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Sat, 7 June 2025
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Editor's choice
The Frankenstein's Monster Of Whitehall: Will Labour Really Abolish DCMS?
Culture
The Frankenstein's Monster Of Whitehall: Will Labour Really Abolish DCMS?
As briefings against DCMS and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy abound, Sophie Church and Sienna Rodgers explore why the department is so embattled and what its future might look like
Equity's Paul W Fleming: Labour AI Plan For Creatives Would 'Legalise Theft'
Culture
Equity's Paul W Fleming: Labour AI Plan For Creatives Would "Legalise Theft"
Equity general secretary Paul W Fleming tells Sienna Rodgers about the threat of AI and his frustration with the government’s ‘very, very, very disappointing’ approach to the creative industries
Water Minister Emma Hardy: 'The Regulatory System Is Broken'
Environment
Water Minister Emma Hardy: "The Regulatory System Is Broken"
With water now a top political issue in Britain, Sienna Rodgers talks to Defra minister Emma Hardy who says regulation of the industry is ‘broken’ – and warns companies, ‘there’s no room to hide’
Dominic Raab's Pret Special
Brexit
By Robert Hutton
Dominic Raab's Pret Special
He doesn't have the same lunch every day. Really.
Troubled Waters – The Many Struggles Of The Canal And River Trust
Environment
Troubled Waters – The Many Struggles Of The Canal And River Trust
Over a decade ago, the government decided to place many of England and Wales’ inland waterways in the hands of the Canal & River Trust. As it struggles with increasing financial pressure and a furious row with part of the boating community, has the experiment failed? Alan White investigates. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
The Other Insurgent Party: Should The Greens Turn Left With Eco-Populism?
Political parties
The Other Insurgent Party: Should The Greens Turn Left With Eco-Populism?
The Greens find themselves at a crossroads: red-green eco-populism with a Corbyn-style radical from outside Parliament – or two rural MPs serving as co-leaders? Sophie Church and Sienna Rodgers report
The Ultimate Insider: An Appreciation Of Lord Hennessy
Defence
The Ultimate Insider: An Appreciation Of Lord Hennessy
He has mapped the British state for decades, including its most secret corners. In doing so he has helped shape our institutions and the individuals who run them.
Trade Envoys: Cheap, Effective Diplomacy Or Patronage-Fuelled Freebie Fest?
Foreign affairs
Trade Envoys: Cheap, Effective Diplomacy Or Patronage-Fuelled Freebie Fest?
A neat way of getting freebies while ducking transparency around interests, or an inexpensive scheme for bringing highly valued growth and business to the UK? Sienna Rodgers takes a look at trade envoys
Jonathan Reynolds: US Criticism Of Beijing’s Economic Policy Is “Reasonable”
Economy
Jonathan Reynolds: US Criticism Of Beijing’s Economic Policy Is “Reasonable”
As Labour looks for a carve-out from Trump’s tariffs, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds tells Sophie Church why the UK should help the US address China’s imbalanced trading position
Blue Labour's Jonathan Rutherford Is Helping No 10 Find Purpose, Energy And A Story To Tell
Political parties
Blue Labour's Jonathan Rutherford Is Helping No 10 Find Purpose, Energy And A Story To Tell
Can Blue Labour help Keir Starmer’s government develop a clear direction and sense of purpose? Sienna Rodgers talks to Jonathan Rutherford, a political thinker with the ear of No 10
How Reform UK Won: 'The More They Sing Our Tune, The More We Win'
Political parties
How Reform UK Won: "The More They Sing Our Tune, The More We Win"
Reform UK sent shockwaves through British politics after making significant gains at the local and mayoral elections, turning two-party politics on its head.
Recipes for Disaster: Kemi's steak
Parliament
By Robert Hutton
Recipes for Disaster: Kemi's steak
Back in 2006, a pollster advised George Osborne that the public generally knew at most three things about any politician, and that he should think what he would like them to be.
Tales From The Front: MPs Share Their Stories From Ukraine
Defence
Tales From The Front: MPs Share Their Stories From Ukraine
From shortly after the invasion to today, British parliamentarians have been visiting Ukraine to learn and, where possible, to support. We asked a selection to share their most abiding memories
How Keir Starmer Keeps His Massive Parliamentary Party In Line
Political parties
How Keir Starmer Keeps His Massive Parliamentary Party In Line
How do you keep a large parliamentary party in line? Sienna Rodgers digs into Labour's job creation scheme for back benchers. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
Recipes For Disaster: The Bacon Sandwich
Political parties
Recipes For Disaster: The Bacon Sandwich
To launch a new column on politicians making a meal of it, there was only one place to start.
