Democracy At Some Point

In this podcast, Steve Haynes and I discuss the local election results. We discuss whether General Petraeus is behind the UKIP surge, what David Cameron’s fruitcake policy should be, and whether the Tories (and voters) could benefit by changing the voting system. We also applaud the Electoral Reform Society for their marvellous campaign into Rotten Boroughs. Mainly though, this podcast is Steve going into full soapbox-cum-West-Wing-inspirational-speech mode when talking about how to combat UKIP, and Cory making lots of silly jokes. Hope you enjoy it!

Former Prime Ministers have been in the news this week. Yep, Tony Blair has written for the New Statesman. In this podcast we discuss the legacy of Margaret Thatcher. Cory calls her a very dangerous moderate in a remark that will undoubtedly be taken out of context in the future. Also, Steve tries to remain ambivalent and instead wonders why people don't hate Eden more than Thatcher. As is custom, we also finish on a song.

A re-uploading of our Eastleigh podcast which was cut short because of technical issues. More gremlins. *shakes fist*

A hopefully complete version of our previous podcast on referendums which was cut short because of gremlins.

In this week's podcast we talk about the Eastleigh by-election. We discuss the campaign, what the Tories should do (and what they will actually do) and whether the result heralds the death of the two-party system.  Hope you enjoy it!

In this first podcast of 2013 (better late than never) we talk about the tedious referendums that are coming up in the next few years. We talk about the EU, Scotland, whether Parliament is too middle class, and our angry backbencher of the week is very angry about "The Jews". Hope you enjoy it!

Due to technical issues (i.e. being away from the internet for three weeks) this is a podcast recorded in early December about the Leveson inquiry. We talk about the report, what its recommendations are and their political implications. Democracy at some point wishes everyone a wonderful holiday period and a 2013 filled with fun, frolics and democratic reform.

It's a special podcast from the ERS AGM. We interviewed staff and activists from both Unlock Democracy and the Electoral Reform Society about the AGMs and the democratic reform movement's plans for 2013 and beyond. Featuring (in order of appearance): James Graham, Campaigns and Communications Manager of Unlock Democracy Chris Carrigan, member of Council for the ERS and UD. Chris Terry, Research Officer for the Electoral Reform Society John Strafford of Conservatives for Electoral Reform Darren Hughes, Director of Campaigns and Research for the Electoral Reform Society Benjamin Lille and Crispin Mount, both members of the ERS Council Hope you enjoy it!

In this podcast we focus on events across the pond in a US election special. We talk about democratic reform issues about the US election, such as the electoral system and party funding, Steve discusses his love of Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson, and our special guest waxes lyrical about Barack Obama. We also say nice things about Mitt Romney's hair, and make some predictions about the Senate, the Presidency and the popular vote. Hope you like it!

In this episode we talk all about coalition politics. We discuss how the coalition might break up in 2015, the prospects of coalitions after 2015, and which comes first: the egg of pluralism or the chicken of proportional representation. Hope you like it!

In this episode we talk about democracy in Europe. After our day at UKIP conference, we talk about their election chances and also about the prospects of a referendum on Europe. We also discuss the Swiss style of referendums and changes to EU party funding laws, where we both agree that even fascists are allowed freedoms. Finally, Steve continues to troll everyone in the democratic reform movement by arguing that UKIP is a progressive organisation whislst the EU is not. Hope you enjoy it!

It's episode number 5 for us here at Democracy At Some Point towers. We preview party conference season on the podcast this week. The Green Party is one party that have already had their conference, and we talk about it, and their new leader. We also discuss the TUC conference's call to consider holding a general strike, and decide that it probably isn't a very good idea. As well as discussing more Tory discontent with David Cameron, we talk about how party conferences can be opened up to the general public. Hope you enjoy it!

In this podcast we discuss everything about the reshuffle you wanted to know but couldn't be bothered to ask. We decide it was more of a Night of the Pointy Sticks, rather than a Night of the Long Knives. We also welcome Democracy 2015 to the democratic reform fold and discuss how successful their aims might be. This podcast also features a musical tribute to David Laws, a bluegrass Political Top of the Pops and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, which you will only hear if you listen to the end of this podcast. Hope you enjoy it!

In this edition, the Blairite zombies take over the podcast! We discuss whether "Make Up and Make Love With Me" by Ian Dury is Julian Assange's favourite song, whether the democratic reform changes have more fudge in them than in a high-class bakery, and whether Labour actually needs to have any policies before the next election.

Democracy at Some Point Episode 1