UK Foreign Aid

What are Labour governments for? Why aid budget cuts are an existential matter

— Keir Starmer’s aid cuts to boost military spending mark a pivotal moment for Labour, challenging its progressive values. Critics see it as betraying core principles, echoing past controversial decisions on global conflicts.

OPINION

Trump is testing the waters on Ukraine to see how far he can go elsewhere

— Donald Trump’s second presidency prioritises alliances with autocracies, ending wars on his terms, and economic nationalism. A ‘win’ in Ukraine may well lead the US president to act in Gaza and resume talks of acquiring Canada or Greenland.

UK Politics

How should Labour and the Tories respond to the populist right? Lessons from Europe

— The populist radical right is rising across Europe, challenging mainstream parties. Germany’s “firewall” isolates them, while others debate co-opting or confronting them. Centre-left parties must resist imitation, while centre-rights face a strategic dilemma.

UK Politics

Dozens of Tory spads become lobbyists amid ‘unenforceable’ revolving door rules

— Dozens of former Conservative special advisers now work for major corporations, raising concerns over lobbying, privileged access, and weak regulatory enforcement. Transparency campaigners demand an urgent overhaul of lobbying rules.

Opinion Polls

Labour leads as Reform UK surges in Westminster voting intention

— In the latest opinion polls, Labour remains ahead, but Reform UK is rapidly gaining, overtaking the Conservatives. Growing right-wing discontent fuels Reform’s rise, while the Tories struggle to regain support under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership.

UK Politics

Kemi Badenoch claims there was ‘no plan’ for Net Zero. So why did she champion it in government?

— Kemi Badenoch has shifted her stance on net zero, once championing it in government but now opposing it as Tory leader. Critics call her opportunistic, aligning with right-wing populists over climate science.

UK Politics

Could Elon Musk’s government takeover happen in the UK?

— Trump’s radical government cuts, aided by Elon Musk’s unprecedented role, spark legal battles and a looming constitutional crisis. Britain’s system limits such overhauls, but political pressure for reform grows.

UK Police

Police are failing to deliver a minimum standard of service, according to the UK public

— The UK government has doubled funding for neighbourhood policing, but trust in police remains low. Research highlights the need for responsive, fair, and engaged policing to rebuild confidence and effectiveness.

UK Politics

Home Office drops controversial adviser Lord Walney

— The Home Office has axed Lord Walney’s adviser role following pressure from campaigners over conflicts of interest, highlighting concerns about industry influence on policy and marking a win for transparency advocates.

OPINION

The nastification of British politics

— Nigel Farage’s Reform UK leads UK polls, driving politics further right, Wee Ginger Dug writes. Immigration policies harden as Scotland resists the growing tide of cruelty, exclusion, and moral bankruptcy in British politics.

Opinion Polls

Political earthquake: Reform UK leads Westminster voting intentions

— Radical right Reform UK surges ahead in Westminster voting intentions, overtaking Labour and the Conservatives for the first time. With momentum building before May’s local elections, its rise threatens the traditional two-party dominance and reshapes the political landscape.

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 Politics

Almost 2 million people in the UK didn’t have the right ID to vote in 2024

— The UK’s first voter ID general election in 2024 excluded over half a million voters due to ID issues, disproportionately affecting poorer, younger, and less-educated voters, benefitting the Tories.

Analysis

Mandelson goes to Washington – or does he? Why neither is a good option now

— The UK faces a diplomatic dilemma as Lord Peter Mandelson’s controversial appointment as ambassador to the US clashes with Trump-era tensions. His credentials impress, but political baggage risks rejection.

Long-Read

The rise and rise of national populism (Part 2 – “Musk’s case of self-radicalisation”)

— Elon Musk’s self-radicalisation stems from his reliance on X’s algorithm-curated feed, which amplified far-right narratives, creating a feedback loop that entrenched his beliefs and shaped his radical political discourse.