democracy – Tom Burke

We cannot succeed in making the climate safe without democracy

On September 9, 2020December 12, 2020 By admin

We cannot succeed in making the climate safe without democracy. Attacks on democracy are therefore attacks on a safe climate wherever they occur. To stay in power despots must destroy the machinery nations use to learn from their mistakes. There is no mistake free path to a net zero world. […]

A CLIMATE OF TRUST

On February 24, 2019February 24, 2019 By admin

The core argument of this lecture is that failure of climate change policy represents an existential threat to civilisation that will destroy the foundations of trust on which democracy depends. Climate change is a unique problem in human history. Climate policy success demands the local, national and geo-political cooperation that […]

A WAR ON REASON

On March 20, 2017 By admin

Below is a paragraph everyone should read. It will seem quite familiar, if slightly out of true, as if from a half forgotten newspaper article. It is in fact from a 35 year old book. Even so, to grasp the full depth […]

ON MEDDLING WITH EUROPE

On June 27, 2016June 27, 2016 By admin

‘You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone Joni Mitchell The Second World War welded Britain into a united nation. The pre-war divisions so well portrayed in Downton Abbey […]

Tribute to Jo Cox – ‘Where we see intolerance we must drive it out of our politics’

On June 17, 2016 By admin

Here is the full text of David Cameron’s speech. I first met Jo in Darfur in 2006 where she was doing what she was brilliant at, which was looking after and saving the lives of vulnerable refugees. And here we are today commemorating her life that’s been lost. […]

Our own bad habits have brought Britain to the brink of Brexit – The Guardian

On June 6, 2016June 6, 2016 By admin

By Martin Kettle This article first appeared in The Guardian Whether voters decide to leave or remain, we must address failures in our media, culture and politics Trust the people, that’s what I always say to myself. By and large, over the long term, they will do the […]

SQUARING THE CIRCLES

On May 20, 2015 By admin

This piece was first published by the Energy and Carbon Blog Amber Rudd’s appointment as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate has been welcomed by environmentalists. This is partly out of relief. There was a real risk that DECC would be abolished by an incoming Conservative Government. […]

Why Europe matters and why the European elections matter – E3G

On May 14, 2014 By admin

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR TOM BURKE CBE TO THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION ON CIVIL SOCIETY AND DEMOCRATIC ENGAGEMENT

On October 14, 2013October 25, 2013 By admin

I am giving evidence to the Independent Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement this afternoon. A diverse coalition of prominent charities, campaign groups, academics, think tanks and online networks has launched an independent Commission in response to concerns about the Government’s Lobbying Bill. The Commission on Civil Society […]

HOW TO DIG A POLITICAL HOLE

On October 10, 2013 By admin

The Bill intended to regulate lobbying is now completing its Commons phase and will return to the Lords on October 22nd. As has been widely pointed out this Bill does little to control business lobbying but will prevent Britain’s voluntary sector from campaigning effectively during the year before […]