Conservative victory in Britain
David Cameron surprised pollsters and the public by winning a second term as British prime minister on May 7. Conservative Cameron’s surprise victory brought the Conservative party to 331 seats in British Parliament, surpassing the 323 needed to form a majority government. Prior to the election, polls predicted a close race between the Conservative and Labor parties, with neither expected to win a majority, according to the New York Times.
This election is one of a trend of conservative victories throughout the world. As Associate Professor of Political Science Andrew Roberts explained, notwithstanding consistently liberal talk in the media and universities, when left to their own conscience, perhaps people seem to be seeking more conservative, less progressive, values and economic policy.
“When people go into the secrecy of the booth, then their real opinions come out," said Roberts. "We could have something similar in some places in the U.S., like say Northwestern, where most people are liberal and people don’t want to say if they’re conservative.”
People put a lot of faith in the polls, and a question that may arise from this is whether there are similar trends in the U.S. and why polling may no longer be a good indicator, Roberts said.
Politics of the Iranian deal, continued
Earlier this month the Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill that would require Congressional oversight of the Iran nuclear deal that was announced in April. The deal would lift a number of sanctions imposed on Iran in exchange for Iran limiting their nuclear program. Many Senators were upset that the bill was rushed to a vote and some of their proposed amendments were left out of the final draft of the bill.
President Obama at first opposed the bill, but due to overwhelming support for it, switched sides. The bill calls for President Obama to send the final accord and any classified material to Congress. Congress would have 30 days to review and approve the bill and the administration would have to withhold on lifting any congressionally imposed sanctions until the 30 days are over. President Obama would be able to get a deal however after the review period. The bill will soon make its way to the House of Representatives.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership: Bipartisanship in the global economy
The TPP is an international trade agreement pending approval from the U.S. Congress. The U.S. is negotiating with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam to pass an agreement that would increase free trade with nations in the Asian-Pacific region.
The plan aims to boost the domestic economy by targeting nations that represent the highest export market. According to the President, this deal will increase exports and support American jobs.
However, most Democrats disagree. As Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) spearheads the fight against the TPP, many organizations claim that the deal is detrimental for domestic workers. Consumer rights advocacy group Public Citizen argues that the agreement would increase job loss and deficits and decrease workers’ wages.
President Obama looks to fast track the deal, against the will of many of his fellow Democrats. According to Senator Mitch McConnell, the deal is expected to pass this week.