Author profile: Tom Pettinger
The Foreign Affairs Select Committee and UK Foreign Policy
The FAC is powerless compared to other committees; although most recommendations are taken on, many are weak and unsubstantial.
Why Do New Democracies Not Choose First Past the Post?
New democracies can achieve their primary objectives of inclusiveness and compromise much more effectively with proportional representation or mixed systems.
Jim Callaghan: A Successful Prime Minister?
Callaghan cannot take the blame for the economic instability he inherited. Callaghan held successes throughout his term in office, inflation fell from 16% and 24% the two previous years before he took office, down to nearly 8% in 1978. Whilst he was successful to an extent, there were clear failings; his premiership is tainted by the decision not to go to the polls in the autumn of 1978, and the IMF crisis which is seen to be a blot on his economic record
