What does Keir Starmer stand for?
The Labour leader lacks a big idea that encapsulates how he will run the country.
ByLocal elections
Local election results show the Tories are in trouble
Labour’s advances have dented Conservative hopes of a revival under Rishi Sunak.
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What will the results of today’s local elections mean for Westminster?
For the media and politicians, the overarching question is whether Labour’s lead is as strong as the polls suggest.
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Inside the Lib Dem and Labour assault on Tory commuterville
As England goes to the polls in the local elections, the Conservatives are under threat in southern Blue Wall seats.
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Keir Starmer faces an assortment of political woes
The potential veto of Sue Gray as his chief of staff is only the latest setback for the Labour leader…
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“No tangible benefits”: Tory councillors give their verdict on levelling up
An exclusive New Statesman survey reveals waning support for the government’s flagship policy.
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A quiet revolt among councillors on progressive alliances
Exclusive polling for the New Statesman reveals enthusiasm for coalition governing in defiance of national parties.
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Could the local elections be a damp squib for Labour? Here’s what councillors think
A New Statesman poll suggests local government representatives are ambivalent about Labour’s election chances.
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The Tories begin expectation management for the local elections in style
By predicting losses of 1,000 seats, Greg Hands has signalled just how much trouble his party believes it is in.
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The Tories need to get over their obsession with the “I’m afraid there’s no money” note
It’s meant to shift the focus to the threat of a Labour government. But all it does is remind of…
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The local elections will be Rishi Sunak’s first electoral test
Meanwhile, Labour is learning that the tricky thing about a poll lead is that you have to maintain it.
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The Policy Ask with Adam Lent: “You can’t rip resources away from councils and claim to have a moral compass”
The chief executive of the New Local think tank on flexible working, the underfunding of local authorities and what the…
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“The Tories are seen as increasingly anti-London”, says Westminster’s first Labour leader
Adam Hug on his party’s path to power in the capital's iconic borough.
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How Labour lost the Indian vote
Attacking Rishi Sunak’s elitist background goes down badly with affluent, ambitious, nostalgic Hindus.
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Pothole politics: A green councillor on breaking through in south London
The Greens gained seats across England, Scotland and Wales. They now hold real power in Croydon.
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Pothole politics: a Lib Dem councillor on the party’s renaissance in Sunderland
The north-east city is famous for quick election declarations, but residents need action on energy costs.
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Pothole politics: A Labour councillor’s view on winning Herts
A local councillor tells Spotlight about the challenges ahead in the commuter belt, where residents have turned away from the…
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Pothole politics: A Tory councillor on Croydon in crisis
The south London borough changed hands at the local elections. A councillor tells Spotlight about the challenges ahead.
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Economic growth won’t fix the cost-of-living crisis
The problem isn’t a lack of solutions – it’s a lack of imagination.
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How much peril is Boris Johnson in?
The Prime Minister is aided by the weakness of his rivals: Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak.
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