How investment in high speed broadband can bring economic growth

Most people would agree that broadband internet access has already revolutionised the way that people live and work, at least for those with access to a decent connection. For residential customers there are already a host of different providers out there. Some of these suppliers encourage customers to take a broadband connection as part of wider entertainment package – one of the most obvious examples of this can be found at Sky (check out the website for their latest broadband deals). Bundling together an entertainment package around a broadband connection may well have been the first introduction for many to the possibilities opened up by having reasonably swift access to the internet.

NuPolitics Magazine out now!

NuPolitics is an exciting new comment magazine focussing on current affairs and politics written by and for students and young people. The magazine, produced in association with Politics Student, aims to encourage political engagement and promote young journalism.

The project, partly funded by the Three Faiths Forum and the University of Nottingham School of Politics and International Relations, also has the support of Mark Spencer MP who wrote a foreword for the inaugural issue. Mark writes: “Particularly exciting is the number of young people who come down to Westminster with a taste for politics and it’s something I’m keen to promote” a sentiment which strikes to the core of NuPolitics.

Pish, Politicians and the Press

Our modern day politics is corrupted by spin, lies and deceit, writes James Smyth.

Occasionally, the nice, sane and moderate people of the world get riled about something. Often, their reasoned anger is directed at certain aspects of society which steer us away from living in the sort of world we could be dwelling in, if only everyone could get along like these nice, sane and moderate people I speak of.

Up Eurs Merkel: Why Cameron Was Right

Germany and France might be in denial about the flaws of the Eurozone but we are definitely not. Cameron was right to do what he did, writes Jonathan Gillespie.

No one can accuse The Sun of not being environmentally friendly. It seems that the front cover of their Saturday (10/12/12) issue has given a few people a sense of Déjà Vu, being fairly reminiscent of the 1990 headline “Up Yours Delors”.

Public sector pensions must be curbed, there is no choice

Later today up to 2 million public sector workers are planning to go on strike over changes to pay and pensions. These strikes are politically motivated, ill-thought out and will only aggravate a bad situation, writes Alexander Crossley.

On 30th November there will be a national walkout by members of virtually every union which represents public sector workers. Up to 2 million people are expected to fail to turn up to work, in protest at changes to their pensions.

18 years later: Stephen Lawrence

18 years ago Stephen Lawrence was murdered in cold blood in a racial attack on the streets of London, writes Vimla Appadoo.

The repercussions of this resulted in the outing of racial discrimination within the Metropolitan Police institution. 18 years later and two men have been charged with his murder. 3 months ago Mark Duggan was shot dead in London in an event that sparked off the London riots.

Enter our Political Photography Competition

Politics Student is looking for a number of excellent political photographs to feature in a new political magazine which will be published in early February 2012.

We're looking for photographs of a political nature which are high resolution, well composed and more importantly, interesting. They can be images which you have already taken. If you'd like to make a submission, please email the photograph/s to robsmith7[at]hotmail.co.uk with your name and a short description of the photograph. The deadline for submissions is the 9th December. Good Luck!

Will Privatisation Save Our NHS?

With the NHS in turmoil in recent years, many politicians have tried various schemes to improve the situation of our healthcare. But is the answer privatisation? writes Emily Shaw.

The deal to privatise Hinchingbrooke hospital in Cambridgeshire could be the answer that all politicians have been looking for.

The 10 year, £1bn deal to hand the management of Hinchingbrooke hospital over to the private company Circle is one that is a first in the history of the National Health Service.

Youth Unemployment: the only solution is growth

The only way to reduce the number of young people out of work is to create economic growth, writes Sam Boyd.

Youth unemployment burst through the one million mark yesterday, reaching 21.9 percent of all 16-24 year olds – higher than at any point since records began in 1992. This represents bad but not surprising news for young people: youth unemployment begun rising steadily in 2004, spiked dramatically during the 2008 financial crash, and has been coasting towards its current record-breaking level ever since. It shows no sign of stopping.

Is PMQs still worthwhile?

Despite its numerous shortfalls, PMQs is still a worthwhile addition to the Parliamentary week, writes Harjyot Sihera.

Prime Ministers Questions (PMQs) can be argued to the ‘highlight’ of the Parliamentary week where the Commons boasts a heaving chamber of MPs, press and television cameras and in fact this tradition celebrated its 50th birthday recently. However this old political institution was ‘poo-pooed’ by Mr Cameron in this last weeks Grazia Magazine (yes Grazia Magazine, it seems the PM is trying to reach out to the female electorate).

The left-wing student movement is quickly losing its way

An increasing number of young people waving the red flag sit entirely at odds with what the socialist movement should stand for, writes Jack Kelly.

I am not usually one for racy sensationalism. Mainly because I don’t believe that many readers of this website are looking for the sort of one-sided, left-bashing anecdotal stories that they could just as easily find in any of the middle-market tabloids. However, a story I was told by my housemate yesterday outraged me so much that I could not help but pen something to shed light on it.

Are Marches a Positive Force for Change?

Perhaps it will only take a makeshift camp in the heart of London and a willing audience to bring substantial change, writes Aydan Greatrick.

Last year, on the 10th of November 2010, I observed what was called the most violent protest on the streets of London for a generation. Newspapers from across the world featured images of chaos, destruction and near anarchy, and a police force weak to confront those behind the violence. The message of the protest was lost in the media frenzy that followed and any support such a march could have gained from the general public vanished in the fires of Millbank.

Clegg's advantage on Europe

Nick Clegg was absolutely right recently when he said that “close ties with Europe are absolutely essential’’ for Britain and that “retreat to the margins of Europe’’ would mean “economic suicide", writes Daniel Boomsma.

Isolation is no solution but half of the Conservative Party regard Europe a burden rather than a ‘tool for improvement’. Clegg must stand his ground and force the Conservative Party to compromise. This is the ideal moment for the LibDems to be the ‘troublemakers’.

Celebrating Prime Minister's Questions

Prime Minister’s Questions turned fifty years old last week. The most recognised and popular session of parliament in the world celebrated it’s birthday with David Cameron at the dispatch box, fifty years after Harold MacMillan first spoke at regular sessions, writes Adam Kelly.

Better known as PMQ’s and broadcast across the world and on the internet, every Wednesday the Prime Minister answers questions from MP’s on anything they wish.

“Thou Shalt Not Occupy the London Stock Exchange”

With legal action being taken against the protestors that are part of the Occupy London Stock Exchange movement, surely this goes against an individual’s right to protest, writes Emily Shaw.

St Paul’s Cathedral had been shut for a week due to the settlement of tents that have gathered outside of it due to its proximity to the London Stock Exchange, but whether this action was actually deemed necessary is debatable.