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The article discusses Chatham House's World Initiative project to visualize Great Britain's new role as medium power state in the world in 2030. It highlights the need for the county to form a new identity as it has lost its influential position within the European Union. It explains key issues for Britain including the climate emergency, China's increasing strategic challenge and the repercussions of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The article presents an interview with David Miliband, the foreign secretary in the government of British prime minister Gordon Brown. In the piece Miliband discusses a number of issues including the war on terrorism, the importance of economic development to address issues of social inequality and the construction of stable international institutions that recognize the interdependence of nations.

The article presents an interview with Sir David Manning the British ambassador to the United States, who resigned from his post in 2007 after a tenure of 4 years. In the piece Manning discusses a number of issues including the special relationship that exists between the United States and Great Britain, British policy on Israel and Palestine and the Iraq War.

The article discusses the attempts to reform the devolved government of Northern Ireland, which has been essentially non-functional for four years. This political solution ignores the reality, that under the facade of new buildings and designer shops, Belfast (Northern Ireland) remains embroiled in the old conflict and is dealing with the tensions by creating two separate societies for Catholics and Protestants.

The author writes from Jerusalem, giving a first person account of the social, military, and political climate in Israel in the wake of the fighting with Lebanon. He reports initially from an Israeli army base in Zufim, communicating the stress and panic felt within the security control room. He provides an update on the tension between Palestinians and Israelis, the role of Hamas, and Israel's relationship with the U.S., and he explores the various positions of political officials.

This article presents an interview with David Cameron, leader of the British Conservative Party. He does not like to be compared to prime minister Tony Blair, although the authors point up numerous similarities between the two men. Cameron sees as his main opponent future prime minister Gordon Brown, is against giving more power to the European Union and holds liberal views on the treatment of drug addicts.

Presents the views of British citizens in light of the coming general election. Author's three-day investigation to find out what people are thinking and saying about their lives and their politicians; Comments of British on topics which include Prime Minister Tony Blair, Michael Howard, asylum, the Iraq war; Author's suspicion that there might be a silent majority still supportive of Blair, but embarrassed to admit it; The growing interest in parties of the far right; Conclusion that race, asylum and immigration are uppermost in people's minds.

Reports that the super-rich have done the best under Labour as the top one percent have seen their wealth rise at an incredible rate. Labour's record with the poor which is commendable but inequitable when compared to the very rich; Figures from the Office for National Statistics that 600,00 people double their wealth in Labour's first six years in office; How London has become a tax haven for the wealthy; Role of "non-domiciled resident tax status in making the rich richer; List of those who made out particularly well such as Phillip Green, the Duke of Westminster, Bernie and Slavica Ecclestone and others; Tax laws which benefit the wealthy; Proposal to address the inequities from the Liberal Democrats. INSET: WHO GAINED MOST, 1997-2004.

Offers a model manifesto recommended to British Prime Minister Tony Blair during the 2005 general election. Goals for a potential third term in office; Proposals for tax reform; Approach to the War on Terrorism and the preservation of civil rights; Foreign policy recommendations; Policies for public services in Great Britain; Recommendations for education reform.

Presents an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding national security and his government's handling of Chechen rebels as of September 2004. Reference to the massacre in Beslan in which Chechen rebels killed over 300 at a middle school; Suggestion that Putin craves respect and understanding in the international community; Discussion of the wars in Chechnya instigated by Russia in the 1990s; History of Russia's policies in Chechnya; Treatment of journalists in Russia; Prevalence of corruption and bribery in Russia.

Presents a satirical quiz regarding politics and current events. Reference to the relations between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President George W. Bush; Responsibilities of Michael Howard as employment secretary in 1991; Popularity of the film 'Calendar Girls'; Success of the latest Harry Potter book; Others.

The article presents an interview with Ed Balls, Great Britain's secretary of state for schools, children and family and a close adviser to prime minister Gordon Brown. In the piece Balls discusses a number of issues including his plan to improve the lives of children in Great Britain, troubles besetting the Labour Party and perception that he holds more political power than he actually does.

The article presents an interview with Jack Straw, a British member of parliament and secretary of state for justice in the Labour Party government of prime minister Gordon Brown. In the piece Straw discusses a number of subjects including the importance of avoiding disputes with organized labor, the possibility of military action aimed at Iran and the attitude of former prime minister Tony Blair toward the Iraq War.

