2024 General Election

Election 2024: How many seats every party in Westminster is defending – and what they are aiming for on July 4

— Polls predict major losses for the Conservatives and gains for Labour. Each party in Westminster faces unique challenges, with Conservatives bracing for opposition and Labour aiming for a majority. Smaller parties also navigate significant electoral dynamics.

2024 General Election

Why doesn’t economic good news shift the polls for Rishi Sunak? An analysis of 27 past elections explains the problem

— Despite falling inflation, which should boost the Conservative government, voter intentions remain unchanged, with Conservatives trailing Labour by over 20%. This suggests other factors, like the NHS and immigration, overshadow economic improvements.

Education

Why UK government policies have failed to recruit enough teachers for years

— England’s secondary teacher shortage persists despite recruitment efforts and financial incentives. Systemic issues, political influences, and low acceptance rates for ethnic minorities hinder effective teacher supply planning.

OPINION

Nasty Tories in a panic

— The Tories’ reputation as the “Nasty Party” is highlighted by the Scottish Tory Leader’s behaviour in Scotland, while Rishi Sunak’s political missteps, such as leaving D-Day commemorations early, add to the party’s woes. The Tories face a bleak electoral future.

2024 General Election

How Sunak came up with disputed Labour tax figures – and what’s wrong with them

— In the first televised debate, Rishi Sunak claimed every working family would pay £2,000 more in tax under Labour. This figure, based on dubious Conservative calculations, has been widely discredited.

2024 General Election

Sunak and Starmer’s first TV debate: a tetchy PMQs where no one dared mention the F-word

— The first 2024 election debate felt anticlimactic, with Rishi Sunak indirectly addressing the absent Nigel Farage. Sunak’s aggressive tactics against Labour’s Keir Starmer suggested future ambitions over current priorities.

2024 General Election

Teenagers have gone through enough – Rishi Sunak’s national service is too much to ask

— Rishi Sunak proposes reintroducing national service for 18-year-olds if the Conservatives win the general election. Critics argue it burdens youth already impacted by pandemic disruptions and severe cuts to youth services, worsening social and economic inequalities.

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

Should Rishi Sunak even bother?

— With Labour leading in polls for over a year, Rishi Sunak faces a tough campaign to turn the tide. The PM’s campaign started poorly, suggesting the Conservatives might perform even worse than predicted in the 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.

2024 General Election

UK election called for 4 July – what happens next?

— Rishi Sunak has announced a general election for 4 July, surprising many, including his own MPs. He argues only the Conservatives can lead through current challenges, despite criticism over their role in creating them. Polls suggest a Labour lead, potentially ending the Conservatives’ long tenure.

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.

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.

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.