Latest updates

  • Conservative election: "End toxic campaign culture" says Compassion in Politics

    July 19, 2022

    Ahead of the results of the latest round of voting in the Conservative Party leadership election, Compassion in Politics has called on the remaining candidates to end the infighting and antagonism. 

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  • New report reveals culture of working life for MPs and their staff

    May 25, 2022

    Staff and MPs are working in a culture of excessive pressure and conflict which is damaging their mental health according to the initial findings of a new report into working life in politics.

    The Compassion in Politics and Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) study also found that the staff of MPs frequently feel unsafe when performing their role in public - such as at an event or in an MP’s constituency.

    The research, which was commissioned by the All-Party Group for Compassionate Politics (APPG) and carried out with the support of the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle, is based on the results of a survey of MPs and their staff carried out in late 2021.

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  • Ukraine: the psychology and emotion of conflict

    March 23, 2022

    Together with the All-Party Group for Compassionate Politics we hosted a fascinating discussion on Ukraine and the psychology and emotion of conflict. 

    We joined by experts in the field Prof Paul Gilbert (Compassionate Mind Foundation and University of Derby) and Dr Claire Yorke (Centre for War Studies, University of Southern Denmark). Paul and Claire looked at:

    • What can psychology teach us about how best to approach and de-escalate conflict?
    • How do individuals like Putin rise to power?
    • How do we, in the future, create a more peaceful world?

  • Compassion in Politics submission to Standards inquiry

    February 14, 2022

    Compassion in Politics has submitted a formal response to the Committee on Standards inquiry into parliamentarian's Code of Conduct.

    The Committee is taking views on the contents of the code and methods for ensuring that it is upheld.

    The Code provides a guide for parliamentarian's behaviour and sets the rules on a range of issues including acceptance of donations, second jobs, and expenses.

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  • Compassion in Politics responds to the publication of Sue Gray's report into Downing Street parties

    January 31, 2022

    Responding to the publication of Sue Gray’s investigation into the parties at Downing Street during Covid lockdowns, Co-Director of Compassion in Politics Jennifer Nadel said:

    “Gray's report must be the lightening-rod that sparks a complete renewal of the culture, values, and standards in our politics.

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  • Compassionate leadership: a global perspective

    January 19, 2022

    Compassion in Politics is extremely proud to now have branches across the world. In this first joint event with our international friends, we looked at how different leaders across the world have chosen to respond to the Covid pandemic - and what that tells us about the psychology of leadership and the structures and culture that allow certain kinds of leaders to thrive.

    With:

    - Dr Claire Yorke (keynote). Author and academic on the subject of empathy and politics.

    - Cristiano Ramalho, Compassion in Politics Brazil

    - Pablo Zitto Soria, Compassion in Politics Argentina

    - Mira Borggreen, Compassion in Politics Denmark

    - Matt Hawkins, Compassion in Politics UK

    https://youtu.be/NxPtwrez9t4 

  • Statement from Compassion in Politics on Downing Street parties

    January 13, 2022

    Jennifer Nadel, Co-Director of Compassion in Politics, said:

    "That officials and Ministers deemed it acceptable to organise parties during a national lockdown, sought to cover them up, and lied about their occurrence demonstrates that our politics has completely lost its moral compass. The public are understandably feeling dejected, dispirited, and utterly disrespected by this latest episode in a long-running saga of unethical behaviour.

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