Kieran Lawrence looks at autonomous weapons and the effect they could have on modern warfare
Continuing a series on world leaders, Miles Deverson takes a look at Angela Merkel
Ben Bland examines the fallout from the Iowa caucuses and looks forward to the New Hampshire primaries.
In the first of a series on world leaders, Miles Deverson takes a look at Nicholas Sarkozy
Messrs Cameron and Clegg have unveiled their full coalition deal. The 36 page document titled ‘Coalition: Our programme for Government’ was launched at the Treasury alongside senior Cabinet ministers. Hailed as the product of the best of the Conservative and Lib Dem manifestos, Mr Cameron said it would deliver a "strong, stable Government" for five years. The document covers 31 areas ranging from banking to universities, and introduces a Freedom Bill to bolster civil liberties, among other things.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg who is responsible for the government’s political reform plans delivered a radical political reform speech. He promised to bring the “biggest shake-up of our democracy" since the Great Reform Act of 1832. As a part of the programme, the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition is proposing fixed term parliaments, an elected House of Lords, a referendum on changing the voting system, and a “power revolution” allowing the public to nominate laws to be repealed. Clegg said, "This government is going to transform our politics so the state has far less control over you, and you have far more control over the state. This government is going to break up concentrations of power and hand power back to people, because that is how we build a society that is fair. This government is going to persuade you to put your faith in politics once again."
Dianne Abbott and Andy Burnham have entered the Labour Leadership race, which has been likened to “a fight between the sons of Blair and the sons of Brown," by candidate John McDonnell. The Labour Party has extended its deadline for leadership nominations to 9 June after concerns that the previous timescale of 27 May was too short. So far six candidates are standing: Diane Abbott, Ed Balls, Andy Burnham, John McDonnell and David and Ed Miliband.
Tesco has said it would support an introduction of a minimum price on alcohol sales. This comes after it has welcomed the coalition government’s promise to ban below-cost sales of alcohol in England and Wales. According to a poll run for the giant retailer, excessive drinking was found to cause anti-social behaviour, which was a grave concern to the public.
And finally, Mr Cameron left the UK this week. The Prime Minister headed over to Europe on his first foreign trip since taking office. During visits with the French President Sarkozy and the German leader Merkel, Mr Cameron defended his stance on the euro as “right”. He made it clear that there was “no question” of him backing any treaty giving more powers to the EU to shore up the Eurozone. Nonetheless, he stressed that a strong and stable Eurozone was in the UK’s interest and that he wanted to play a positive role within Europe.
You must log in to submit a comment.
