2024 General Election

What would a Reform surge do to Labour and the Liberal Democrats? Two scenarios mapped

— Labour’s Keir Starmer and LibDem’s Ed Davey appear to have a tacit agreement to avoid campaigning against each other, focusing on defeating the Conservatives. The Reform party could further divide the Conservative vote and increase their chances in marginal seats.

UK Politics

What the election date betting scandal really tells us about the state of British politics

— Political scandals often showcase stupidity, as seen in Partygate and the 2009 expenses scandal. Recent gambling on election dates by Tory candidates shows political fatigue. After 14 years, the Conservatives seem drained, making unforced errors, signalling it’s “time for a change”.

2024 General Election

What does the law say about gambling on election dates with inside information?

— Rishi Sunak’s associates are being investigated by the Gambling Commission for allegedly betting on a July 4 general election before it was public.

2024 General Election

Is Keir Starmer a socialist?

— Keir Starmer has sent mixed signals over the years. The Labour Leader claims to be a socialist, but his actions suggest a focus on social democracy. He promotes values like security and opportunity, advocating for limited public ownership while avoiding broader socialist principles.

2024 General Election

Another election, another round of Nigel Farage hype, with no lessons learned

— Nigel Farage, never elected to the House of Commons, is again shaping the UK agenda. Despite low electoral success, media hype, and mainstream elites bolster his far-right influence, diverting attention from crucial issues.

UK Politics

BBC Question Time: Analysis of guests over nine years suggests an overuse of rightwing voices

— The BBC’s Question Time faces scrutiny for potential bias. Our study shows a reliance on right-wing guests, challenging its impartiality claim. Debate on balance persists amidst public service broadcasting norms.

2024 General Election

Has Reform really overtaken the Tories in the polls? And does that mean it could beat them on July 4?

— A YouGov poll shows Reform UK leading the Conservatives for the first time, 19% to 18%. Despite this, both parties are essentially tied. Nigel Farage’s leadership has boosted Reform’s support, affecting Conservative vote shares and potentially aiding Labour and Liberal Democrats.

Immigration

Asylum housing tycoon is among the UK’s wealthiest – here’s what conditions are like inside the properties his company runs

— A £750 million fortune from government contracts faces criticism for unsafe, overcrowded asylum housing, highlighting ethical concerns and limited contractor accountability in the UK’s asylum system.

2024 General Election

Why doesn’t economic good news shift the polls for Rishi Sunak? An analysis of 27 past elections explains the problem

— Despite falling inflation, which should boost the Conservative government, voter intentions remain unchanged, with Conservatives trailing Labour by over 20%. This suggests other factors, like the NHS and immigration, overshadow economic improvements.

Education

Why UK government policies have failed to recruit enough teachers for years

— England’s secondary teacher shortage persists despite recruitment efforts and financial incentives. Systemic issues, political influences, and low acceptance rates for ethnic minorities hinder effective teacher supply planning.

2024 European Elections

EU parliament election sees shaken centre hold – but far-right now has chances to show its strength

— The European parliamentary election highlighted a fragile centre amid a rightward shift, with significant far-right gains in France, Germany, and Italy. The EPP retained centre-ground dominance, but far-right successes may influence future EU policies.

2024 General Election

How Sunak came up with disputed Labour tax figures – and what’s wrong with them

— In the first televised debate, Rishi Sunak claimed every working family would pay £2,000 more in tax under Labour. This figure, based on dubious Conservative calculations, has been widely discredited.

2024 General Election

Sunak and Starmer’s first TV debate: a tetchy PMQs where no one dared mention the F-word

— The first 2024 election debate felt anticlimactic, with Rishi Sunak indirectly addressing the absent Nigel Farage. Sunak’s aggressive tactics against Labour’s Keir Starmer suggested future ambitions over current priorities.

2024 General Election

Teenagers have gone through enough – Rishi Sunak’s national service is too much to ask

— Rishi Sunak proposes reintroducing national service for 18-year-olds if the Conservatives win the general election. Critics argue it burdens youth already impacted by pandemic disruptions and severe cuts to youth services, worsening social and economic inequalities.

2024 General Election

What we know so far about Labour’s plan for Great British Energy

— Labour’s energy plan includes Great British Energy, aiming to reduce bills, boost energy security, and create jobs. Focused on renewables and energy efficiency, it avoids nationalisation, stressing investment in local and future energy sources.

2024 General Election

Election 2024: Rishi Sunak has already lost control of the narrative

— Rishi Sunak struggles to control the narrative against Labour’s Keir Starmer. Criticised for lacking an engaging personal story, Sunak’s failure to seize narrative control risks undermining his leadership.