'NO GREAT CONSPIRACY'

Jon-Christopher Bua, 25/05/12

Sky News White House Commentator

Although the Democrats and the Republicans have yet to hold their late summer conventions, the 2012 race for the presidency is clearly in full gear. We are now coming to the end of a brutalizing Republican Primary-Caucus season - beginning back in the freezing corn fields of Iowa.

Greg Jenner, 24/05/12

Historical Consultant to CBBC’s multi-award winning sketch show Horrible Histories

I have been, for as long as I can remember, a staunch republican. I skipped the Royal Wedding and went on holiday to Florence, home of the Renaissance Republic, as it seemed the most delightfully pleasant form of protest. I think monarchy is an outdated and inherently absurd form of political power that contradicts every philosophical tenet in my heart - the idea that you can only be born into true royalty is at total odds with modern Britain's democratic principles and emphasis on meritocratic social mobility. Yet, there is a whopping great problem with my frothy-mouthed rhetoric... I bloody love the Queen!

Rayhan Haque, 25/05/12

Researcher and blogger

Alan Johnson MP has revealed that he is considering a bid for London Mayor in 2016. Here are four reasons why he is Labour's best choice.

Andrew Wasley, 25/05/12

Editor of the Ecologist magazine

Exploitation in the food industry is alive and well. That's according to the latest grim report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which studied the experiences of some of the migrant workers (almost invisibly) toiling in our fields, factories and restaurants.

Willard Foxton, 25/05/12

Feminist, Multiculturalist Tory

This is a big deal - we are not only putting a truly vast sum of money at stake - the defence contractors estimate £25 billion, so we can assume at least three times that, 10 years late - we are also binding ourselves into a strategic commitment to maintaining not just a nuclear arsenal, but to a uniquely cold-war era one, based around submarine launched ballistic missiles.

Mike Robb, 23/05/12

Head of Media Relations at Cicero Group

Ultimately, we must invest in our infrastructure and make the UK the most attractive place in the world to do business. It's time to stop the talk and get spending. If this is the course of action the Government has decided to take - rightly, in my view - let's get on with it.

Toby Lichtig, 24/05/12

Freelance journalist and TV producer

Those unaware of the complex and contradictory prostitution laws in Britain could be forgiven for thinking that prostitution is illegal. It isn't. And nor is buying sex. Whatever your views on the inherent "violence" in the practice, there's no getting away from this very simple fact. "If you choose to buy sex there will be consequences," states the campaign. Except there won't be.

Francois Petavy, 22/05/12

CEO, eYeka

It is clear from the worryingly low turnout at the local elections that more needs to be done to get people voting, and in particular young people. This is far from a new problem and it is time the government committed to tackling this serious issue by thinking more creatively about how to engage the youth in the future of the country they live in.

Ann Barnes, 23/05/12

Chair of the Kent Police Authority

Time is flying by and there's only six months to the new incoming Police and Crime Commissioners. There is an awful lot of work going on behind the scenes, not just locally but nationally as well.

Sir Christopher Meyer, 22/05/12

Former British Ambassador to the United States and Germany, former Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission

The endless eurozone crisis provokes a despairing weariness. The G8 has come and gone in Camp David, bringing, so it seems, a solution no nearer. Yet another EU summit will gather later this week. No-one is holding their breath that something fresh and decisive will emerge to halt the ever-mestasising threat of sovereign default. Yet, something has recently changed. To weariness, now add raw alarm. Over the years, European politicians have repeatedly cried wolf, invoking deadlines for a final solution to the euro-crisis that they have then declined to honour. Now, the new deadline is the Greek general election on 17 June. David Cameron has even labelled it a referendum on membership of the eurozone.

John Walmsley, 23/05/12

Principle of UWC Atlantic College

Ever since the riots blazed across UK streets and TV sets worldwide last year, debate has raged on the catalyst that sparked an estimated 15,000 individuals to become one angry mob. Around 70% of the London 2011 rioters were under the age of 24 so identifying a root cause could well help stop these scenes happening again.

Baroness Mary Goudie, 23/05/12

Global advocate for the rights of women and children

I urge banks to work to ensure women have access and support to be able to obtain finance. I call on the G20 leaders to create the environment where women receive the support they deserve and require in order to continue to build on their contribution to the global economy.

John O Connell, 23/05/12

Research Director of the Tax Payers' Alliance

There are all sorts of weird disparities in our tax system. Why should paying yourself through a company instead of being paid directly by your employer change what tax rate you pay? Why should debt get a better deal than equity, or share buybacks a better deal than dividends? The reason all these quirks, which are both unfair and opportunities for the crafty to dodge their taxes, exist is because the tax system has been broken by politicians trying to raise more and more revenue, and hide tax rates from voters who would rather keep more of their own money. The result was neatly summed up by George Osborne in 2010 - we now have a spaghetti bowl of taxes. It will take serious reform to untangle them.

Laurence Watts, 22/05/12

Freelance journalist and Board Member of the American Military Partner Association

On May 17 Out4Marriage released a video by Sir Richard Branson in which the multi-billionaire Virgin tycoon became the highest-profile individual yet to record his support for a change in Britain's law that would allow same-sex couples to marry.

Peter Kellner, 21/05/12

President of YouGov, political commentator and journalist

According to the Observer, senior members of Labour's shadow cabinet want Ed Miliband to commit Labour at the next election to an in-out referendum on the European Union. Is that wise?

Mark Seddon, 22/05/12

Big Think blogger and British journalist

Clearly fast moving events elsewhere in Europe, particularly in Greece and Spain, are giving added impetus to the whole issue of Britain's relationship with the European Union. They are also driving the issue closer and closer to the decision makers in the main parties. In recent weeks, we have seen a growing number of establishment Labour figures accepting that a referendum may have to be held.

Kate Allen, 22/05/12

Director of Amnesty International UK

At a women's shelter I saw some of the consequences of Afghanistan's ingrained patriarchy. I talked to a teenage girl married off to a 70-year-old man who then suffered sustained beatings at the hands of the man's family. I also heard from a young widow who explained how she'd escaped her father-in-law who wanted to force her into marriage after her first husband had died.