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.

NHS

NHS report: Why higher pay for health workers could lead to a more efficient and effective system

— A review of the NHS highlights critical challenges, particularly pay and staffing, affecting morale and service quality. Addressing these through fair remuneration is essential for improved staff retention and patient outcomes.

UK Politics

Did Starmer have to be so miserable? The doom and gloom may be more political than economic

— Keir Starmer has warned the UK will endure short-term pain before recovery, blaming Conservative mismanagement. Labour faces tough decisions on spending cuts and tax reforms to address public sector needs and a significant funding gap, with political consequences looming.

UK Politics

Why Rachel Reeves can’t seem to make her ‘£22bn black hole’ narrative convincing

— Rachel Reeves, as chancellor, faced backlash for accusing former chancellor Jeremy Hunt of lying about UK finances. Labour aims to challenge the Conservative Party’s long-standing economic credibility, but struggles to shift entrenched narratives.

UK Politics

Keir Starmer’s ‘productivity theatre’ and the need for a recognisable Labour brand

— The new prime minister has certainly been busy, but people still don’t really know what he stands for.