SubscriptionsColumn / Investigation: Crypto Politics
Dark money, lobbying, regulatory capture, state institutions hollowed by donor factions, foreign interference, and the financialisation of political power.
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Boris Johnson and Poland’s Prime Minister Find ‘Common Cause’ in European Justice Row
The call between Johnson and Prime Minister Mateus Morawiecki noted shared troubles with the European Court of Justice, prompting worries about threats to judicial independence in both nations
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At the Crossroads of Freedom
Sian Norris speaks to Professor Lea Ypi and reflects on the threats to freedom and democracy hanging over Europe – and their historical roots
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The Meta Narrative: How Zuckerberg Just Won’t Listen
The Facebook boss’ response to damning revelations about the social media platform has been to go full Orwellian, says Kyle Taylor
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Big COVID Management Consultancy Winners Fined £101 Million Since 2010
Firms that have won large Coronavirus contracts have paid millions of pounds in fines from Government regulatory bodies in the past decade
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Empty Shelves and Driver Shortages are Important – But So are the Disabled People Left Without Carers
The effect on the lives of disabled people of care workers reluctant to come from abroad, and a shortfall of those joining the profession in the UK, is being unsurprisingly ignored, says Penny Pepper
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Lord Bethell’s Summit with Private Health Interests Over NHS Reforms
The Government has revealed the record of a private meeting between a health minister and various corporate entities, though the details are disputed
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Unreal People in a Hyperreal World: The Empty Rich of Succession
Mic Wright unpicks the attraction by repulsion of the hit HBO/Sky Atlantic drama, partly inspired by the Murdochs, but wonders whether it gives solace to the super-rich
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A Winter of Discontent? Maybe. A Frozen Government for Sure
Peter Jukes looks at the differences between the crises of the 1970s and the current state of Brexit Britain – and finds some surprising but chilling echoes
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Vets Receive the Brexit Treatment
Stephen Delahunty explores how Britain’s departure from the EU is increasing the demand for vets, while their numbers fall
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Embezzlement Allegations Cast Shadow Over Aquind Energy Project
As Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is due to make his decision on the controversial subsea power interconnector, Patrick Elliot looks at the possible roads ahead
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Boris Johnson and the Lebedevs: A Funny Peculiar Friendship
John Sweeney assesses the relationship between the British Prime Minister and the newspaper baron Lord Lebedev, in the light of an Italian intelligence report about his father
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A Pig’s Ear? Brexit Christmas Chaos and a Confused Immigration Policy
Pork butchers were already welcome to the UK on the Government’s new Skilled Workers Route, as it launches a short-term scheme for butchers on seasonal workers visas
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Government Awards £12.4 Million Funding to Firm Owned by Tory Donor to Develop Flying Taxis
Significant amounts of public money have been invested in the company, yet the Government hasn’t declared any conflicts of interest, reveals Sam Bright
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Trojan Horse Legislation: Turning the NHS into a $28bn Profit Opportunity
The 99% Organisation reveals how ministers could use the Health & Care Bill to transform the NHS into something like the US healthcare system
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Taking Jobs or Creating Jobs? The Impact of Brexit on Wages
Jonathan Portes analyses Boris Johnson’s claim that curbing immigration should lead to a “high productivity, high wage” economy
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‘Us and Them’ Politics Puts Us All in Danger
The more we are wound up through a divisive politics of polarisation, the less safe we all ultimately are, says Hardeep Matharu
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Brexit Forever: The Northern Ireland Protocol and the Government’s Brexit Addiction
David Frost’s speech on the Northern Ireland Protocol, and Dominic Cummings’ shocking revelations on Twitter, showed that the UK is playing the same old games over Brexit, says Mike Buckley
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How Vulnerable Children Become an Investment Opportunity
The growth of private sector involvement in the children’s social care sector has led to big profits for investors, while a crisis of poverty and inequality brings more vulnerable children into the ‘market’
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Facebook’s Big Lie is Finally Being Exposed
Kyle Taylor puts the social media platform’s recent scandals into context and argues that the House of Zuckerberg is slowly crumbling
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Conservative Donors, Turning Point USA and the US Capitol Attack
A man charged with assaulting police officers in Washington D.C. on 6 January arrived at the riot on a bus organised by Turning Point USA. Sian Norris explores the transatlantic background of the youth conservative group
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£121.7 Million Increase in Profits for COVID Contract Winners With Conservative Links
Twelve COVID-contract winning firms with ties to the Conservative Party have increased their profits by 57.1%, Byline Times and The Citizens reveal
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The Far-Right’s Corruption Paradox
Sian Norris explores why populist and far-right leaders win on anti-corruption platforms only to be accused of exploiting their positions for personal gain
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The BBC Has an Institutional Culture of Brexit Self-Censorship
Former BBC producer Patrick Howse explores why the broadcaster is unwilling to speak truth to power over Brexit
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A Turning Tide? Johnson’s Campaign to Turn Two Fingers Up at Business Continues
Mike Buckley reflects on the Prime Minister’s attempts to distract from the economic plague that the Government has inflicted on the nation
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Brexit is to Blame for Lorry Driver Shortages, Voters Say
In an exclusive poll commissioned by Byline Times, voters revealed their views about the current HGV crisis, Brexit, the Government’s flagship ‘levelling up’ policy, Boris Johnson, and tax rises
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Britain’s Brexit Crises: On the Road to Perdition
Richard Barfield explains how long-term solutions will be required to reverse the labour shortages being experienced by the UK in the wake of EU workers returning to the continent
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Fixing A Chaotic State: How Should Labour Tackle Brexit?
