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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/live/2016/sep/16/will-boundary-changes-alter-politics-for-good-join-our-live-look-at-the-week
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| Are there any acceptable reasons to use a phone while driving? – join our live look at the week | |
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| Mobile phone use by motorists is on the rise | |
| Rachel Obordo | |
| It will come as no surprise to most road users that according to a survey by the RAC, 31% of motorists admitted to using a handheld phone behind the wheel compared with 8% in 2014. | |
| 7% of those who admitted using a mobile while driving said they did it because they knew they would get away with it. | |
| In an article published earlier this week, RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “It is alarming to see that some drivers have clearly relaxed their attitudes to the risks associated with this behaviour but more worrying is the increase in the percentage of motorists who actually admit to using a handheld device when driving. | |
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| From the archive – a pre prime-ministerial David Cameron | |
| Richard Nelsson | |
| After his legacy was again in the spotlight due to him resigning as an MP this week, our archive thought it might be a good idea to have a look at how we saw David Cameron in the run up to his leadership. | |
| Schooldays pictures became a common sight on articles about the prime minister. Do we recognise any of those other faces? | |
| This week readers were pretty scathing on his legacy – what do you think? | |
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| Question of the week: what is the real impact of gentrification? | Question of the week: what is the real impact of gentrification? |
| Mike Herd | Mike Herd |
| Introducing a new series, the editor of Guardian Cities looks at an issue affecting many people around the world. | Introducing a new series, the editor of Guardian Cities looks at an issue affecting many people around the world. |
| One thing we know from working on Guardian Cities is that the issue of urban gentrification is always complicated, and always emotive. Washington DC, subject of this week’s beautiful, highly personal essay by Uzodinma Iweala, is a case in point. | One thing we know from working on Guardian Cities is that the issue of urban gentrification is always complicated, and always emotive. Washington DC, subject of this week’s beautiful, highly personal essay by Uzodinma Iweala, is a case in point. |
| The story of the downtown city’s revival is sometimes expressed glibly as a kind of urban miracle, with “no-go zones” transforming to the height of hip in next to no time. But such statements do nothing to capture the complexity of what’s happening at the heart of the US capital, in terms of racial make-up, human displacement, class divides, and shifting cultural beats. | The story of the downtown city’s revival is sometimes expressed glibly as a kind of urban miracle, with “no-go zones” transforming to the height of hip in next to no time. But such statements do nothing to capture the complexity of what’s happening at the heart of the US capital, in terms of racial make-up, human displacement, class divides, and shifting cultural beats. |
| We have long wanted to understand this changing city better. Uzodinma – DC-born author of the highly acclaimed Beasts of No Nation – has given us that chance, with all the nuances, contradictions and acute social observations this subject demands. | We have long wanted to understand this changing city better. Uzodinma – DC-born author of the highly acclaimed Beasts of No Nation – has given us that chance, with all the nuances, contradictions and acute social observations this subject demands. |
| Guardian Cities is about to kick off a whole week of reporting and discussions on the impact of gentrification on cities around the world. We’d love to hear your experiences of how it has affected you and your city: share your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter @guardiancities. | Guardian Cities is about to kick off a whole week of reporting and discussions on the impact of gentrification on cities around the world. We’d love to hear your experiences of how it has affected you and your city: share your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter @guardiancities. |
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| A quick bit of breaking news, Diane James has been elected leader of Ukip. | A quick bit of breaking news, Diane James has been elected leader of Ukip. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.55pm BST | at 1.55pm BST |
| 1.49pm BST | 1.49pm BST |
| 13:49 | 13:49 |
