POLITICO’s Post

My latest article deals with the significant distribution of power within the last Government which set the pace for the party’s downfall. Following the announcement of the rules that will be followed in the election of a new Conservative leader, my article covers the key attributes party members should look for, and why. https://lnkd.in/eJRdt3st ‘In our parliamentary system, a Prime Minister’s greatest competition often comes from within their Cabinet’. #ConservativeLeadership #PoliticalChange #PartyDynamics #Election2024 #GovernmentReform #CabinetCompetition #PoliticalAnalysis

So proud of the critical and humanizing work my cousin Timothy Shriver has ignited with The Dignity Index. As we head into elections, debates, and dividing conversations around politics and candidates, this tool has the power to help each and every one of us reshape the way we interact with others – and improve our country. As Tim asks, “What if the biggest issue isn’t Trump or Biden but is instead, the toxic virus of contempt we pour on people who disagree with us?” Check out this missive from Tim: https://lnkd.in/eZsUdp5b Learn more about The Dignity Index here: https://lnkd.in/eF2yzCs6

Thank goodness Election 24 is over. What a depressing state of affairs. The choice of two uninspiring leaders was like having to decide upon your preferred method of execution. On paper The Labour Party won. In reality the The Conservative Party lost. The Liberal Democrats collected the fall out in a flawed electoral system. The Reform Party, having been the biggest contribution to the Labour Party landslide. I'm sure Keir Starmer will be sending Nigel Farage a Thank You card and a large crate of real ale. But, by far, the most significant observation is that the current electoral system is fatally flawed. Just look at how vote share translate disproportionately into seats...for all parties. I know you are bored of the slogan but it really is "Time For Change". With the Liberal Democrats, The Reform Party and significant parts of the Labour Party vocal supporters of Proportional Representation - many Conservatives will probably support it too - now is the time to start the debate bout reforming and modernising a political system that delivers proper governance focused on policies, not parties. #electoralreform #proportionaltepresentation #timeforchange

This update features analysis of British and American politics, where 2024 election campaigns are ramping up. We set the scene for the Conservative and Labour conferences and consider where the policy spotlight is moving; then we check in on the Republican and Democrat primaries: we find Biden and Trump looking on course for victory against their opponents, and Trump (in a change from 2016/20) leading in general polls, but external difficulties still await both: is Trump at risk of losing ballot access in some states or receiving an indictment-related gag order? And if Biden’s age/health concerns and polling decline continue, will victory in his primary still not prevent his party from trying to replace him and Kamala Harris next summer? #2024election #biden #trump #uspolitics #sunak #starmer #ukpolitics

Smile, the Election is in Full Swing One of the things that politicians can do well is make us laugh. Here are some funny quotes about politics and politicians. Each has a message or food for thought as we face an election where the two leading candidates are around eighty years of age.                            I’ve left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency…even if I’m in a Cabinet meeting. Ronal Reagan               He can’t help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth.   Ann Richards on a former president.               Did you ever think that making a speech on economics is a lot like pissing down your leg? It seems hot to you, but it never does to anyone else.   Lyndon Johnson               Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies. Groucho Marx               Being president is like running a cemetery: you’ve got a lot of people under you and nobody’s listening. Bill Clinton               Take our politicians: they’re a bunch of yo-yos. The presidency is now a cross between a popularity contest and a high school debate with an encyclopedia of cliches.  Saul Bellows Politicians and politics can be funny. But the state of our union is nothing to laugh about. Changes are due. #politcs #elections #change

Left-Wing Alliance Triumphs in French Parliamentary Election, Thwarts Far-Right Surge PARIS — In a dramatic election outcome, France's left-wing alliance secured the most seats in parliament, delivering a surprising blow to Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally. Despite Le Pen's strong performance in the first round of voting, tactical collaborations among her opponents prevented her party from achieving a majority. This election result ushers in a period of political uncertainty, with no single group gaining a parliamentary majority. President Emmanuel Macron's snap election gamble resulted in seat losses, further complicating France's political landscape. Macron, remaining optimistic, emphasized the resilience of his ideas. As France navigates this new political terrain, attention now shifts to who will become the next prime minister. #LeftWingVictory #FrenchElections #PoliticalShakeup #LePenDefeated #MacronGamble #FrancePolitics #Parliament2024 #ElectionDrama #PoliticalUncertainty #NextPrimeMinister

"The U.S. is the only #democracy* in the world to select most senior election officials through partisan #elections, a system that inevitably creates strong allegiances between officials and political parties they must oversee. We don’t let referees play for one team and we should treat elections officials the same way." A great quote from the Election Reformers Network Please click on the website below to learn more about REAL reform solutions! The #election2023 is over, but the structural stupidity that's baked-in to our two-party duopoly remains. It's the system itself that is getting us such terrible outcomes and toxic behavior. ***Partisan Primary elections are undemocratic and unamerican - They must be abolished! Partisan primary elections reward extreme, outrageous and toxic behavior. The solution is simple -- Open Primaries It's time to get smart on real reform solutions vs. the status quo bias that hyper-partisans, and the politics industry, work overtime to protect. Our Founders warned us. Private #political parties use fear and outrage to divide and conquer us for their own selfish gain. For example, in 2020, 26 MILLION independent / nonpartisan / unaffiliated voters were BARRED from #voting in the presidential preference primaries. ** 59% of #veterans ages 18-49 identify as #Independent. We are the fastest growing voting block in most states in the country.** But our hyper-partisan, two-party system does not allow Independent #voters (and veterans like me) to fully participate in the public #elections we pay for. That's why we started Veterans for All Voters. We are fighting for responsible #government and accountable politicians through open primaries & competitive elections. Learn more and TAKE ACTION today -- Onward! (* NOTE: Yes, we understand that we are a representative democracy set within a Constitutional #Republic -- No need for the reminder! :)

It seems the UK’s Conservative Party are bound to lose the General Election, regardless of when in the year they call it. Damage limitation is now the name of the game. But, the question remains: who stands to benefit? Will Kingston-Cox argues that despite the Conservative Party's decline, it's misguided to assume all right-leaning voters will flock to Labour under Keir Starmer, as he lacks Tony Blair's broad appeal. Instead, figures like Dominic Cummings, with his new "Start-Up Party," and others like Matt Goodwin, seek to fill the ideological gap with new right-wing alternatives. These developments suggest a fragmented British Right, potentially diluting Conservative support further and inadvertently bolstering Labour, despite Labour not being a direct beneficiary of right-wing voter realignment. #conservatives #reformuk #nigelfarage #mattgoodwin #dominiccummings #unitedkingdom https://lnkd.in/ejREgZKG

Political Shake-Up in North Carolina - What Does It Mean for the US House? 🏛️ A political storm is brewing in North Carolina! Republican legislators have unveiled redistricting proposals that could potentially reshape the balance of power in the US House. Currently, the state's congressional delegation stands evenly split, with seven seats held by each party. But the newly proposed maps have the potential to render House Democrats' districts nearly unwinnable. This move could significantly influence the outcome of the 2024 elections and the balance of power in Washington. The world of politics is ever-evolving, and North Carolina's GOP-controlled state legislature's role in this process highlights the importance of redistricting in shaping the nation's political landscape. What do you think about this development? 🤔 Share your thoughts and join the conversation! 🗣️ #NorthCarolinaPolitics #USHouse #PoliticalChange