European Union on 23/09/2009
In a recent article published by the Times columnist William Rees-Mogg (‘Rule Britannia?’), the Lisbon Treaty was given full exposure as a direct threat to Britain’s constitutional integrity, writes Ahmed Mehdi. Mogg argued that Lisbon would ‘in effect repeal all the main legal safeguards of British liberties … including the sovereignty of parliament, habeas corpus and magna carta.’
The Writing is Back on the Wall for Christianity, Sort Of
Posted by David Conway in Multiculturalism, Religion, Social Cohesion on 22/09/2009
Within the Roman Church, St Francis’ feast day falls on October 4th and is marked by ceremonies to honour and bless animals. When a Catholic church in London’s Kentish Town sought to display in a local public library a poster advertising a forthcoming ‘pet blessing’ there, it was refused permission on the grounds the event was a religious one.
NHS providers as priority—a policy shift?
Posted by Laura Brereton in Health on 21/09/2009
The Financial Times is claiming health secretary Andy Burnham’s recent statements advocating NHS organisations over independent bodies as providers of state-funded health care backpeddle on current policy. Read the rest of this entry »