ourkingdom

This is the articles section of OurKingdom, openDemocracy's blog on the future of the United Kingdom.
Thursday 9th February

Capitalism and the University

Des Freedman, 9 February 2012
Implementation of the White Paper in British Higher Education was silently abandoned last month. However, plans to liberalise and introduce market forces to the university systems haven't died. It is very important to revive the debate and keep opposing neoliberal forces in Higher Education
Tuesday 25th October

The mystery of IRG Ltd: Britain's former defence secretary and the right-wing lobby

Tom Griffin, 25 October 2011
Last week, Britain's defence secretary resigned following the revelation that he was using a friend with close links to right-wing lobbyists as an unofficial foreign envoy. While the government attempts to bury the story, Opposition leader Ed Miliband has a duty to pursue the truth.
Saturday 13th August

David Cameron must remember the lessons of Bloody Sunday

Tom Griffin, 13 August 2011
In the aftermath of the riots that swept across England last week, the UK government must not rush to adopt draconian policing tactics.
Thursday 26th May

When conniving is not collusion: The Murder of Rosemary Nelson

Tom Griffin, 26 May 2011
Was there state collusion in the killing of Rosemary Nelson, the solicitor who was blown up by loyalists at her home in Lurgan in 1999? Two very different answers to that question were put forward in the Commons this week, following the report of the inquiry into her death
Saturday 23rd April

Britain's voting referendum: a 'Yes' to AV is the real threat to the coalition

Joe Cox and Tom Griffin, 23 April 2011
As Britain prepares for its referendum on 5 May argument about the party political consequences are starting to figure as strongly as those over the merits of the choice on offer.
Thursday 31st March

How to defeat the Coalition

Tom Griffin, 31 March 2011
There is enough energy in the public's opposition to the cuts and the marketisation of public services to frustrate and split the UK's Coalition government. But this will need a forensic approach.
Sunday 16th January

Mission Creep: How the ACPO empire hyped eco-terrorism

Tom Griffin, 16 January 2011
The exposure of an agent raises questions about the policing of climate protests
Wednesday 22nd December

The military response to direct action, General Kitson's manual

Tom Griffin, 22 December 2010
In 1971 a counter-insurgency manual set out an operational response to non-violent direct action protest movements as well as military insurgencies like the Provision IRA in Northern Ireland, drawing on the UK's colonial experience. Today, it holds a surprise for a new reader.
Monday 13th September

Northern Ireland Secretary quizzed over dissident contacts

Tom Griffin, 13 September 2010
Is the British government talking to dissident republicans?
Friday 6th August

Cloned food, open your throats for market nihilism

Ryan Gallagher, 6 August 2010
Produce from cloned animals has now entered the British food chain for the first time. This represents the dawning of a hazardous new era of for-profit nihilism and animal eugenics.
Friday 16th July

Has the Orange Order killed the Parades Bill?

Tom Griffin, 16 July 2010
Friday 9th July

Shaking the Foundations of Tabloid Journalism

Ryan Gallagher, 9 July 2010
Monday 7th June

The end of political loyalism?

Tom Griffin, 7 June 2010

Book Review: Voices from the Grave - Two Men's War in Ireland

Tom Griffin, 7 June 2010
How do you document the history of a conflict in which illegal organisations are among the central players? Voices from the Grave, by the veteran Northern Ireland correspondent Ed Moloney, is an intriguing attempt to answer that question.
Wednesday 14th April

Tories learn the perils of first past the post in Northern Ireland

Tom Griffin, 14 April 2010
Wednesday 24th March

Crash report: Has the left learned the lessons of the financial crisis?

Tom Griffin, 24 March 2010
When financial markets collapsed in 2008, it was widely seen as the end of an era dominated by neoliberalism. Is the left making the most of the opportunity to fill the vacuum? That's the question at the heart of After the Crash - re-inventing the the left in Britain, a new e-book available free from Lawrence & Wishart.
Friday 5th March

An English backlash or an English project

Tom Griffin, 5 March 2010
Thursday 25th February

Platform for Change: A Call for Real Politics in Northern Ireland

Robin Wilson, 25 February 2010
Sunday 14th February

Debating Irish unity in London

Tom Griffin, 14 February 2010
Friday 5th February

The Hillsborough Castle Agreement

Tom Griffin, 5 February 2010
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