By focusing on rough sleepers, Burnham distracts us, and himself, from the real problem
Andrew Gimson
No party shows the slightest sign of knowing how to get so many houses built now. It is reasonable to doubt whether Burnham will be any more successful at national level than he was in Manchester at bringing about an end to rough sleeping.
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Oliver Dean
The party that has long proclaimed itself to be the champion of free speech has undergone something of a transformation. Morphed, it seems, into a slapdash politburo.
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The difference between scrutiny and smear is not defined by political affiliation
Giles Dilnot
Whether scrutiny is fair, is not defined by your background, race, and certainly not your politics, and it’s a stupid even dangerous idea that one man’s scrutiny is another man’s smear. Scrutiny of whoever in public life is not, and should not, be going away any time soon.
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What does the data tell us about Nigel Farage’s by-election victory and the future for Reform
Patrick English
Reform’s leader has won and done better in Clacton than 2024. However anyone paying close attention to the underlying numbers around Farage and his party will notice even at the peak of their polling powers, you could always find twice as many Brits who had an unfavourable opinion of him as had a favourable one.
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If at first Burnham doesn’t succeed, he’s going to tell you he’ll try trying again
David Gauke
Burnham is a Prime Minister who demonstrably tries, and the public will appreciate that for a while. But it is ultimately not good intentions that matter. Trying must be followed by succeeding, and that is a much harder test.
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It’s not just the country but the debate that’s been hotting up in the current climate
David Willetts
Conservatives worry that somehow tackling climate change is socialism. It need not be. The problem starts with a classic proposition of market economics that the price of energy from fossil fuels does not properly reflect its costs in the long-term damage to the environment and the planet.
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The Conservatives are alive and kicking in Angus
Derek Wann
One of the greatest dangers facing our party in Scotland is talking ourselves into decline before the electorate ever does. Constant predictions of Conservative irrelevance damage morale, discourage volunteers and lower expectations before a single leaflet has been delivered.
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The holidays are over and the Candidates are coming – here’s what you need to know to be one
John Moss
From September, the Conservative Party is going to start advertising for candidates for the seats it needs to win in order to form the next government. I’ve had a look at what has changed – and what hasn’t – in the process. Do your research on the seats you are most interested in, and don’t book any holidays!
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One Nation Conservatism is yesterday’s politics
Manraj Atwal
The fundamental problem with One Nation Toryism, then, is not that it is corrosive as an idea. It is that it provides cover for those without ideas.
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All aboard Labour’s failing railways
Richard Holden
So, while Transport is not all about rail, with around £15 billion a year of taxpayers’ money going into the network – excluding capital expenditure on HS2 – my colleagues and I will continue to rail against Labour’s woeful maladministration, put passengers first and fight for a railway judged by the results that really matter.