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In a significant change in policy, Keir Starmer has said the UK will recognise Palestine as a state (in September, and only if Israel meets a number of conditions, including a ceasefire in Gaza). This is hardly likely to satisfy the growing contingent of Labour voters and MPs calling for immediate recognition.
But, as historian Brian Brivati points out, it’s still clever domestic politics, even if not particularly remarkable international statesmanship. For months, Starmer has been fielding criticism from the left, including from current and former Labour MPs for not taking stronger action against Israel. What changed this week? Beyond the scale of the humanitarian disaster in Gaza reaching ever more horrific levels, France’s announcement it would recognise statehood ratcheted up the pressure. Now, at least, Starmer can say he’s done something – though some of the UK’s top lawyers warning that recognition would breach international law could complicate things.
This move may quiet some criticism at home, but as to the key question of whether it will work to end the war… As this piece explains, there are several potential problems with using statehood as leverage – not least that Israel can simply ignore the British prime minister.
From today, universities in England will have to change the way they approach free speech. Previously, they had the ability to cancel events or speakers that risked stoking campus divisions. Critics of “campus cancel culture” will therefore welcome a new law that means universities can be sanctioned if they fail to uphold free speech – including controversial views.
And for those concerned that this will expose marginalised students to offensive content that makes them feel like outsiders, two experts argue here how better free speech protections may actually help foster a stronger sense of belonging.
Voting in the Green party leadership contest opened today, and it’s literally two against one – a joint ticket of current co-leader Adrian Ramsay and Green MP Ellie Chowns against Zack Polanski, currently deputy leader.
When we think of strong political leaders, we usually envision one person fearlessly heading up their party or government. But could joint leadership be the secret sauce for political parties? We asked management expert Stefan Stern.
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