‘Nul points’ for the government’s handling of foreign language education
UK viewers of Eurovision have much to lament this year, but beyond the song choice, the singer and scoring ‘nul points’ from both the jury and the European public - the real embarrassment came from one minute of Amanda Holden - deftly offending the Dutch hosts, as well as the French in under 60 seconds.For UK climate policy, international expectations may be more meaningful than statutory targets.
International alliances can be harnessed to create real momentum behind meaningful climate action. International cooperation on the world’s greatest challenges is how countries around the world hold each other to account. Best for Britain’s polling reveals an intuitive truth about climate policy which our leaders would do well to listen to: global problems are solved with global alliances.The UK is internationalist by instinct
Brits are more open to the world than we sometimes assume. And Best for Britain’s new Internationalism Index gives us insight into the hearts of UK voters. The Internationalism Index gives us a snapshot of UK voter attitudes. But it also allows us to filter and to better understand data we gather in the future.An assault on our democracy
Boris Johnson’s government agrees it’s time to change the laws governing our democracy, they’re calling it ‘renewing democracy’. But what they’re proposing is much more a big step backwards than a leap into the future. It's time for a fairer, more equal electoral system.The European project was always about peace
Europe has seen its fair share of conflict and unrest since Schuman's historic speech, but no major wars between EU member states. Scores are settled through legal action, trade disputes and briefings to the Financial Times, not on the front lines. But peace should not be taken for granted.Naomi Smith's speech: What is Best for Britain?
Since we left the European Union and subsequent transition period, we have been asked repeatedly, what Best for Britain is still for and what it hopes to achieve. So here it is. We have transitioned from being a temporary campaign against Brexit, to being a permanent organisation for internationalist values and working with the world.The Government cannot be allowed to mark its own homework
The Government cannot be allowed to mark its own homework. That's why we've launched the UK Trade and Business Commission. Whether it is rewriting the “independent” Race and Ethnic Disparities report, or blocking an MP-led investigation into the Greensill scandal, this Government seems allergic to scrutiny.We need emergency climate action - not more delay.
As the UK prepares to host COP26, the Government should be collaborating with the world to protect the environment. Instead, we are drifting away from the world-leading environmental standards of Europe, and towards a lonely and blighted future.Internationalism fails, and Africa dies a little
New blog from Best for Britain: Vaccine wars are a chilling reminder of just how important it is for nations to work together in the face of global challenges. While the UK and the EU have been engaged in an undignified squabble about contract law, Africa has been all but frozen out.Of Davids and Goliaths: The perils of politicians drunk on power
Of Davids and Goliaths: The perils of politicians drunk on power. If you are one of the millions who has protested about anything in recent years, they need the power to come after you. Not to have a grown-up discussion about policy differences, but to criminalise you and use the police to – literally – shut you up.Scrutiny, accountability and the neutering of Parliament
Scrutiny and accountability are the yin and yang of Parliamentary process, one reinforcing the other. But there has been a worrying trend for scrutiny to be sidelined, and for accountability to be abandoned, when it suits the Government.Pay to Play: So you want to be a touring musician? Better have deep pockets
Britain, so long a breeding ground for musical talent from all backgrounds, has manoeuvred itself into a position where only those with spare money will be able to tour in Europe. Welcome to a world where you have to pay to play.The winners so far in 2021
With the first page of the 2021 calendar now scrumpled in the bin, it’s a good time to look at some of the early winners – or apparent winners – in the year’s opening weeks.Workers’ rights, travel rights and a French letter
And so, unceremoniously, on the late-evening Peston show, a threat to workers’ rights that was never, you know, really, a threat to workers’ rights, was shelved in yet another Government U-turn.A sobering tale of red wine and red tape
Every 13 seconds someone, somewhere, opens a bottle of wine from Daniel Lambert Wines. He was under no illusion that Brexit was going to make things more difficult for him and his team. Here is what happened.Fish wars: Seven reasons Britain could get that sinking feeling
Read the new blog from Best for Britain: Fish wars: Seven reasons Britain could get that sinking feelingBrussels bolts the back door while Britain lurks on the lawn
Read the new blog from Best for Britain: Brussels bolts the back door while Britain lurks on the lawn. What both sides have got out of negotiations.The hunger games: Three reasons your food is going to get more expensive
Read the new blog from Best for Britain: Three reasons your food is going to get more expensive - unless the government let's go of its fishy fictions.Car making in Britain: A Rolls-Royce industry dodging Brexit potholes
Read the new blog from Best for Britain: The devastating impact of No-Deal on British automotive manufacturers, their employees, and the communities in which they are based are well known at every level of government.Red tape: A piscatorial take
Read the new blog from Best for Britain: Taking back control of our fish is starting to smell a little off. The fishing industry is heading for a brave new waterworld of red tape and tariffs.