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The Gorton and Denton By-election has rightly prompted much soul searching for the Labour Party. One particular piece of analysis arising from the catastrophic defeat is that “Blue Labour”, the party’s socially conservative tradition, should be repudiated. A return to “True Labour, not Blue Labour” goes the cry. But what is “True Labour” and how... Read more » The post Connor Naismith MP: ‘Why Blue Labour is a key component of True Labour’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

This year marks 25 years since the devastating 2001 foot and mouth outbreak. For many, it is a distant memory. For our farmers, it is not. It is a reminder of how quickly disease can bring rural Britain to its knees and how fragile our biosecurity truly is. The scale of that crisis remains staggering.... Read more » The post Ben Goldsborough MP: ‘Biosecurity must be placed at the heart of our national security strategy’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

It’s fair to say that British democracy is in ill health. Labour has inherited rock bottom public trust in politics and a state wracked by austerity. We are working to show that government can deliver again, and this Labour government has rightly set to the task of addressing the myriad problems left us by fourteen... Read more » The post Labour must not bind Britain’s fate to the failing electoral system appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

The Gorton and Denton by-election is historic by any measure. The result marks the first time that the Green Party of England and Wales, which has existed in one form or another since 1973, has won a parliamentary by-election. In fact, the Green vote share (40.7%) was four times larger than their previous best by-election... Read more » The post The Green surge is coming for Keir Starmer appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

The announcement by Reform UK that they will “restore Britain’s Christian heritage” and that the nation must “uphold its Christian values” captures the contradictory essence of modern populist politics. Politicians of various faiths and none scrambling to weaponise a religious identity that the British public themselves have left behind and show no sign of wanting... Read more » The post Governing by nostalgia: Reform’s crusade for ‘Christian values’ offers false comfort appeared first on Pol

We are at a critical juncture marked by growing global uncertainty. The institutions and mechanisms that once sustained the post war era are being weakened or dismantled, with consequences that are no longer distant or abstract but increasingly felt by our constituents here at home. But responding to this upheaval means recognising that today’s national... Read more » The post Olivia Blake MP: ‘Can climate adaptation strengthen UK national security?’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

The leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Anas Sarwar, has moved first. Declaring that he had to do “what is right for my country”, Sarwar called on the prime minister to resign in a scathing statement. In a press conference this afternoon, Sarwar proclaimed: “It is not easy and not without pain, but my first... Read more » The post Reaction to Sarwar suggests Labour isn’t ready to depose Starmer appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Keir Starmer has vowed to fight on as prime minister following the resignations of two top aides.  Morgan McSweeney, one of the prime minister’s longest-serving and closest lieutenants, resigned as Downing Street chief of staff on Sunday. In a statement, McSweeney said he took “full responsibility” after personally advising Starmer to appoint Peter Mandelson as... Read more » The post ‘We go forward from here’, Starmer declares after two top aides resign in 24 hours appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Keir Starmer has entered the stay of execution phase of his premiership.  On Wednesday, the prime minister instructed Labour MPs to support a government amendment to a humble address tabled by Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative Party. The official opposition called for the release of documents relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the US;... Read more » The post Starmer leadership crisis will test the Labour herd appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

There are at least two ostensible explanations for the Labour national executive committee’s decision to block Andy Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. The official narrative was delivered in the form of a lengthy press notice this afternoon. The “statement from the Labour Party” explained that Burnham’s candidacy would have precipitated an... Read more » The post Blocking Burnham will not stop the psychodrama appeared first on Politics.co.uk.