UK Politics

Tories cry foul as Starmer says EU citizens should vote in UK elections

— Labour is currently reviewing voting issues. Keir Starmer wants to give EU citizens in UK voting rights, saying it is unfair to exclude long-term migrants who pay taxes. The Tories oppose the idea and accuse Labour of pro-EU agenda.

UK Politics

A painful picture for the Tories: Forecasting the general election from the local results

— Electoral forecasting is a difficult science that relies on past data. Different techniques produce different outcomes for the next UK general election. Looking back at the relationship between local elections and subsequent general elections puts Labour on course for a House of Commons majority.

OPINION

From crown to clowns: King Charles III’s coronation and the Tory distraction parade

— The lavish crowning of King Charles III has triggered backlash over privilege, police response against peaceful demonstrators, and assault on civil rights by a Tory Government that gained much from the distraction from their defeat at the local polls.

UK Local Elections

Labour gains in local elections suggest the tide has turned in many marginal constituencies

— Labour has gained control of crucial areas during the local elections but still has work to do to win outright. It's not yet clear if the swing from the Conservatives would be enough for Labour to win outright in a general election.

OPINION

The English local elections and the Tories’ voter suppression tactics

— England’s local elections are expected to cause heavy losses for the Conservative Party on Thursday, potentially pushing backbench Tory unrest. Meanwhile, voter ID requirements will affect non-Conservative supporters, with up to two million voters lacking the necessary ID.

UK Local Elections

What does a good night look like for Keir Starmer’s Labour or Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives?

— There’s a lot to play for in the final big electoral test before the next national vote, especially in northern regions where Labour hopes to make a comeback.

Education

Labour’s “Nick Clegg moment”? Keir Starmer ditches tuition fee pledge

— Labour is ready to abandon its long-held pledge to scrap university tuition fees in England.

UK Politics

Can Jeremy Corbyn go it alone in Islington North? What the evidence tells us

— The evidence suggests that while Jeremy Corbyn has a strong personal vote, Islington North is changing demographically and politically, which may make it more difficult for him to win without the support of the Labour Party.

UK Politics

Labour to be “party of business” and “most interventionist government in a generation,” says Shadow Minister

— To clarify Labour’s economic agenda to the public, its Shadow Business Secretary explains the technical policy changes: the party advocates for a more active state and greater economic freedom for working people, with Keir Starmer aiming to achieve the highest sustained growth in the G7.

UK Politics

Labour’s attack ads on Rishi Sunak: Gutter politics or smart election campaigning?

— Beyond the ethical questions raised by an ad suggesting the prime minister doesn’t believe in sending sex offenders to prison is the matter of whether such negative campaigning even works.

UK Politics

Keir Starmer: Four lessons from History for an opposition trying to be the ‘government-in-waiting’

— Keir Starmer is a man on five missions, but he will need to learn from his predecessors to lead Labour back to power after over a decade out of it.

OPINION

Hostages of English nationalism

— On the impact of Westminster’s English nationalism on the political discourse in Scotland and how Scotland is being held hostage by the dominance of the English nationalist ideology in UK politics.

UK Politics

Sue Gray quitting to work for Keir Starmer does cause problems for the civil service – It’s also a sign she thinks he’s heading for government

— Sue Gray’s departure from the civil service to work for Keir Starmer has raised concerns about impartiality – but it is also a sign of her faith in Starmer’s leadership.

OPINION

Escaping the vicious circle

— With the SNP leadership race in full swing, whoever emerges victorious must unite all independence supporters and make a compelling case for independence to win over undecideds.

Long-Read

Untying Brexit’s toxic knots

— Professor Chris Grey’s latest Brexit analysis on David Lammy’s speech that was maybe the first time since Brexit that a major politician challenged its central, flawed assumptions. A small but welcome first step to realism.

Climate Change

Labour accepted £12,000 from major polluter Drax

— Labour has accepted £12,000 from the UK’s largest carbon emitter, major polluter Drax. Why?