Stuart Weir - openDemocracy (Page 7)

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

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.

By Stuart Weir and Keith Ewing

/ 18 Oct 2011

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

Political strikes on weekdays are unlawful in the UK. Now two champions for workers' rights have published a pamphlet challenging this view.

By Stuart Weir

/ 21 Sep 2011

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

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

By Stuart Weir

/ 1 Aug 2011

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

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

By Stuart Weir

/ 26 Jul 2011

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

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

By Stuart Weir

/ 21 Jul 2011

Book review: Parliamentarians, mavericks and trots

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.

By Stuart Weir

/ 20 Jul 2011

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

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

By Stuart Weir

/ 6 Jul 2011

Holding the Baby

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

By Stuart Weir

/ 16 Jun 2011

Dog whistle politics, Vince Cable and employment rights

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'

By Stuart Weir

/ 26 May 2011

What next for Britain's purple people?

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?

By Stuart Weir

/ 22 May 2011

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

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

By Stuart Weir

/ 10 May 2011

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

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.

By Stuart Weir

/ 12 Apr 2011