13 h. 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

14 h. 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

15 h. 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

35 h. 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

39 h. 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

57 h. 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

4 d. 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

4 d. 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

5 d. 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

6 d. 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

6 d. 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

6 d. 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

7 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

7 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

8 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

1 week ago This nepo baby enjoying a glam day out at Royal Ascot is the daughter of two huge Hollywood A

And while she has been taking the music industry by storm she has proved she is also has an eye for fashion as this actress stepped out in a black and white dress for Royal Ascot on Sunday.

Politics

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week ago Voices: Whitehall isn’t working – here’s how the PM can fix it

Keir Starmer complains that the government machine is slow to crank into life when he demands action. To prevent his ‘mission-driven’ domestic agenda from being doomed to failure, the prime minister should first get rid of the Cabinet Office, says Andrew Grice

Events

1 week ago Keir Starmer must refuse to follow Donald Trump into war on Iran

Editorial: Should the US decide to join the Israeli attacks on Iran, there are strong moral and practical reasons why Britain should refuse to help its closest ally and stand aside

Politics