The article presents an interview with Jaqui Smith, in 2007 the Home Secretary of Great Britain. In the interview Smith discusses a number of issues including the ability of government to respond to the needs of the electorate, her opinion that Great Britain should institute a system of national identity cards and her views on combatting crime and terrorism.

The article discusses British Labour Party MP Hazel Blears who will be running for deputy party leader. The author gives a background of Blears, from her childhood to her current religious affiliation. Blears feels that politicians have been slack with the delivery of public services even though the government puts an increased amount of money into the services. Blears describes herself as a devoted follower of Tony Blair, and will be that of Gordon Brown if he is elected prime minister.

The article presents an interview with Alan Johnson, in 2007 one of the British Labour Party politicians vying for the deputy leadership of that party. Johnson discusses a number of issues facing Great Britain, including the impact of social class on education, Labour's record on assisting citizens living in poverty and the party policy on illegal drug use.

The article presents an interview with British politician Hilary Benn, in 2007 a candidate to be deputy leader of the U.K. Labour Party. Benn describes his efforts to inject more idealism into politics and the qualities he would bring to a leadership position in the Labour Party. The interviewers find Benn to be vague on a number of issues of government policy.

The article presents an interview with Harriet Harman, a politician who, in 2007, was campaigning to be deputy leader of Great Britain's Labor Party. She discusses her feelings about then-current public expressions on racism and sexuality in Great Britain and strongly states her opposition to sexual and racial discrimination in all forms. She explains her plan to attain the deputy leadership position, but the authors note she discusses little public policy.

This article profiles Peter Hain, Northern Ireland Secretary and candidate for a leading position in Labour Party leader Gordon Brown's government. Hain has declared the Iraq war a mistake and believes the neo-conservative policies have been proven as failed. He pledges to reinvigorate British foreign policy with a strong ethical perspective.

The article presents an interview with Margaret Beckett, in 2006 the Foreign Secretary of Great Britain. The interviewers were of the opinion that the more questions they asked Beckett the more confused she became. She offers contradictory statements on nuclear war, is unable to remember when she left the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and is unclear on aspects of the Iraq war.

This article comments on the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and the part Great Britain and prime minister Tony Blair played in it. The author accuses Blair of not wanting to stop the brutal engagement and that he destroyed British influence in the Middle East by not doing so. By taking the path of supporting Israel, Blair has increased the chance of an attack on Great Britain or British interests.

Explores what the state of Great Britain might be should Michael Howard, the Conservative candidate for Prime Minister, win the May, 2005 elections. Probability that Howard would seek to withdraw from the European Union; How Howard would approach foreign relations, which would likely include negative consequences for immigrants and asylum-seekers and an attempt at ingratiation with the U.S.; The Labour party's criticism of the Conservative party's handling of economic issues; Critique that Prime Minister Tony Blair has done little to address the wealth gap or introduce social legislation to temper the markets.

This article discusses how British Home Secretary David Blunkett can reach people that British Prime Minister Tony Blair cannot. Galvanizing effect of the Blunkett visa affair on the Labour Party; Increasing public opinion in favor of the Labour Party; Blunkett's survival as important to Tony Blair; Reasons for Blunkett's special stature.

Examines the relationship between Tony Blair and George W. Bush as the Americans approach their presidential election. Belief that the relationship hurts Blair and campaign rhetoric might harm him more; Difference between how the American's view the relationship and how the British see it; Private meetings with presidential candidate John Kerry's staff and what his win might mean to the PM; Blair's comfort with Bush and reasons for it; Public view that no matter who wins the American election the alliance between the two countries will remain strong; Belief that if Kerry wins, the short term would be awkward but the long term might be a fresh start in both countries.

Reports that British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced his resignation after a five-year term starting in October 2004. Statement that Blair went into the hospital for an operation; Report that Blair did not inform the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown; Statement that Blair informed the chief of Labor's election strategy, Alan Milburn, and the European Union trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson; Claim that revelations about Blair's heart condition would have to be offset by a statement of his intentions; Possibility that Brown will be forced to resign; Role of Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in promoting Brown; Discussion of Brown's political campaign; Criticism of Blair by Tory leader Michael Howard and Liberal Democrat Charles Kennedy.

