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

What we know so far about Labour’s plan for Great British Energy

— Labour’s energy plan includes Great British Energy, aiming to reduce bills, boost energy security, and create jobs. Focused on renewables and energy efficiency, it avoids nationalisation, stressing investment in local and future energy sources.

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.

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

What the economic data told Rishi Sunak about the best date for a general election

— Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a general election for July 4 surprised many. Citing economic stability, lower inflation, and GDP growth, it aims to benefit Conservatives against Labour’s call for change. Voters seek evidence-based policies for economic growth and security.

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 Politics

Natalie Elphicke defection: Keir Starmer risks feeding the perception that politics is ‘all just a bit of a game’

— Natalie Elphicke, a pro-Brexit Tory right-winger, defected to Labour, sparking controversy and highlighting Labour’s shift under Keir Starmer. The move targeted disaffected Tory voters but drew criticism from the left, questioning Labour’s principles.

UK Politics

The size of the swing to Labour in the Blackpool South by-election made this such an unpleasant night for Rishi Sunak

— Debates ponder if the upcoming general election will mirror the close 1992 or landslide 1997 outcomes. Amid significant shifts, including in Blackpool South, Labour sees unprecedented by-election success, while the Conservatives face potential annihilation, struggling even against the Reform party.

OPINION

How right-wing do you need to be not to be welcome in the Labour Party?

— Marking a continuation of notable Tory defections to Labour, Natalie Elphicke, a staunch right-wing Conservative MP, has defected to Labour this week, highlighting shifts in party ideologies and stirring questions about Labour’s embrace of centre-right values under Keir Starmer’s leadership.

UK Politics

If Rishi Sunak is ousted, should Tory MPs or members pick his replacement?

— Rishi Sunak faces a potential Tory leadership challenge as 52 MPs could trigger a confidence vote. Leadership rules emphasize parliamentary support, yet member ballots could shift influence, reflecting broader legitimacy and control mechanisms within the Conservative Party.

UK Politics

Rishi Sunak claims the UK is heading for a hung parliament — let’s check his maths

— In recent local elections, the Conservative Party lost 478 councillors, suggesting a hung parliament may loom, despite Labour’s strong performance and a 10% swing in their favour.

Long-Read

(Still not) facing up to Brexit

— The Brexit process caused significant shifts. Two recent announcements — one about a delayed Brexit-related import control, another on a potential EU-UK Youth Mobility Scheme — highlight the ongoing complexities and political strategies surrounding Brexit negotiations and their impacts.

UK Politics

Labour plans to nationalise rail network within five years

— Labour’s plan to nationalise UK rail services within five years promises to revolutionise railways with affordable fares and improved passenger benefits. By cutting inefficiencies and shareholder dividends, Labour aims to save £2.2 billion annually.