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Sat, 27 July 2024

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Articles tagged with: democracy
Forty years ago Ronald Reagan’s words inspired a generation – his belief in democracy is still as relevant today
Parliament
By Richard Graham MP
Forty years ago Ronald Reagan’s words inspired a generation – his belief in democracy is still as relevant today
Old speeches rarely age well. But there are exceptions, and on its 40th anniversary, Ronald Reagan's speech in the Palace of Westminster on 8 June 1982 should be essential reading for all of us who care about the future of democracy.
We’re in danger of losing our democracy
Home affairs
By Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
We’re in danger of losing our democracy
Last week, a young woman was arrested at her flat the day after stewarding a peaceful protest against the policies of our government.
Montserrat speaker Charliena White seeks support from Sir Lindsay Hoyle
Foreign affairs
By Zoe Crowther
Montserrat speaker Charliena White seeks support from Sir Lindsay Hoyle
As Speaker of the Parliament of Montserrat, Charliena White knows she has plenty to learn from her UK counterpart – and just as much to teach him.
Boris Johnson is a proven truth-twister. We can’t trust him with our elections
Communities
By Naomi Smith
Boris Johnson is a proven truth-twister. We can’t trust him with our elections
Straight out of University, Boris Johnson was dismissed from The Times for making up quotes, but far from a schoolboy error, lying became his modus operandi.
Privatising Channel 4 would be a loss for democracy
Culture
By Tobias Ellwood
Privatising Channel 4 would be a loss for democracy
In August 2009, I was visiting Washington DC when TV channels interrupted their broadcasts with breaking news. Senator Ted Kennedy was dead.
It’s time to increase UK defence spending to 3 per cent
Defence
By Tobias Ellwood
It’s time to increase UK defence spending to 3 per cent
It’s time to review our defence posture and increase our defence spending.
Now more than ever we must take action to uphold the human rights of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong
Foreign affairs
By Lord Bishop of St Albans
Now more than ever we must take action to uphold the human rights of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong
Earlier this month, I joined forces with Christian leaders from around the world to call for a Chinese New Year amnesty for Jimmy Lai and other activists remanded in custody under the National Security Law.
This government has put our cherished democracy in danger
Political parties
By Baroness Altmann
This government has put our cherished democracy in danger
Fears have been expressed that we are unwittingly embarking on a slippery slope towards authoritarian rule, with warnings of an elected dictatorial elite seeking to override Parliament, trampling on the public’s historic freedoms and rights.
Beijing is set to cement its grip on Hong Kong’s parliament. Britain must act to protect democracy
Foreign affairs
By Lord Alton
Beijing is set to cement its grip on Hong Kong’s parliament. Britain must act to protect democracy
In Hong Kong’s first general election since Beijing’s rigging of the city’s electoral system to ensure only communist party “patriots” hold power, only three of the 153 candidates - or just two percent of all hopefuls - running for Hong Kong’s parliament, the Legislative Council, are self-described democrats.
The Policing Bill is one of the most serious threats to human rights and civil liberties in the UK’s recent history
Home affairs
By Sarah Champion MP
The Policing Bill is one of the most serious threats to human rights and civil liberties in the UK’s recent history
Soft power is how a country’s cultural and economic influence can persuade others to do something. It is summed up in the often-repeated line that “people are more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.” And it is a key part of the UK's approach to strengthening democracy and defending our values around the world.
Parliament Week: Everyone’s voice matters
Parliament
By Baroness Hollins
Parliament Week: Everyone’s voice matters
Parliament Week is a great time to get involved and to talk about things that matter to you. Everyone’s voice matters. That’s what democracy is all about. Parliamentarians need to know your concerns, but also your ideas for making people’s lives safer and better.
The Online Safety Bill must live up to its name
Culture
By Baroness Kidron
The Online Safety Bill must live up to its name
Frances Haugen forensically put forward a devasting picture of how Facebook puts “profit over people”. The long awaited Online Safety Bill must curb the unfettered power of the tech sector and prioritise child safety.
Real action is needed to honour the second anniversary of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement
Foreign affairs
By Alistair Carmichael MP and Siobhain McDonagh MP
Real action is needed to honour the second anniversary of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement
Events over the past two years paint a bleak picture for the present, and future, of Hong Kong. The UK government must impose Magnitsky-style sanctions on officials complicit in human rights abuses.
