
The National Association of Head Teachers has announced that schools have been forced to become “miniature welfare states”; one can only assume as a direct result of the heartless Tory-led coalition and it’s crippling, swingeing “cuts”. The association, representing 28,500
by Alexandra Swann1 May 2015, 6:01 AM PST0

Yesterday UKIP launched their long-awaited election manifesto, a seventy five page policy document laying out the Eurosceptic party’s proposals for what they would do in government in areas ranging from tax to foreign affairs via crime and culture. Back in
by Alexandra Swann16 Apr 2015, 8:15 AM PST0

The short campaign has started and inevitably the political gloves will come off. Unfortunately for me, and indeed many current UKIP candidates and supporters, the fight is getting far too close to home. Over the past few days I have
by Alexandra Swann31 Mar 2015, 1:34 AM PST0

Last night was the first of the greatly anticipated election debates hosted jointly by Channel 4 and Sky News, featuring the Conservative leader David Cameron and Labour’s Ed Miliband. I say “debate” with a pinch of salt; after Cameron’s blatant
by Alexandra Swann27 Mar 2015, 9:28 AM PST0

There is absolutely no defence for suspended UKIP MEP Janice Atkinson. I’ve tried – really, really hard – but no; through arrogance and stupidity she has landed herself up a certain creek without a paddle or a hope. Last night
by Alexandra Swann20 Mar 2015, 4:09 AM PST0

“It’s all bollocks!” says UKIP’s David Coburn MEP after finding himself at the centre of the latest political witch hunt; and I’m inclined to agree with him. The pressure is mounting on Scotland’s only elected ‘Kipper after he compared Scottish
by Alexandra Swann18 Mar 2015, 3:50 AM PST0

Driving to work this morning, radio on, and the news announces: “UKIP involved in another race row.” Oh dear, what now? “UKIP leader, Nigel Farage, has announced, on a documentary due to be shown next week on Channel 4, that
by Alexandra Swann12 Mar 2015, 5:24 AM PST0

What will the five terrestrial broadcasters do when, at the beginning of April, the short campaign of this General Election starts? How on earth will they fill their evening listings when parliament closes down, MPs go back to their constituencies
by Alexandra Swann6 Mar 2015, 3:37 AM PST0

As governments go, the current Tory-Lib-Dem coalition isn’t the worst we’ve seen. Despite cash for access, a few uncovered affairs, numerous expenses discrepancies and the loss of two MPs to UKIP they are nearing the end of a hastily arranged
by Alexandra Swann28 Feb 2015, 3:19 AM PST0

Immigration is a well-documented headache for British politicians. According to various polls it is the biggest issue facing the UK, trumping even the NHS, the closest thing Britain has to a national religion. Immigration is constantly brought up on the
by Alexandra Swann20 Feb 2015, 5:48 AM PST0

From Canvey Island, amongst the solemn pledges to stand up for the common man and small businesses alike, emerged a rather brilliant message from Farage’s speech at yesterday’s campaign launch: UKIP will tackle the ‘cost of government’ crisis, as well
by Alexandra Swann14 Feb 2015, 5:21 AM PST0

I can’t help thinking that the ever increasing bills for “online engagements” are a re-hash(tag)ed tale of the Prime Minister’s New Clothes. Like every self-respecting political activist, I’ve lost uncountable hours trudging around housing estates come rain, shine or inevitably,
by Alexandra Swann7 Feb 2015, 5:31 AM PST0

The Liberal Democrats have historically positioned themselves as the champion of serious democratic reform, both through changing the voting system to one of proportional representation and by replacing the House of Lords with a fully-elected second chamber comprising considerably fewer
by Alexandra Swann16 Jan 2015, 5:50 AM PST0

For the first time since the 10 May 2010, the day before Gordon Brown relinquished Number 10 and the Tories jumped into bed with Nick Clegg, I agree with David Cameron. Following yesterday’s announcement by Ofcom, the British broadcasting regulator,
by Alexandra Swann9 Jan 2015, 3:25 AM PST0

Back in the Blair years it was “Education. Education. Education.” Now, all we hear is “Immigration. Immigration. Immigration.” At least we do from the public; less so from the politicians. Polls suggest that voters believe that immigration is the biggest
by Alexandra Swann20 Dec 2014, 10:04 AM PST0

Twitter can be a dangerous tool. Its democratisation of protest and ability to connect the masses has been regularly documented and the social media platform’s ability to influence is unprecedented. Tweeting in haste or anger, or indeed, under the influence,
by Alexandra Swann5 Dec 2014, 2:56 AM PST0

Emily Thornberry had an absolute howler. Forget Rochester, she’s had a full on Weston-super-Mare. In fact, I imagine she might be the only gleam of light on David Cameron’s dark horizon, after an ill-thought-out tweet by the Labour MP provided
by Alexandra Swann21 Nov 2014, 9:32 AM PST0

It isn’t exactly splitting the atom or even pushing boundaries to suggest that the modern Liberal Democrats are anathema to both liberalism and democracy. Their commitment to the European Union, ever increasing taxation, neo-Malthusian environmental policies, open door immigration and
by Alexandra Swann14 Nov 2014, 6:55 AM PST0

Who would have thought that taxis would become the vector for much of the biggest issues facing modern politics? Migration, globalism, societal breakdown, identity… sexual abuse is just one of them. We see the skirmishes between London Hackney Cabs and
by Alexandra Swann24 Oct 2014, 4:11 AM PST0

How do we value a person’s contribution? Is it by their productive capacity or their productive performance, or is it by the person’s time and intent to contribute? Do we attempt to measure their intrinsic worth as a human being
by Alexandra Swann18 Oct 2014, 8:23 AM PST0

Of all the opportunities my accidental career in politics and such have afforded me, one of the greatest pleasures remains giving talks to sixth form pupils. This morning I addressed a group of 16-18 year olds at University College School,
by Alexandra Swann3 Oct 2014, 7:29 AM PST0

Conference season is in full swing. For a few days each through September and early October, the four main British political parties and their accompanying army of press, lobbyists and the occasional delegate embark en masse to far-flung English cities
by Alexandra Swann26 Sep 2014, 4:13 AM PST0

This week Scotland voted “No Thanks” to independence, choosing in record numbers to remain part of the United Kingdom. After a two and a half year campaign and a last-minute leap in the polls, Salmond and his party just missed
by Alexandra Swann20 Sep 2014, 6:56 AM PST0

Next week Scotland will vote to decide whether or not to break free from the rest of Britain and go it alone as an independent country. The referendum has dominated this week’s news, divided Scotland and caused violence on the
by Alexandra Swann12 Sep 2014, 3:22 AM PST0

Douglas Carswell has joined UKIP. About bloody time; this is a long awaited move. Carswell has been in closer political alignment to UKIP than to the Conservatives for years; on Europe, on climate change, on localism, on restoring public faith
by Alexandra Swann29 Aug 2014, 4:06 AM PST0