For fellow progressives in the Milton Keynes area - or from elsewhere who are able to get across to our fine city.
Please come and help progressives to oust Mark Lancaster and Iain Stewart.
Wednesday 26 April 2017
Monday 24 April 2017
jdm_progressive during the General Election
Perhaps you thought I'd gone quiet over the last few days. Far from it - my four passions are UK, US, French & UK politics (I believe in internationalism!). As you know the french elections are reaching their climax - and we have a sudden General Election thrust upon us in the UK.
I continue to write and post - but I'm currently finding - in these circumstances - that Facebook and Twitter allow for quicker responses - and a wider discussion than this blog. I will continue to post pieces on this blog up to 8th June, as and when I am able - but now is the time for progressives to leap into action - on the doorsteps, in public places, on social media....
So I apologise that I won't be posting as frequently here - but you are welcome to follow me on:
FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/jdavidmorgan
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Jdm_progressive
Unlike the 2001 and 2005 General Elections, or the 2009 European Parliament Elections - and various local government elections - I will not be standing as a candidate myself.
I will however be encouraging all progressives to back pro-EU candidates standing in parliamentary constituencies where they have the best chance of defeating the Conservative hard or passive Brexit supporters (which I think is everyone but Kenneth Clarke).
A guide to voting effectively can be found here - https://www.tactical2017.com - the spreadsheet is based on is available here.
I continue to write and post - but I'm currently finding - in these circumstances - that Facebook and Twitter allow for quicker responses - and a wider discussion than this blog. I will continue to post pieces on this blog up to 8th June, as and when I am able - but now is the time for progressives to leap into action - on the doorsteps, in public places, on social media....
So I apologise that I won't be posting as frequently here - but you are welcome to follow me on:
FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/jdavidmorgan
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Jdm_progressive
Unlike the 2001 and 2005 General Elections, or the 2009 European Parliament Elections - and various local government elections - I will not be standing as a candidate myself.
I will however be encouraging all progressives to back pro-EU candidates standing in parliamentary constituencies where they have the best chance of defeating the Conservative hard or passive Brexit supporters (which I think is everyone but Kenneth Clarke).
A guide to voting effectively can be found here - https://www.tactical2017.com - the spreadsheet is based on is available here.
Wednesday 12 April 2017
The benefits of EU Membership
At a loss for explaining the benefits of Britain's membership of the EU? Want the facts about the costs of a hard-Brexit (or any Brexit, for that matter)?
Then use this list that I have compiled of useful websites.
The New European website is another excellent resource.
Then use this list that I have compiled of useful websites.
FULLFACT - fact-checking site: https://fullfact.org/europe/
INFACTS - https://infacts.org
JOHN McCORMICK’S BENEFITS OF THE EU - http://johnmccormick.eu/benefits-of-the-european-union/
What has the EU Ever Done for Me?
New Statesman: http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/03/eu-explainer-easily-bored-what-has-europe-ever-done-me
Patrick Stewart Sketch (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/culture/video/2016/apr/25/patrick-stewart-sketch-what-has-the-echr-ever-done-for-us-video
Friday 7 April 2017
Runnymede
As a lecturer in Constitutional Law, with a keen interest in British and US politics, the Magna Carta has a special place in my heart - and the meadows at Runnymede, on the banks of the Thames close to Windsor, are the place where the historic agreement was agreed.
Why are the events of June 1215 so important? and why should we regard what was achieved there as central to modern democratic states.
Magna Carta did not initiate 'democracy'. The idea is much older - and its achievement comes, if indeed it has fully arrived yet, only in the last century. Universal suffrage in the U.K., - with the same minimum age came only in 1929.
The significance of Magna Carta, is that an over-mighty Executive believed that there were no constraints upon his actions. The Magna Carta established the principle that the exercise of executive power was subject to the law. The Rule of Law is supreme. It also constrained the power of the State to require that it's citizens pay for the activities of the State. Later this was developed into the principle that the House of Commons must approve any taxation.
These principles remain important today. Many fear that there is a growing arrogance among the Executives of democratic states - the ones that have traditionally celebrated the achievements in Runnymede - evidenced by the attitudes and actions of Donald Trump - and in the UK over Brexit. Despite the Supreme Court asserting the sovereignty of Parliament - the Government, with the passive support of its supporters in both Hoses of Parliament - demanded and got a blank cheque over the triggering of Article 50 and the process of Brexit. Rights of citizens and other taxpayers (yes we have people who live in this country, and who contribute to our society both by their work and their taxes, who were denied a vote in the referendum) - are being sacrificed for a hard-Brexit that only a tiny minority voted for.
It is time to remind ourselves of our great heritage - and to ensure it continues.
Why are the events of June 1215 so important? and why should we regard what was achieved there as central to modern democratic states.
Magna Carta did not initiate 'democracy'. The idea is much older - and its achievement comes, if indeed it has fully arrived yet, only in the last century. Universal suffrage in the U.K., - with the same minimum age came only in 1929.
The significance of Magna Carta, is that an over-mighty Executive believed that there were no constraints upon his actions. The Magna Carta established the principle that the exercise of executive power was subject to the law. The Rule of Law is supreme. It also constrained the power of the State to require that it's citizens pay for the activities of the State. Later this was developed into the principle that the House of Commons must approve any taxation.
These principles remain important today. Many fear that there is a growing arrogance among the Executives of democratic states - the ones that have traditionally celebrated the achievements in Runnymede - evidenced by the attitudes and actions of Donald Trump - and in the UK over Brexit. Despite the Supreme Court asserting the sovereignty of Parliament - the Government, with the passive support of its supporters in both Hoses of Parliament - demanded and got a blank cheque over the triggering of Article 50 and the process of Brexit. Rights of citizens and other taxpayers (yes we have people who live in this country, and who contribute to our society both by their work and their taxes, who were denied a vote in the referendum) - are being sacrificed for a hard-Brexit that only a tiny minority voted for.
It is time to remind ourselves of our great heritage - and to ensure it continues.
Tuesday 4 April 2017
How do our institutions work?
If more people knew about how the institutions of government worked, those in power would be able to get away with less. As the saying goes - "Knowledge IS power"
Which is why it is concerning that many citizens do not understand how the British Constitutional system - and its institutions - work - and what can be achieved through them. Successful lobbyists know - insiders know - but many citizens are at a loss about how to effect change, or how to get answers from those that make the key decisions.
The sister blog of jdm_progressive - Washminster - has sought to spread information. I've used it for my students in UK Constitutional Law; EU Law; and Political Science to aid them gain an understanding of how the British (and also other systems - especially the US, EU & French systems) - work.
I was really pleased to see that Parliament is continuing its outreach efforts.
So if you want to become better equipped - then take a look at the "Parliament Explained" podcast series. You can see what podcasts have been, and will be released - and sign up for the series - at
http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentexplained
Which is why it is concerning that many citizens do not understand how the British Constitutional system - and its institutions - work - and what can be achieved through them. Successful lobbyists know - insiders know - but many citizens are at a loss about how to effect change, or how to get answers from those that make the key decisions.
The sister blog of jdm_progressive - Washminster - has sought to spread information. I've used it for my students in UK Constitutional Law; EU Law; and Political Science to aid them gain an understanding of how the British (and also other systems - especially the US, EU & French systems) - work.
I was really pleased to see that Parliament is continuing its outreach efforts.
So if you want to become better equipped - then take a look at the "Parliament Explained" podcast series. You can see what podcasts have been, and will be released - and sign up for the series - at
http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentexplained
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