On Friday, world leaders including Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen queued up to offer congratulations to Keir Starmer on his landslide Labour victory. But Hungary’s Viktor Orbán was, outrageously and provocatively, in Moscow meeting Vladimir Putin. His pretence at representing the EU was swiftly rejected by the actual president of the European Council, … [Read more...] about The change election: UK and Scotland
GE2024
Why Labour’s “borrowing to invest’ rule is no game-changer
On 19 March the (then Shadow) Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the 36th Mais Lecture at Bayes Business School in London. This was an opportunity for Labour to set out its stall on economic policy, and Rachel Reeves used it as a chance to outline her proposed fiscal rules. In doing so, she said:[O]ur fiscal rules differ from the government’s. Their borrowing rule, which … [Read more...] about Why Labour’s “borrowing to invest’ rule is no game-changer
Who wants to (re)join the EU?
The EU launched formal accession talks on Tuesday 25th June with Ukraine and Moldova. Along with several western Balkans candidate countries, these two states want to join the EU. According to one UK opinion poll a few days ago, 62% of the UK public also support re-joining (ironically the same figure as voted ‘remain’ in Scotland in the 2016 referendum 8 years ago). Yet, as the … [Read more...] about Who wants to (re)join the EU?
Is Starmer a socialist?
“I would describe myself as a socialist. I describe myself as a progressive”. These were Labour leader Keir Starmer’s words in May 2024 shortly after his first speech of the election campaign. Labour’s constitution defines it as a democratic socialist party. So, in theory, Starmer is a socialist. But what is socialism? One concept of socialism characterises it as being about … [Read more...] about Is Starmer a socialist?
Learn from Lady Macbeth’s fate, wannabe Tory leaders
Grant Shapps is running. The Tory MP has held what seems like every ministerial post possible and is famous in Westminster for his command of spreadsheets and data – in other words, for tracking the views and intentions of his fellow Tory MPs. He is ready for the battle ahead. Priti Patel is running. The former home secretary is on good terms with Nigel Farage, leader of the … [Read more...] about Learn from Lady Macbeth’s fate, wannabe Tory leaders