OPINION

The impossibility of an adult conversation about drugs in Scotland

— On Scotland’s drug problem and the proposal to decriminalise personal possession of drugs and introduce safe consumption rooms instead of the UK government’s approach of treating drug use as a criminal issue.

COVID-19 Inquiry

Cabinet Office U-turns on Boris Johnson’s phone messages for COVID Inquiry

— In a surprising turn of events, the Cabinet Office has reversed its stance on accessing Boris Johnson’s phone messages concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, raising some intriguing questions about transparency and trust in the COVID Public Inquiry.

UK Politics

Why so many people have had enough of experts

— New research highlights three key reasons for declining trust in experts, and how to regain their authority in future.

Investigation

Sunak’s erasable ink pens raise big questions about transparency

— Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s use of pens with erasable ink has sparked concerns over government transparency. Critics suggest these pens could enable the removal of important notes from official documents, challenging historical accountability.

COVID-19

The inside story of the vaccine programme’s battles with the Treasury

— A new book exposes the tensions between the Treasury and health officials over the COVID-19 vaccine programme, and alleges that Steve Barclay delayed the approval of the programme due to value-for-money concerns, angering the vaccine taskforce.

Analysis

How the ancient Greeks kept ruthless narcissists from capturing their democracy – and what modern politics could learn from them

— Those who seek power for the sake of power are less attracted to high office when more people get a say.

Analysis

Why report into misleading parliament still matters, even after Boris Johnson resigned as an MP

— The privileges process is a vital part of the British constitution, so what the committee investigating Boris Johnson decides matters for future precedent, even if he is gone.

OPINION

Johnson the liar and bully who led a lying and bullying party

— On Boris Johnson lying to Parliament, resigning as an MP, and refusing to accept responsibility for his actions.

UK Politics

Boris Johnson breaks rules again by taking Daily Mail job

— Johnson has been accused of violating the ministerial code by taking a job with the Daily Mail without seeking or following Whitehall’s anti-corruption panel’s advice.

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

Boris Johnson resignation: Why Rishi Sunak can’t afford to lose more than one of three impending by-elections

— Labour stands a good chance of taking one of three impending votes, while losing either of the other two would be very bad news for Rishi Sunak.

UK Politics

Boris Johnson has triggered a bumper by-election bonanza – I studied 148 past contests to find out what we can expect

— Boris Johnson and two of his supporters have left parliament, triggering three by-elections which could be crucial for the future of British politics. What can the history and patterns of by-elections tell us about the chances of a change in power?

UK Politics

Boris Johnson’s claims about being ‘forced out’ of parliament are simply false

— The former prime minister has claimed a small group of MPs has forced him out, but that’s not an accurate description of events.

OPINION

Rishi Sunak is trying to hide from accountability

— The Government is trying to block the COVID Inquiry from accessing unredacted WhatsApp messages that could reveal how Rishi Sunak ignored scientific advice and launched the “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme in 2020, which caused a surge in infections.

COVID-19 Inquiry

Cabinet Office accused of covering up Rishi Sunak’s involvement in “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme

— Good Law Project challenged the Cabinet Office’s refusal to disclose Rishi Sunak’s WhatsApps on the “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme, which caused COVID surge in cases and deaths.

Brexit

How did ‘taking back control’ of borders become record-high net migration?

— After Brexit, the UK has had fewer migrants from the EU, but they have been far outstripped by people coming from elsewhere.