Professor Matthew Flinders

2024 General Election

Rishi Sunak fires election starting gun with a damp whimper – but Labour will want to play down talk of a landslide

— Rishi Sunak’s election prospects look grim after a poorly executed speech in the rain outside Downing Street. Labour leads in polls, but internal issues and voter apathy threaten their potential victory.

COVID-19 Inquiry

Boris Johnson at the COVID inquiry: Sullen, evasive and a danger to democracy

— Boris Johnson’s demeanour during the COVID inquiry reveals a loss of confidence. His apology lacks clarity, reflecting his leadership style. The inquiry aims to learn, not blame, but public disillusionment may intensify, impacting future elections and anti-political sentiment.

COVID-19 Inquiry

Dominic Cummings has exposed a hole at the heart of the British government – and a glaring problem with the way we choose prime ministers

— Giving evidence to the COVID inquiry, Boris Johnson’s former adviser exposed the dysfunction of an administration lacking in the expertise needed to manage a crisis.

Analysis

Boris Johnson: Freed from the constraints of office, the former prime minister could be even more dangerous

— The House of Commons Committee on Privileges has called for former PM Boris Johnson to be barred from having a former member’s pass, and with good reason.

UK Politics

‘Cracking down’ on antisocial behaviour is a classic pre-election strategy – But this government owes young people better

— After a pandemic and over a decade of public spending cuts, young people need investment, not punishment.

UK Politics

Why 2023 is a make-or-break year for Keir Starmer’s Labour party

— The public still does not know what Keir Starmer and the Labour party stand for. Inspiration could come from a surprising source.

Analysis

The five causes of Liz Truss’s downfall explained

— Liz Truss, the shortest-serving prime minister in British history, ran into trouble even before taking office.

UK Politics

PM Liz Truss: A laser-like focus on delivery is needed after the chaos of the Boris Johnson years

— Liz Truss must provide a clear plan and a fresh start. The new PM needs to commit to a laser-like focus on the delivery of public services. But the shadow of her predecessor looms large.

Analysis

Boris Johnson: A terminal case of hubris syndrome.

— He hardly has any government ministers and his own cabinet tried to force him to resign. What is going on?

Downing Street Parties

Boris Johnson fined by police over partygate.

— The British prime minister, his wife and the chancellor of the exchequer are all in legal trouble over lockdown gatherings. What happens next?

Downing Street Parties

Boris Johnson: Sue Gray’s report may prove the final straw for angry Conservative MPs.

— The investigation into Downing Street parties has no power to bring the Prime Minister down. But it may still provide the ammunition that brings Boris Johnson’s government to an end.