Jane Thomas

Jan 3, 2025 | yorkshirebylines.co.uk | Jane Thomas

Third day of a new year and already it’s time to get the popcorn out. The infighting between Reform UK Ltd and the Conservatives is mirroring what’s happening in America, where MAGA enthusiasts are just waking up to the prospect that Donald Trump might not be the American saviour they thought he’d be. How this will unfold over the coming months is difficult to predict, but one thing’s for sure, divided parties rarely succeed.

Dec 19, 2024 | yorkshirebylines.co.uk | Jane Thomas

In those heady days of a first term Labour government under Tony Blair we believed anything was possible – including a long overdue settlement to what has been called the ‘English question’. “England remains a gaping hole in the devolution settlement. Devolution will not be complete, and the settlement may not be stable, until the English Question has been solved”, mused academic Robert Hazell in his book The English Question.

Dec 12, 2024 | yorkshirebylines.co.uk | Jane Thomas

What is currently happening in the Middle East is a reminder of just how quickly the geopolitical landscape is changing, and how fragile it all is. Israel is inflaming the crisis by expanding its air attacks across Syria and has all but demolished the Syrian navy.

Nov 21, 2024 | yorkshirebylines.co.uk | Jane Thomas

John Prescott who sadly has died today, was one of those great Labour MPs who gave his all to the Labour movement – and to his constituency and his beloved Hull. I got to know, and work with John, through the devolution movement that was gathering pace after Labour were elected in 1997.

Oct 16, 2024 | yorkshirebylines.co.uk | Jane Thomas

For those who missed it, Doncaster is set to be the eye of the storm next year as Reform pledges to target the city in the 2025 elections. Nigel Farage MP, leader of Reform UK Ltd, recently said: “The one we’re going to focus on will be Doncaster next year when the whole of that district is up.”It’s not the first time the right has focused on Doncaster, as both the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and Reform have held conferences there in the last few years.