Policy Areas - Economy and Politics

Hundreds attend national student conference as activist revival continues

staff writers — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:17:39 +0000

Hundreds of student activists from across Britain have spent the weekend in Manchester exploring their response to climate change and corporate power, after a year that has seen a resurgence in student activism at universities around the country.

Christian Aid seeks ethical tax superheroes to show the way

agency reporter — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:38:42 +0000

Christian Aid has launched its latest Alternative Tax Award – 'Tax Superhero of the Year' – and has invited nominations of suitably qualified firms and individuals.

Politicians must focus on the most vulnerable, say churches

staff writers — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:19:33 +0000

Following the proposals set out in the Queen's Speech, three of Britain's largest denominations are urging the UK's politicians to “focus their concern on those who made little out of the good economic years".

Anger as governments scupper global anti-corruption measures

agency reporter — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:35:11 +0000

A handful of countries are responsible for the failure of a crucial meeting to agree to an effective mechanism which would give a global anti-corruption treaty real power, say NGOs.

Further call for democratic reforms to replace the Queen's Speech

staff writers — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:43:22 +0000

Unlock Democracy, the leading civil and political rights pressure group, says it agrees with a call for Wednesday's Queen's speech to give way to a package of democratic reforms.

By-election fraud allegations lead to calls for voting system change

staff writers — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:23 +0000

After reports that police are investigating alleged voting fraud in the Glasgow North East by-election, a leading democracy group has called for reform of the system.

Kenyan church leader wants legal referral on post-election abuses

Ecumenical News International — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:45:36 +0000

The head of the National Council of Churches of Kenya says has declared himself to be unhappy that the east African country has failed to refer cases of post-election violence to the International Criminal Court.

BAE boss shocks audience with dismissive comment on Nimrod deaths

staff writers — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:38:17 +0000

The head of the multinational arms company BAE Systems has provoked criticism with a dismissive comment about the Haddon-Cave Report into the deaths of 14 members of the UK armed forces in a Nimrod aircraft.

Church near Berlin Wall hosts event to mark its role in epochal change

Stephen Brown — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:31:51 +0000

Germany's political and church leaders have marked the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Berlin Wall on 9 November with an ecumenical service at the Protestant church in eastern Berlin which played a key role in the events.

Bankers are doing "God's work", says Goldman Sachs boss

staff writers — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:47:05 +0000

The chief executive of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein, has suggested that bankers are doing “God's work” and that banks have a "social purpose". His remarks were described as “frankly astonishing” by Church Action on Poverty.

Politicians and generals struggle with public opinion over Afghanistan

staff writers — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:56:32 +0000

Politicians and generals have been struggling to justify the Afghan war after a poll revealed the extent of public opposition. They have put forward different, and at times contradictory, arguments for keeping UK troops in Afghanistan.

Fur and feathers challenge tarred politics

Simon Barrow — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:27:53 +0000

These days it isn’t just anxious looking MPs and peers, lobbyists, civil servants, journalists and security officials you’ll find wandering near Westminster, says Simon Barrow. Among other unexpected visitors have been Batman, a troupe of clowns, Basil Brush and his foxy friends, a group of zombies and a super-sized duck home

Tutu praises Boesak for putting people power ahead of party politics

Ecumenical News International — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:33:09 +0000

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has lauded the decision by anti-apartheid icon and former president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the Rev Allan Boesak to quit party politics and join "God's party".

Integrity corrupted

Symon Hill — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:11:09 +0000

I’m sure that I’m not the only person feeling somewhat taken aback by the Prime Minister’s comments yesterday about corruption in Afghanistan.

The Berlin Wall fell in many places

Stephen Brown — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:14:28 +0000

The political and social shock waves caused by weeks of pro-democracy protests in East Germany followed by the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989, were felt around the world, says Stephen Brown. They still resonate today, and have important theological implications.