4 h. ago Voices: Keir Starmer has achieved the first half of his impossible mission

The small boats deal with France was a negotiating triumph – but if it doesn’t work, the prime minister is doomed, says John Rentoul

Events

7 d. ago It’s time to show us that things are going to get better, prime minister

Editorial: Despite a tumultuous and, at times, disappointing first year in office, Keir Starmer remains the best person for the job, streets ahead of any alternative leader who might theoretically replace him. But now he needs to rewire his relationship with the British people

Politics

8 d. ago Voices: One year on, is Starmer still the best man Labour has for the job?

There’s a lot the prime minister – and his team – could learn from their party’s own history. What’s preventing them is ego and self-denial, writes Anthony Seldon

Politics

8 d. ago Voices: After Labour’s first year, Starmer could still learn from ‘one

The current prime minister would be wise to study Clement Attlee’s post-war premiership, which also started with a landslide election but, mired in economic uncertainty and internal conflict, quickly ran out of steam, says historian Alun Evans

Politics

9 d. ago Voices: For crying out loud: are you ready for the ‘politics of pain’ about to hit us?

I once accused the PM and his chancellor of being too gloomy, writes John Rentoul. Turns out they were not gloomy enough – and they’ll have to lead the nation through another vale of tears

Politics

1 week ago Voices: Only Angela Rayner has emerged from the welfare debacle with her reputation intact

It took the intervention of the deputy prime minister to persuade the prime minister that the game was up – now some Labour MPs are wondering if she’ll replace him, writes John Rentoul

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: I thought I knew what Keir Starmer believed – now, it’s anyone’s guess

It was unwise of the prime minister to say he ‘deeply regrets’ the ‘island of strangers’ phrase, writes John Rentoul – but even more so to admit that he doesn’t always properly read his own speeches before delivering them

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: Starmer’s authority isn’t the only thing badly dented by his benefits climbdown

For Labour backbenchers, the welfare rebellion was a triumph: with the growing possibility of this being a one-term government, and with little prospect of ministerial advancement, MPs have concluded they have nothing to lose by standing up for what they believe in, says Andrew Grice

Culture

2 w. ago Voices: Starmer’s welfare humiliation is a turning point for his government

The prime minister had no choice but to give in to Labour rebels on disability benefits – but this rebellion has been handled particularly badly, and I doubt he will see out this parliament, says John Rentoul

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: Don’t blame Morgan McSweeney – this welfare mess is Keir Starmer’s fault

The prime minister will survive the rebellion over benefits cuts, because he will cave in to his MPs demands on welfare – but from here on, things will only get worse for him, says John Rentoul

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: Faced with a growing Labour rebellion against welfare cuts, Keir Starmer has one least

The prime minister has belatedly been making the case for benefit reform and changes to PIP payments to calm his mutinous backbenchers – but, a year on from his historic election win, it risks becoming an issue of confidence in his leadership, says Andrew Grice

Economics

2 w. ago Voices: Poll of the day: Do you support Keir Starmer’s welfare reform plans?

Have your say: As the government prepares to make one of the most significant changes to welfare in over a decade, we want to know where you stand

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: What’s the real reason Keir Starmer won’t say if Donald Trump was right or wrong to bomb Iran?

The prime minister urged de-escalation and the US president ignored him, leaving the British government unable to say whether it is for or against the military action. It’s another blow to Starmer’s standing on the world stage, says John Rentoul

Politics

3 w. ago Keir Starmer must end the injustice of indefinite sentences today

Editorial: There are thousands of people in prison in Britain with no release date, serving sentences that were abolished in 2012

Politics

3 w. ago Voices: Keir Starmer accidentally admits his first year has been a failure

The prime minister said his biggest mistake was that ‘we haven’t always told our story as well as we should’ – an attempt to minimise a problem that is fundamental, argues John Rentoul

Events

4 w. ago Voices: Will Israel’s war on Iran force Keir Starmer to raise defence spending even more?

Despite talking of moving Britain to ‘war-fighting readiness’, the prime minister has so far resisted Nato pressure to increase spending further, writes John Rentoul

Politics

last month Voices: Look away, Sir Keir! Labour’s bible has given its verdict on you

The New Statesman’s new editor is a critical friend of the prime minister – very critical, as it turns out, writes John Rentoul (a former deputy editor of the magazine)

Politics