Keir Starmer
Is Keir Starmer a lawyer or a leader?
Keir Starmer surprised his colleagues during his first week in power when he appointed his old friend Richard Hermer KC…
The truth about Southport
When I first saw the headline I was highly optimistic. Sir Keir Starmer had identified the threat to society posed…
Portrait of the week: Trump’s inauguration, Israel-Hamas ceasefire and cardboard humans comfort lonely fish
Home Axel Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty to the murder of three girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed…
The answers Starmer must give
It will probably only damn me further in the eyes of many, but when I was a government minister I…
Does Keir Starmer know what a ‘drag anchor’ does?
The language of sailing ships is as treacherous as a lee shore. Words seldom mean what they suggest or are…
The folly of Keir Starmer’s Chagos Islands deal
It would be natural to assume that sinking bond markets would be the government’s priority this week, as low UK…
Why was everyone fooled by Rachel Reeves?
It is some time since I could claim any close acquaintance with the daily skirmishes of workaday Westminster. From risers…
What real justice would look like for grooming gang victims
It is always interesting to watch a dam burst. In the past week, as Elon Musk and other prominent Americans…
Donald Trump and new political disorder
Donald Trump isn’t back in the White House yet, but already his victory is being felt across the world. Greenland…
Lessons for Keir Starmer from Cicero
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and his chosen Attorney-General, Baron Hermer, both professional lawyers, seem to take the view…
‘I will die protecting this country’: Kemi Badenoch on where she plans to take the Tories
‘It’s like a start-up,’ Kemi Badenoch explains of her new job, as she plumps down on a sofa in the…
The joy of our village Christmas play
We are just recovering from the village play. This annual Christmas event was taken over last year by our son…
What’s in store for politics in 2025?
Santa will have a tricky time this year fulfilling all the Christmas wish lists in Westminster. Keir Starmer is desperately…
Labour’s confidence tricks
There is nothing new, nor necessarily fatal, about making a poor start in government. Margaret Thatcher had a torrid first…
Can Labour’s reset see off Reform?
Arriving on stage to accept ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at The Spectator’s Parliamentarian of the Year awards, Nigel Farage gave…
Portrait of the week: Storm Bert, Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire and Putin gives cockatoos to North Korea
Home A white paper outlined measures to counter economic inactivity (which had risen by September to 41.2 per cent among…
Labour’s Chinese takeaway
I was thrilled to learn that our government intends to enjoy an ‘open’ relationship with China – one of my…
Assisted dying is becoming Starmer’s mess
In the months before the general election, the Labour party had an internal debate about starting a ‘national conversation’ on…
Keir Starmer’s choice of Attorney General should concern conservatives
Of all Keir Starmer’s appointments to government, none have been so personal or politically significant as his choice of Attorney…
Will Keir Starmer get me banned from football games?
Last Saturday, I made the 400-mile round trip to Burnley with my 16-year-old son Charlie to see Queens Park Rangers…
Starmer’s first 100 days: the commentariat turns
Oh dear. Keir Starmer today marks his first 100 days in 10 Downing Street, but he has little cause for…
Portrait of the week: Sue Gray resigns and the Chagos Islands are handed back
Home Sue Gray resigned as chief of staff to Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister. She will become Sir Keir’s envoy…
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…
Can Morgan McSweeney reboot the government machine?
The Queen is dead: long live the King. This week brought an end to Downing Street’s unhappy experiment in dyarchy.…
