Search

Begin New Search Topic Domestic Politics Political Geography Europe

71. Polling London: Londoners' Priorities ahead of the Local Elections

Publication Date:
03-2022
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
On Thursday 5 May, Londoners will go to the polls to elect nearly 2000 councillors and 5 new mayors across 32 boroughs, for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. In association with YouGov, the Mile End Institute has polled Londoners to find out how they intend to vote on 5 May, how living in the Capital during the Covid-19 pandemic has changed their perception of the City and how much trust they have in the Metropolitan Police. At this Breakfast Webinar, held on Thursday 24 March, Farah Hussain (Polling London Project Manager) and Dr Patrick Diamond (Director of the MEI) present our findings, before Lewis Baston, Jenna Goldberg, and Sadiya Akram give their thoughts on the significance of these results and what they tell us about politics and policy in London.
Topic:
Elections, Domestic Politics, Local, and COVID-19
Political Geography:
United Kingdom, Europe, and London

72. Will Russia Survive Until 2084?

Author:
Philip Wasielewski
Publication Date:
12-2022
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI)
Abstract:
If the Russian army collapses in defeat in Ukraine, this could be the catalyst for political violence seeking regime or leadership change to extract revenge for humiliation on the battlefield and a ruined economy at home. However, as the number of armed groups in Russia grows (regular military, security services, private military companies, ethnic-nationalist military units, etc.), political violence initially focused on the Kremlin could unleash a broader struggle as each group vies for power against the other. If Russia’s central government, with a defeated army and weakened security services, is convulsed in an armed power struggle, this situation could motivate some ethnic republics within Russia to take advantage of this opportunity and attempt to secede, which would plunge the state into further chaos. Even if a defeat in Ukraine does not lead to disintegration within Russia itself, the former Soviet republics in what Russia considers its “near abroad” will continue to spin away from Moscow’s sphere of influence and reorient themselves towards other historic powers in their regions. This will be especially true in Central Asia and the Caucasus where Chinese and Turkish power has risen over the past several decades while Russia’s has declined. In Russia’s far east, the disparity between China’s and Russia’s relative strengths—military, economic, and demographic—is turning the balance of power in Beijing’s favor.
Topic:
Domestic Politics, Armed Conflict, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:
Russia, Europe, and Ukraine

73. Factsheet: Karl Nehammer

Author:
Karl Nehammer
Publication Date:
02-2022
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Bridge Initiative, Georgetown University
Abstract:
Karl Nehammer is the current Chancellor of Austria. Three days prior to being sworn in as Chancellor on December 6, 2021, he became the managing chairman of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP). Previously, he served as the Minister of the Interior from 2020 to 2021, General Secretary of the ÖVP from 2018 to 2020, and a member of the National Council from 2017 to 2020. He has been a key figure in supporting anti-Muslim policies.
Topic:
Politics, Domestic Politics, Islamophobia, Muslims, and Karl Nehammer
Political Geography:
Europe and Austria

74. Factsheet: Susanne Raab

Author:
Bridge Initiative Team
Publication Date:
10-2022
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Bridge Initiative, Georgetown University
Abstract:
Susanne Raab is the current Minister of Women and Integration of Austria. She joined the government of Sebastian Kurz of the Austrian People’s Party, which was responsible for many anti-Muslim legislations that have meanwhile been rescinded by various courts. Raab has been a key figure in supporting anti-Muslim policies in Austria.
Topic:
Domestic Politics, Islamophobia, Muslims, and Susanne Raab
Political Geography:
Europe and Austria

75. Breaking the Glass Chamber: Keynote by Julie Gottlieb and Clarisse Berthezene on Conservative Women

Author:
Lyndsey Jenkins
Publication Date:
12-2022
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
2022 marked a series of historic anniversaries for women in British politics. Forty years since the election of Harriet Harman, the Mother of the House; thirty-five years since the election of the first Black woman MP, Diane Abbott; thirty years since the first woman, Betty Boothroyd, was elected Speaker of the House; and twenty-five years since the election of more than a hundred women MPs for the Labour Party. At its landmark Breaking the Glass Chamber conference from 15 to 17 September 2022, the Mile End Institute brought together historians, political scientists, and sociologists to explore what politics meant to and for women in the second half of the twentieth century. In this video, Dr Lyndsey Jenkins opens the second day's proceedings, before Professors Julie Gottlieb ‪@universityofsheffield‬ and Clarisse Berthezene deliver their keynote lecture, entitled 'Continuities and Change in British Conservative Women's Policies and Practices'. They historicise the role of women in the Conservative Party during the interwar and immediate postwar periods, before considering how Conservative women contributed to the Women's Voluntary Service and other non-partisan associations.
Topic:
Elections, Women, Domestic Politics, and Representation
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

76. Breaking the Glass Chamber: In Conversation with Frances Scott and Lesley Abdela

Author:
Frances Scott and Lesley Abdela
Publication Date:
12-2022
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
2022 marked a series of historic anniversaries for women in British politics. Forty years since the election of Harriet Harman, the Mother of the House; thirty-five years since the election of the first Black woman MP, Diane Abbott; thirty years since the first woman, Betty Boothroyd, was elected Speaker of the House; and twenty-five years since the election of more than a hundred women MPs for the Labour Party. At its landmark Breaking the Glass Chamber conference from 15 to 17 September 2022, the Mile End Institute brought together historians, political scientists, and sociologists to explore what politics meant to and for women in the second half of the twentieth century. In this video, Mari Takayanagi from ‪@ukparliament‬ invites Frances Scott (founder of the 50:50 Parliament campaign) and Lesley Abdela (founder of the 300 Group) to reflect on their efforts to increase women's political representation since the 1980s. They argue that representation shapes policy and point to the '6 Cs' that prevent women from participating in politics and public life: culture, cronyism, candidate selection, chronic lack of money, chronic lack of time, and chronic lack of confidence.
Topic:
Elections, Women, Domestic Politics, and Representation
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

