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.

OPINION

Farage and Musk are coming for Scotland

— Elon Musk’s potential funding of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party highlights the influence of dark money in British politics, threatening democracy and raising concerns for Scotland’s 2026 elections and independence movement.

UK Farmers

Tough news for protesting farmers: Labour doesn’t actually need their votes

— Labour’s rural gains don’t hinge on the farmers’ votes, as most rural seats can be won without significant agricultural support. However, broader rural discontent could still pose political challenges.

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 Politics

Nigel Farage, AI and the revolt of the squeezed middle: Class politics is about to get messier than ever

— Disillusioned working-class voters, largely ignored by major parties, increasingly risk shifting to Reform UK, especially those prioritising issues like immigration. Labour’s grip on key constituencies remains vulnerable, with slim majorities at stake.

Budget 2024

Five ways the budget shows Rachel Reeves is thinking long-term more than the Tories ever did

— Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first budget in 14 years shifts focus to long-term economic strategy, with £100 billion in investment, enhanced oversight, regional empowerment, infrastructure projects, and bolstered public services. Challenges remain, however.

UK Budget 2024

Labour’s first budget: Redistribution away from the rich after over a decade of Conservative rule

— Labour’s first budget prioritises redistribution and public sector investment over austerity, targeting higher taxes for the wealthy to fund increased spending on the NHS, education, and community care.

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.