39 h. ago Readers' Letters: Forget Prince Andrew and sort Scotland's many problems

SNP big gun should point his energy at the right targets, says reader

Politics

61 h. ago Readers’ letters: Scottish Greens are right – it’s time to legalise drugs

A reader says the Scottish Greens’ new policy supporting the legalisation and regulations of drugs is the way forward

Events

3 d. ago Readers' Letters: Scottish Government must clear 'back door' of hospitals

The latest news about Scottish NHS crisis dismays readers

Politics

4 d. ago Readers' Letters: Pensions would not suffer in an independent Scotland

Don’t worry about your pension if Scotland ever leaves the UK, says reader

Politics

7 d. ago Readers’ letters: Time to challenge the VAT on private school fees narrative

The impact on the state sector from adding VAT to private school fees has been massively overstated, a reader suggests

Politics

8 d. ago Readers’ letters: Calling Donald Trump – the UK needs your help

A reader suggests the US President could take some time out to get to grips with seemingly intractable problems here

Politics

9 d. ago Readers’ letters: Carers betrayed by withdrawal of free Covid vaccination

An unpaid carer writes to say he feels let down by the removal of free vaccine eligibility

Politics

1 week ago Readers' letters: Swinney the peacemaker ready to grace world stage

A reader suggests First Minister is too small for a role for such a ‘man of many talents’

Politics

1 week ago Voters' voices are being shut out of British politics. Your Party has a radical plan to change that | Jeremy Corbyn

At our conference in November we will use a jury service-type model to allow members to discuss and decide policy, strategy and even the name of our partyAt Labour’s latest conference, one thing stood out: the party no longer believes in democracy. Members and trade union affiliates voted to back, first the findings of a UN commission of inquiry that Israel is committing genocide, and second that the government must do all it can to prevent it.It is now two weeks since this motion was passed, but still the Labour government refuses to recognise the genocide in Gaza and allows the supply of weapons to Israel.Jeremy Corbyn is the MP for Islington North and co-leader of Your Party. He was leader of the Labour party from 2015 to 2020 Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Readers' letters: Labour must think radically to win Holyrood election

A devo-max argument could counter John Swinney’s belief that the ‘limits of devolution’ have been reached, a reader says

Politics

1 week ago Cocaine found at Tory party conference as investigators discover traces in the toilets

Just a week after traces of cocaine were found at a Labour Party conference event, a Daily Star Sunday investigation has discovered the Class-A drug in the toilets of the Tory conference in Manchester

Events

1 week ago Readers' letters: We need a steel industry in these troubled times

A reader says the challenges surrounding the production of steel in the UK must be overcome

Events

2 w. ago I saw desperation at the Tory conference – but all traditional parties may be in this position soon | Andy Beckett

The feeling of crisis in Manchester also afflicts Labour and the Lib Dems. It leaves voters facing a dangerously unstable political orderMuch of democratic politics is about getting people’s attention. That’s a particular problem for struggling, less-than-compelling leaders. The further your party falls in the polls, the larger the temptation to launch dramatic, supposedly transformational policies. It’s like speaking more and more loudly to someone who has stopped listening.Thus this week’s Conservative conference in Manchester, with the party at historic lows in the polls, featured a frenzy of policy announcements, on once-successful Tory themes such as tax cuts, law and order, welfare and immigration, that were often made to half-empty rooms. Expanses of blue carpet had been installed in the huge, barn-like convention centre – as if to reassure delegates that the party still had an identity – yet much of the time they were eerily deserted. The Conservatives, famed and feared for ...

Politics

2 w. ago Readers' letters: Storm shows electricity infrastructure not fit for purpose

Building more overhead transmission lines will put lives in the Highlands at risk, a reader argues

Events

2 w. ago Tory plan to abolish stamp duty ‘will benefit London and the wealthiest the most’ – UK politics live

The Social Market Foundation thinktank says council tax reform and a property-based tax would be more sustainable and fairerVoting in the Labour deputy leadership election opens today. Lucy Powell, the former Commons leader, is seen as the favourite and, as Jessica Elgot reports, Powell told supporters yesterday that, if she is elected, she will use the post to argue for changes in the way the government is operating. “We can’t sugarcoat the fact that things aren’t going well,” she said.Powell is no longer a government minister and, if she is elected deputy leader, she will do the job from the backbenches. In an interview on Newsnight last night, Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary standing against Powell, said a Powell victory would be “destabilising” for the party. She said:[Electing Powell] risks destabilising the party we best achieve what we need to do together when we have those fierce conversations, including disagreements, behind closed doors.Members need to understa...

Politics

2 w. ago Tories would abolish stamp duty, Badenoch tells party conference – UK politics live

Party leader says measure is a ‘bad tax’ and scrapping it would free up the housing market and improve social mobilityVoting in the Labour deputy leadership election opens today. Lucy Powell, the former Commons leader, is seen as the favourite and, as Jessica Elgot reports, Powell told supporters yesterday that, if she is elected, she will use the post to argue for changes in the way the government is operating. “We can’t sugarcoat the fact that things aren’t going well,” she said.Powell is no longer a government minister and, if she is elected deputy leader, she will do the job from the backbenches. In an interview on Newsnight last night, Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary standing against Powell, said a Powell victory would be “destabilising” for the party. She said:[Electing Powell] risks destabilising the party we best achieve what we need to do together when we have those fierce conversations, including disagreements, behind closed doors.Members need to understand tha...

Politics

2 w. ago Watch: Chesney Hawkes serenades ex Tory MPs and party staff at Conservative conference — despite suggesting Labour allegiance

The singer made an appearance at the Conservative conference despite saying he ‘would be Labour’ earlier this year

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Not words that I would have used’: Stride distances himself from Jenrick’s ‘no white faces’ comments – UK politics live

Shadow chancellor distances himself from words after Robert Jenrick accused of racism in comments he made about Handsworth Asked about the Jenrick story, Badenoch again suggests Guardian reporting is reliable.Q: Jenrick was making a distinction between white faces and brown faces. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Readers' Letters: Conservative Party doesn't deserve to survive

The once-powerful Conservative Party looks to be on its last legs, says reader

Events

2 w. ago Jenrick accused of racism over ‘no white faces’ comments and his attack on judges labelled ‘serious mistake’ – UK politics live

Labour mayor of the West Midlands says Jenrick’s comments about Handsworth were racistAsked about the Jenrick story, Badenoch again suggests Guardian reporting is reliable.Q: Jenrick was making a distinction between white faces and brown faces. Continue reading...

Events