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
Environment
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
Sienna Rodgers talks to shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins who aims her fire at ‘City Steve’, ‘showman’ Nigel Farage and the government’s ‘Marxist’ policy on compulsory purchase
Inside The Special Educational Needs Crisis Forcing Councils Into Bankruptcy
Education
By Justine Smith
Inside The Special Educational Needs Crisis Forcing Councils Into Bankruptcy
A dramatic increase in children judged to have special educational needs has created another dysfunctional market driving councils into insolvency, reports Justine Smith
Why Britain Can't Build
Economy
Why Britain Can't Build
We can’t start to clear away the blockers until we understand how we erected them in the first place; Michael Dnes details how thousands of sane decisions have led us to the current madness. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
Ben Houchen: 'I Don’t Have A Bad Word To Say About How No 10 Have Engaged With Me”
Economy
Ben Houchen: "I Don’t Have A Bad Word To Say About How No 10 Have Engaged With Me”
Ben Houchen survived against the odds last May. Now the last Tory mayor standing tells Tali Fraser of his determination to make Tees Valley great again. Photography by Christopher Owens
The Secret Social Worker: 'It Feels Relentless And The Gaps Are Just Too Big For Us To Fill'
Health
The Secret Social Worker: 'It Feels Relentless And The Gaps Are Just Too Big For Us To Fill'
A mental health social worker takes us through a typical day in the job, from disappointing patients to dealing with abuse and threats
How to resolve the modern care dilemma: drop the obsession with GDP
Health
By Miriam Cates
How to resolve the modern care dilemma: drop the obsession with GDP
Resolving the modern care dilemma means putting family at the heart of the economy, writes Miriam Cates. But the challenges to implementing this conservative plan for care come from all sides – including the ‘ultra-online right’
Stephen Kinnock: 'I have a really personal understanding of what people are going through'
Health
By Sienna Rodgers
Stephen Kinnock: 'I have a really personal understanding of what people are going through'
Stephen Kinnock is responsible for tackling one of the biggest challenges the government faces: social care. The health minister talks to Sienna Rodgers about charging reforms, professionalising the workforce and his family’s experiences with care
Baroness Bertin's porn review: 'This isn't me driving a tank onto the lawn of censorship'
Home affairs
By Sienna Rodgers
Baroness Bertin's porn review: 'This isn't me driving a tank onto the lawn of censorship'
Will the government clamp down on legal but harmful online pornography? Sienna Rodgers talks to Conservative peer Baroness Bertin about her new review, which comes with a warning for ministers
'A broken system': Diary of a London tenant
Communities
By Zoe Crowther
'A broken system': Diary of a London tenant
Professionally familiar with the levers of power, Zoë Crowther was nonetheless caught in an unfolding rental nightmare that she says reveals a deeply broken market. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
Florence Eshalomi: 'Where’s the outrage that so many children have died in temporary accommodation?'
Communities
By Harriet Symonds
Florence Eshalomi: 'Where’s the outrage that so many children have died in temporary accommodation?'
Labour’s Florence Eshalomi tells Harriet Symonds about Keir Starmer’s need to loosen up, her friendship with Kemi Badenoch, and the pain of knowing that children are still experiencing what she did in unsuitable temporary accommodation. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
The spiders that ate Ebbsfleet
Environment
By Michael Dnes
The spiders that ate Ebbsfleet
As we – once again – await the unveiling of a host of proposed new towns, Michael Dnes tells the extraordinary cautionary tale of how an industrial wasteland in Kent just 17 minutes by high-speed train from central London remains a spiders’ paradise
Artful Dealing: How to deal with Donald Trump from No 10
Foreign affairs
By Katie Perrior
Artful Dealing: How to deal with Donald Trump from No 10
Theresa May's former press chief reflects on what we've learned about how to deal with Donald Trump
Alison McGovern: 'Employment is 1,000% a progressive cause'
Communities
By Tali Fraser
Alison McGovern: 'Employment is 1,000% a progressive cause'
Vacancies are soaring but so are the numbers out of work – fixing that is at the heart of Labour’s ambition for growth. Alison McGovern’s plans for employment could prove key, writes Tali Fraser. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
Blue Labour v Reform: The Pro-Worker, Anti-Woke Plan To Beat Farage
Communities
Blue Labour v Reform: The Pro-Worker, Anti-Woke Plan To Beat Farage
Is Blue Labour the answer to Keir Starmer’s problems? Sienna Rodgers and Tom Scotson report on a new group of MPs and the re-emergence of a tradition that had been jettisoned
HM chief inspector of prisons: 'If someone were to get a gun into a prison, all bets are off'
Home affairs
By Sienna Rodgers
HM chief inspector of prisons: 'If someone were to get a gun into a prison, all bets are off'
Speaking to Sienna Rodgers, HM chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor details the many failures he has seen across the prison estate, including the ‘existential risk’ presented by phones, drugs and weapons entering via drones
Inside the problems plaguing the prison estate
Communities
By Tali Fraser
Inside the problems plaguing the prison estate
Unable to innovate or even buy basic materials, and struggling to keep staff while operating antiquated systems, prison governors are trapped in a failing system, reports Tali Fraser
AG Lord Hermer on international law: 'Bring it on, if that’s the fight people want to have'
Foreign affairs
By Sienna Rodgers
AG Lord Hermer on international law: 'Bring it on, if that’s the fight people want to have'
Sienna Rodgers talks to Lord Hermer about his friendship with the Prime Minister and focus on the rule of law since taking up the post of Attorney General
Youngest MP Calls For 'Voting Terminals' Around Parliament As Backbenchers Plan Modernisation Drive
Communities
Youngest MP Calls For 'Voting Terminals' Around Parliament As Backbenchers Plan Modernisation Drive
Labour MP Sam Carling has called for the Modernisation Committee to consider reform of Parliament's voting system to make MPs "more productive".
Baroness Smith of Llanfaes: 'I don’t believe Westminster will ever work for Wales'
Home affairs
By Sophie Church
Baroness Smith of Llanfaes: 'I don’t believe Westminster will ever work for Wales'
Baroness Smith of Llanfaes tells Sophie Church why she thinks Westminster will never work for Wales, and how politics is changing from being a ‘place for men’. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
Welsh Labour Worries It Could Be Voted Out Of Government For The First Time
Political parties
Welsh Labour Worries It Could Be Voted Out Of Government For The First Time
Here be dragons? With the introduction of ‘pure PR’ and the rise of Reform, the next Senedd election looks set to take Wales into uncharted territory, reports Sienna Rodgers
Anas Sarwar: 'I'm Not Willing To Wait For Someone Else To Fix Our Problems'
Energy
Anas Sarwar: "I'm Not Willing To Wait For Someone Else To Fix Our Problems"
Sienna Rodgers talks to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar about the UK government’s ‘teething problems’, a bespoke immigration solution for Scotland and how to fight Reform