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general election 2010

  • 13 Apr 2010
    Why immigration is an economic and human rights issue

    In what amounts to a less than subtle clue to the way in which politicians and the media have been constructing the public 'debate' on migration, Labour's new manifesto has a large section entitled: "Crime and Immigration".

    As if the two somehow belong together by default.

  • 13 Apr 2010
    The public have been reduced to extras in 'election show' politics

    After a week of General Election campaigning, how many actual members of the public have the leaders of the three 'main parties' met?

  • 12 Apr 2010
    The economic case for a hung parliament

    The political case is being made strongly for a hung parliament which could bring significant and much needed reform. Polls suggest that voters would prefer it to a Labour or Conservative majority government. The economic scaremongering has also been fact-checked and found wanting. There are some economic analysts now positively making the financial case:

    In an article 'Would a hung Parliament be best for the UK economy?' a number of commentators suggest "yes".

  • 12 Apr 2010
    Bookies cash in on TV election debates about future of society's poorest

    Ahead of Thursday's election debate between the leaders of the three biggest parties, bookmakers are announcing how they are cashing in and encouraging people to gamble on the result.

    David Cameron is emerging as the 'favourite' to 'win' the live debate during which the leaders will discuss issues that will affect millions of vulnerable people in the UK including asylum seekers, the elderly, the disabled and people in poverty.

  • 12 Apr 2010
    Salvation Army releases social policy manifesto for general election

    The Salvation Army has released a manifesto listing 13 social policy challenges to the political parties – from homelessness to anti-human trafficking, help for older people and the long-term unemployed.

  • 12 Apr 2010
    The marginalisation of faith schools during the election campaign

    About a third of schools have a religious character, educating millions of children and employing thousands of teachers and support staff. Most faith schools are able to decide their own religious admissions criteria, hire staff according to their religion and determine their own syllabus for Religious Education. Because of all of this, any major schools reform will be profoundly shaped by the role of faith schools, whether or not politicians like to admit it.

  • 12 Apr 2010
    A guide to resources available for the General Election 2010

    Below is a list of resources produced by churches and others for the general election. We have awarded a star rating to each based on how useful it is likely to be to readers trying to decide how to cast their votes. One star is poor. Five stars is excellent. This has been assessed in the context of each guide's own statement of its purpose. This page will also be updated during the general election campaign. If you have one you would like rated and listed here please email it to: office (at) ekklesia.co.uk

  • 12 Apr 2010
    Labour promises Restorative Justice Act and expansion of ‘youth pastors’

    In his big speech in March on “crime and anti-social behaviour” Gordon Brown made not so much as a hint at anything in the restorative justice field. We pointed this out, and suggested he was missing a trick.

    The new Labour manifesto however promises a Restorative Justice Act:

  • 12 Apr 2010
    Monday 12 April 'ethics election' agenda and comment

    7.30am Lib Dem press conference.

    8.10am Ed Miliband on Today Programme.

    8.45am David Cameron at campaign event in marginal constituency of Reading West.

    10.40am SNP launches manifesto.

    11.30am Launch of Labour manifesto in Birmingham with Cabinet.

    Scottish Labour launch manifesto.

    Gordon Brown visits 'green' factory in Rugby

    Jon Snow interviewing Gordon Brown on Channel 4

    Shadow Skills Minister John Hayes unveiling Tory apprenticeship scheme at debate in Birmingham.

    Tory Party chairman Eric Pickles in marginal constituency of Crawley where Labour has majority of 37.

    Taxpayers' Alliance in Parliament Square with large 'UK Debt Clock'

  • 12 Apr 2010
    Birmingham Hall Green - Retiring Labour MP backs Respect candidate

    A politician who is female, young and Muslim may be a rare sight. Indeed, up until now it's been a non-existent sight within the House of Commons.

    This may be about to change, as the Muslim peace activist Salma Yaqoob is reported to be in with a real chance of winning Birmingham Hall Green.