How does animal exploitation increase the emergence of new diseases? With the world fighting a vicious new pandemic, Ian asks a front-line physician, an epidemiologist, a public health expert and activists about how new diseases spill over from other animals, and how factory farming and the wildlife trade raise our vulnerability.… more
The UK still has 5 vegan MPs. This 23-year old activist is the newly elected MP for Nottingham East, and the UK’s first non-white vegan MP.… more
Update Feb 15: One of the new MPs, Nadia Whittome, is also vegan. Update Dec 14: The UK parliament is back down to four [known] vegan MPs – Chris Williamson was sacked by Labour, stood as an independent socialist, and lost his deposit. Two other animal advocate MPs were also lost.… more
This is a guide to the UK General election results of particular interest to vegans and animal advocates, conveniently in results order. [Updated with results June 9th]. The results are in italic – and as the title says, the UK now has at least 4 vegan MPs, which I suspect is a first for any legislature anywhere in the world.… more
As the British public make their biggest decision in a generation, Ian asks Kerry McCarthy MP about the potential impact of Brexit on animals. Vegan MP on EU Referendum In this special short extra edition of the Vegan Option, Ian catches up with longstanding vegan MP, and main official opposition spokeswoman on farming and the environment, Kerry McCarthy. How does she think animals would vote? (And, for that matter, how will Ian?) Play or download (17MB MP3) (via iTunes)… more
“Vegetarianism: The Story So Far” Update #17 on Kickstarter.com (Updates #15 and #16 were only visible to backers on Kickstarter.)
“Vegetarianism: The Story So Far” Update #14 on Kickstarter.com
“Vegetarianism: The Story So Far” Update #13 on Kickstarter.com
When the UK elected a new parliament last week, voters confounded all the pundits (including me) who had trusted the polls. Two of the three vegan MPs lost their seats. Three other other animal advocates lost seats in the collapse of the Liberal Democrats (the former minority government party). The new Conservative majority government is planning a vote to repeal the ban on foxhunting. Meanwhile, the tiny “Animal Welfare Party” expanded their profile and vote share.… more
The UK goes to the polls on May 7th to elect a new House of Commons, and staying up to watch the results come on on Friday morning is part of the fun. When do the important results for vegans arrive? Which incumbent is most at risk, and where are vegan challengers trying to steal marginal constituencies? more