Tag "UK"
A Life of Purpose, Fairness and Progress: An Interview with Lord Neil Kinnock
GRI sat down with Lord Neil Kinnock to reflect on his influential life in politics as former Leader of the Labour Party and the deeply valuable advice he has for the next generation of public servants.
Reflections on a life of public service: An Interview with Lord Heseltine
GRI sat down with the Rt Hon Lord Heseltine, former Conservative deputy prime minister and defense secretary of the United Kingdom, to discuss his political philosophy, private sector experience and proudest achievements in public service.
A Life in Politics and Advice for Aspiring Leaders: An Interview with Sir Vince Cable
GRI’s Basim Al-Ahmadi sat down with the Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable to reflect on a distinguished career in public service, the state of British politics and advice he could provide the next generation of leaders.
Australia Launches AUKUS Pact: A Masterclass in Diplomacy or a Diplomatic Disaster?
On 15th September, political leaders from Australia, the UK and the US announced their intentions to set up a trilateral security partnership. The deal, known as AUKUS, represents a commitment to combating China’s growing ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. As part of the agreement, Australia will build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines in co-operation with the UK and US after scrapping a $90 billion-dollar submarine contract with France. AUKUS represents a revival of historical relations across the Anglosphere and a simultaneous deterioration of relations between members of AUKUS and the EU.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: Anglo-Iranian Relations and Hostage Diplomacy
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in March 2016, marking the start of a five year ordeal which only now seems to have any prospect of ending.
Argentina: A Second Falklands Brewing?
The Falklands are once more set to be the centre of a dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom if Argentina does not recover from its economic woes. Fears of possible new tensions rise with a president that is seeking to divert attention and use the Falklands to refocus the Argentine mindset.
HS2: Steadfast Progress or Slam the Brakes?
February 1, 2020: Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that a high-speed rail link through the centre of England will be built, admitting it was a ‘controversial and difficult decision’. Behind schedule and over budget, the return on investment from this planned rail network is increasingly in doubt under the UK’s current economic conditions.
Irish backstop: PM risks future of the Union
New assurances regarding the backstop will likely secure Brexit, but it would also inflame nationalist passions in Ireland which would threaten the territorial integrity of the United Kingdom
How can Britain escape the Brexit impasse?
With less than seventy days between now and the 29th March, time is running out to reach a deal. Precedent shows that Theresa May isn’t willing to compromise or adopt cross-party consensus, and the risk of a Corbyn government shirks her party away from an election. Parliament taking control or a referendum are the most likely solutions to the impasse.
Will inflexibility on Brexit undermine the EU?
The UK’s current struggles over Brexit have greatly increased the likelihood of a hard exit from the EU, an outcome no one wants. The EU has adamantly refused to renegotiate any part of the Brexit agreement, which seems likely to hurt the EU’s legitimacy in the long term.
