UK politics
Should Reeves raise income tax?
Rachel Reeves is reportedly looking at a 2p increase in income tax. The hike to the basic rate – paid…
The ‘anti-racism’ march are the real extremists
What’s more scary? A gaggle of old UKIP voters gathering to vent their spleen about mass immigration? Or a march…
Dick Taverne was the last social democrat
Lord Dick Taverne, a one-time Labour Minister turned Lib Dem peer, has died at the great age of 97 –…
Obsolete message: Led By Donkeys in conversation, reviewed
The founding members of Led By Donkeys granted a public interview last Thursday at a theatre in Walthamstow. They were questioned by Guardian columnist…
How we can prevent further anti-semitic atrocities
The atrocious attack on a community of peaceful Jewish worshippers at a synagogue in Manchester yesterday shocked us all. But…
Inside London’s embassy parties
Like the new school year, ambassadors to Britain usually change each September. Among those leaving this summer are the German,…
Farage, flags and the forgotten English
The flag-raisings in towns and cities across the country are an inevitable consequence of elites’ seeming preference for every flag…
Leave bad manners to the public, not the police
Most people deplore bad behaviour in public and gratuitous breaches of etiquette and manners on trains and buses. Few would…
Angela Rayner’s not-so-scandalous ‘third home’
Angela Rayner, it’s reported, has bought a ‘third home’. The three-bedroom seaside flat on the south coast that she has…
Is David Williams the MoD’s fall guy?
Yesterday the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that its permanent secretary, David Williams, will be stepping down in a matter…
The air traffic control failure looks like cock-up rather than conspiracy
The most remarkable thing about today’s air traffic control failure, which has led to at least 45 flights being cancelled…
The Online Safety Act and Labour’s ‘ancient’ institutions
After Reform promised to repeal the Online Safety Act, it didn’t take long for Labour to defend internet censorship. ‘And…
Justin Welby has cemented his reputation – for having a tin ear
This is an excerpt from the latest episode of the Holy Smoke podcast with Damian Thompson, which you can find…
Sunday shows round-up: Reeves says living standards will increase
Rachel Reeves: ‘I’m confident we will see living standards increase’ A report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has found that…
For Rachel Reeves the worst could be yet to come
Rachel Reeves has spent the morning touring the broadcast studios as she attempts to pitch roll for Wednesday’s Spring Statement.…
Labour minister sacked for vile WhatsApps
Congratulations to Andrew Gwynne who wins the ministerial sack race of 2025. The Labour MP for Gorton & Denton was…
Reform overtake Tories on Spectator poll tracker
The new year is off to a bad start for Kemi Badenoch’s Tories. The latest update to The Spectator data…
‘Islamophobia’ and the grooming gangs scandal
At PMQs this week, Kemi Badenoch told MPs that Labour’s adoption of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslim’s…
How green is the government’s car service?
The government’s green credentials are in the firing line – and not for the first time. In office, Keir Starmer…
Jeremy Hunt’s fantasy Budget
As Rachel Reeves prepares what is potentially the most difficult Budget in a generation, a question occurs: what if the…
Does Wes Streeting’s ten-year NHS plan amount to anything?
The Health Secretary is making a big fanfare about a cash boost in the Budget and a new plan to…
Labour were right to protect Taylor Swift
Still making headlines, it seems, is one of the more trivial scandals to have dogged the Labour government in its…
Richard Burgon fails to draw a crowd at Labour conference
Oh for the days of ‘Oh Jeremy Corbyn’. It only seems like yesterday that the likes of John McDonnell and…
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…
Are Labour about to u-turn on the winter fuel payment?
Could Labour be about to water down its removal of the winter fuel payment for pensioners? The chorus of muttering…
