Business as usual: on re-establishing ‘order’ in British politics.

There is a sense of excitement in the current reporting on developments in British politics. The Labour Party is leading in opinion polls vis-à-vis the Conservative government (politics.co.uk, 22 December 2021), a big back bench rebellion against the Prime Minister Boris Johnson over Covid measures adds to the tensions (The Guardian, 14 December 2021), and then a massive swing in a byelection results in a new Liberal MP (The Guardian, 17 December 2021). Earlier, the media reported positively on Labour Party Keir Starmer’s re-shuffling of his shadow cabinet, who has ‘chosen shadow ministers for their perceived ability’ (Peston, 29 November 2021). Apparent disagreements between Starmer and the deputy party leader Angela Rayner provide further excitement (Kuenssberg, 29 November 2021). The message is clear, we are back to business as usual. 

Staff working conditions are student learning conditions – more than just a slogan!

Yet again, staff at universities across the UK are out on strike to defend their working conditions and pensions. Unsurprisingly, university management tries to pit students against staff. Students, however, are not falling for this. They realise that drastic cuts to staff pay and working conditions is mirrored in a deterioration in student learning conditions especially since the 2007/2008 global financial crisis.