Last week’s shooting in Plymouth heralded a moment of national horror. The worst mass shooting since 2010, Jake Davison’s murder of five others and ultimate suicide rocked the UK, a country where we rarely have to deal with the spectre…
As a second generation immigrant to England, I have had a host of positive experiences when it comes to feeling welcomed and comfortable. I live in London, it’s nice to feel that I am part of a hugely diverse community.…
With all Covid restrictions set to be lifted on 19th July, the Backbench wanted to explore what this might mean for society – in terms of the economy, public health and in terms of the wider political ramifications of this…
In yet another article comprising equal parts codswallop and delusion, the Daily Mail has marked out several ‘no-go areas’ in Britain, where white people apparently cannot venture without risking their safety. The Daily Mail puts this down to the Muslim…
Day however many hundred since that very first lockdown. Times have been pretty turbulent since March 2020, but now it seems that the UK might be turning a corner. The sun is shining (occasionally) and the pubs are open. Bit…
After more than a year spent battling the social, economic and health effects of a pandemic, Britain is tired. Admittedly, that’s a bit of a sweeping statement, but with news of lockdown fatigue and an escalating mental health crisis making…
I have spent the last few days feeling deeply unsettled. Like many people, I can’t stop thinking about what happened to Sarah Everard. My feelings are a mix of sadness, anger, fear and frustration. Ending violence against women is something…
This piece is part of a series exploring 2021’s International Women’s Day theme #ChooseToChallenge. Pieces from Backbench’s editors represent their personal views and not those of Backbench itself. If you would like to get in touch regarding the series or…
Make no mistake: I am not a fan of Carrie Symonds. Equally, this doesn’t mean that I am content to watch idly while legitimate criticism of her is is railroaded through channels of misogynistic fanfare. The news that the Bow…