Events
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Previous Events and Podcasts
Roundtable discussion with David Lammy MP
9 July 2009
Download the podcast here.
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In a candid discussion with ippr on the state of politics and the direction of the Labour party, David Lammy MP argues that the party needs to open itself to campaigners and activists beyond its ranks. And it should be prepared to work in coalition with other political parties, including the Greens and Lib Dems, on issues of local concern.
Lammy sets out his ideas for key political reforms needed to restore faith in politics after the recent expenses scandals. These include:
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all-black shortlists to increase parliamentary diversity.
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primary elections for selecting parliamentary candidates to be open to the public to vote on.
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a fully elected Lords.
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recall powers to sack MPs.
Fixing British Politics
7 July 2009
Recent turmoil in parliament, from the expenses scandal to the electoral success of fringe parties, has raised a number of questions about how the British political system works. All the major political parties have added their voice to calls for reform of the political system. Current debates have revived some long-standing questions about the way we are governed and the nature of the British constitution.
To discuss these issues, ippr was be joined by Tony Wright MP, newly appointed chair of the all-party parliamentary reform committee, and Vernon Bogdanor, Britain’s leading constitutional expert and author of the newly published volume, The New British Constitution.
Can the New Conservatives Build a New Economy?
24 March 2009
Download the recordings:
Part 1: Panelists
Part 2: Panelists continued
Part 3: Question and answers
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An expert panel discussed the economic policies advanced by David Cameron's Conservative Party and will explore the plans to steer the economy out of recession. They will considered whether the Conservatives are ready to provide answers to some of the key questions that the recession poses, including:
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Can we regenerate our economy without using the 'big state'?
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Do our third sector and community organisations have the capacity and skills to contribute to economic recovery?
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How do we achieve growth that is less reliant on debt, housing and the City?
Participants in the roundtable discussion:
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David Willetts, MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills
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John Gray, leading political philosopher and author
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Rachel Sylvester, The Times
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Andrew Gamble, Professor of Politics at the University of Cambridge
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Philip Blond, Demos.
For further information about the 'Thinking for Tomorrow' series, please contact Michael Kenny: M.Kenny@ippr.org.
Faith: helping build a politics based on hope
29 January 2009
Redistributing Power: The road to recovery
02 February 2009
The Social and Political Implications of the Recession’
With Jon Cruddas MP, academic and writer Rupa Huq, and Guardian columnist Martin Kettle.Download the podcast (mp3 file, right click and select 'Save Target As...')