The ‘B’ word is Labour’s elephant in the room. Mike Buckley considers how the party could finally turn it into a vote-winner
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Labour Should be Talking More About the Problems Caused by Brexit, Voters Say
Byline Times exclusively polled voters about the Labour conference, Brexit, the fuel crisis, and the ongoing ‘Corbyn versus Blair’ debate
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Risk of Price Hikes Will Continue Without EU-UK Energy Deal, Expert Warns
Sam Bright speaks to a former EU energy chief about the problems posed by Brexit
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‘Project Fear’ is ‘Project Here’: UK Supply Chains Seize-Up Due to Anti-Immigration Politics
The Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink explains how a hard Brexit caused the current crisis, with the lowest stocks in shops and warehouses since records began
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The Brexit Tax: How Boris Johnson Broke his Promise on Energy Prices
In May 2016, the future Prime Minister promised that fuel bills would be slashed after Brexit – Sam Bright explores why the opposite has occurred
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Murdoch and Morgan: The Reunion From Hell
Mic Wright unpicks the announcement of a new right-wing, Rupert Murdoch television station in the UK – and how it may have spotted a gap in the market following events at a certain beleaguered anti-woke news channel
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Corporate Takeover: NHS Spending on Private Sector is Up But Positive Patient Outcomes Are Down
In the second part of her investigative series on corporate interests in the NHS, Sian Norris explores how private sector NHS spending has increased – but so have waiting lists, staff vacancies, and patient dissatisfaction
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Polish Foreign Minister with History of Homophobic Remarks Addresses Polish-British Forum
The Belvedere Forum invited Zbigniew Rau to speak alongside UK politicians, despite him referring to LGBTIQ rights as creating a “civilisation of death”
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Poorly Pooches Abandoned by Brexit
David Hencke reports on the national vets shortage, caused by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the Coronavirus crisis and a rise in the number of people buying pets
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72% of Voters are Against the Award of Peerages and Honours Following Political Donations, Poll Commissioned by Byline Times Finds
Exclusive polling with independent research company Omnisis reveals that the public are generally disapproving of political donors receiving rewards and access after parting with their cash – with Conservative voters more concerned than Labour
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Political Capture: How Donations Made in the Shadows are Putting Democracy in Danger
An investigation by the Byline Intelligence Team and The Citizens, revealing the profiles of Conservative Party backers in the UK, has exposed how a lack of transparency and the culture of political donations is putting British democracy at risk
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The Great Social Care Gold Rush: How Hedge Funds and Private Investors are Distorting the ‘Market’ of People in Need
Katharine Quarmby and Sian Norris dig into the story behind the funding of the social care system, asking: who will benefit from the extra cash?
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Mandatory Voter ID: The Cost to Taxpayers – and Democracy
The Government’s assessment of how much its proposals to make everyone show ID in order to vote at polling stations will cost represents its ‘staggeringly warped priorities’, according to campaigners
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As Healthcare Data Breaches Mount, How Secure are Digital IDs?
Kiki Woods explores the potential flaws in plans for digital ID systems based on the supposed safe storage of our most sensitive data
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The View From The Rock: Brexit in Gibraltar
Since the EU Referendum, remain-voting Gibraltar has faced uncertainty, food shortages and ignorance – and people in the territory are doubtful that this will change
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‘A Party Within A Party’: Calls for Investigation into European Research Group, Paid Quarter of a Million in Taxpayer Cash Since Brexit
Byline Times reveals the membership and ministerial backing of the powerful group of ‘hard Brexit’ Conservative MPs
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Brexit and the Economy: The Story So Far
Jonathan Portes delves into the data on the economic performance of the UK after its exit from the EU’s single market and customs union on 1 January and assesses the real-world impact of these new trade barriers
