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Mehdi Hasan
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If you have something to say...
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If you have something to say...
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A meeting in the House of Lords today will consider the latest in a series of massacres of the Hazara people in the Pakistan province of Balochistan, and its connection with the wider sectarian attacks on Shi'as throughout Pakistan.
The media has become obsessed that Ukip is taking votes from the Tories. But it's simply not that simple. Look at all the recent by-election results and I think it's clear to see we are having an impact across the board.
The half-term general election rehearsal currently underway in Eastleigh might be fascinating those in the politics business but the result won't begin to restore the electorate's trust in politicians.
Being honest about the limits that face us but having a clear set of priorities shaping our actions allows for a more honest, more human and more humane politics to be shaped.
Potential MPs should only be able to stand as a candidate if they'd done a year long work placement (paid at the going rate, let's not stoop to their level). I don't care where - could be in a solicitors, could be in a cafe, but they should know that where they choose could affect the voters' choice.
There has been a great deal of misleading commentary about the Child Poverty Act framework in the last few months. First of all, many make the mistake of thinking there is only one target and the targets are only about income, but as anyone can read in sections one to seven of the Act, this is completely untrue.
Modern politics is all about framing. Due to decades of public skepticism towards politicians, party leaders no longer wish to be seen as dogmatic ideologues, they would much rather be thought of as pragmatic managers of public life.
A key component in the mix of measures required to reduce child poverty is to make childcare more affordable to poorer families and thereby encourage more mothers into work. This is central to the approach of countries like Denmark, where 84 per cent of mothers are in employment, compared to just 67 per cent in the UK.
Today I met a future doctor, accountant and engineer. They were all 13 year old girls. The aspirations of these Ethiopian girls is heartening. The engineer says she wants to train to help "build up her country". I wouldn't bet against her doing just that.
Partly Political Broadcast is a new, hopefully weekly project between me and excellent filmmaker Ben Hilton. It's a short of burst of comedy, with pointed views about the week's goings ons, which we decided we should do because, well, no one else was.
For how long will we say that our educational system is our country's greatest failing? It won't surprise you when I say for as long as our inadequate career politicians are in charge
Mobile money means more small, safe, cashless transactions can happen - urban workers can send money back to rural homes; small shops and stalls can trade more and grow their business.
The Jesuits say 'Give me the boy at seven and I will give you the man'. Chris Huhne wasn't seven when I first met him, he was 11. It was 1965, I was nine and my family had just moved to London. Like all boys, Chris was an annoying squirt. I was an instant devotee. Not only was he fantastic but he was also the only proper boy I knew.
Under the veil of alleviating hardship, our government is preparing to implement a tax that will hit the weakest in our society. Disabled people who need a bedroom for their carer will soon face a massive cut to their housing benefit. The con is that there is help at hand. Because in reality, help is nowhere to be found.
Ed Miliband deserves much more credit for the progress he has made so far in putting Labour back in contention.
Will the government make something of the Big Society in time to win the elections?
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