8 h. 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

18 h. 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

35 h. 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

56 h. 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

3 d. 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

3 d. 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

4 d. 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

7 d. 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

7 d. 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

2 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

2 w. ago 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

3 w. ago Voices: Rachel Reeves is undermined by a ‘spend now, pay later’ prime minister

John Rentoul says Keir Starmer is guilty of Trussonomics, albeit on a smaller scale, making promises without knowing how to pay for them – hoping that the chancellor can sort it out later

Politics

3 w. ago Voices: Are Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer in denial about the ‘T’ word?

In a key speech in Rochdale, the chancellor stuck to Labour's manifesto pledge not to raise income tax, national insurance for employees and VAT, saying she had ‘absolutely no intention’ of repeating the £40bn tax hike in her first Budget. Her words may well come back to haunt her, warns Andrew Grice

Politics

3 w. ago Voices: First Sadiq, now Andy will no one rid Keir Starmer of his turbulent mayors?

As the mayor of Greater Manchester proposes a ‘popular left programme’ – just days after the mayor of London defied Downing Street with a new plan for drugs law – is the prime minister under threat from colleagues with their own fiefdoms, asks John Rentoul

Politics

3 w. ago Voices: I’m Gen Z – would I sign up to defend my country? Yes, but on one condition

As someone who has received military training, I assure you that it’s not just about Britain’s preparedness for war – it’s about duty, honour and direction, writes Charlotte Bendkowski

Politics

4 w. ago Voices: It is time the left made a case for immigration – and how to control it

A credible migration plan means investing in UK skills, enforcing fair rules, and building a country where all workers – wherever they’re from – are treated with dignity, writes Paul Nowak

Politics

last month Voices: Keir Starmer has found Nigel Farage’s weak spot – and it is Trussonomics

The prime minister looks as if he is being pushed around by five-MP Reform, but at least he is taking the fight to them on issues that matter to the voters, writes John Rentoul

Politics