UK Politics

Reform’s threat to the mainstream parties is unique in UK political history

— Farage’s Reform party surges with left-leaning pledges, unsettling Labour and Conservatives alike, as Britain’s political landscape shifts under a first-past-the-post system unfit for a multi-party reality.

Long-Read

Not dealing with Brexitism

— Trump's flimsy UK ‘trade deal’ masks retreat from tariff chaos, while India pact offers rare Brexit trade gain. Yet neither offsets Brexit’s economic harm nor ends Britain’s Brexitist politics.

UK Politics

Reform wins Runcorn by-election by just six votes – what the result means for Labour and the Tories

— Reform has stunned Labour with a six-vote by-election win in Runcorn and Helsby, breaking historic norms and fuelling speculation Nigel Farage could become Britain’s next prime minister.

2025 Local Elections

Farage declares Tories “finished” as Reform UK makes major gains in local elections

— Nigel Farage hails a “Reformquake” after Reform UK captures a by-election and gains local power, declaring the Conservatives “finished” and warning Labour of a silent majority turning right.

Runcorn By-Election

Reform UK wins Runcorn by-election by just six votes — A wake-up call for British Democracy

— Reform UK’s razor-thin victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election has sent shockwaves through the British political establishment, raising alarms over populism, voter disengagement, and the fragile state of UK democracy.

OPINION

Visits from space aliens

— Kemi Badenoch’s delayed Scotland visit exposed Conservative woes, as she patronised voters while pushing right-wing rhetoric. With Labour also shifting right, the political landscape grows increasingly detached from compassion, empathy, and public priorities.

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

Kemi Badenoch’s views on inequality should worry Black Britons

— Kemi Badenoch champions anti-woke conservatism over systemic inequality reforms, but her policies largely avoid addressing systemic racial disparities affecting Black Britons.

Long-Read

The limits and limitations of post-Brexit choices

— Chris Grey critiques Trump’s victory and Brexit’s deepening incoherence, highlighting Labour’s state-driven budget as a shift from neo-liberalism. Yet, Brexit’s financial toll limits Britain’s capacity to navigate these challenges.

Climate Change

What Kemi Badenoch means for the UK’s fragile consensus on climate change

— Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s scepticism toward net zero targets signals a shift, emphasising pragmatism and economic caution. Her ambivalence on climate policy suggests potential divisive strategies targeting Reform voters.

COMMENT

Nigeria isn’t cheering its female ‘Trump’ export to the UK

— A Nigerian talk show panel criticised British Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for her disparaging views on Nigeria and its culture, questioning her empathy towards her heritage and community.

Conservative Leadership Contest

Kemi Badenoch chosen as new Tory Leader amidst post-election turmoil

— Kemi Badenoch, the first Black woman to lead the Conservative Party, takes over from Rishi Sunak after their disastrous electoral defeat. With her culture war ideology and controversial views, she pledges yet another attempt at renewal to regain public support.

Conservative Leadership Contest

Kemi Badenoch’s stance on Net Zero sparks controversy in Tory Leadership race

— Kemi Badenoch’s scepticism over the UK’s 2050 Net Zero target has sparked debate in the Conservative Party. She questions its feasibility, suggesting an adaptation-focused approach, potentially reshaping Tory climate policy.

UK Politics

Why the Tories may be wasting their time trying to compete with Reform

— The Reform Party did not significantly undermine the Conservative vote in the last general election. In fact, both parties drew support from different demographic groups and were electoral allies rather than rivals.

Conservative Leadership Contest

Tory MPs have accidentally knocked out their own man – and reminded voters why they lost the last election

— The Conservatives’ leadership ballot has unexpectedly ousted favourite James Cleverly, leaving right-wing candidates Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick in contention. This outcome underscores party disunity and risks alienating centrist voters.

Conservative Leadership Contest

Can Kemi Badenoch claim to have ‘become working class’ while working in McDonald’s – and why would she want to?

— Tory MP Kemi Badenoch recently sparked debate by claiming she “became working class” while working at McDonald’s – despite her middle-class roots, seemingly to resonate with working-class voters and reflect Britain’s shifting class perceptions.