3 h. ago Voices: Now, Starmer the statesman needs to up his game at home

It’s the eternal puzzle of Keir Starmer’s premiership, one that has been brought to light again by Emmanuel Macron’s state visit: how can the PM perform so well on an international stage but so badly on the domestic front? Andrew Grice thinks he has the answer

Politics

49 h. ago Voices: The bottom line? Britain simply can’t afford to impose a wealth tax

As battle lines are drawn within Labour over taxing the super-rich, Chris Blackhurst says that the government must resist Lord Kinnock’s siren call to take a 2 per cent slice of asset values above £10 million – because the country’s economic prosperity depends on it

Economics

4 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

4 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

5 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

5 d. ago The success of this government now rests in Wes Streeting’s hands

Editorial: Labour’s vision for a new era for NHS England – one with community hubs, artificial intelligence and early diagnosis at its heart – could be a model of public policymaking. But if it is to have a chance of success, the health secretary must now persuade the trade unions and professional bodies to join him

Politics

6 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

7 d. 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

7 d. ago Voices: Watching Rachel Reeves crying in the Commons was quietly devastating

A single tear rolled down the chancellor’s cheeks at PMQs in a rare and distressing display of emotion from the ‘Iron Chancellor’. I found myself wanting to cry too, says Victoria Richards

Politics

7 d. ago Voices: Starmer has been given two black eyes by his party – but here’s how he could fight back

Bruised by his welfare reforms battle, the prime minister is on a hook of his own making. With a little help from Westminster, he can wriggle off, says Andrew Grice

Politics

7 d. ago Voices: There is one clear winner in the welfare debate and it isn’t Liz Kendall

The work and pensions secretary was made to defend her beleaguered benefits bill without either the prime minister or chancellor – which made for a poor show indeed, says Donald Macintyre

Politics

8 d. ago Voices: Labour’s rebel MPs have weakened Starmer – but the greatest damage is to themselves

Backbenchers who vote against the government whip today stood behind the PM to win the general election, but now seem determined to march themselves out of power, says John Rentoul

Events

8 d. ago Even after the welfare rebellion, it is too soon to write off Keir Starmer

Editorial: Labour’s messy compromise over cuts to disability benefit is an unfortunate way to mark a first year in office, but the prime minister still has much to be proud of

Politics

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week ago Delaying welfare reform is better than bad welfare reform, prime minister

Editorial: Prior to putting before parliament its plans to cut disability and sickness-related benefits, the government must first complete essential groundwork that ought to have been done already – namely, consulting with those at the sharp end of the change: people with disabilities

Politics

1 week ago Voices: Has Starmer’s leadership been weakened by Labour’s welfare revolt? Join The Independent Debate

Just over half of Independent readers supported welfare reform in principle, but only 28 per cent backed Starmer’s current proposals

Politics

1 week 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