Oliver Huitson

Oliver Huitson is a former Co-Editor at openDemocracyUK and a freelance journalist. He contributed chapters to Jenny Manson's 2012 book, 'Public Service on the Brink', and 'NHS SOS' (2013). He has written for The Guardian, The New Statesman, Vice and the BBC. He is on Twitter as @OllyHuitson

Interview: BBC bias, bullying, and the Scottish referendum

Following the recent publication of his report, Dr John Robertson speaks to OurKingdom about his findings, his methodology, and an unusually fierce response - "bullying" - from the BBC itself.

By Oliver Huitson and John Robertson

/ 21 Feb 2014

Interview: what was really going on with the lobbying Bill?

Graham Allen MP, chair of the Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee, talks to OurKingdom about the highly controversial lobbying Bill that has just been passed by parliament.

By Oliver Huitson and Graham Allen

/ 31 Jan 2014

Russell Brand, populism and a collapsing centre

Russell Brand said nothing unusual in his interview with Jeremy Paxman and yet it's been watched over 9m times and the debate is still raging. Why?

By Oliver Huitson

/ 11 Nov 2013

Welcoming Adam Ramsay to OurKingdom

OurKingdom welcomes a new Co-Editor.

By Oliver Huitson

/ 26 Jul 2013

CHPI, a new health think tank, has launched

After a lot of hard work, the Centre for Health and the Public Interest is up and running - and important new resource for all who value a democratic health service.

By Oliver Huitson

/ 7 May 2013

Thatcher - black gold or red bricks?

Thatcher did not save Britain from economic decline. In many respects her economic performance was poor, even with the irresponsible fire-sale of British assets. It is time her legacy reflected this.

By Oliver Huitson

/ 11 Apr 2013

Can you help fund an editor for OurNHS?

The campaign to restore the NHS is heating up and a number of leading organisations are starting to build a clearer roadmap of how to work together to secure a nationalised health service after the 2015 election. As part of that, OurNHS needs a full time editor. We really need your help to do that

By Oliver Huitson

/ 22 Mar 2013

New Lords report on NHS regulations "short, succint and devastating"

The governments amended NHS regulations on compulsory competition appear highly similar to the original regulations that caused such outrage. The Lords scrutiny committee today issued a damaging report that seems to agree. The government simply can't - or won't - make its regulations match its pro

By Oliver Huitson

/ 21 Mar 2013

Explosive NHS regulations - Section 75 - criticised by Lords committee

Beneath the diplomatic language the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee's report seems to support criticisms made by campaigners: the regulations are at odds with ministerial assurances that commissioners would retain control of competition, and they do indeed open nearly all NHS services to

By Oliver Huitson

/ 7 Mar 2013

The left needs to start again: interview with Ken Loach

Loach's new film, Spirit of '45, is an impassioned account of the unity that built the post-war welfare state, contrasted with the dismantling we are witnessing today. Oliver Huitson talks to him about the film, welfare, Thatcher, the unions and the modern Labour party. Can we recapture the spirit

By Oliver Huitson

/ 1 Mar 2013

Section 75 - what happened next

Since last weeks big report from Cutcher & Reynolds, the section 75 legislation introducing compulsory tendering to NHS services has hit the headlines but the battle is far from over. Here's a quick roundup of what's happened.

By Oliver Huitson

/ 27 Feb 2013

NHS actions - what's coming up

Updates and news on the Lewisham downgrade and judicial review; potential for NHS campaigning at the Eastleigh by-election; Ken Loach's new film, Spirit of '45, featuring Jacky Davis; talk of an April 1st action, mendacity from Hunt, and Unite derecognised by ambulance service.

By Oliver Huitson

/ 8 Feb 2013