Shorthand Politics :: Wessex Scene Online

Shorthand Politics

19th April 2006
Peter Lamb

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May 07 - Anything the French can do...
Jun 06 - Cabinet ins and outs
Jun 06 - Local elections result in dismay
May 06 - From Union Council to City Council
Jan 06 - Make your own Society

Celebrating the Politics Section’s return to two pages we bring you Shorthand Politics, a summary of the big politics stories of the last three weeks in only one article.An investigation is underway to discover if Tessa Jowell, Culture Secretary, is guilty of breaching the ministerial code. Her husband has been accused of accepting a bribe to speak at a trial investigating Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Prime Minister, on grounds of corruption. It has been implicated that the bribe was linked to a joint loan taken our by Ms Jowell and her husband. If found guilty the Culture Secretary will have to resign her cabinet post.

A bill criminalising the glorification of terrorism has been sent back to the House of Commons from the House of Lords. The Terrorism Bill which saw Tony Blair lose his first vote in the commons earlier in the year is seen by many to impinge on traditional civil liberties, yet the government and security forces argue that it is necessary.

There is to be a total ban on smoking in bars, clubs, pubs and restaurants in the UK, the government had pushed for a partial ban but eventually gave in under pressure from campaigners and back-bench Labour MPs opting instead for a full ban.

The HN51 bird flu virus is on the move again, with reports of the disease spreading into Europe and Africa, with birds as close as France being infected. The UK government ruled out immunisation of wild birds despite the policy being implemented in several EU countries.

David Irving, the historian who infamous for denying the holcaust’s existence, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment in Austria where Holocaust denial is a crime. The prosecution is attempting to appeal the sentence in an attempt to get a maximum ten year sentence.

Dick Cheney shot a fellow hunter whilst out on a hunting expedition, wounding the man facially and bodily. The man has since been released from hospital and reportedly bears no ill will towards the Vice-President.

A proposal, which would see US ports come under the control of a Dubai company, has come under fire from both Democrats and Republicans on the basis of concerns over security. The government has tried to minimise concerns by explaining that security will remain in American hands.

The Prime Minister of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian, has declared that a council whose purpose was to plan the reunification of the island with mainland China will now cease to exist. China has issued a warning following the decision and the already tense relations between the two countries have been exacerbated by the act.

Tensions remain high in the Middle East too following the election of Hamas in Palestine earlier this year. The new parliament has been sworn in with over half of the members belonging to the terrorist party. Attempts by the US and the EU to moderate some of Hamas’ views and gain recognition of the Israeli state continue, though they have been unsuccessful so far.

Suspected Sunni terrorists have bombed one of the most holy shrines for Shia Muslims in Iraq. The attack comes at a time when tensions are raised between the groups in the country. The proposed unity government has still not emerged despite the significant pressure of coalition nations. Sectarian rioting has followed the explosion, with numerous fatalities. Fears are that the country may now fragment or descend into a civil war.

Iran has admitted to resuming a nuclear enrichment programme, denying that the purpose was to construct a nuclear weapon. The act has received condemnation from Europe and America with tough penalties under consideration as the matter is referred to the UN.

Local elections have been postponed in Egypt, it is believed to be part of the government’s attempt to keep power out of the hands of the Muslim Brotherhood, a party banned in Egypt. The decision was criticised by Condoleezza Rice the American Secretary of State during her recent visit.

The Darfur region of Sudan has returned to the international stage due to continued violence, despite the considerable efforts of African Union troops. The UK’s International Development Minister, Hilary Benn, visited the region promising more aid from the UK, and George Bush has recommended the deployment of NATO forces to replace the current African Union force.

The first election in Uganda in twenty-five years has returned to power the current President, Yoweri Museveni. However the election has been criticised by a rival candidate who claims to have found many unsealed ballot boxes. International observers are looking into the claim.