Financially Liable for the Ecological Damage - Essay Example

Damage to the Florida coast could reach the 3 billion pound mark before the well-head is capped sometime next week.

Officially there has been no comment from Gordon Brown’s ruling Labour Party or the Conservative Party.

The UK green party has called for a full inquiry into BP’s overseas work practices.
Caroline Lucas leader of the Greens said: “This is another example of the live-and-let-live approach we have come to expect from the major parties in Britain”.

Greenpeace has claimed that a lack of Government support has led to oil-dependent companies like BP spending little on research into alternative fuels. A Greenpeace spokesperson said: “Under its current chief Tony Hayward the company is pouring $19bn into developing its oil and gas business, compared with less than $1bn on all forms of renewable technologies”.

With the UK election this week, it is unlikely that either of the major parties will address the matter of taxpayer-funded compensation until next week.

Story Two: Regional.

Court selected for accurate records. Opinion pieces are chosen specifically for the strength of the opinion. While this is not specifically a ‘political’ issue by itself, combined with the EU’s call for a revision of child protection laws in Britain the issue has been politicized.

Public opinion supports the court's decision to acquit a UK teacher.

Comment on news feeds throughout Britain and abroad almost universally supports the Court's decision to acquit Mansfield teacher Peter Harvey of attempted murder this week.

Harvey was accused of attempting to murder one of his students with a dumbbell last year when a classroom prank went out of control.

Upon acquitting Harvey of the charge Judge Michael Stokes QC said: "Common sense has prevailed now we have heard all the evidence."

Harvey admitted to the charge of Grievous Bodily Harm and will most likely receive time served having spent eight months in remand awaiting trial.

Public news forums almost universally applauded the decision. ‘Thomas’ on Yahoo News called students today ‘brats’ saying: I don't blame the teacher for losing it. The fault is with parents who can't parent”.

‘Jellieso’ from the news site ‘Digital Spy’ was also pleased with the verdict saying that: “Common sense rules for once”, a sentiment echoed by another forum user; “Excellent result. Even the judge was surprised that a prosecution had been brought against this man”.

Support also flowed onto the social networking site Facebook with thousands of messages of support directed towards the Nottingham teacher.

Not all agreed though. ‘Samuel’ from Yahoo said: “This is the country with mad cow disease, guess the judge eat too much meat (sic)”. But most sentiments agreed with ‘Gareth56’ from Digital Spy: “It's about time school kids (and all kids in general) knew their place”.

The discussion over corporal punishment comes at a time when Britain once again comes under pressure from the European Union to reform its child protection laws. Unlike most of the EU British parents are still allowed to physically punish their children ‘within reason’.


Story Three: Local

Accurate housing figures were obtained from the above government and organizational websites. The story selected is similar to the one written below concerning house prices and the national election in the local area. Quotes are taken from BBC.

Cheaper homes wanted for South Devon

Local candidates in the national election have all agreed that houses in South West are too expensive.

Local standing conservative candidate for the seat of South Devon Gary Streeter said that housing affordability was one of the critical items in this week's coming election.

Labour’s Luke Pollard agreed noting that according to Devon council figures luxury housing prices in the local area were well above the national average.

Anna Pascoe agreed with Mr. Pollard and said that what the local area needed was cheaper affordable housing, not more luxury homes.

According to a National Housing Federation survey published in October last year Properties in the local area were 14 times more expensive than average basic earnings.

The average wage in the local area is around £16,806 while the average house costs on average £238,384.

As Mr. Streeter said: “We live in a low-wage, high-value area and we need more affordable housing to buy and to rent”.

Mr. Streeter continued saying that the heart of Devon, its villages and hamlets, we at risk: “Most local communities recognize this”, he said, “not least to keep their villages alive, and we need more flexibility in the planning system."

Ms. Pascoe expressed concern that local planners proposed a reduction in affordable housing. Mr Pollard agreed saying that: "Affordable housing is a concern for a lot of people and keeping communities together: "What we need is more affordable local housing, what we don't need is more luxury flats."

All three candidates agree that at least in the local area the housing issue will be critical to this year’s election Read More