UK Politics

BBC Question Time: Analysis of guests over nine years suggests an overuse of rightwing voices

— The BBC’s Question Time faces scrutiny for potential bias. Our study shows a reliance on right-wing guests, challenging its impartiality claim. Debate on balance persists amidst public service broadcasting norms.

2024 General Election

Has Reform really overtaken the Tories in the polls? And does that mean it could beat them on July 4?

— A YouGov poll shows Reform UK leading the Conservatives for the first time, 19% to 18%. Despite this, both parties are essentially tied. Nigel Farage’s leadership has boosted Reform’s support, affecting Conservative vote shares and potentially aiding Labour and Liberal Democrats.

OPINION

It’s all over for the Tories

— Rishi Sunak’s struggles in the general election campaign are highlighted by his embarrassing attempts to be relatable and his party’s failure to fulfil pledges. The Tories face disarray, with internal conflicts and a lack of campaign strategy.

2024 General Election

Election 2024: How many seats every party in Westminster is defending – and what they are aiming for on July 4

— Polls predict major losses for the Conservatives and gains for Labour. Each party in Westminster faces unique challenges, with Conservatives bracing for opposition and Labour aiming for a majority. Smaller parties also navigate significant electoral dynamics.

2024 General Election

Why doesn’t economic good news shift the polls for Rishi Sunak? An analysis of 27 past elections explains the problem

— Despite falling inflation, which should boost the Conservative government, voter intentions remain unchanged, with Conservatives trailing Labour by over 20%. This suggests other factors, like the NHS and immigration, overshadow economic improvements.

2024 General Election

Lib Dem proposals take social care reform seriously – but doubts remain over how they’d pay for it

— The Lib Dem manifesto addresses many of the key areas in social care that need reform. But it doesn’t say how the party would pay for them.

Education

Why UK government policies have failed to recruit enough teachers for years

— England’s secondary teacher shortage persists despite recruitment efforts and financial incentives. Systemic issues, political influences, and low acceptance rates for ethnic minorities hinder effective teacher supply planning.

OPINION

Nasty Tories in a panic

— The Tories’ reputation as the “Nasty Party” is highlighted by the Scottish Tory Leader’s behaviour in Scotland, while Rishi Sunak’s political missteps, such as leaving D-Day commemorations early, add to the party’s woes. The Tories face a bleak electoral future.

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

Teenagers have gone through enough – Rishi Sunak’s national service is too much to ask

— Rishi Sunak proposes reintroducing national service for 18-year-olds if the Conservatives win the general election. Critics argue it burdens youth already impacted by pandemic disruptions and severe cuts to youth services, worsening social and economic inequalities.

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

Election 2024: Rishi Sunak has already lost control of the narrative

— Rishi Sunak struggles to control the narrative against Labour’s Keir Starmer. Criticised for lacking an engaging personal story, Sunak’s failure to seize narrative control risks undermining his leadership.

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.

COMMENT

Sunak wants six. Starmer two. But do live TV debates even matter any more?

— Rishi Sunak’s call for six weekly debates with Keir Starmer, dismissed by the leader of the Labour Party, highlights the diminished value of televised political debates in an era of social media and scripted interactions.

Climate Change

GB News gives dozens of appearances to UK’s main climate denial group

— A climate science denial group has appeared on GB News over 35 times since October 2023, downplaying climate issues and opposing net zero policies.