Focuses on British Chancellor Gordon Brown and his role in the government's domestic agenda. His approach to foreign policy, the Iraq war, relations with America, humanitarian intervention, Israel, the European Union, and Northern Ireland; View that he has disdain for Tony Blair's quick-fix initiatives in domestic policy; Brown's stance on law and order, education, and industrial relations; Idea that Brown would follow through on Lords reform and the introduction of a Supreme Court if he had to suddenly assume the office of Prime Minister; Idea that he would pursue an agenda merging the free market economy with poverty reduction.

Looks at the Hutton report and believes it only makes it harder to determine why Britain joined the U.S. in the Iraq war. Hutton report finding that the BBC was wrong and that Tony Blair and his ministers were right to go to war; The report which does not end the controversy over the war; Remarks by the Prime Minister that he did not deceive his country; Belief of the author that Blair was committed to joining George Bush in the war and sought intelligence to help make the case for him; Lazy assumption by the intelligence community that since there was no proof Saddam Hussein had destroyed weapons it must mean he still had them; Claim of a bigger conspiracy in the U.S. in the use of intelligence to justify the war; List of omissions by Lord Hutton in his report; How the report makes it more difficult to discover the truth; How the report hurt journalism.

Presents an attempt by the author to test the theory put forward by Leader of the House of Commons Peter Hain that the success of the Labour government lies in having made small improvements to people's lives, by visiting Hain's constituency of Neath, West Glamorgan. Visit to the Neath Port Talbot Hospital, which runs over budget and has trouble recruiting staff; Issues in the community, including the building of a secure young-offenders centre and an electricity power station; Concerns about the environmental consequences of a coal-burning station and about having delinquent youths in the area; Attempts to encourage entrepreneurship; Comments by local people on what the Blair government has done for them; Change in the political weather.

Comments on the Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) arms fair in London, England. Fair which is held during the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks; Tax dollars which pay for the government exhibition; Increase in arms sales because of the international war on terror; Lockheed Martin, BAeSystems and Raytheon who exhibit weapons at the fair; Controversial arms sales to oppressive regimes; Dealers who make illegal sales on the side; Small arms companies with disreputable track records; Protestors who wish the government money was spent on improving the neighborhood where the exhibition is held.

Offers a look at British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Discussion of whether he will be reelected following the loss of public approval during the Iraq War; Opinion of the international community regarding Blair; Statement that Blair needs to differentiate himself and Great Britain from the policies of the United States; Agenda of the marketization of public services; Discussion of those persons who could replace Blair as prime minister including Charles Clarke, Patricia Hewitt and Gordon Brown.

Focuses on the issue of genetically modified (GM) food in Great Britain and two British Labour Party politicians, Elliot Morley and Michael Meacher. Reasons that Morley was selected to replace Meacher as the environment minister for Prime Minister Tony Blair, who supports the GM industry; Discussion of the controversy caused by the European Union decision to block imports of all new bio-engineered crops; Background on Morley, career highlights, and his position on green issues; Opinion that Meacher became a figurehead for the anti-GM movement; Speculation on what Morley's environmental goals will be.

Reports that British Attorney General Lord Goldsmith warned Prime Minister Tony Blair that, without a specific United Nations mandate to do so, attempts at postwar reconstruction in Iraq would be illegal. Details of the document written by Goldsmith following a meeting with Blair on postwar occupation, which Blair appears to have ignored; Limitations placed on occupying powers; Efforts of the British to secure a memorandum of understanding with the United States over occupation strategy.

Discusses the idea that a political alliance forming in Great Britain which is based in the media. View that the coalition of conservatives and their pro-war leftist counterparts have the approval of the Tony Blair government; Discussion of the neo-conservative group, its views on British foreign policy, and how they are similar to a political and moral segment in the United States under the administration of George W. Bush; Opinion that the alliance of Blarites and Bushites are Atlanticists, meaning they believe in the goodness of American power and the free market; The development of the neo-conservative groups; Their roles in influencing British and American governments; Mention of Rupert Murdoch and the power of mass media.

