Labour
The problem with Keir Starmer’s pledges
Keir Starmer still clearly misses opposition. He spent almost as much of his reset speech complaining about the Tories and…
Labour can’t help Kamala Harris
The news that Labour is sending volunteers to assist Kamala Harris’s campaign is an outrage. In what world is it…
Labour’s first 100 days: the verdict
This Saturday marks Labour’s 100th day in office. But they are unlikely to be popping champagne corks in Downing Street…
Does Keir Starmer have a soul?
One of the main arguments against hereditary peerages is that talent and ability are not always passed down across generations.…
The sugared-almond theory of economic consequence
Let me ease you gently into a big and boring-sounding word for a small dishonesty that today corrupts the language…
Morgan McSweeney is the new Peter Mandelson
It’s an iron law of politics that when the staffer becomes the story they have to go. Dominic Cummings had…
Who’d be an MP now?
Sir Keir Starmer offered a sausage to fortune when he let Lord Alli bankroll half the cabinet. One’s heart does…
Wes Streeting is convincing, but where’s his plan?
This Labour conference has largely been about Keir Starmer and his ministers making the argument for what they are doing,…
Keir Starmer needs to sell his government
Keir Starmer has his big speech today at Labour conference and, like Rachel Reeves’s offering yesterday, the Prime Minister plans…
Is Scottish Labour really back?
Labour’s first conference from government in 14 years might not be taking place against an ideal backdrop, with the Prime…
What ‘rot’ is Keir Starmer talking about?
With the elections over, it might be time to reflect on what Sir Keir Starmer means by ‘rot’ in the…
The culture wars are far from over
It’s only been a month since the new Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, declared that the ‘era of culture wars is…
How serious is the Starmer sleaze row?
Another week, another accusation of sleaze in relation to the Labour party. After initially winning some plaudits over the summer…
Labour’s outrageous attack on academic free speech
In an extraordinary outburst, a government source has described the new Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, introduced by the…
The myth of Britain’s fleeing non-doms
According to popular imagination, the skies over Britain have been full these past few months of fleets of private jets…
Labour’s union problem
Less than two months in, one aspect of Keir Starmer’s government is becoming clear. This administration is closer to the…
How safe do you feel boarding a Boeing?
‘They knocked down our old house in three hours,’ says a friend who has embarked on what he says is…
The secret diary of Sue Gray
Once we entered Downing Street a No. 10 protocol adviser took Vic upstairs to show her the facilities in the private…
Full text: I’ll govern ‘unburdened by doctrine’
I have just returned from Buckingham Palace, where I accepted an invitation from His Majesty the King to form the…
How Keir Starmer plans to rule through the courts
Never mind Labour’s promise not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT – the party will soon be jacking…
Why should Putin be allowed to keep seized Russian assets?
The seizure of enemy treasure, formerly known as plunder and pillage, is an ancient tool of war. Though still practised…
Have you had the school gate VAT chat?
Another day closer to the general election and I’m at my daughter’s prep school in Oxfordshire. As has come to…
Bury the Canaletto, now
I’m not on the guest list for the Duke of Westminster’s wedding, but I wish him luck anyway. Mind you,…
Labour’s plans to rewrite the National Curriculum
Michael Gove’s decision to stand down in this election was a reminder that the one really bright spot in the…
Private schools can’t complain about Labour’s VAT raid
Of course Labour’s policy of charging VAT on private school fees is all about throwing a bit of red meat…
