Dr Samuel Power

UK Politics

Keir Starmer’s freebie row is likely to blow over

— Labour faces scrutiny over Starmer’s freebies, underscoring British politics’ ongoing issues with donor influence. Despite the controversy, voters seem more concerned with substantial policy impacts.

UK Politics

Do the Starmers’ expensive donated clothes matter? Yes and no

— Keir Starmer’s handling of undeclared gifts, including clothes for his wife, raises questions about Labour’s commitment to cleaning up British politics. The wider issue concerns wealth’s undue influence in politics.

UK Politics

What the election date betting scandal really tells us about the state of British politics

— Political scandals often showcase stupidity, as seen in Partygate and the 2009 expenses scandal. Recent gambling on election dates by Tory candidates shows political fatigue. After 14 years, the Conservatives seem drained, making unforced errors, signalling it’s “time for a change”.

UK Politics

Angela Rayner: Which election law has she been accused of breaking, and is her promise to resign a mistake?

— Labour’s Deputy Leader Angela Rayner faces a police probe over potential electoral law breaches linked to her address from a decade ago. The issue also underscores Labour’s ethical scrutiny amid political risks highlighted by Keir Starmer’s governance strategy.

PartyGate

Boris Johnson’s evidence to MPs’ partygate investigation: The key points of disagreement explained

— Before the Committee of Privileges, Boris Johnson argued the Downing Street events were needed to boost morale and that the rules were too hard to maintain, insisting that the gatherings with wine were essential work meetings.

UK Politics

Boris Johnson no longer has the political capital to get away with giving his dad a knighthood

— Boris Johnson holds a different view to many on what constitutes acceptable and appropriate standards in public life. He repeatedly calculates that voters don’t care about his rule-breaking. But that is not necessarily true.

Analysis

Nadhim Zahawi sacked: Today’s Tory scandals are similar to 1990s sleaze stories in more than one way

— The prime minister’s pledge to bring integrity to public office could become a stick to beat him with – just like ‘back to basics’ became one for John Major.

Analysis

Resignation honours — What are they, why are they so controversial and can the system ever be changed?

— The prospect of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss adding peers to the House of Lords has reopened a knotty debate that never quite gets resolved.