Influence in Politics

Health secretary’s private interests put NHS reforms under spotlight

— Health Secretary Wes Streeting is facing growing scrutiny over his links to private healthcare donors, as proposed NHS reforms raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest, prompting critics to question whose interests are truly being served.

OPINION

Reeves’s neo-liberal choice to punish the disabled

— Labour’s Spring Budget slashes £4.8bn from disability benefits — pushing up to 400,000 into poverty — while refusing wealth taxes or growth-boosting reforms. Austerity by choice?

Spring Statement

The world has changed since Liz Truss’s mini budget, so what is Labour still so scared of?

— UK fiscal policy is trapped by Rachel Reeves’ rigid rules, echoing 2010s austerity. Former Home Secretary David Blunkett questions placing trust in fallible forecasts over public investment and essential services amid volatile global pressures.

OPINION

Keir Starmer doesn’t understand the benefits system

— The UK government’s latest disability benefit cuts, framed as economic reform, ignore systemic issues like worsening health and inaccessible jobs. Instead of supporting Disabled people, ministers prioritise cost-cutting over social inclusion.

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

Rachel Reeves’ route to economic growth is a slow one – and there are no guarantees voters will be patient enough

— UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has shifted to an upbeat economic outlook, unveiling pension and infrastructure reforms. However, slow growth, planning delays, and labour shortages threaten Labour’s long-term vision and electoral credibility.

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.

Analysis

Tulip Siddiq resigns: There’s no evidence she broke any rules, but here’s why she had to go anyway

— Tulip Siddiq has resigned as anti-corruption minister following corruption allegations involving her family ties and property transactions. Despite no proven misconduct, public perception and ministerial code concerns sealed her fate.

UK Politics

Attacks on Jess Phillips show how online abuse of women is intended to keep them out of the public square

— British MP Jess Phillips’ online abuse from Elon Musk highlights the pervasive silencing of women in public life. Such targeted attacks threaten safety, deter participation, and undermine democracy globally.

OPINION

Starmer’s Waspi betrayal will come back and sting him

— Labour faces backlash for scrapping pensioner benefits and denying compensation to 1950s-born Waspi women, contradicting prior pledges and ombudsman recommendations, sparking criticism for alienating key voter groups.

COMMENT

Why is a Labour government keeping Rishi Sunak’s finances under wraps?

— Keir Starmer pledged integrity before his election, yet his government supports secrecy over Rishi Sunak’s investments. A tribunal outcome could reshape transparency on ministers’ financial interests, challenging promises of honesty and public trust.

UK Farmers

Tough news for protesting farmers: Labour doesn’t actually need their votes

— Labour’s rural gains don’t hinge on the farmers’ votes, as most rural seats can be won without significant agricultural support. However, broader rural discontent could still pose political challenges.

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.

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.