ACFM: Does the Left Need New Heroes?
The ACFM crew ask whether the idea of the hero is a right-wing fantasy.
Tag: politics
Report: If the Tories Lose Here, They’ll Lose Everywhere
Aaron Bastani went to Godalming in beautiful Surrey, to find out if the chancellor Jeremy Hunt is about to lose his seat. Tune in for hot takes, voxpops homemade jam and more.
Opinion: Why Does Every Politician Need a Sob Story?
Aaron Bastani
If ‘progressive’ centrist politicians really want to strike a chord, they need a compelling story for the country, writes Aaron Bastani, not just more hard luck stories about themselves.
Downstream: Social Mobility Is a Lie. Aaron Bastani Meets Dan Evans.
With more strikes taking place and ever rising inequality, you’d think the left would be well-placed to talk about class with authority. But what if the movement had made a disastrous error when trying to understand the state of our nation? And what if we’re still missing a fundamental bit of understanding? Sociologist and trade […]
Downstream: Going Undercover With Neo-Nazis. Aaron Bastani Meets Julia Ebner
Since 2016 we’ve seen mainstream politics take a turn for the weird, epitomised by the surprise success of populist projects like Brexit and the election of Donald Trump. And fringe views have continued to muscle into the middle ground, with conspiracy theories and far-right talking points trickling into political discourse. Julia Ebner has been charting […]
Downstream: The Housing Crisis Is Even Worse Than You Think. Aaron Bastani Meets Vicky Spratt
Vicky Spratt is a London-based journalist and campaigner who writes on housing and the rental crisis. Her book Tenants is out now with Profile Books.
Downstream: We Must Ban Private Schools. Ash Sarkar Meets Richard Beard
Britain is unique in the way that public schools (that’s private schools to anyone outside of Britain) have a stranglehold on the establishment. Alumni of these schools are massively overrepresented in the upper echelons of society – so is it any wonder that the media, the judicial system and the political class treat normal people […]
Analysis: 2023 Will Be Make Or Break For The Scottish Independence Movement
Jonathon Shafi
It’s official: there will be no Scottish independence without the UK’s say-so. The judgement has forced Scottish politics out of its stupor – but perhaps also into a crisis, writes columnist Jonathon Shafi.
Explainers: What Does Qatar REALLY Want?
With the media furore around the world cup being held in Qatar, one might think that the mission to launder their reputation and establish themselves as a player on the world stage has failed. One might also think that the arguments about LGBT rights, migrant labour and FIFA corruption haven’t actually bothered the Qatari elites […]
Downstream: Immigration: Labour Have Always Been Just As Bad As Tories. Ash Meets Maya Goodfellow
Ash meets Dr. Maya Goodfellow to talk about New Labour's inhumane immigration policies, the problem with the term 'Economic Migrant' and how people, no matter what we're told, will end up falling in love across supposed cultural divides.
Analysis: Westminster May Have Given Up On Trans Rights But Scotland Hasn’t
Emily Tolano
Scotland is defying Tory transphobia to push ambitious legislation that will make trans lives easier.
Downstream: Continuing to Live Was a Challenge. Aaron Meets Chris Packham
On the morality of having children, the Just Stop Oil protests and Southampton F.C.
Feature: PrEP Could End HIV Transmissions But Tory Austerity Is Scuppering It
Sarah Woolley
PrEP reduces the risk of contracting HIV by almost 100%. But government cuts mean it’s not reaching the majority of people it should.
Feature: How Mutual Aid Is Reaching Its Limits for Transgender People in the UK
June Bellebono
Aid networks are lifesavers for trans communities - but a hostile cultural and economic climate means an already deprived demographic is being stretched to breaking point.
Opinion: Is the European Research Group Losing Its Grip on the Tory Party?
Helen Belcher
The ERG, deemed the “most influential in recent political history”, has been a kingmaker within the Tory party. But is its reign now coming to an end?
Analysis: Why Are Fewer British Muslims Voting?
Khadijah Hasan
Muslims are a highly politically engaged group – except, increasingly, when it comes to parliamentary politics.
Analysis: Britain’s No-Growth Economy Means Politics Is Only Going to Get More Chaotic
Aaron Bastani
In the democratic era, economic growth has funded the policies both parties have used to generate consent. Now our economy is stagnating, we should only expect more instability, writes Aaron Bastani.
Opinion: The Scottish Greens Want the Green Party to ‘Do Better’
Euan Yours & Emily Tolano
Green politics are supposed to be founded on cooperation and mutual respect, but internal struggles over trans rights have led to the Scottish Greens taking a stand.