History Matters Project: Eleventh Edition
Alexander GrayThis is the eleventh edition of our rolling compendium, which attempts to draw together a range of recent developments that turn on the place of history in the public square – including the removal of certain statues on public display, the renaming of buildings and places, and changes to the way history is taught in educational curricula.
Politicising Plants
Ursula Buchan, Professor Christopher Forsyth and Zewditu GebreyohanesThe Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are the custodians of arguably the world’s greatest plant collection, enjoyed by generations of visitors. The institution’s purpose – broadly, research in plant science, giving advice on the science of plants, maintenance of its collection and public access to it – is defined by the 1983 National Heritage Act. For carrying out these tasks Kew receives over £30 million in public funds annually.
Reforming Australia’s electricity market
Ed BirkettFollowing a regional blackout in 2016, the Australian Governments established review of their electricity market. In October this year, Ministers approved a package of reforms to Australia’s National Electricity Market. This report explores the Australian reforms and looks for lessons for the UK.
What does Macron’s re-election mean for Britain?
To the relief of the French and European establishment, Emmanuel Macron’s re-election makes him the first two-term French President in 20 years since Jacques Chirac. However, the 17-point margin of his victory over Marine Le Pen does not tell the whole story. Voter turnout was the lowest in a presidential run-off since 1969 and Le Pen increased her vote tally from 10.6 million in the second round in 2017 to 13.2 million this time around.
Public satisfaction with GP services is at a 25 year low. So what can be done to reverse the decline?
The publication of the most recent British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey last week reveals a significant decrease in public satisfaction with NHS services – from dentistry to accident and emergency, reflected across demographic groups. Perhaps the most striking result however was a significant decline in satisfaction with general practice.
Sunak should raise the lower tax threshold this autumn to put more money in people’s pockets
Related Content Higher inflation is inevitable. An economic slowdown is expected. Recession is possible. That is the economic outlook and challenge facing the UK. The question is whether policy makers are doing enough?This troubling economic climate is not unique to...
BBC consultation launched in Policy Exchange speech
The Government is launching an eight-week consultation on decriminalising BBC licence fee evasion, said the Rt Hon Baroness Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, in a speech at Policy Exchange on the Future of Media and Broadcasting. Watch her speech here.
DARPA and the American Approach
Policy Exchange’s Visiting Scholar, Dr William Schneider Jr, delivered a keynote speech on “Delivering National Scientific & Technological Advantage: DARPA and the American Approach”. As a former Chairman of the US Defense Science Board, Dr Schneider is a leading authority on strategic innovation and tech R&D. His wide-ranging speech addressed issues including the evolution of national defence technologies, space security and how to help create high-tech innovation. You can watch a video of the event here and read his paper here.
Policy Exchange hosts US Secretary of State and Foreign Secretary
Policy Exchange was delighted to welcome Hon Michael R. Pompeo, US Secretary of State, to speak on “The Future of the Special Relationship”, in conversation with Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, the Foreign Secretary, at an event in Westminster. The discussion – which ranged from Brexit to the rise of China – was moderated by Dean Godson, Director of Policy Exchange. Watch the full video here, and read coverage in The Express
Upcoming Events
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Tuesday, 20 April, 2021
14:00 - 15:30
Policy Exchange (UK) and the Observer Research Foundation (India) jointly organised the inaugural edition of The New Anglo-India Dialogue: Global Challenges and Tech Power in the 2020s. This dialogue sought to revisit the India-UK partnership amidst emergent opportunities in the realms of Green Finance, Fintech and Space.
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Tuesday, 4 May, 2021
14:00 - 15:00
Book launch of ‘The Dignity of Labour’ by Jon Cruddas MP. A panel of distinguished speakers discussed the new book; Jon Cruddas MP, Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham, Lisa Nandy MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Chaired by Stephen Bush Political Editor, New Statesman.
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Tuesday, 13 April, 2021
15:00 - 16:00
Launching Environmental Affairs, a new policy journal, General David Petraeus delivered a keynote speech presenting a framework for approaching geopolitical risks in an age of climate change. As environmental issues rise up the political agenda throughout the world, they increasingly touch on all areas of public policy.