77. Breaking the Glass Chamber: Keynote Lecture on Muslim Women in the Labour Party by Farah Hussain

Author:
Harriet Harman
Publication Date:
12-2022
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
2022 marked a series of historic anniversaries for women in British politics. Forty years since the election of Harriet Harman, the Mother of the House; thirty-five years since the election of the first Black woman MP, Diane Abbott; thirty years since the first woman, Betty Boothroyd, was elected Speaker of the House; and twenty-five years since the election of more than a hundred women MPs for the Labour Party. At its landmark Breaking the Glass Chamber conference from 15 to 17 September 2022, the Mile End Institute brought together historians, political scientists, and sociologists to explore what politics meant to and for women in the second half of the twentieth century. In this video, Farah Hussain from ‪@QMPoliticsIR‬ and a Visiting Research Fellow at the MEI presents her intersectional research on Muslim Women in the Labour Party. Using original interview data with Muslim women in the party, Farah examines the role of political parties and their members in creating diverse chambers in local government and the relationship between Labour and the British South Asian Muslim community.
Topic:
Elections, Women, Domestic Politics, Labour Party, and Muslims
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

78. Breaking the Glass Chamber: Welcome from Rushanara Ali MP and Keynote Lecture by Prof Laura Beers

Author:
Lyndsey Jenkins, Rushnara Ali, and Laura Beers
Publication Date:
12-2022
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
2022 marked a series of historic anniversaries for women in British politics. Forty years since the election of Harriet Harman, the Mother of the House; thirty-five years since the election of the first Black woman MP, Diane Abbott; thirty years since the first woman, Betty Boothroyd, was elected Speaker of the House; and twenty-five years since the election of more than a hundred women MPs for the Labour Party. At its landmark Breaking the Glass Chamber conference from 15 to 17 September 2022, the Mile End Institute brought together historians, political scientists, and sociologists to explore what politics meant to and for women in the second half of the twentieth century. In this video, Dr Lyndsey Jenkins from ‪@qmulschoolofhistory4447‬ welcomes delegates, invites ‪@RushanaraAliMP‬ (MP for Bethnal Green and Bow since 2010) to open the conference, before Professor Laura Beers ‪@AUAdmissions‬ delivers a keynote lecture entitled 'Women Politicians or Women's Politics?' In her opening remarks, Rushanara Ali reflects on the Queen's example, the obstacles faced by women in public life, and the East End of London's long tradition of women campaigning, trade unionism, and suffrage activism. Professor Beers reflects on the politics of recent Conservative Prime Ministers, Theresa May and Liz Truss, before returning to the early twentieth century to explore how prominent women in Parliament campaigned and governed. She also asks whether women's political representation necessarily advances women's political interests and, conversely, whether there are times when women's interests are better served by male representatives.
Topic:
Elections, Women, Domestic Politics, and Representation
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

79. After Corbyn: What should 'the Left' do now?

Author:
Nadia Whittome, Dan Frost, Madeleine Davis, James Schneider, Andrew Fisher, and Mary Robertson
Publication Date:
11-2022
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In 2017, the Labour Left was on the march. Firmly ensconced in the Labour leadership after his surprise election in 2015 and his subsequent re-election in 2016, Jeremy Corbyn mobilised and inspired a diverse coalition of socialists and activists and easily brushed off internal challenges. Corbyn's Labour then unexpectedly deprived Theresa May of her majority in the general election. Five years on, however, 'Corbynism' has suffered several, seemingly fatal, setbacks. Divisions over Europe, the antisemitism crisis, and the stalling of reforms to further empower Corbynite activists were followed by the crushing 2019 general election defeat, and then by Keir Starmer's convincing victory over Corbyn's ally, Rebecca Long-Bailey, for the leadership. Today, Corbyn is suspended from the Whip and Labour's leadership consciously ditched parts of the 2019 manifesto. What now for the diverse left-wing movements that constituted 'Corbynism'? Will the Corbynite alliance hold together or fracture? Should those on the 'Left' try to control the Labour Party, or contribute to Starmer's leadership from a left position, or should they abandon it altogether? Should they instead look to trade union activism, single-issue campaigning, or direct action? On Wednesday 2 November 2022, the Mile End Institute invited a panel of Corbyn 'insiders', academics as well as the Labour MP for Nottingham East, Nadia Whittome, to reflect on these questions and the Labour Party's future after Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. In addition to Nadia Whittome, Dr Dan Frost was joined by ‪@QMPoliticsIR‬'s Professor Madeleine Davis, James Schneider, Andrew Fisher and Dr Mary Robertson.
Topic:
Reform, Domestic Politics, Labour Party, and Jeremy Corbyn
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

80. Unmasking Our Leaders: In Conversation with Michael Cockerell

Author:
Michael Cockerell and Tom Chidwick
Publication Date:
10-2022
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In the first MEI event ‪@QMUL‬ since the Covid-19 pandemic, the legendary broadcaster and documentary-maker, Michael Cockerell, spoke about his book, Unmasking Our Leaders: Confessions of a Political Documentary-Maker. In addition to presenting clips from across his fifty-year TV career, Michael spoke about interviewing Britain's last ten Prime Ministers and how the 24/7 media has changed British politics. He also explained how his films were made, how he has managed to lull some of the wariest people in the land into candour, and gave a compelling insight into what politicians as different as Edward Heath, Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and Boris Johnson are really like. This event, which was chaired by the MEI Manager, Tom Chidwick, was held at QMUL's Mile End campus on Wednesday 21 September 2022.
Topic:
Media, Domestic Politics, and Prime Minister
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe