Anglican Church sets its sights on predatory lenders
But the Church of England initiative to drive payday lenders out of business is drawing scrutiny to its own investments.
Ben Quinn
As Britain’s military shrinks, US concerns grow
By Ben Quinn
The US has long relied on UK military support in foreign campaigns. But can that last much longer?
English Defence League back in the limelight after Woolwich murder
By Ben Quinn
The killing of a British soldier last month by professed Muslim extremists has given new life to the anti-Islam EDL. But experts say the group’s rejuvenation will only go so far.
UK ‘Tea Party’ surges, pressuring Tories and Cameron
By Ben Quinn
Prime Minister David Cameron’s right flank is being exposed by a surging United Kingdom Independent Party demanding lower taxes — and a British withdrawal from the European Union.
Bangladesh’s factory woes force a rethink in Britain fashion retailers
By Ben Quinn
Tragedies in Bangladesh, including a deadly fire last night in Dhaka, have given new momentum to British campaigns to improve conditions at foreign factories that supply domestic retailers.
Does Cameron’s decision not to apologize for 1919 massacre really matter?
By Ben Quinn
During his visit to India, the UK prime minister paid his condolences to the hundreds of civilians killed at Amritsar by British troops, but he did not make an official apology.
Does Tory opposition to gay marriage signal a UK ‘culture war’?
By Ben Quinn
More than 100 Conservative MPs voted against the gay marriage bill backed by Prime Minister David Cameron, but support from Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs carried the vote.
Should we stay or go? Cameron pledges British referendum on EU
By Ben Quinn
Britain’s prime minister declared himself in favor of an up-or-down referendum on whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union.
Could Britain move away from EU and toward the Commonwealth?
By Ben Quinn
Some Conservatives are pushing for greater ties with the British Commonwealth, which includes Canada and India.
Britain debates: What should European welfare look like?
By Ben Quinn
The debate in Parliament, which today passed a measure to temporarily cap most welfare benefits, is part of a larger debate in Europe over how to handle welfare amid the debt crisis.
Tabloid breakup? Cameron and Clegg on the skids
By Ben Quinn
David Cameron and Nick Clegg, the leaders of Britain’s two-party coalition government, are at odds over the changes to Britain’s press regulation system recommended by Lord Leveson.
BBC news scandal: How big of a threat to British journalism?
By Ben Quinn
The BBC’s director general has resigned after a two part scandal at the British Broadcasting Corporation – one of which wrongly implicated a member of Britain’s Conservative Party as a child molester.
NATO members need to step up, says UK defense minister
By Ben Quinn
Philip Hammond said that Europe needs to take greater responsibility for its own security and be ready to act abroad. But NATO will have to become more efficient first, he warned.
Will BBC have to sacrifice its independence over Savile scandal?
By Ben Quinn
Rocked by accusations it sat on an investigation alleging that former star presenter Jimmy Savile was a serial sexual offender, the BBC is seeing close scrutiny of its much-valued independence.
With shakeup, British government runs to the right
By Ben Quinn
British Conservative leader David Cameron’s cabinet changes are not expected to threaten the coalition’s stability, but some Liberal Democrats are wary of its policy implications.
China, hard times spur vigorous new push to expand Heathrow
By Ben Quinn
Britain’s Conservative Party wants to kickstart the economy and provide more routes to China. But Prime Minister Cameron’s own coalition partners — and many environmentalists — are pushing back.
Prospect of new wave of austerity looms over Britain
By Ben Quinn
New data show Britain’s tax receipts down and government borrowing up in July, prompting criticism that Cameron’s Conservative government is doing ‘too little, too slowly’ to engineer an economic recovery.
