MagnaCartaPolitics

Billy Merrin, Editor-in-Chief Earlier this month, Prime Minister Kier Starmer announced a new immigration plan to reduce the net migration figures by 2029. Plans include new language requirements, an updated foreign-student visas plan which would allow students to remain in the UK for a maximum of 18 months after they complete their studies and an increased number of 10 years for non-UK nationals to obtain ‘settled status’. This can be seen as a u-turn due to the common interpretation that Labour are more sympathetic to the immigration phenomenon, despite Starmer promising to tackle the immigration numbers in his manifesto promise’s where policy on this matter has been fairly weak up until his announcement this month.  An obvious answer to why Starmer made this announcement was the slaughter his party received at the local elections on May 1st, losing 187 councillors and winning a projected vote share of only 20%. This seems like the Prime Minister’s strategy to fight the looming R...

Zuzana Moscakova, Political Reporter. NHS hospitals across the UK are gaining access to cutting-edge medical technology at an  extraordinary rate, from robotic surgery systems to handheld diagnostic devices. These  innovations are designed to improve patient outcomes, reduce hospital stays, and  streamline treatment. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that many NHS trusts  are struggling to  fully utilise this costly equipment, raising concerns about regional disparities and the effectiveness of current investment strategies. At Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, the Da Vinci Xi surgical robot is being used to perform complex procedures such as hysterectomies with greater precision and faster recovery times. Surgeons report that many patients can return home the same day, helping to reduce bed occupancy and ease pressure on NHS resources. Similarly, Queen’s Hospital in Romford has adopted handheld ultrasound devices, sometimes  dubbe...

Zuzana Moscakova, Political Reporter The UK and EU have signed a new deal to cut trade barriers, speed up travel, and give young people more opportunities. But while many welcome the changes, some worry the UK is giving away too much. Five years after Brexit, this marks a significant step forward in their relationship . Announced  on 19 May 2025, the deal, described as a “reset”, is aimed at reducing trade barriers,  strengthening security collaboration, and improving travel and work opportunities for young  people across both sides of the Channel. One of the most notable parts of the agreement is the extension of fishing rights. Under the  new deal, EU fishing vessels will be allowed to operate in UK waters for another 12 years,  until 2038. In exchange, the EU has agreed to cut back on the checks currently applied to UK  agricultural exports. This change is expected to make it easier and faster for British farmers  and food producers to trade wi...

Billy Merrin, Editor-in-Chief Further debates and amendments have been made in the House of Commons since the first vote on November 29th, when  330 voted for the assisted-dying bill.  Since then, the bill has faced much scrutiny by members of the public and parliamentary committees as it has continued to split the house over the issue. Most recently, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has raised a motion that medical staff and social care workers will not have any duty to participate in the assisted dying process. Leadbeater stated, "If we do not vote to change the law, we are essentially saying that the status quo is acceptable." Members of Parliament continue to have a free vote on the subject as party leaders have not restricted their members from voting a certain way. This has led to a difference of opinion between MPs. Rebecca Paul (a Conservative MP) has made clear her opposition to proposition of assisted-dying and has argued for better end-of-life care instead of said bill...

Zuzana Moscakova, Political Reporter. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled a new immigration policy that promises  to tighten borders and focus on integration, but will it strike the right balance  between security and the needs of the economy? In May 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a major immigration policy to reshape  how the UK handles migration. The plan focuses on stronger border controls, better long-term  integration, and tighter limits on who can enter and stay. While it aims to keep the UK open  and secure, the tougher rules have sparked debate, and many are now questioning whether this is  the right path forward. The Key Points of Starmer's New Immigration Policy 1. Longer Path to Residency Starmer’s policy changes the residency timeline for migrants, extending the period before  they can apply for permanent residency from five to ten years. To qualify, migrants must  show they've made noticeable contributions to the UK, ...

Zuzana Moscakova, Political Reporter The United Kingdom and the United States have recently announced a new trade agreement,  aiming to ease some of the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. While Trump  described the deal as "full and comprehensive." UK officials clarified that it primarily focuses  on specific sectors, such as British Steel, aluminium, and cars. The agreement seeks to reduce  the 25% U.S. import tax on these goods, offering relief to key British industries. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been actively working to protect UK industries from the  impact of these tariffs. He emphasised the importance of maintaining fair and balanced trade  relations with the US, highlighting that both countries have significant investments in each  other's economies, creating over 2.5 million jobs across both nations. The trade deal also includes discussions on future collaboration in advanced technologies,  such as artificial intelligence and...

Billy Merrin, Editor-in-Chief The last few years have been tough for the Tories. Constant drops in the polls and catastrophic election defeats that don't seem like a one-off, with them losing 647 councillors at the local elections last Thursday. So, where does the party go from here? How does it win back so many lifelong Conservative voters that they have seemingly lost to Reform UK? Well, some Tories suggest changes in leadership due to the lack of revival, combined with the disappointing local elections. However, would this really push a position reaction in the poles? Rumours of Boris Johnson's return due to his charisma with voters, but would this increase Tory fortunes and have the electorate forgiven him for the partygate scandal during COVID? Well, one poll suggests Johnson is the only leader who can overtake Reform's current popularity.  One way of looking at this as this is the current Reform popularity that could change either way, now they have greater responsi...

Gurleen Kaur, Research Advisor Centre for Politics and International Relations, ICHRPP There is now a near-universal consensus that all individuals are entitled to certain basic rights under any  circumstances. These include certain civil liberties and political rights, the most fundamental of which is the right  to life and physical safety. Human rights are the articulation of the need for justice, tolerance, mutual respect, and  human dignity. Speaking of rights allows us to express the idea that all individuals are part of  the scope of morality and justice. To protect human rights is to ensure that people receive some degree of decent,  humane treatment. On the other hand, to violate the most basic human rights is to deny individuals their  fundamental moral entitlements. It is, in a sense, to treat them as if they are less than human and undeserving of  respect and dignity. Examples are acts typically deemed "crimes against humanity," including ge...