Long-Read

What the leadership contest tells us about Brexit

— Professor Chris Grey’s analysis on how, although scarcely mentioned, Brexit permeates the Tory leadership contest between Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, and David Frost’s essay inadvertently revealed why whoever wins will fall prey to the impossibilities of post-Brexit politics.

UK Politics

Misjudgement now could cost the Conservatives dear at the next general election

— Rishi Sunak is more authentic and emotional, and Liz Truss more analytical, according to computerised text analysis of a recent hustings.

OPINION

Truss is a gift to the cause of Scottish independence

— Boris Johnson is a liar and a cheat but like all successful con artists, he is basically a showman. Even so, the people of Scotland proved immune to his charms. Liz Truss’s problem is that she has no charm at all.

Fact-Check

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak want to crack down on migration – An expert reviews their plans

— An expert breaks down the promises from the two Conservative leadership candidates on immigration, despite the fact it isn’t a pressing issue with voters anymore.

Cost of Living Crisis

Gordon Brown economics versus Liz Truss tax cuts: A new twist in the battle to resolve the UK’s cost of living crisis.

— It is only reasonable to expect the UK government to provide millions of individuals, households and companies with the immediate direct financial support they need to survive the cost of living crisis.

Investigation

Liz Truss uses leftover vaccine donations to cut up to £300m in foreign aid.

— The UK government’s decision to count donations of leftover COVID-19 vaccines as foreign aid could effectively slash £300m from this year’s aid spending.

OPINION

This is a cost of corporate greed crisis.

— What we are facing is not a cost of living crisis, it is a cost of corporate greed crisis. Ordinary households are suffering while a small minority become rich on the backs of their misery.

COMMENT

The last white woman, Liz Truss.

— Had it been anyone but Rishi Sunak, would Liz Truss really be the frontrunner in the Conservative Leadership Contest to replace Boris Johnson?

UK Politics

Liz Truss, craving for Vogue and attention.

— When Nicola Sturgeon met Liz Truss at the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow last year, the Foreign Secretary didn’t talk to her about climate change. She talked about... Vogue.

OPINION

Hasta la vista, he wants to come back.

— What is the difference between the Terminator and Boris Johnson? One is an inhuman evil destructive force without empathy or compassion. The other is also Prime Minister.

UK Politics

Is race an issue that might explain why Rishi Sunak is doing so badly among Tory members?

— A difficult question for pollsters to investigate: Is race an issue for Rishi Sunak? No one says ‘yes, ethnicity is an issue for me’ when pollsters ask but Conservative party members do show an above-average opposition to diversity drives.

Analysis

Without a fresh new vision, the next Conservative prime minister risks leading their party to election loss.

— Be it Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak, the incoming leader – and next prime minister – will inherit a party in deep trouble and in a precarious position that risks losing the next general election.

Brexit

How might Labour’s Brexit policy be made to work?

— Professor Chris Grey’s analysis on how Keir Starmer's timid policy could become less constipated, the implications of his foolish stance on post-election cooperation and the best/worst scenarios that follow.

OPINION

Human rights and Tory wrongs.

— Liz Truss is reportedly far ahead amongst Conservative party members who blame Rishi Sunak for defenestrating Boris Johnson – a view which Johnson himself is keen to foster... to prepare a triumphant return when Tory MPs decide to get rid of an inept Truss.

OPINION

The Tory chancers trashing the rule of law.

— The British Government has now pretty much abandoned any pretence that the rule of law counts for anything when it is supposed to apply to... the British Government.

UK Politics

Boris Johnson says his time as UK PM was ‘mission largely accomplished’. How does that actually stack up?

— Boris Johnson is about to leave 10 Downing Street to be replaced by one of two colleagues. His history in the top job is a chequered one.