It would seem that quite a lot of Tories aren’t that keen on gay people.  I know – I’m as shocked as you are.  Earlier this week, the Independent reported that over 100 Tory MPs are preparing to vote against the government’s plans to introduce full same-sex civil marriage, even more than the 81 who rebelled over Europe.  Yes folks – for Tory backbenchers gay marriage is an even greater threat to our civilization than the European Union.

But unlike the 81 rebels who defied David Cameron on Europe, those voting against him on gay marriage won’t really be rebels at all.  You see the government has promised a “free vote” on gay marriage, meaning that MPs (including ministers) can vote with their conscience.  This band of Tory right-wingers can commit their act of legislative gay-bashing without fear of reprisal from the whips, nor will they lose their jobs if they are ministers. Read the rest of this entry »

Ken has pledged to cut fares by 5% if he wins in May, then freeze them until 2014 and only increase them by inflation after that.  This contrasts with Boris Johnson who has made an agreement with the government for fares to increase by 2% above inflation every year for the next twenty years.

This rather excellent video spells out how much Londoners will save from Ken’s Fare Deal:

“What good’s first woman if it’s her?  I suppose you’d have liked Hitler if he was a woman.  Mrs Hitler.  Got a lot done.”  Joyce’s rebuke to her sister Marlene cuts to the core of Caryl Churchill’s seminal work, which is an excoriating critique of the impact of Thatcherism on feminism.  Max Stafford-Clark’s revival of the play he first directed in 1982 is fresh and engaging.  The shoulder pads are out in force but the production never feels outdated.  This is a testament to his direction, certainly, but also an uncomfortable reminder of how relevant the play’s themes are thirty years since it was written.  Churchill may have hoped that Top Girls would be of mere historical interest by now but this is, sadly, not the case.  Thatcher may have left office more than two decades ago, but we live in a country which is in many ways still defined by her eleven years in power.  Moreover, the play’s question of whether it is possible to combine a successful career with a happy family life is perhaps more resonant than ever. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m standing for the position of Youth Rep on the London Regional Board at tomorrow’s London Young Labour AGM.  You can read my manifesto here:

Youth Rep manifesto

I’ve been taking a look at where each of the Mayoral candidates are picking up their support from in London.  This is based on the Labour councillors that have declared their support for each candidate.  A crude measure perhaps, but one that should provide some clues as to the feeling about each of the candidates on the ground across London. Read the rest of this entry »