Opinion

Campaigners call for greater transparency to facilitate adoption of advanced non-animal methods Home Office figures released today reveal that 3,721,744 mice, fish, rabbits, dogs, rats, monkeys and other animals were used for research in UK laboratories last year. With the full extent of their suffering unknown, and whether modern non-animal methods could have been used in their place, the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) is calling on the UK Government to end the secrecy and open up animal research to public scrutiny. Jan Creamer, President of the National Anti-Vivisection Society said, “With advanced modern methodsbeing more accurate and...

Abuse Inquiry shared our personal emails, but taking funds away from our inquiry is punishing us twice: Core participant hits out as Child Abuse Inquiry fined £200K for major data breach By Nigel O’Mara Nigel O’Mara is a veteran campaigner for child abuse survivors. He has waived his right to anonymity as a core participant in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.   It has been announced today that the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has been...

Theresa May this week folded on several ERG amendments to a Chequers deal outlining how Britain proposes it might leave the European Union. Among them she backed down on the UK collecting tax or duties on behalf of another territory “without reciprocity” and an amendment that would force her to draw up primary legislation if she wants to remain in the EU’s customs union. Whatever the outcome of this turbulent week in parliament one thing we can say with absolute...

It was a relief to get away from the boisterous and indeed volatile atmosphere of the Tommy Robinson protest and counter protest on Saturday. The sleepy back streets between St James Park and Westminster Abbey were, on a hot sunny afternoon, in marked contrast to the frenetic activity normally seen there during the working week. All of a sudden, my reverie was interrupted by the sound of shouting, screaming and glass smashing. I looked towards the commotion which was occurring...

The absence of Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable and his predecessor Tim Farron from last night's crucial Brexit votes prove once again that the party is all bark and no bite. ERG amendments which have effectively allowed hard-line Brexiters to hijack the Chequers proposals were passed through by a slender margin thanks to the noticeable absentees. As Robert Peston noted shortly after, "one of great political jokes of our time is that Theresa May was rescued from defeat last night...

In a classic episode of Yes, Minister the hapless minister Jim Hacker and adroit civil servant Sir Humphrey Appleby desperately try to stop a visiting African president from making a controversial speech in front of the Queen. The fictional country's leader successfully extorts money from the British government in exchange for not mentioning the 'Celtic peoples' and their struggle for freedom. A small national embarrassment is avoided, the Queen is not insulted and both countries ultimately benefit. What would Hacker...

Theresa May is officially stuck between a rock and a hard place. With one of the most divisive issues in a generation on the table she has somehow managed to make compromises on both sides and yet end up pleasing no one. Treasury PPS Scott Mann and Witney MP Robert Courts are the latest Brexiters to walk out on the back of the controversial Chequers deal. They join the Brexit Secretary, Foreign Secretary and five others on a list that is...

When Margaret Thatcher launched her assault on Britain’s industrial towns in the 80s suspicions that the country’s coal output may be on the decline were already there for all to see. Much of continental Europe had started to wind down their operations and the view from the Conservative benches was that the UK must follow suite. The problem was that they had nothing to put in its place, and so the benefits culture that still exists today was created. With...

Brexit chaos continues to engulf Westminster. David Davis and Boris Johnson have resigned, along with a number of minor Conservative figures. The long awaited Brexiteer rebellion may finally have begun. And it could be fatal for the Tory Party. It's hard to underestimate the trouble the Conservative Party is in right now. In the abnormal political atmosphere, two senior cabinet ministers jumping ship is not enough to trigger a leadership challenge. But this should not re-assure Theresa May or her...