Friday Roundup

In this article: We will look at last week’s autumn budget, which was given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves. It was the first budget by a Labour Government in 14 years. It has garnered mixed reactions from the British people. The budget benefitted minimum wage workers with a pay rise compared to higher business taxes, which has upset business owners.

By Tasha Vagadia

In this article: To those who follow politics in the US, it can often seem very divided or polarised. This polarisation is seen in the extreme language used by politicians, the demonisation of political opponents, and the political violence seen in recent years. These events are truly unprecedented in US history and even compared to some other democracies. Yet despite the amount of polarisation, it is still uncertain whether American politics will now adopt this polarisation trend for the near future.

By Ben Chambers

In this article: The far right riots that took place this summer and the role that social media played in them has reignited the debate about how to punish those who spread hate speech online. Arguably, the damage done by hate speech on social media and its ability to influence so many people cannot go unpunished since it leaves so many people vulnerable. However, there are also significant difficulties regulating hate speech on social media, not least because defining hate speech is tricky and could pave the way for further censorship. Furthermore, the sheer size of social media platforms means some would inevitably be punished while others would get away with it. Is punishing the perpetrators the best way to deal with the problem?

By Grace Leather

In this article: After 70 years, British foreign policy still deals with the last remaining artefacts of decolonisation: Overseas territories. Recently, the UK ceded sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. While such territories may seem insignificant, they hold immense symbolic and strategic value for the UK. Yet this can come at the cost of the UK’s compliance with international law and democratic values. So, looking at both sides of the debate, should Britain give up its overseas territories?

By Tommy King