| As ever, some talk of lunch below the line ... | As ever, some talk of lunch below the line ... |
| I made myself a lovely refreshing Salade Niçoise to celebrate the balmy warm weather we've been having, woke up this morning to find it both decidedly cool and pissing down with rain, suppose I should probably have checked the forecast beforehand | I made myself a lovely refreshing Salade Niçoise to celebrate the balmy warm weather we've been having, woke up this morning to find it both decidedly cool and pissing down with rain, suppose I should probably have checked the forecast beforehand |
| What filling was in your sandwich? | What filling was in your sandwich? |
| My lunch today was not spectacular. | My lunch today was not spectacular. |
| I had to resort to a Tesco meal deal because I'd taken too long getting my dry cleaning and I was rapidly running out of lunch break. | I had to resort to a Tesco meal deal because I'd taken too long getting my dry cleaning and I was rapidly running out of lunch break. |
| The sandwich was dry, flavourless and you can fully understand why it's in a £3 meal deal offer. But I had Fiery Hot Monster Munch to save it from total disaster. | The sandwich was dry, flavourless and you can fully understand why it's in a £3 meal deal offer. But I had Fiery Hot Monster Munch to save it from total disaster. |
| We’ll soon have some tips from our food desk – stay tuned. | We’ll soon have some tips from our food desk – stay tuned. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.50pm BST | at 1.50pm BST |
| 1.35pm BST | 1.35pm BST |
| 13:35 | 13:35 |
| Is this the portrait of the year? | Is this the portrait of the year? |
| Mark Brown | Mark Brown |
| Our arts correspondent wrote about the Taylor Wessing photography prize shortlist, announced this week Below are some more of his thoughts. | Our arts correspondent wrote about the Taylor Wessing photography prize shortlist, announced this week Below are some more of his thoughts. |
| If this image of a Californian surfer dude and his girlfriend was in colour and had been taken using a normal, modern camera people would probably not look twice at it. | If this image of a Californian surfer dude and his girlfriend was in colour and had been taken using a normal, modern camera people would probably not look twice at it. |
| Instead it’s hard to take your eyes away. It’s such an arresting image, taken by New York photographer Joni Sternbach, and is in contention for the 2016 Taylor Wessing prize. Sternbach uses processes used in 19th century early photography to give images a strangely disorientating look. Two other photographers are shortlisted: Kovi Konowiecki for his series on Orthodox Jews around the world; and Claudio Rasano for a student in his school uniform. They are all powerful images but for me Sternbach’s stands out. | Instead it’s hard to take your eyes away. It’s such an arresting image, taken by New York photographer Joni Sternbach, and is in contention for the 2016 Taylor Wessing prize. Sternbach uses processes used in 19th century early photography to give images a strangely disorientating look. Two other photographers are shortlisted: Kovi Konowiecki for his series on Orthodox Jews around the world; and Claudio Rasano for a student in his school uniform. They are all powerful images but for me Sternbach’s stands out. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.38pm BST | at 1.38pm BST |
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| Readers are sharing the wildlife on their doorstep | Readers are sharing the wildlife on their doorstep |
| Guardian readers | Guardian readers |
| Each week we like to highlight one of the photography assignments run through GuardianWitness. Sticking with that environmental theme picked up below by George Monbiot, I’ve been looking at some of the amazing images of the wildlife readers around the world have photographed. | Each week we like to highlight one of the photography assignments run through GuardianWitness. Sticking with that environmental theme picked up below by George Monbiot, I’ve been looking at some of the amazing images of the wildlife readers around the world have photographed. |
| Below are a couple of recent favourites. | Below are a couple of recent favourites. |
| Rainbow Lorikeet in our garden in Perth, Western Australia, 9th Sept | Rainbow Lorikeet in our garden in Perth, Western Australia, 9th Sept |
| Sent via Guardian Witness | Sent via Guardian Witness |
| By Mezzanine1 | By Mezzanine1 |
| 14 September 2016, 10:07 | 14 September 2016, 10:07 |
| Jiminy Cricket | Jiminy Cricket |
| in the garden. Farmington Utah | in the garden. Farmington Utah |
| Sent via Guardian Witness | Sent via Guardian Witness |
| By fourthplinth | By fourthplinth |
| 14 September 2016, 12:03 | 14 September 2016, 12:03 |