Crowning glory: monarch, politics and Parliament in an age of democracy
Social affairs
By Andrew Gimson
Crowning glory: monarch, politics and Parliament in an age of democracy
“The more democratic we get,” Walter Bagehot predicted in 1867, “the more we shall get to like state and show, which have ever pleased the vulgar.” The outpouring of tributes triggered by the death of the Duke of Edinburgh indicates that Bagehot was right.
Britain must hold China to account or risk seeing democratic freedoms slip away
Foreign affairs
By Andrew Rosindell MP
Britain must hold China to account or risk seeing democratic freedoms slip away
China has shown they have no respect for human rights and democracy. It's time Britain takes more decisive action to help Uyghurs, Hongkongers and other people being brutally repressed by Beijing.
180 years on from the founding of modern Hong Kong, what is her future?
Foreign affairs
By Lord Hunt of Kings Heath and Andrew Gwynne MP
180 years on from the founding of modern Hong Kong, what is her future?
Tuesday 26th January marks 180 years of Hong Kong’s association with Great Britain. Despite having a complicated past, the city was built on principles of internationalism, liberal trade and entrepreneurial spirit. It grew to become a global financial centre and a beacon of freedom and globalization in the East.
The violence in Washington shows the government must bring tech giants into line
Home affairs
By David Puttnam
The violence in Washington shows the government must bring tech giants into line
Government must hold online platforms accountable for the content their algorithms promote and empower citizens to assert their rights online. This would support our democracy instead of undermining it.
The latest arrests in Hong-Kong show human rights must be at the heart of British foreign policy
Foreign affairs
By Baroness Kennedy
The latest arrests in Hong-Kong show human rights must be at the heart of British foreign policy
Hong Kong's rule of law is on the brink. The onus is on Britain to urgently take more substantive steps to signal to China there is a diplomatic cost to breaking international treaties.
The freezing of Ted Hui’s assets proves HSBC is now an accessory to the Hong Kong national security law
Foreign affairs
By Siobhain McDonagh MP
The freezing of Ted Hui’s assets proves HSBC is now an accessory to the Hong Kong national security law
Hong Kong authorities are using HSBC to impose financial sanctions on pro-democracy figures and silence opposition. This is categorically unacceptable, HSBC should be standing with Hongkongers.
Grandma Wong personifies the bravery of Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners - she would be a worthy recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize
Foreign affairs
By Baroness Bennett and Lord Alton
Grandma Wong personifies the bravery of Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners - she would be a worthy recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize
Grandma Wong represents the very best of the Hong Kong protesters in bravely and stubbornly refusing to give in to tyranny. In nominating her for the Nobel Peace Prize, we send a clear signal to China.
It would be an insult to brave Hongkongers for Britain to ignore their plight
Foreign affairs
By Tom Randall MP
It would be an insult to brave Hongkongers for Britain to ignore their plight
The freedom to disagree with and question authority is a cornerstone of democracy. In removing it, Beijing has eradicated any last trace of Hong Kong’s independence.
Britain must send a strong message to China and stand up for Hong Kong’s democracy
Foreign affairs
By Iain Duncan Smith MP
Britain must send a strong message to China and stand up for Hong Kong’s democracy
Magnitsky style sanctions should be applied immediately to officials and politicians in Hong Kong and China, or we risk defaulting on our promises to the people of Hong Kong.
Children have become the latest targets of Hong Kong's National Security Law
Foreign affairs
By Lord Alton
Children have become the latest targets of Hong Kong's National Security Law
Attacks on children and their education are shocking and underline the need for urgent international action - we must impose Magnitsky-style sanctions on key figures complicit in eroding Hongkongers’ rights.
Democracies must evolve and embrace new thinking if we are to defeat Covid-19, recover and rebuild stronger
Social affairs
By Chloe Smith MP
Democracies must evolve and embrace new thinking if we are to defeat Covid-19, recover and rebuild stronger
I recently announced proposals for new world-leading rules that will require online political campaign content to have a ‘digital imprint’ - an essential measure that will improve transparency in political campaigning.