Politics news

Canadian flag and ballot box

“The ‘Trump effect’ led Canadians to choose continuity over change, and technocracy over populism” – expert comments on why Canadians chose Liberal

After the Liberal party’s stunning political turnaround in the 2025 Canadian Election earlier this week, politics and international relations expert, Dr Chris Zebrowski, comments on what swayed the Canadian public towards government newcomer, Mark Carney.

The word 'English' in the dictionary

“Speak English!” Has Donald Trump weaponised English by making it the official language of the United States?

President Trump’s recent executive order, Designating English as the Official Language of the United States, declares that "it is in America’s best interest for the Federal Government to designate one - and only one – official language.”
close up of person using a wheelchair

“Disabled people are already financially disadvantaged – health-related benefits are essential to many that receive them" - Living standards expert explains the implications of planned welfare cuts

The government has now confirmed their plans, unveiled last week (18 March), to deliver £4.8 billion in savings by making changes to the welfare system. These changes are presented as the largest reform to the country’s welfare system for a generation.
Turkish flag being held up in crowd

Turkey: a favourable international climate is spurring Erdoğan’s crackdown on democracy

The Turkish judiciary has finally succeeded in sidelining Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, at the fourth attempt. On the morning of March 19, the 53-year-old posted a video on social media announcing that police had arrived at his home to arrest him on charges of corruption, aiding a terrorist organisation and organised crime.
The Capitol building in the US

The Trump revolution: where it came from and where it’s going

As Donald Trump prepares for his inauguration, the world is preparing for the beginning of the second Trump Revolution. Trump’s second term will be very different from his first, when his powers were more limited and restrained. In 2016 he did not win a majority of the popular vote.
Fighters flying the Syrian flag

Syria: fall of Assad a blow for Iran’s ‘Shia crescent’ – here are its foreign policy options in the new-look Middle East

When Hafez al-Assad, an Alawite minority member, seized control of the Ba'ath Party in Syria in 1970, he faced a significant backlash. The Syrian Constitution stipulated that only Muslims could hold the presidency, and the Alawites were deemed non-Muslim by many Sunni groups.
Small cubes with the H for hydrogen symbol on

Budget 2024 is a positive step towards achieving NetZero, says Loughborough expert

Loughborough University academics have reacted to Rachel Reeves’ 2024 Budget welcoming her plans for green growth.
A blue globe with lines going around it, you can see different countries on the globe with lights making them look active

UK science secretary warns Britain is “desperately exposed” to cyber threats - researcher reacts

The UK science secretary has warned Britain is “desperately exposed” to cyber threats and the upheaval of another pandemic, and claims national resilience suffered “catastrophically” under the previous government.

A television set featuring a Union Jack flag.

What have we learnt from the ‘media’ election?

The 2024 General Election media campaign has been dominated by talk of taxation, the electoral process, scandal and sleaze.
A man in a suit has his hands ready to pick up a miniature television set.

‘Standards, corruption, scandals and sleaze’ dominate in week four of the election campaign

The betting scandal and Labour’s trans rights fall out with JK Rowling saw a change in this week’s top 10 issues covered by the media.
A male politician in a suit is stood at a lecturn in front of the Union Jack flag

Real-time General Election media analysis: ‘Mansplaining’ dominates the media election

‘Mansplaining’ has dominated the Media Election so far, with male voices and opinions being front and centre in political party coverage.
A newspaper being printed

Why legacy media brands still matter in the UK’s ‘social media election’

For decades, the front pages of newspapers have documented iconic campaign moments. Now, many think that the internet (particularly social media platforms) is where an election is won or lost. Some have even dubbed this year’s general election the “TikTok election”.
A selection of newspapers, stacked together.

Real-time General Election media analysis: Conservatives dominate press and TV coverage in week two of campaign – thanks to Sunak’s D-Day gaffe

Collectively the press has taken “a plague on both your houses” approach during the election campaign so far, but this week it is the Conservatives, not Labour, who have received more negative newspaper headlines.
A man is interviewed by members of the media holding microphones

Election media analysis shows Starmer securing more press and TV coverage than Sunak – with Farage third

As in previous elections, it remained a two-horse race for press and broadcast coverage in the first week of the 2024 General Election, with the Conservatives and Labour dominating.
A teddy bear on a bed

New research highlights child poverty as critical election issue

A staggering two-thirds (66%) of new constituencies for the General Election have at least a quarter of children living in poverty, reveals a new study by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition.

An Election Candidate on a podium with election program surrounded by reporters and cameramen. Silhouette of people.

General Election 2024: Discover what’s making the media headlines

A real time analysis of General Election media coverage by Loughborough University is lifting the lid on what press exposure the political parties, their policies and MPs are securing each week.
doctor with covid vaccine and syringe

People who hold populist beliefs are more likely to believe misinformation about COVID – new report

Over a fifth of Americans and Poles surveyed believed that COVID-19 vaccines can change people’s DNA.
A mobile phone with the words Fake News on the screen

Election disinformation: how AI-powered bots work and how you can protect yourself from their influence

Social media platforms have become more than mere tools for communication. They’ve evolved into bustling arenas where truth and falsehood collide.
Scottish parliament building

New ‘Cost of a Child in Scotland’ research published ahead of final vote on Scottish Budget finds costs are still outstripping additional Holyrood support for families

A new report published today has found a huge gap remains between the cost of raising a child in Scotland and actual family incomes, despite the significant impact of Scottish government policies and lower childcare costs.

How Europe’s authoritarian populists maintain the illusion of a free press

Authoritarian leaders might be good at damaging democracy, but unless they are pure dictators they often still need to worry about winning elections. In the last few years, Europe has seen the rise of a number of authoritarian populists who rely on winning mass support among ordinary people – as opposed to just rigging the vote.

How populism interfered with science communication during Covid – new study

“I don’t wear masks like him,” said Donald Trump of presidential candidate Joe Biden in 2020. “Every time you see him, he’s got a mask. He could be speaking 200ft away from them, and he shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen.”

How Erdoğan framed his science and tech ‘great achievements’ as part of election campaign

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has ruled Turkey for the last 21 years. In the first few terms of his rule, Turkey experienced significant economic growth and a reduction in inequality. This was widely believed to be a reason for Erdoğan’s long-term popularity.

The Diplomat: Netflix show suggests the US-UK special relationship needs some TLC

Netflix’s new political drama, The Diplomat, is focused on the trials and tribulations of Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), a new American ambassador to Britain. It begins with a deadly attack on a British aircraft carrier and then follows the twists and turns of a joint US and UK attempt to find the culprits.

How racism and inequality affect even ‘desirable’ EU migrants in the UK

"Everyone knows Italy, as soon as you come here they’ll be like, 'Oh Italian, cool! I’ve been there,' so it’s a way of chatting, breaking ice […] but I don‘t know if it’s the same for other foreigners. Like my friend from Bulgaria, if she says, 'I’m from Bulgaria,' people are like, '[silence] I’ve never been there.'"
(L-R) Jane Hunt MP, Stuart Andrew MP, Professor Mark Lewis, Professor Nick Jennings, Brett Gosper (Head of Europe & UK for the NFL), Professor Andy Harland.

Minister for Sport Stuart Andrew MP visits NFL Academy at Loughborough

Stuart Andrew MP – Minister for Sport, Tourism and Civil Society – visited both Loughborough University and Loughborough College on Thursday 19 January to see first-hand the positive impact the National Football League (NFL) Academy is having on the region.