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About Stuart Weir

Stuart Weir is founder of Democratic Audit at the Human Rights Centre, University of Essex, and co-founder of Charter 88. He is a consultant to the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust on the State of the Nation polls.

Articles by Stuart Weir

Wednesday 1st February

The hole at the heart of the Labour Party

Stuart Weir, 1 February 2012
Ed Miliband’s sortie against Stephen Hester and City bonuses is a sign of life in Labour. But Labour’s position on the benefit cap reveals a deep-seated weakness.
Tuesday 13th December

Rallying to save the UK's Human Rights Act

Stuart Weir, 13 December 2011
On International Human Rights Day, 10 December, dozens of British human rights organisations issued an open letter defending the country's human rights legislation - under attack from those who brand it a European imposition.
Monday 12th December

A hardening of hearts: British social attitudes in the recession

Stuart Weir, 12 December 2011
The latest British Social Attitudes survey makes depressing reading for those who believe in social justice - and New Labour's clandestine approach to pursuing it must take the blame. Ed Miliband will struggle to convince the sceptical public.
Tuesday 29th November

N30 strike and Cameron's propaganda

Stuart Weir, 29 November 2011
UK-wide anti-cuts strikes on November 30 are predicted to bring 2.6 million workers onto the streets. The Coalition has responded with a propaganda war against the day of action.
Friday 11th November

Bold, ethical, open-minded: why Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust is unique in Britain

Stuart Weir, 11 November 2011
Decades of work by JRCT advancing democracy and social justice has changed the face of Britain. We explore what is distinctive about the trust, at a time when its second secretary is bidding farewell.
Tuesday 8th November

Ten million less voters and the Tories forever: the future of Britain's democracy?

Stuart Weir, 8 November 2011
The Coalition's constitutional reform plans are set to undermine Britain's balance of party political structures. A recent select committee report sets out the dangers and recommends how to avert them.
Tuesday 25th October

Tory revolt and the precariat

Stuart Weir, 25 October 2011
What is the real motive behind Conservatives' desire to leave the EU? Patriotic pride in Britain? Or the desire to abolish workers' rights?
Sunday 23rd October

Head of the UK's tax scandal - is parliament powerless

Stuart Weir, 23 October 2011
Margaret Hodge MP is leading a campaign to make HM Revenue and Customs accountable after revelations of cosy deal-making with big corporations.
Tuesday 18th October

The European Social Charter turns 50 today, but Britain doesn't belong at the party

Keith Ewing and Stuart Weir, 18 October 2011
Today is the 50th anniversary of the European Social Charter on workers' rights. The UK government is not celebrating, as it seeks to squeeze employment rights still further to satisfy corporate interests.
Wednesday 21st September

Days of Action: a new pamphlet on protecting the right to strike

Stuart Weir, 21 September 2011
Political strikes on weekdays are unlawful in the UK. Now two champions for workers' rights have published a pamphlet challenging this view.
Monday 1st August

Protest movement in Malawi – can the people rid themselves of the corrupt, paranoid and greedy Bingu wa Mutharika?

Stuart Weir, 1 August 2011
18 dead and 41 injured in last week's protest demanding that Bingu wa Mutharika should stand down. The people of Malawi have ample reason for grievance
Tuesday 26th July

Blue Labour's controversial ideas are good for Miliband and his party

Stuart Weir, 26 July 2011
The Labour party would be the losers if they cut the Blue Labour project adrift due to misjudged comments on immigration. The controversy provoked by Blue Labour ideas is healthy for the party, and a sign that Labour may be able to regenerate itself
Thursday 21st July

Lords reform should redistribute power, not promote "elective dictatorship"

Stuart Weir, 21 July 2011
A reformed upper House could provide a check on the power that the executive currently hold in Britain. Yet the proposed reforms would give the House of Lords democratic legitimacy, without extending their powers to hold the executive to account
Wednesday 20th July

Book review: Parliamentarians, mavericks and trots

Stuart Weir, 20 July 2011
Bob Marshall-Andrews and Richard Wainwright were two MPs who, in very different ways, belonged to the honourable and increasingly rare breed of parliamentarians who brought integrity and a willingness to speak up to the House of Commons, the public and their parties.
Wednesday 6th July

Let’s get the Coalition’s position on the benefit cap clear!

Stuart Weir, 6 July 2011
The Coalition's benefit cap plans would lead to tens of thousands of families losing their homes. The government, unworried by that reality, is however concerned about the news that the proposal won't save Britain any money after all
Thursday 16th June

Holding the Baby

Stuart Weir, 16 June 2011
If we are living in an age of gender equality, why are women still left holding the baby? "Shattered: Modern Motherhood and the Illusion of Equality" is bold enough to ask this question, and propose a set of solutions
Thursday 26th May

Dog whistle politics, Vince Cable and employment rights

Stuart Weir, 26 May 2011
With his Employer's Charter, Vince Cable is practically inviting employers to prey on the vulnerable and unprotected. In response, Keith Ewing has written a Charter of Workers' Rights, revealing the stark reality behind a Britain 'open for business'
Sunday 22nd May

What next for Britain's purple people?

Stuart Weir, 22 May 2011
Those who campaigned for a 'Yes' vote in the recent referendum have lost a battle but the larger cause of democracy in Britain still cries out. What should they do?
Tuesday 10th May

The AV vote was a fiasco. But then, UK referendums are undemocratic

Stuart Weir, 10 May 2011
Much of the blame for the No to AV vote lays with Nick Clegg, Compass and the Electoral Reform Society. But we must also acknowledge the illegitimate and ultimately undemocratic nature of referendums in the UK
Tuesday 12th April

We must let Muslim women who wear the veil speak for themselves

Stuart Weir, 12 April 2011
We all know what our politicians think of Muslim women who wear the veil. But the women themselves are rarely asked to explain their decision. Now, as the veil is banned in France, a report is published giving 32 Muslim women in that country a chance to defend their choice.
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