Europe/UK – PIVOT

The Johnson-Truss Transition | Can Britain’s New PM Assert Her Leadership?

Boris Johnson has bowed out as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after just three years in the role. With the UK facing a cost-of-living crisis, an energy catastrophe, and low levels of trust in elected officials, Johnson’s successor and former lieutenant Liz Truss faces one of the worst in-trays an incoming PM has had to tackle in a generation. Requiring an urgent response, will she be up for the task, or will she be forced to go the way of her recent predecessors? Will she be able to emerge from the shadow of Johnson’s leadership? … Continue readingThe Johnson-Truss Transition | Can Britain’s New PM Assert Her Leadership?

Sports and Politics: Can They Be Kept Separate?

The implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine continue to expand beyond politics and the economy and into new contexts, the latest of which has been sport. The highly esteemed English tennis competition Wimbledon has made the decision to impose a ban on Russian and Belarusian players as part of a global effort to sanction Russia for its attack on Ukraine.

Sneha Ramanan discusses the significance of this ban and asks the question: Can sport and politics ever truly be separated? … Continue readingSports and Politics: Can They Be Kept Separate?

The Platinum Jubilee and Constitutional Monarchy in the 21st Century

Today marks the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen’s accession to the Throne. Although not a time of celebration for the Queen as it also marks the anniversary of the death of her beloved father King George VI, this milestone will be celebrated across the Commonwealth with much fanfare in June. Every jubilee and significant royal event brings about questions regarding the monarchy’s future in Australia and other Commonwealth realms, including Canada and New Zealand. While it is important to have such discussions about the political structure of our country, there are other constitutional issues regarding the functionality of our governance which should be addressed more urgently. … Continue readingThe Platinum Jubilee and Constitutional Monarchy in the 21st Century

Climate Change and the IPCC Report: What Is to Be Done?

‘On August 9th 2021, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the first instalment of its Sixth Assessment Report, AR6. This landmark document will be the subject of deliberations during the COP26 Summit this November in Glasgow. It confirms what scientists have been saying for decades; that human activity is unequivocally responsible for the increases in the earth’s temperature.’

Megha Iyer discusses the pressing need for all countries to adopt the recommendations stipulated in the AR6 and the crucial opportunity that COP26 presents to make this a reality.

This article is the first in a series of articles focusing on environmental policy and politics in the lead up to the COP26 Summit. … Continue readingClimate Change and the IPCC Report: What Is to Be Done?

The Suez Crisis: The Sun Finally Sets

It is widely believed that following the end of the Second World War, there were only two global superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union. This is not true. There was a third superpower, wounded by the Second World War, but still maintaining a … Continue readingThe Suez Crisis: The Sun Finally Sets

Global Vaccine Inequality: ‘And the Weak Suffer What They Must’?

As many countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom continue their vaccination campaigns and move closer to becoming post-Covid societies, it has become increasingly clear just how stark the divide between developed and developing nations is, and how COVID-19 is no longer an equal threat to everyone, but instead a something that developed nations no longer need to worry about, while the rest of the world is left to suffer. … Continue readingGlobal Vaccine Inequality: ‘And the Weak Suffer What They Must’?

The ‘Build Back Better World’ Initiative: Is Diplomacy ‘Back’?

A the recent G7 Summit, leaders claimed that “Diplomacy is back”. Given that this was the first time in two years that leaders had met in person, the opportunity was seized to discuss what they considered to be the world’s most pressing issues, including vaccine inequity, climate change, global taxes, and current conflicts. Most central to this claim, however, was the announcement of the ‘Build Back Better World’ infrastructure initiative. … Continue readingThe ‘Build Back Better World’ Initiative: Is Diplomacy ‘Back’?

Australia at the G7 Summit

The 47th G7 summit marked an important opportunity for Australia to contribute to solutions to pressing global issues and improve its diplomatic position among the world’s leading democracies. However, while there were some positives that emerged from the summit meeting, Australia appeared isolated on the key issue of climate policy, among others. … Continue readingAustralia at the G7 Summit

NORTHERN IRELAND’S UNCERTAIN FUTURE: LOYALISM, REPUBLICANISM AND PEACE

Since the Troubles ended in 1998, Northern Ireland has been searching for a way to allow its two communities, with often diametrically opposed identities, interests and aspirations, to live together peacefully. Intriguingly, these communities — loyalists/unionists and republicans/nationalists — are political (and somewhat religious), rather than racial, religious, or economic. Mostly Protestant loyalists identify as British and wish for Northern Ireland to remain in the United Kingdom (UK), while mostly Catholic republicans identify as Irish and wish for it to leave the UK and reunite with the Republic of Ireland. This division was and continues to be the catalyst of Ireland’s violent past and uncertain future. … Continue readingNORTHERN IRELAND’S UNCERTAIN FUTURE: LOYALISM, REPUBLICANISM AND PEACE

STATE OF THE UNION | UNITED KINGDOM SET FOR CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

Last Saturday evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote to Nicola Sturgeon with congratulations on her anticipated re-appointment as Scottish First Minister. He also asked Sturgeon to meet with him in an effort to resolve COVID-19-related issues throughout the United Kingdom (UK). Johnson’s letter highlights fear at Westminster for an impending constitutional crisis over the Scottish Parliament’s power to hold another independence referendum, with recent polls suggesting a close result. … Continue readingSTATE OF THE UNION | UNITED KINGDOM SET FOR CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

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Category: Europe/UK