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Who will oppose a Conservative majority? Steve Barwick counts the ways…

22 May 2017

The opinion polls are narrowing but even allowing for a 3% error margin in Labour’s favour (although historically they have under-recorded Conservative Party support) Theresa May on these figures will secure a majority in the House of Commons. In fact, the Conservatives only need to win 45 seats to have a ‘landslide’ – a total of 375 seats, more than 100 more than all the other political parties put together. The question on everyone’s lips – apart from whether the polls will continue to narrow – is, where will the opposition come from if she is triumphant on June 8^th? Read more

Tactical Voting, the Progressive Alliance and wasted votes

10 May 2017

For most people the Progressive Alliance is an abstract concept at best, consigned to the fringes of party conferences. Not so for the political anoraks among us, particularly those on the left. For many of us it has become an issue of urgent focus since the disappointment of the 2015 general election, and given greater prominence since by senior figures from Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party. Read more

Local Elections in Scotland: Much more than Brexit and the Scottish constitutional question

4 May 2017

Important local government elections are taking place across the UK today.  In Scotland, the results will tell us much about the state of the parties and views on our ever-present constitutional question. Read more

8th June is not the only important election

24 April 2017

Six Metro Mayors, serving ten million people, will be elected on 4th May. Read more

2017 Budget

3 March 2017

This year’s Budget takes place just days before the Prime Minister is expected to trigger Article 50, starting the process of Britain leaving the European Union. Read more

MPs must come clean about who they employ using public money

6 February 2017

This article was first published by The Times Red Box.

Two recent stories have highlighted the lack of transparency and accountability over who politicians employ in their offices. Read more

Schools Week: Three basic guidelines for effective consultation

27 January 2017

Consultation is never a silver bullet to securing planning permission, but it is necessary and de-risks the process, says Louise Page-Jennings. Read more

Connect scoops national award for engagement at party conferences

9 December 2016

Connect Communications has won the prestigious Party Conference Fringe Event of the Year at the Public Affairs Awards 2016 for the Fraud Fringe. Read more

Autumn Statement 2016: Connect’s briefing

17 November 2016

With the fallout from the EU Referendum and Conservative divisions playing out daily in the media and Parliament, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Phillip Hammond is under pressure to use his first Autumn Statement to unite his Party and demonstrate that the Government has a solid plan for the UK’s future outside the EU. Read more

US Election – how the night will unfold for UK viewers

7 November 2016

Most people in the UK will wake up on Wednesday morning to the news of who the new US President is.  This is a short guide for those that can’t wait to find out the result of this dramatic, if at times unedifying, election.  Throughout the night the BBC, ITV and Sky all have election special programmes, and you may be able to access CNN and other channels.  Here is a rough guide to timings of the key moments through the night on Tuesday and into Wednesday morning, shown in UK time.

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