Schools Week’s Post

Queensland Labor amendments to kick more than a dozen elements of the LNP's controversial youth justice bill back to a committee until early 2025 for "full & proper examination", reflecting stakeholder concerns, blocked by LNP & KAP after dinner last night The Attorney-General's response (+ more in the blog: https://lnkd.in/gCy3s-ux)

Thanks for another hot off the press summary from David Thorneloe and Mark Ferguson on the King's Speech and the new UK legislative agenda. As a technology lawyer, surprised to see no specific AI legislation as had been trailed. Given the importance of this area we wait to hear how the new Government proposes to deal with AI where different from the outgoing Government. #kingsspeech #AI #newgovernment #tech #data

✨ NEW ✨ Abolish PM’s honours, demand judges and business leaders We're supporting this important call from The Constitution Unit, UCL, Institute for Government and others for 7 key reforms to restore trust in politics and improve standards in public life. https://lnkd.in/eK6fSa6X #ukpolitics #standards #lobbying

Our public affairs advisor Kris Hopkins shares thoughts on the UK Labour Party landslide. From his perspective as an ex-MP, he tells us what it's like to walk into the parliamentary chamber for the first time, where Churchill made famous proclamations and kings were sentenced to death. What does this new labour government have in store for the UK's current challenges? And how will their strategy affect businesses? Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gcmxHH64

#ukpolitics The Conservative Party lost 51% of its votes in the recent election. This was not a sudden loss of support. Ever since the 2019 election support has been ebbing away. And Corbyn was the opponent in 2019 so the “benchmark” is very flattering. A more detailed analysis is devastating. Polling by ages etc. As I have said many times, the record of delivery of post 2015 Conservative governments was dreadful. The expansion of the UK state, non productive legal immigration being preferred over productive legal immigration. A focus on the trivial and irrelevant rather than than difficult but necessary. The Covid response (TTT, PPE and government expenditure that got completely out of control as a % of GDP va most other developed countries). It’s about competence. But more importantly it’s about what you stand for and delivering what you say you will. Post 2015 Conservative governments failed and failed very badly. The 2024 election result was very well deserved. Whoever is chosen to lead the party needs to have very clear ideas about this. Being competent is not enough.

The British political system has been described as ‘elected dictatorship’ (Lord Hailsham). With a workable majority, a government can, subject to international obligations, do what it likes (AV Dicey). And it can abrogate those international obligations too. With its majority Labour can do what it chooses. Its power is, theoretically, unlimited. And Labour got 33.7% of the vote. And the turnout was 60%. So a government with unlimited powers over the future of this country was elected by 20% of registered voters. It’s an uncomfortable fact. One that brings out understandable arguments for proportional representation and enforced voting. But there’s another aspect to this; alienation. Democracy isn’t a pencil mark on a piece of paper every five years, it is the active involvement of citizens in shaping their own lives and communities. Politics must stop being seen as something done by others that happens to us. #britishgeneralelection #politics #constitution

Commons People As the dust settles on the General Election, there are many things to be excited about with a new Labour government. In the broadest sense, business and society can only benefit from an era of greater political stability, a better quality national debate on the big issues they face and the prospect of a more principled style of politics. One of the most striking aspects has to be the diversity of Kier Starmer’s new Cabinet, where all but one Minister attended state school. In fact, research by The Sutton Trust shows the educational background of the 2024 Commons is more socio-economically diverse than any parliament recorded since 1979. With a turnout of less than 60% - the lowest in over 20 years and as low as 40% in some areas of the UK - this bodes well for an electorate that’s become understandably disengaged with a politics it feels doesn’t represent it, never mind its best interests. Whilst we need policy change and delivery to create better opportunities for people from lower socio-economic groups, a more representative and relatable Commons has to be a plus after decades of privelege across our political system.

“Baiting and stoking civil servants became a strategy. It’s now become fair game.” From my first feature for Civil Service World, part of Total Politics, on the many ways in which trust has broken down between senior officials and ministers over the past decade. If the incoming Labour government is going to be effective in Westminster, it must rebuild trust with Whitehall. #CivilService #Government #GovernmentPolicy #Whitehall #Labour #Starmer https://lnkd.in/eeGuZBcb

Democratic foundation is being shredded in the UK. Labour manifesto preview, ( which looks a lot like the Conservative one) can be expected to continue along this path as long as citizens are treated primarily as consumers, to be “ bought” with promises of Christmas, with “winning side” pretending they can force top-down cooperation with the “loosing “ camp. Citizens have to demand a seat at the table, and be willing to work with others to find a common pathway forward, instead of being used as “foot soldiers” under some party banner. Labour has the opportunity to help the country find a better future but there are few signs it will be taken up. Sue Gray’s suggestion of meaningful broad public engagement via citizens assemblies to suppport and advise leaders is one such missed opportunity. We cannot “rebuild trust” without the people , and this begins with honesty and transparency . Democracy is not a spectator event , limited to voting for this or that offering. Population should actually have a meaningful say as to “what is on offer. Aren’t there any politicians who see the benefits of working with , and learning from the people they are supposed to be serving? New Citizen Project https://lnkd.in/exewPAuY

The U.S. Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, is the oldest continuously-active Constitution in the world! It is the foundation of American democracy within our constitutional republic and establishes our rights as Americans, including the right to vote. This year is a Presidential election year un the United States of America (USA) and your vote counts! It is through your vote that you have a voice in our democracy. In Michigan, check your voter registration status, register to vote, or find your local clerks office at the Michigan Department of State web site: https://lnkd.in/ePEhH96E .  Check out candidate information at the nonpartisan Ballotpedia website: https://lnkd.in/eKhtdnBH . Remember an important aspect within our congressional proceedings, there are rules that "prohibit particularly uncivil—“unparliamentary”—language [and behavior]." Please remember to be civil to one another during this election year - be respectful to others while sharing your own thoughts and ideas. If your idea is the BEST idea (or your preferred candidate is the BEST candidate), then you should certainly be able to convince others of that using facts and research rather then negative or bullying behavior. Learn more about the U.S. Constitution at the National Archives website linked below.