| You can share yours by clicking on the blue GuardianWitness buttons at the top of the page. | You can share yours by clicking on the blue GuardianWitness buttons at the top of the page. |
| 1.17pm BST | 1.17pm BST |
| 13:17 | 13:17 |
| Just a couple more perspectives on the boundary changes here | Just a couple more perspectives on the boundary changes here |
| Basildon is a prime example of the failure to represent communities. The boundary proposals sees the town split three ways, and then joined with unassociated parts of neighbour towns in order to achieve the magic 75,000 or close to. Indeed this makes worse the similar carves up of previous reviews that have seen any hint of 'non-tory' voting wards split from each other and joined with wards that heavily 'do the right thing'!But with this review even wards are proposed to be split so errant polling districts can be moved out to preserve the number of Tory seats.Move over into neighbouring Castle Point and find the Castle has been moved into Southend West - so now there is just the 'Point'!How are MPs supposed to represent their community when the constituencies divide communities, even divide streets simply to make the electoral map remain as blue as possible.Of course, Welwyn and Hatfield escapes unscathed as the multiple personality MP there cannot be in anyway attacked without massive reprisals. | Basildon is a prime example of the failure to represent communities. The boundary proposals sees the town split three ways, and then joined with unassociated parts of neighbour towns in order to achieve the magic 75,000 or close to. Indeed this makes worse the similar carves up of previous reviews that have seen any hint of 'non-tory' voting wards split from each other and joined with wards that heavily 'do the right thing'!But with this review even wards are proposed to be split so errant polling districts can be moved out to preserve the number of Tory seats.Move over into neighbouring Castle Point and find the Castle has been moved into Southend West - so now there is just the 'Point'!How are MPs supposed to represent their community when the constituencies divide communities, even divide streets simply to make the electoral map remain as blue as possible.Of course, Welwyn and Hatfield escapes unscathed as the multiple personality MP there cannot be in anyway attacked without massive reprisals. |
| Are we the media to blame? | Are we the media to blame? |
| What's really the problem is that the media are overwhelmingly biased in favour of the Tories, most of the papers are owned by one wealthy man, and TV is often obsessed with the same wealthy elite. If people voted in their own best interest then Labour would win many more seats than they currently do. It is only who controls the thoughts of the voters that matters. | What's really the problem is that the media are overwhelmingly biased in favour of the Tories, most of the papers are owned by one wealthy man, and TV is often obsessed with the same wealthy elite. If people voted in their own best interest then Labour would win many more seats than they currently do. It is only who controls the thoughts of the voters that matters. |
| 12.52pm BST | 12.52pm BST |
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| George Monbiot answers readers' questions | George Monbiot answers readers' questions |
| Matthew Holmes | Matthew Holmes |
| Elsewhere on the site this morning George Monbiot was live and answering questions on environmental issues. | Elsewhere on the site this morning George Monbiot was live and answering questions on environmental issues. |
| I was fascinated to read his perspectives, particularly after seeing his blog this week titled ‘We’d never kill an albatross or gorilla: but we let others do it on our behalf’. | I was fascinated to read his perspectives, particularly after seeing his blog this week titled ‘We’d never kill an albatross or gorilla: but we let others do it on our behalf’. |
| The piece was a stark look at human selfishness and included some shocking pictures taken by Chris Jordan on Midway Atoll of albatross corpses rotting away to reveal the rubbish they contain. | The piece was a stark look at human selfishness and included some shocking pictures taken by Chris Jordan on Midway Atoll of albatross corpses rotting away to reveal the rubbish they contain. |
| Your reaction was particularly interesting: can articles like this change our behaviour? | Your reaction was particularly interesting: can articles like this change our behaviour? |
| Some people will never get it. Their world begins and ends with themselves. | Some people will never get it. Their world begins and ends with themselves. |
| A depressing realisation - but I don't want to go out of this world leaving it worse than when I arrived. So I'll try to make an improvement. As the old Victorian hymn said - you in your small corner, and I in mine. | A depressing realisation - but I don't want to go out of this world leaving it worse than when I arrived. So I'll try to make an improvement. As the old Victorian hymn said - you in your small corner, and I in mine. |
