Right to Protest

‘Stop Brexit Man’ wins case on protest limit breach

— A court has ruled that Steve Bray’s musical protests — which featured satirical themes from The Muppets and Star Wars, timed to coincide with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s arrival at Parliament — constituted a lawful expression of political dissent.

Brexit

Brexit’s £37bn blow: Labour eyes EU trade reset

— The UK admits a £37bn Brexit trade hit. Labour calls for an EU reset, as pressure grows to scrap barriers and prioritise recovery over ideology. A new deal may reshape relations.

Brexit Reset

Keir Starmer takes first steps in UK-EU ‘reset’ – can he get the deal he wants?

— Keir Starmer’s EU summit dinner last week marked a UK-EU diplomatic thaw, highlighting security cooperation amid geopolitical shifts. Both sides seek deeper ties, but trust-building remains key ahead of May’s institutional summit.

UK Economy

Will Labour’s plan for growth actually work?

— Chancellor Rachel Reeves vows to accelerate UK economic growth, but Brexit hurdles, fiscal constraints, and bureaucratic delays pose challenges. Ambitious plans demand private sector support, decisive execution, and immediate fiscal action.

UK Economy

Calls for Rachel Reeves to quit as chancellor are overblown – but they highlight what her real problems are

— Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces calls to resign amid economic woes, media scrutiny, and opposition claims. However, her credentials match past chancellors, and Britain’s longstanding structural issues, not her policies, fuel criticism.

Long-Read

The rise and rise of national populism (Part 1 – “Divide and rule”)

— National populism, fuelled by media-backed disinformation, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and libertarian ideologies, threatens democracies globally by eroding institutions, fostering fear, and exploiting divisions.

Long-Read

Post-Brexit Britain’s Trump problem goes much deeper than trade tariffs

— The debate over Brexit resurfaces amid economic challenges and Trump’s return. Key concerns include UK-EU relations, trade uncertainties, and Labour’s struggle to reconcile Brexit’s political and economic implications.

Brexit

Bresignation: British people are ready to turn a page on the EU referendum vote

— The UK public feels more “bresignation” than “bregret” over Brexit, with limited appetite for rejoining the EU now. A reset in UK-EU relations requires evidence-driven communication and depoliticised trade reforms.

Long-Read

The limits and limitations of post-Brexit choices

— Chris Grey critiques Trump’s victory and Brexit’s deepening incoherence, highlighting Labour’s state-driven budget as a shift from neo-liberalism. Yet, Brexit’s financial toll limits Britain’s capacity to navigate these 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.

France

Michel Barnier: How Mr Brexit rose from the ashes of Emmanuel Macron’s fire to become French prime minister

— Michel Barnier, former Brexit negotiator, is now France’s prime minister, representing Les Républicains. His appointment follows Macron’s failed election gamble. Barnier faces challenges forming a government amid National Assembly fragmentation.

Brexit

Starmer must seize the chance to rethink the UK-Europe relationship

— PM Keir Starmer faces the challenge of improving UK-EU relations amid Brexit’s unpopularity. Key strategies include leading on migration and security, aligning with EU regulations, and addressing both domestic and European concerns.

Long-Read

The day the country turned on the Tory Party

— Brexit, barely discussed during the general election campaign yet ever-present, catalysed the Tory downfall, culminating in a significant vote share drop. The new Labour government faces challenges, but now is a moment to celebrate the defeat of a damaging political ethos.

OPINION

They’re gone – but we won’t be shedding any tears

— Fourteen years of Tory rule have caused incalculable harm. This morning we can breathe a sigh of relief. But Labour won’t be able to fix all the problems. We’ve been thinking hard about our work under a new government.

2024 General Election

Tory downfall is democracy rectifying its mistakes

— Democracies, despite their mistakes, excel at correcting them. The 2024 British general election’s defeat of the Conservatives highlights democracy’s power to renew. New Prime Minister Keir Starmer must now restore government integrity and address national damage.

UK Politics

The Conservative Party, 1832-2024: An obituary

— The Conservative Party, established in 1832, was declared dead on 5 July 2024. Once popular and competent, it just couldn’t prevent universal suffrage, faced internal divisions, COVID-related greed, and simply declined after Brexit.