2024 General Election

After a historic defeat, what will Rishi Sunak’s legacy be?

— After the defeat, will Rishi Sunak be remembered as a failure, a PM who inherited a mess... or just not at all?

2024 General Election

Election 2024: What happens on the big day – and at what time

— After a dynamic election campaign, UK voters are finalising their choice. Polls predict a Labour victory on Thursday with Keir Starmer as the first Labour PM in 14 years. Exit polls at 10pm will be crucial.

COMMENT

Tories lacking transparency: 14 years of undermining Freedom of Information

— Freedom of Information in the UK is declining, with full request approvals dropping from 55% in 2013 to 34% recently. Successive Conservative governments have increasingly restricted it, undermining transparency and accountability.

OPINION

The end of the Tory nightmare, a worse one on the horizon

— As the general election campaign concludes, polls suggest the end of 14 years of damaging Tory government. Food bank usage has soared, highlighting the severe social damage. Labour may win, but lacks plans to reverse austerity, paving the way for potential far-right resurgence.

2024 General Election

What are the Conservatives really saying when they say ‘don’t surrender’ to the Labour Party?

— What does it mean to talk of “fighting” and “surrender” in a democratic election? The use of these words by Rishi Sunak calls the democratic process into question.

Sewage Crisis

Renationalising water could fix sewage crisis – but no major party will do it

— Privatised water companies discharged raw sewage into UK waters for 3.6 million hours in 2023. Politicians promise reform, but current plans lack detail. The public demands cleaner water and stricter regulation.

2024 General Election

What would a Reform surge do to Labour and the Liberal Democrats? Two scenarios mapped

— Labour’s Keir Starmer and LibDem’s Ed Davey appear to have a tacit agreement to avoid campaigning against each other, focusing on defeating the Conservatives. The Reform party could further divide the Conservative vote and increase their chances in marginal seats.

2024 General Election

Political parties plans for EU citizens in the UK ahead of the General Election

— The upcoming general election could significantly impact EU citizens’ lives in the UK. Each party’s stance on immigration, EU relations, and civic rights will affect their residency, work, and social conditions.

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”.

Disabled People

The UK doesn’t work for Disabled people. Neither party will change that

— So far, we’ve heard more about Starmer and Sunak’s parents than the UK’s 16 million Disabled UK citizens. Both main parties overlook significant reforms, prompting Disabled people to demand systemic change through collective action and a unified manifesto.

2024 General Election

What does the law say about gambling on election dates with inside information?

— Rishi Sunak’s associates are being investigated by the Gambling Commission for allegedly betting on a July 4 general election before it was public.

2024 General Election

Three ways politicians always promise to raise money without increasing taxes – and why they rarely deliver

— Both Labour and Conservative parties exaggerate their opponents’ plans, relying on uncertain income streams for funding. Their common strategies include tax evasion crackdowns, efficiency savings, and welfare cuts, often proving difficult to implement and yielding less than expected.

2024 General Election

Leaving the European convention on human rights won’t stop the boats – but it will create other problems for the UK

— Rishi Sunak threatens to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to address illegal migration, but this won’t legally allow the UK to “stop the boats.” Withdrawal could damage the UK’s international standing, breach the Good Friday Agreement, and strain UK-EU relations.

UK Politics

BBC Question Time: Analysis of guests over nine years suggests an overuse of rightwing voices

— The BBC’s Question Time faces scrutiny for potential bias. Our study shows a reliance on right-wing guests, challenging its impartiality claim. Debate on balance persists amidst public service broadcasting norms.

2024 General Election

Has Reform really overtaken the Tories in the polls? And does that mean it could beat them on July 4?

— A YouGov poll shows Reform UK leading the Conservatives for the first time, 19% to 18%. Despite this, both parties are essentially tied. Nigel Farage’s leadership has boosted Reform’s support, affecting Conservative vote shares and potentially aiding Labour and Liberal Democrats.

OPINION

It’s all over for the Tories

— Rishi Sunak’s struggles in the general election campaign are highlighted by his embarrassing attempts to be relatable and his party’s failure to fulfil pledges. The Tories face disarray, with internal conflicts and a lack of campaign strategy.