The response to Sarah Everard’s murder requires neither misogyny nor misandry | Sam Hall
The present discourse on this issue predictably blames all men. Critics of this view will argue to the contrary; but the attack on masculinity and the very reality of being male has been underway for some time. On the one hand, we argue violently for men’s mental health and well-being and that we should be kind; but on the other, we give undue credence to the narrative that all men are monsters and should be unilaterally held with suspicion. Many men are not confident to walk home alone on a dark night through crime-ridden streets and areas of London, or other major cities. Therefore, you cannot blame all men for the crimes of a minority who not only exploit the risks women decide to take, but also the the cosy world that has become our virtual reality during the pandemic.
Trident - is it a necessary expense? | Laura Sánchez Pérez
Even if there is a remote chance that we might need to retain a nuclear weapons capability, there is an option, which cuts the cost significantly, allows for the restoration of our three military services, and maintains the nuclear deterrent as a capability to be deployed if events ever require.
Budget 2021: Rishi’s economic placebo | Joseph Robertson
For what seems like a long time, budget announcements (or for now, perhaps we should call them ‘spending announcements’) from the Chancellor of the Exchequer have seemed to be a placebo to the common man rather than an attempt to stabilise the economy. Rather like living in a comfortable house that is built over a subterraneous cavern and has no foundations, we are waiting for a collapse of our comfort. Many are beginning to see cracks in their floors appearing and see dust seep in from fissures in the walls. The government is sent to inspect the property frequently but as a solution, keeps adding new floor levels to the property, building upwards, rather than inspecting the lack of foundation underneath.
A review of Budget 2021
All in all, this budget is an honest and balanced attempt by the government at sustaining demand while outlining a longer-term plan for fiscal restructuring. What is clear is that the government is deeply committed to ensuring that it does everything in its power to restart the economy in the near future. This is not a problem per se, but it will have to make sure it gives back control of the economy sooner rather than later.
If not, the risk is that the public becomes too comfortable with, and dependent on, this type of government intervention, triggering a slow return of the Big State and a new normal economic policy based around a combination of high taxes and high spending, all with the approval of the Conservative party.
Rishi’s big fork out | Alex Brown
The 2021 Budget is a mixed bag of policies that do not have our long-term economic recovery at the fore. The Chancellor is using his ‘fiscal firepower’ to keep on spending – resulting in a further £65bil to support the economy – which translates into borrowing 17% of the national income. To some extent, the reality that some spending is not being cut is an indictment – especially as the Prime Minister has outlined our road to recovery and the gradual Great Unlocking. But it is welcome news that the government’s economic intervention has prevented peaks in unemployment. Can we be sure of this after the taps are turned off and the handouts cease?
Contemporary education betrays its classical origins, but it shouldn’t | Ojel L. Rodriguez Burgos
The word liberal immediately gives a pause to many readers, because of its connotations and associations with a more familiar liberal philosophy. The philosophy, however, was born in the modern era, whereas Liberal Education is a much older concept. But the word comes from the Latin word liber and Liberalis, the former meaning to be free and the latter meaning freedom or a Freedman.
Big Brother: the imposition of authority on family life during the Coronavirus pandemic | Michael Fraser
Johnson’s government’s latest policies are seriously threatening to erode our already vulnerable family structures further- our “little platoons”- in a careless slide towards ever greater state dominance, and history will not look kindly on them for it.
Technology will not save us; how the new environmentalism is doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past | Charlie Goulbourne
The much-loved liberal maxim “global problems require global solutions” may finally be proven false. The greatest global crisis of our time, climate change, is perhaps best tackled with local, not global, initiatives. Traditional environmental and agricultural practises of local agroforestry, intercropping, crop rotation and organic composting may be amongst the most effective ways of mitigating the effects of climate change.
Romney’s family benefits: surprisingly social, and surprisingly conservative | OC Comment
All in all, the Romney plan is able to square conservative ideals and welfare practice. Though in some areas it reverts to outdated liberal solutions, this plan provides a useful “first draft” for future conservative efforts in addressing the popular demand for a welfare state by shifting the focus to marriage and the family.