Blow to legal high ban - Politics.co.uk

"In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught" - Hunter S. Thompson View this email in your browser Legal highs, legal lows Problems with the government's proposed psychoactive substances bill continue to stack up. The latest blow to the attempted blanket ban on legal highs comes from an unexpected source - the Home Office's own advisers. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, found that what the legislation intends to do is "impossible" and that "psychoactivity", the very effect the bill is trying to outlaw, "cannot be unequivocally proven".  We also report on comments by Labour London mayoral hopeful Diane Abbott, in which she suggested her party should not select another white, middle-aged man as their mayoral candidate. The comments are at odds with her previous insistence that race should not be a defining factor in the selection.  Finally, we have comment from the chair of the Howard League for Penal Reform on the ongoing scandal of young people taking their lives in prison. Frances Crook writes about what should be done by government and the wider criminal justice system to tackle the problem. Latest Articles     Legal highs bill savaged by home secretary's own advisers   On Jul 03, 2015 11:18 am Even the Home Office's own expert advisers say the bill is trying to do something "impossible" Read more... »   What's in a name? Why the BBC is right to keep using 'Islamic State'   On Jul 02, 2015 11:27 am If the BBC starts calling groups whatever MPs tell it to, it can no longer be called independent or impartial Read more... »       Diane Abbott: London shouldn't have another white, middle-aged man as mayor     On Jul 03, 2015 11:07 am Hackney MP says London's governance does not reflect its diversity Read more... »   Victory for asylum campaigners as fast-track suspended     On Jul 02, 2015 03:10 pm Appeals process found to be unlawful Read more... »   Jeremy Hunt to shame patients with cost of NHS drugs     On Jul 01, 2015 04:25 pm Prescriptions to be labeled with cost and marked 'funded by taxpayers' Read more... »       Time to end the scandal of young people dying in prison   On Jul 03, 2015 08:32 am Harris review into self-inflicted deaths in pr is a challenge to the whole criminal justice system Read more... »   'We have to start from zero': Greeks watch as endgame nears   On Jul 02, 2015 08:50 am On the streets of Athens, Greeks look on in disbelief as they enter a dangerous new period of uncertainty Read more... »   Opinion Former videos   Universities contribute £73 billion a year to the UK economy   On Jun 29, 2015 04:16 pm This animation showcases the many ways in which universities contribute to the UK economy, society, and to people's everyday lives. Read more... » Count us in: Quantitative skills for a new generation   On Jun 25, 2015 08:36 am The ability to understand and interpret data is an essential feature of life in the 21st century: vital for the economy, for our society and for us as individuals. Read more... »   Opinion Formers articles     30 Chambers of Commerce are all backing an expanded Heathrow Those 30 Chambers of Commerce, together representing 40,000 businesses, are all backing an expanded Heathrow. Read more... »   Universities are a vital source of knowledge for policymakers Manchester Policy Blogs offers expert insight, analysis and comment from researchers at The University of Manchester on key public policy issues. Read more... »   Opinion Formers press releases     Solar rooftops and farms prepare to open doors as Britain basks in heatwave As people across much of the country enjoy the heatwave, solar homes, commercial solar rooftops and solar farms across the country are to open their doors tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday as part of Solar Independence Day, the UK's annual celebration of solar. Read more... »   New ABI data shows why age is a factor in the price of car insurance The Association of British Insurers has published new data today* which shows why age is an important factor in deciding premiums for motor insurance policies. Read more... »     Jobs and courses     Postgraduate study: MA International Relations and Global Communications – Manchester Metropolitan University   On May 18, 2015 12:39 pm On this course you will be equipped with a sophisticated understanding of contemporary international relations and key developments in information and communication technologies (ICTs). Read more... »     Facebook Twitter Website Copyright © 2015 Politics.co.uk (Adfero Media Ltd), All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at www.politics.co.uk Our mailing address is: Politics.co.uk (Adfero Media Ltd) 501 Metropolitan Wharf Building 70 Wapping Wall London, E1W 3SS United Kingdom Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences