OPINION

Plans to spy on Disabled people’s bank accounts show Labour isn’t for change

— Disabled people are criticising Labour’s welfare policies, accusing the government of replicating Tory-era financial surveillance and benefit cuts, and warning that new reforms could worsen hardship and increase poverty.

Immigration

Starmer expresses interest in Italy’s migration approach – How different is it from the Rwanda plan?

— UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who halted the Rwanda asylum scheme, recently met Italy’s Giorgia Meloni to discuss Italy’s Albania migration plan, highlighting shifting UK strategies on externalising immigration.

UK Politics

What Tory leadership candidates should learn from the mistakes of Boris Johnson – and Silvio Berlusconi

— The Conservative leadership candidates face challenges akin to those of Silvio Berlusconi and Boris Johnson, whose media-driven, populist approaches ultimately yielded limited progress and lasting controversy.

Right-Wing Media

Michael Gove, Spectator editor: The long relationship between Westminster and the media

— Michael Gove, ex-Tory MP, will soon edit The Spectator, reinforcing its right-wing conservative stance under new owner Sir Paul Marshall. This move underscores enduring press-politics links in British media.

Chagos Islands

UK hands Chagos Islands to Mauritius, marking the end of a longstanding sovereignty dispute

— The UK will transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while maintaining the US military base on Diego Garcia. This resolves a long-standing dispute but excludes Chagossians from negotiations, raising concerns about strategic and historical implications.

Conservative Party

The Tories who are fit to serve have no wish to do so – Why the party conference should have been a moment to reflect on that

— The Conservative Party’s annual conference saw hopeful leadership contenders, despite past failures and internal divisions. While invoking past leaders like David Cameron, who once advocated modernisation, today’s focus remains immigration, with little “compassionate conservatism” in sight.

UK Politics

Dominic Grieve questions Robert Jenrick’s fitness for office over misinformation

— Dominic Grieve has sharply criticised Robert Jenrick’s video on the European Convention on Human Rights, accusing him of misleading the public, misrepresenting legal principles, and promoting dangerous rhetoric that should disqualify him from high office.

COVID-19

Majority of Britons still back 2020 lockdowns, YouGov poll reveals

— A YouGov poll shows 65% of Britons believe the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns were necessary, despite ongoing debate about their economic and social impacts.

UK Politics

Kemi Badenoch questions maternity pay – Here’s what new mothers are actually entitled to

— Kemi Badenoch’s comments on UK maternity pay sparked debate, with critics highlighting its relative inadequacy compared to European standards. UK parental leave offers low, flat-rate payments and minimal gender equality outcomes.

OPINION

Andrew Marr, Gaelic and Scots

— Andrew Marr’s comments at the Labour Party conference dismissing Gaelic signage at Edinburgh’s Haymarket station highlight ongoing ignorance about Scotland’s linguistic history. Despite Marr’s apology, his remarks underscored cultural marginalisation, Wee Ginger Dug argues.

UK Politics

Keir Starmer’s party conference speech – What he said and what it meant

— At his party conference speech, Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Britons to embrace difficult politics, rejecting populism’s “easy answers.” He promoted collective responsibility, serious governance, and long-term solutions, appealing for public trust in a national renewal.

UK Politics

Do the Starmers’ expensive donated clothes matter? Yes and no

— Keir Starmer’s handling of undeclared gifts, including clothes for his wife, raises questions about Labour’s commitment to cleaning up British politics. The wider issue concerns wealth’s undue influence in politics.

Child Poverty

I research poverty in the UK – the two-child benefit limit is causing real and lasting harm

— The Labour government’s legislative agenda lacks a commitment to end the two-child benefit limit, which contributes significantly to child poverty. Activists and researchers urge its removal, highlighting widespread harm to affected families.

Fixing the NHS

The NHS is in ‘serious trouble’ and needs major reform – here are the pitfalls the government must avoid

— The NHS faces serious challenges unless major reforms are made, according to Lord Ara Darzi’s report. Key recommendations include shifting focus to digital transformation, community care, disease prevention, and avoiding centralised restructuring.

NHS

NHS report: Why higher pay for health workers could lead to a more efficient and effective system

— A review of the NHS highlights critical challenges, particularly pay and staffing, affecting morale and service quality. Addressing these through fair remuneration is essential for improved staff retention and patient outcomes.

UK Politics

Did Starmer have to be so miserable? The doom and gloom may be more political than economic

— Keir Starmer has warned the UK will endure short-term pain before recovery, blaming Conservative mismanagement. Labour faces tough decisions on spending cuts and tax reforms to address public sector needs and a significant funding gap, with political consequences looming.