Focuses on the speech given by Great Britain Prime Minister Tony Blair to the British public. View that Blair understands how wars work since he's sent British troops into battle five times; How Blair needs to win the public opinion battle to secure his legacy; Elements needed to secure Blair's legacy including cheering Iraqis, evidence of weapons of mass destruction, and a limit on civilian and allied military casualties; Importance of propaganda in waging this war.

Discusses the views of British International Development Secretary Clare Short on an imminent war with Iraq. Treatment of Short in the British press; Her view that the United States and Britain should continue to consult with the United Nations on further action against Iraq; Her views on the manner in which Prime Minister Tony Blair has handled the crisis; British public opinion of President George W. Bush, which is negative.

Deals with the criticisms of France against the soft stance of Great Britain on the war on terrorism. Accusations against British politicians; Difference between the British and French judicial systems; Comparison of the security strategies of the nations; Background on the conspiracy theories against Great Britain.

Examines the implications of the reliance of western countries, such as Great Britain and the U.S., on autocracies in fighting terrorism. Assessment of the immediate threat of a terrorist strike within Europe; Countries which are potential sources of terrorists; Insights on the U.S. ideologues rejection of the association between terrorism and poverty.

Relates the views of European Trade Union Confederation leader John Monks on the policy of Great Britain concerning the war to be waged by the U.S. against Iraq. Reason why British foreign policy supports the U.S.; Information on the conferences to be attended by British Prime Minister Tony Blair; Speculations on the consequences of British support to an actual war between the U.S. and Iraq.

Discusses the concerns of British Prime Minister Tony Blair regarding the conflict between the U.S. and Iraq. Officials giving Blair advice; Issues on the relation of Blair with the U.S.; Reaction of other European governments.

Discusses the animosity between Great Britain Chancellor Gordon Brown and London, England Mayor England Ken Livingstone. Issue over the management of the London Underground railway; How the animosity began; Effects on the commuters.

In this article the author discusses Israel and Palestine in light of the 2007 Middle East peace talks held in Annapolis, Maryland under the auspices of U.S. president George W. Bush and his secretary of state Condoleezza Rice. Israel cabinet ministers offer opinions on the likely efficacy of the conference. The author suggests that Israelis are too complacent to work for a peace settlement.

In this article the author examines foreign relations as they existed in 2007 between Great Britain and Russia. The attractions of London as a refuge for wealthy Russian expatriates is discussed, the author suggesting that many of the emigres might be criminals. British prosecution of the murder of Alexander Litvinenko is discussed.

The article presents an interview with British member of Parliament Jon Cruddas, who was, in 2007, in a race against several other British politicians to become deputy leader of the Labour Party in a government headed by Gordon Brown. He discusses, among other issues, the importance of reform in the Labour Party, his immigration policies and measures he would institute to improve health care.

The article presents a conversation from the Hay-on-Wye (Wales) literary festival between playwright David Hare and editor John Kampfner on the Iraq War, satire, and Hare's play "Stuff Happens." Hare talks about literary political commentary on Prime Minister Tony Blair's leadership and his involvement in the Iraq War. He discusses the reception of his play "Stuff Happens," about the lead-up to the war.

The article discusses the vast differences between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and notes how the two leaders illustrate the divisions in the modern Left. Tony Blair met with leaders from around Great Britain to discuss reform of the public services. Chávez sat down with Mayor of London Ken Livingstone to talk about poverty reduction.

Reports that the BBC, the organization that took on the government and lost thanks to Lord Hutton and his report, has not been let in from the cold. Importance in the light of license fee negotiations of reestablishing good relationships with ministers; Suggestion that nothing must be done to offend the ministers and that as a result the BBC and its journalists are losing their nerve; Signs of a corporate loss of courage in coverage of both domestic and international issues.

Presents an interview with Patricia Hewitt of the British Parliament. Comments from Hewitt regarding the government's reaction to the terrorist bombings of July 7, 2005; Comments on the how the attacks will affect the British Muslim community; View of Hewitt that the British people would not be any safer had they chose not to participate in the war in Iraq.

Focuses on the work of Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown and the forthcoming Group of 8 summit meeting in Scotland. Review of how Brown is working to raise expectations regarding the results of the summit; Comments from Brown regarding the goals of the meeting and the challenges regarding global poverty and development in Africa; Discussion of Brown's views on American resistance to climate change.