18 h. ago Voices: ‘Who do they think they are?’ Readers clash over NHS doctor strikes

Our community is sharply divided over the upcoming doctors’ strike and their demand for a 29 per cent pay rise. While one reader blamed the NHS, calling it ‘a broken system,’ another said, doctors ‘should be ashamed’

Events

40 h. ago Voices: Readers torn on wealth tax – from ‘the only counterbalance’ to ‘utterly counter

Discussion of a wealth tax has ignited a lively debate among our community, with some calling it a necessary step to tackle inequality and fund public services, while others warned it would drive away investment and harm the economy

Economics

64 h. ago Voices: ‘Lofty ambition, very little detail’: Readers react to Labour’s 10

Readers broadly welcomed the ambition of Labour’s 10-year NHS plan but questioned whether, without proper funding, staffing and delivery detail, it could ever live up to its promises

Politics

8 d. ago Voices: ‘Strong leader’ or ‘out of touch’? Welfare revolt splits readers’ opinions on Starmer

The debate over welfare reforms has highlighted mixed views on Starmer’s leadership, with some questioning his handling of welfare reforms and party unity, while others see his actions as a sign of strength under pressure

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: ‘We haven’t learned anything’: Readers despair over UK’s Covid response in 2025

Many of the protections and behaviours that helped us during the pandemic — like staying home when sick, wearing masks, and improving ventilation – have quietly disappeared, say Independent readers

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: ‘This project has always been the wrong way round’: Readers split on future of HS2

Independent readers are split on the future of HS2. While some argued, ‘if you were only going to build half, you’d build the other half’ in the North, others said the project should be scrapped before more money is wasted

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: ‘Worth every penny’ or ‘a bit OTT’? Readers debate the rise of expensive dog birthday parties

Our community was split over the rise of lavish dog birthday parties. While some said they’re ‘worth every penny’, others questioned whether the pets – or the price tags – really make sense

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: Readers have their say on reversing Brexit – from rejoining EU ‘tomorrow’ to ‘letting more time pass’

Our community largely agrees that Brexit was a mistake, but whether the UK should rejoin the EU remains deeply debated, with some calling it ‘a pipe dream’ as others admit they’d ‘vote to rejoin tomorrow’

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: ‘I feel like an expensive pet’: Independent readers open up on the human cost of disability cuts

Our community says disability benefit cuts will ‘break people,’ leave carers ‘destitute,’ and cause a human cost many say is being ignored

Politics

3 w. ago Voices: ‘It’s typically men who make it an issue’: Readers weigh in on the height obsession in modern dating

Our community shared fiercely divided views on height and dating. While some called out heightism as shallow, others insisted that any physical preferences are just an honest part of attraction

Politics

3 w. ago Voices: ‘Tax the rich first’: Readers demand fairer burden as Reeves faces fiscal squeeze

Our community overwhelmingly believes that to tackle the UK’s economic challenges fairly, the wealthy must pay their share through higher taxes and reforms, while calling on the government to move beyond austerity and provide clear, responsible funding plans

Politics