OPINION

Starmer’s Waspi betrayal will come back and sting him

— Labour faces backlash for scrapping pensioner benefits and denying compensation to 1950s-born Waspi women, contradicting prior pledges and ombudsman recommendations, sparking criticism for alienating key voter groups.

UK Politics

Is Reform really pulling ahead of Labour? What to really make of Farage’s supposed lead

— Reform’s recent surge in polling reflects discontent with Labour’s policies and rising protest votes. While correlations suggest fragmented party dynamics, Labour must prioritise delivery to regain dominance.

Education

Early years funding boost: Why the UK government is prioritising getting children school ready

— The UK Government pledges £75m to expand nursery staff and places, raising early years pupil premium by 45% to boost opportunities for disadvantaged children, addressing school readiness and long-term inequalities.

Long-Read

Post-Brexit Britain’s Trump problem goes much deeper than trade tariffs

— The debate over Brexit resurfaces amid economic challenges and Trump’s return. Key concerns include UK-EU relations, trade uncertainties, and Labour’s struggle to reconcile Brexit’s political and economic implications.

COMMENT

Why is a Labour government keeping Rishi Sunak’s finances under wraps?

— Keir Starmer pledged integrity before his election, yet his government supports secrecy over Rishi Sunak’s investments. A tribunal outcome could reshape transparency on ministers’ financial interests, challenging promises of honesty and public trust.

Assisted Dying

Assisted dying: How to understand the increasingly angry debate between MPs over this controversial bill

— A Labour MP’s assisted dying bill faces its first major test amid intense criticism over its procedural handling as a private member’s bill. MPs remain divided ahead of Friday’s vote.

Long-Read

The Brexit quart won’t fit into Labour’s pint pot

— Labour’s Brexit policy centres on minor adjustments, avoiding rejoining debates despite economic drawbacks. Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted Brexit’s economic costs, while backbenchers push for closer EU ties, challenging Labour’s restricted approach.

UK-US Special Relationship

US Election: What would a Harris or Trump win mean for Keir Starmer?

— For the UK, the US election holds immense significance, impacting foreign policy, especially amid global conflicts. Keir Starmer favours Kamala Harris’s stable approach over Trump’s unpredictable foreign policies, though any US-UK “special relationship” endures regardless of personal rapport.

COMMENT

It’s not red or blue. It’s power we hold to account

— Since taking office, Keir Starmer has begun to deliver on some of his promises. But he has also made some bad choices. Good Law Project are here to hold the government to account.

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.

OPINION

Plans to spy on Disabled people’s bank accounts show Labour isn’t for change

— Disabled people are criticising Labour’s welfare policies, accusing the government of replicating Tory-era financial surveillance and benefit cuts, and warning that new reforms could worsen hardship and increase poverty.

Immigration

Starmer expresses interest in Italy’s migration approach – How different is it from the Rwanda plan?

— UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who halted the Rwanda asylum scheme, recently met Italy’s Giorgia Meloni to discuss Italy’s Albania migration plan, highlighting shifting UK strategies on externalising immigration.

Chagos Islands

UK hands Chagos Islands to Mauritius, marking the end of a longstanding sovereignty dispute

— The UK will transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while maintaining the US military base on Diego Garcia. This resolves a long-standing dispute but excludes Chagossians from negotiations, raising concerns about strategic and historical implications.

UK Politics

Keir Starmer’s party conference speech – What he said and what it meant

— At his party conference speech, Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Britons to embrace difficult politics, rejecting populism’s “easy answers.” He promoted collective responsibility, serious governance, and long-term solutions, appealing for public trust in a national renewal.

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.

Child Poverty

I research poverty in the UK – the two-child benefit limit is causing real and lasting harm

— The Labour government’s legislative agenda lacks a commitment to end the two-child benefit limit, which contributes significantly to child poverty. Activists and researchers urge its removal, highlighting widespread harm to affected families.