| Anyone care to join in? | Anyone care to join in? |
| Hi George - you are indefatigable and a source of inspiration for many, including me. Thanks for your vital work. | Hi George - you are indefatigable and a source of inspiration for many, including me. Thanks for your vital work. |
| My theory of change is that we have to learn about, publicise, encourage and experiment with, then propagate widely, radically more accountable ways of doing government. People generally, acting together through mechanisms such as participatory budgets or citizens' assemblies chosen by lot - are far wiser than elites chosen by elections. Everything stems from this - not least the accepted lunacy mindset that locks us into policies of economic growth versus stable-state economies. | My theory of change is that we have to learn about, publicise, encourage and experiment with, then propagate widely, radically more accountable ways of doing government. People generally, acting together through mechanisms such as participatory budgets or citizens' assemblies chosen by lot - are far wiser than elites chosen by elections. Everything stems from this - not least the accepted lunacy mindset that locks us into policies of economic growth versus stable-state economies. |
| Without changing our disastrously dysfunctional governments - and very rapidly too - we are doomed as a species. | Without changing our disastrously dysfunctional governments - and very rapidly too - we are doomed as a species. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.09pm BST | at 1.09pm BST |
| 12.45pm BST | 12.45pm BST |
| 12:45 | 12:45 |
| Here are some more of your comments on boundary changes. | Here are some more of your comments on boundary changes. |
| As for the boundary changes, I think (though I haven't looked at the detailed maths) that there is some truth in the assertion that Labour have had an historic advantage, and these proposals will level the playing field. It's a blow for Labour that this has hit them at the same time as their wipe-out in Scotland, but really, isn't it all a distraction. The whole electoral system needs reform. The main parties get a disproportionate number of seats for the votes they receive - some form of PR or hybrid PR is long overdue imv. | As for the boundary changes, I think (though I haven't looked at the detailed maths) that there is some truth in the assertion that Labour have had an historic advantage, and these proposals will level the playing field. It's a blow for Labour that this has hit them at the same time as their wipe-out in Scotland, but really, isn't it all a distraction. The whole electoral system needs reform. The main parties get a disproportionate number of seats for the votes they receive - some form of PR or hybrid PR is long overdue imv. |
| Nah, Labour cries every time because that's what every opposition party that's about to lose seats will do. I believe Conservatives already have to win fewer votes per seat anyway, the reason the polling average favours Labour is precisely because they have far too much support in areas where they don't need it and lesser support where they need it. This is why even Labour leads would lead to Conservative Majorities. Hardly favouring Labour. | Nah, Labour cries every time because that's what every opposition party that's about to lose seats will do. I believe Conservatives already have to win fewer votes per seat anyway, the reason the polling average favours Labour is precisely because they have far too much support in areas where they don't need it and lesser support where they need it. This is why even Labour leads would lead to Conservative Majorities. Hardly favouring Labour. |
| Even last election, even allowing for the polls to be out 1-2%, a Conservative Victory is by a far greater margin than by actual numbers. It's the UKIP+Conservative vote combined that is much higher and underrepresented but not actual party vote of Tories | Even last election, even allowing for the polls to be out 1-2%, a Conservative Victory is by a far greater margin than by actual numbers. It's the UKIP+Conservative vote combined that is much higher and underrepresented but not actual party vote of Tories |
| Do add yours below. | Do add yours below. |
| 12.36pm BST | 12.36pm BST |
| 12:36 | 12:36 |
| Do you agree with this commenter? | Do you agree with this commenter? |
| Labour always makes these complaints about gerrymandering every time a Boundary Commission review comes up, because it removes the accumulated distortion in Labour's favour as populations move out of the inner cities. | Labour always makes these complaints about gerrymandering every time a Boundary Commission review comes up, because it removes the accumulated distortion in Labour's favour as populations move out of the inner cities. |
