2024 General Election

Election 2024: Rishi Sunak has already lost control of the narrative

— Rishi Sunak struggles to control the narrative against Labour’s Keir Starmer. Criticised for lacking an engaging personal story, Sunak’s failure to seize narrative control risks undermining his leadership.

2024 General Election

Election 2024: Scotland headed for huge change with SNP set to lose dozens of seats to Labour

— After taking the vast majority of seats in the last two elections, the SNP looks set for major losses at the next general election.

Immigration

New data shows net migration falling − What’s actually behind the numbers

— Making election promises about migration numbers is much easier than keeping them.

2024 General Election

Election 2024: Up to 8 million people are not properly registered to vote

— The general election on 4 July faces challenges, with 8 million potentially unregistered voters. Because of the Tory Government, voter ID is now required for the first time in a general election, and young people, especially students, are at risk of being excluded.

UK Rail

Britain’s railways were never properly privatised – Here’s how they could return to greater public control

— Public ownership, as advocated by Churchill, led to British Rail’s success. Privatisation under Thatcher and Major, however, resulted in inefficiencies and higher subsidies. Renationalisation, now Labour policy, is seen as a remedy for the current fragmented and costly system.

Israel-Hamas Conflict 2023-24

Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel are becoming increasingly isolated internationally – they need to listen to their friends

— International pressure on Israel is mounting, with recent ICC war crime warrants and ICJ rulings against Israeli actions in Gaza. Norway, Spain, and Ireland recognise Palestinian statehood, signalling shifting global attitudes.

2024 General Election

Little evidence suggests Rishi Sunak will benefit from a football feelgood factor by holding a July election – it may even be an own goal

— Rishi Sunak’s election announcement coincides with the July 4 Euros rest day, aiming to capitalise on national pride. However, history shows little evidence that sports events significantly influence political outcomes.

2024 General Election

What the economic data told Rishi Sunak about the best date for a general election

— Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a general election for July 4 surprised many. Citing economic stability, lower inflation, and GDP growth, it aims to benefit Conservatives against Labour’s call for change. Voters seek evidence-based policies for economic growth and security.

2024 US Presidential Election

What a second Trump presidency might mean for the rest of the world

— Six months before the US election, global attention focuses on Trump’s potential return, especially his foreign policies towards China, NATO, Ukraine, and Gaza. A second term might increase US isolationism and weaken international alliances.

China

Chinese nationalist groups are launching cyber-attacks – often against the wishes of the government

— The Chinese Communist Party has inadvertently given the country’s nationalist movement influence that it’s struggling to contain.

UK Crime

Most crime has fallen by 90% in 30 years – so why does the public think it’s increased?

— Despite public perceptions of rising crime in England and Wales, actual data from the Crime Survey reveals a 30-year decline in violence, burglary, and car crime. Security improvements and technology have played a key role in this reduction.

COVID-19

AstraZeneca’s COVID vaccine withdrawn – Right to the end it was the victim of misinformation

— AstraZeneca withdrawing its COVID vaccine from the market has nothing to do with blood clots.

Student Protests

Gaza campus protests: What are students’ free speech rights and what can universities do?

— Universities have a difficult balance to strike between protecting student speech rights and ensuring campus safety.

Long-Read

(Still not) facing up to Brexit

— The Brexit process caused significant shifts. Two recent announcements — one about a delayed Brexit-related import control, another on a potential EU-UK Youth Mobility Scheme — highlight the ongoing complexities and political strategies surrounding Brexit negotiations and their impacts.

Public Health

Rishi Sunak wants to cut the cost of ‘sicknote’ Britain. But we’ve found a strong economic case for benefits

— Welfare reforms targeted at the sick and disabled won’t boost government coffers. In fact, spending on those who need support and investing in less conditional systems has a real financial return.

Rwanda Deportations

Parliament passes bill declaring Rwanda safe – but can it really be called a law at all?

— After the House of Lords relented, the UK’s controversial Rwanda asylum bill will become law, despite doubts about its effectiveness, morality, and legality, and challenges to its practical application under Fuller’s legal principles.