Politics

By Jack Peat, Editor of The London Economic The Madeleine McCann story offers the most potent example of what makes British media tick and what British people want to read. Although crimes and atrocities occur every day, there are criteria which land them on page nine and conditions which qualify it for extraordinary media coverage, bordering on the obsessive. For the missing girls of India or teenagers in London enslaved by gangs it's the former, in Madeleine McCann's case it was...

Ahh Hull, the eternal city of love. Well, not really, but my parents met there, so take that Paris, Rome and Venice. Also, in my murky past I worked in the city as a Regeneration Consultant (don’t ask me what one is, I’m still not sure), so I have spent a lot of time in the jewel of East Riding.  More than most people who scoff at the city, or ignore it completely. To be honest, it’s not a difficult area...

Behind the scenes with Ben Gelblum TV outside the box Today at 5pm GMT on the eighth floor of a high-rise block in Wembley, broadcasting history will be made. Over the past six months, an enthusiastic crew spearheaded by sports presenter and Green Party spokesman turned anti-establishment maverick David Icke have been feverishly putting together the world’s first internet-based live television station. A station dedicated to taking on the mainstream media and giving a voice to the voiceless all over...

By Tomás McGoldrick, Ireland Correspondent  The suggestion by Northern Ireland’s attorney general John Larkin that there should be no further inquiries, inquests or prosecutions for Troubles related killings before the 1998 peace agreement has met with almost universal condemnation. The majority of victims have rejected the idea as an outrage, it isn’t supported by any of the parties in the Executive and David Cameron - just back from telling another state how to deal with the legacy of its own civil...

By Pieter Cranenbroek, International Politics Blogger In recent years it has become increasingly difficult to out yourself as a pro-European. The hosanna accompanying the European project in the 1990s that culminated in the move towards a political union seems to have vaporised. Rather than being forced to promote its policies, the EU has been forced to defend its existence and far right parties reap the harvests of this situation. However, it is important to remember that extremists have never got us...

By Adam Walker, Economics Correspondent  Recent figures announced by the Student Loans Company indicate that each year of university graduates entering employment are facing decreased earning potential in their early careers when compared to that of the previous year. Following on from Phil Benton’s article on graduate unemployment and my own discussion on the higher education 'bubble', the question concerning the future economic implications of a market where the supply of graduates vastly exceeds demand is brought to light. Debt and...

By Joe Mellor, In house Reporter  Mayor of Toronto Rob Ford Vs Ex Co-op chairman Rev Paul Flowers   Name Rob Ford Paul Flowers Age 44 63 Location Toronto Bradford Accusation Drug abuse, sexual misdemeanours Drug abuse, sexual misdemeanours Drug of Choice Crack cocaine, Cannabis Crack Cocaine, Ketamine, Crystal meth, GHB (allegedly) Job (Somehow) Mayor of Toronto Ex Co-op chairman, April 2010 - June 2013, gave evidence at the House of Commons Treasury Committee on 6 November. Previous work experience...

By Joe Mellor, In house Reporter  Sir John Major is front page news again, in a comeback as unlikely as a new Gary Glitter release topping itunes. The state-educated former prime minister, whose father Tom was a famous circus performer, had previously kept a low profile since leaving office in 1997. John believes the Westminster circus, and other institutions are now run only by the ringmasters, people who attended public school. Allegedly Major Snr fathered at least five children with...

By Rachel Wilson, Political Reporter  On November 4 2013 the Living Wage rose by 25p to £8.80 an hour in London. Outside of London it rose from £7.45 to £7.65. Focused on stemming the rising tide of 'in-work poverty', the modern UK Living Wage campaign was launched by members of London Citizens in 2001 to address the fact that one in five people in the UK get less than the Living Wage. This phenomenon of ‘in-work’ poverty is highlighted by...