Scottish First Minister Resigns

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 15 February 2023 > In the News

On 15 February, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced she was resigning after eight years in the post. Like Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’ Prime Minister, less than a month ago, Sturgeon blamed the brutality of political life for her resignation. Nicola Sturgeon has been an MSP (Member of the Scottish Parliament) since the first elections … Continue reading “Scottish First Minister Resigns”

UK’s First British Asian Prime Minister

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 24 October 2022 > In the News

The British Conservative Party has announced that its new leader, will be Rishi Sunak, former Chancellor of the Exchequer. He will become Britain’s third Prime Minister in less than three months. Mr Sunak will succeed Liz Truss, whose Premiership lasted just 45 days, after she replaced Boris Johnson as Prime Minister on 5 September. Ms … Continue reading “UK’s First British Asian Prime Minister”

Bye-bye Boris

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 05 September 2022 > In the News

Boris Johnson learned who would replace him as British Prime Minister on 5 September:  Liz Truss. The change came after Mr Johnson admitted he had lost the faith of his own cabinet and MPs and the Conservative Party held a two-month long election to choose a new leader. It may seem surprising that Britain can … Continue reading “Bye-bye Boris”

Everything You Wanted to Know about Northern Ireland

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 26 May 2022 > What's On

An evening at the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris will provide lots of insights on Northern Ireland, a nation with a still fluctuating identity and status 101 years after its creation. Activist art, thought and song will all combine on 8 June. The Government of Ireland Act that came into force on 3 May 1921, … Continue reading “Everything You Wanted to Know about Northern Ireland”

Scottish Independence Debate Videos

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 19 May 2021 > Webpicks

If you would like to explore the debate around a possible second Scottish independence referendum, IndyRef2, in class, these videos have some useful material. We already featured a Scottish National Party Party Political broadcast from before the 6 May elections in our article. This one was published after the election results. Its message is pretty … Continue reading “Scottish Independence Debate Videos”

100 Years Ago: Northern Ireland Came into Existence

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 13 May 2021 > In the News

1921 has been described as a year of anniversaries in Northern Ireland, marking 100 years since the partition of Ireland which led to the creation of Northern Ireland. But nobody seems sure which dates to mark or celebrate, or indeed if they should be marked at all. A century after the border was created, and in … Continue reading “100 Years Ago: Northern Ireland Came into Existence”

Scottish Independence Back on the Agenda

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 12 May 2021 > In the News

After elections to the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish National Party has emerged the leading party for the fourth consecutive election, achieving just one seat short of a majority in an electoral system specifically designed not to produce overall majorities. The party of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had campaigned on the promise of a new independence … Continue reading “Scottish Independence Back on the Agenda”

Alex Taylor on What it Means to Be British

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 06 February 2020 > What's On

What does it mean to be British, French or European? In the light of Brexit, journalist Alex Taylor will discuss this thorny question in a free talk at the British Council on Thursday 5 March. Taylor is proudly bi-national, bi-cultural and multilingual. A convinced European, he has been reporting on Europe, and Britain, in France … Continue reading “Alex Taylor on What it Means to Be British”

Brexit Day

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 31 January 2020 > In the News

After more than three and a half years, three Prime Ministers and two elections, but with no celebratory ringing of Big Ben, Brexit finally means Brexit. Sort of. While Britain officially leaves the EU at midnight on 31 Jan 2020, it is only to enter a transition period that will last till 31 December. So, … Continue reading “Brexit Day”

Brexit is Back On

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 20 December 2019 > In the News

With the Conservative Party winning an overall majority in the UK Parliament for the first time since 2017, Prime Minister Boris Johnson means to make good on his promise to, “Get Brexit done.” The Conservatives won at least a 78 seat majority on 12 December, with 364 seats,a much more comfortable position than the minority … Continue reading “Brexit is Back On”