The French election matters to the UK
An election that has barely registered with the British public takes place on Sunday. And the outcome could have a profound impact on the world. Frank McKenna blogs on the upcoming French presidential race.
Through the looking glass
According to polls, 40% plus of us don’t think Boris Johnson should resign over Party-gate. Frank McKenna offers his forthright thoughts on that in his Easter blog.
Labour needs to rediscover its common-sense gene
Unless and until Labour rediscovers its common-sense gene around complex issues such as transgender rights, it will never be in government. Frank McKenna’s latest blog focusses on Keir Starmer’s discomfort over the ‘culture wars’ issue that has dominated media interviews with politicians in recent weeks.
Unfair dismissal is the new ‘whiplash’
In his latest blog, Frank McKenna calls on the government to reform employment law legislation to protect businesses from vexatious claimants.
Time for the Government to pivot on net-zero
The SPD/Green coalition in Germany have adopted a more pragmatic approach to energy policy. Labour mayor Andy Burnham is rethinking Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone. Surely its time for the Conservative government to review its net zero ambitions? Frank McKenna calls on the government to ‘pivot’ on energy policy in his latest Downtown blog.
Time to rethink tax hikes and net zero targets?
The idea of a tax hike and ambitious net zero targets may have looked attractive post-COVID and pre-Christmas. But with the cost of living crisis biting hard, inflation running amok, and Vladimir Putin throwing the world into crisis, Frank McKenna is urging the government to rethink its plans.
If you want to get on you should still work hard – right?
Frank McKenna suggests that work/life balance expectations have become somewhat skewered – and that the entitlement demanded by some in the workplace is neither desirable nor sustainable.
You have to stand up to a bully – but will we?
Do Brits – or indeed the West – have an appetite for a war with Putin? We can’t even have a mature debate about Fracking, and we love cuts in defence spending. Frank McKenna’s latest blog reflects on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Is our Government Conservative?
In his latest blog, Frank McKenna asks: When is the government going to get a Conservative Leader?
Has politics become a sport?
Frank McKenna thinks that politics has become a sport? Kurt Zouma was condemned by most people for brutalising his cat – but his club and its fans got behind him. Boris Johnson is being battered in the polls for his recent behaviour by voters – but Tory party activists still back him? So, has ‘tribalism’ replaced common-sense when it comes to political discussion and debate?
Is it ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ now for Boris?
Of all the crisis and controversies the prime minister has been embroiled in recently, could it be an immature slur against the Leader of the Opposition that finally brings his time in Downing Street to a close? Frank McKenna asks ‘Is it ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ now for Johnson?
Does Labour really want Boris to resign?
Frank McKenna reflects on whether Boris Johnson going or staying would be best for Labour in his latest Downtown blog.