| 12.13pm BST | 12.13pm BST |
| 12:13 | 12:13 |
| Boundary changes on the agenda | Boundary changes on the agenda |
| Anushka Asthana | Anushka Asthana |
| Controversial proposals by the boundary commissions dominated politics earlier this week, the Guardian’s joint political editor explains. | Controversial proposals by the boundary commissions dominated politics earlier this week, the Guardian’s joint political editor explains. |
| In Westminster this week, it has been less Brexit and more boundaries on the agenda for many MPs. Monday saw proposals for sweeping changes to the electoral map that will see over 500 politicians across England and Wales having their constituencies redrawn. Northern Ireland has already had its plans put forward, with Scotland’s due soon. | In Westminster this week, it has been less Brexit and more boundaries on the agenda for many MPs. Monday saw proposals for sweeping changes to the electoral map that will see over 500 politicians across England and Wales having their constituencies redrawn. Northern Ireland has already had its plans put forward, with Scotland’s due soon. |
| The policy, which was first put on the table by David Cameron, and then taken up by Theresa May, aims to reduce the number of MPs in Westminster from 650 to 600, to cut the cost of politics. But it also aims to equalise the number of people on the electoral register in each seat, a shift that will be to the Conservative’s advantage, with Labour losing 23 seats in total. | The policy, which was first put on the table by David Cameron, and then taken up by Theresa May, aims to reduce the number of MPs in Westminster from 650 to 600, to cut the cost of politics. But it also aims to equalise the number of people on the electoral register in each seat, a shift that will be to the Conservative’s advantage, with Labour losing 23 seats in total. |
| The party of government claims that the move fixes an inherent imbalance that has favoured Labour for decades. Labour believe it is a barefaced gerrymander. | The party of government claims that the move fixes an inherent imbalance that has favoured Labour for decades. Labour believe it is a barefaced gerrymander. |
| The Boundary Commissions have stressed that these are initial proposals, and a major exercise in questioning the decisions by MPs is likely to result in dramatic changes between now and 2018 when the Commissions will put forward their final plans. | The Boundary Commissions have stressed that these are initial proposals, and a major exercise in questioning the decisions by MPs is likely to result in dramatic changes between now and 2018 when the Commissions will put forward their final plans. |
| Will they pass a vote of parliament? Only if May can ease concerns on her own backbenches, where some 17 seats are due to abolished, the same number as her working majority. | Will they pass a vote of parliament? Only if May can ease concerns on her own backbenches, where some 17 seats are due to abolished, the same number as her working majority. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.00pm BST | at 1.00pm BST |
| 12.01pm BST | 12.01pm BST |
| 12:01 | 12:01 |
| Welcome to this week's Guardian Social | Welcome to this week's Guardian Social |
| Matthew Holmes | Matthew Holmes |
| Hello and welcome to another weekly Guardian Social, a place for you to discuss the week as it happened. We’ll highlight some of the stories we’ve enjoyed over the past seven days, with journalists explaining a little bit about how they came to be and their background (including our joint political editor on those proposed boundary changes). But most importantly we want to hear from you. What did you enjoy? Have you spotted something elsewhere you think we should be talking about? | Hello and welcome to another weekly Guardian Social, a place for you to discuss the week as it happened. We’ll highlight some of the stories we’ve enjoyed over the past seven days, with journalists explaining a little bit about how they came to be and their background (including our joint political editor on those proposed boundary changes). But most importantly we want to hear from you. What did you enjoy? Have you spotted something elsewhere you think we should be talking about? |
| As well as posting in the comments you can fill out our form if you have specific questions for Guardian journalists – we’re hoping to answer some of them here today. | As well as posting in the comments you can fill out our form if you have specific questions for Guardian journalists – we’re hoping to answer some of them here today. |
| See you in the comments! | See you in the comments! |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.59pm BST | at 12.59pm BST |