Author: Miles Donavan

And it’s not just on trade and the economy that the public feel that Europe is more important to the UK than America. Voters want Britain to turn away from Trump and look more to the EU for trade, a new poll has found. The poll, carried out by JL Partners on behalf of the Good Growth Foundation and shared with the I paper, asked voters whether Europe or the US is “more important to the UK” in “terms of trade”. 58% of those asked chose Europe, compared to 34 per cent who chose the US. Asked which is more…

Currently, 4.3 million children in the UK live in poverty, with 1 million experiencing destitution. New research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) shows that without effective intervention, child poverty is set to rise, with 100,000 more children expected to be in poverty by 2029. The analysis follows data that shows how the UK’s GDP continues to grow but at a slower rate than expected. As a result, households feel no better off as cost-of-living pressure continue to mount. According to the JRF’s research, by October 2029, the average family in the UK will find themselves £770 worse off in…

“Transgender issues have been heavily discussed by politicians, the media and on social media over the last year, which may have led to an increase in these offences, or more awareness in the police in the identification and recording of these crimes.” LGBTQ+ individuals are feeling increasingly unsafe in Britain, according to recent research. A survey conducted by the trans-inclusive underwear brand Zoah showed that 72% of transgender and non-binary respondents do not feel safe in the UK due to their gender identity. The survey, which included 400 transgender men, transgender women, and non-binary people, found that young people and…

What happens now with a centre-left Labour prime minister and a far-right president-elect working in tandem? The dynamics of the so-called ‘special relationship’ between the two nations are set for a dramatic test. The influence of American political trends on British politics is nothing new. For years, the Conservative Party has maintained strong connections with US think tanks, such as the Heritage Foundation, an organisation that Margaret Thatcher was closely involved with. Since turning our back on the EU, this influence from across the Atlantic has only accelerated. The trade deal with America that was supposed to mitigate our economic…

‘By signing you are showing Keir Starmer that you do not accept his red lines.’ A petition urging the UK to reapply for European Union membership has gained tens of thousands of signatures. The petition argues that rejoining the EU would benefit the UK’s economy, global influence, and collaboration on key issues, citing Brexit’s lack of tangible benefits and the changing public opinion. It highlights advantages of rejoining the EU, such as frictionless trade, increased inward investment, and improved access to EU science and research projects, as well as opportunities for UK citizens to live, work, and study across Europe.…

‘Strike action can still be avoided but that will require TGM sitting down with Unite and tabling an offer our members can accept.’ Around 200 bus and tram workers employed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have voted in favour of industrial action over pay. Unite, which represents the workers, said the “predominantly low-paid workers are angry at having suffered years of below inflation pay rises” which have resulted in their wages falling in real terms. An offer of a £1,290 increase for all employees up to and including colleagues on an annual salary of £52,866 was rejected by the…

The Passenger Railway Services Bill is only the first step to take back our railways Cat Hobbs is Director of We Own It The Passenger Railway Services Bill was passed in the House of Lords on Wednesday. It’s an important moment in the history of our railways that ends 30 years of privatisation. Credit where it’s due, it’s a significant piece of legislation that sets this current Labour government apart from the Conservatives and even New Labour – at least on transport policy. With ticket price hikes, crowded trains and increased cancellations, passengers have endured the failures of privatisation over…

Deregulation creates opportunities for bankers to take reckless risks with other people’s money, collect bonuses and destabilise economies. Prem Sikka is an Emeritus Professor of Accounting at the University of Essex and the University of Sheffield, a Labour member of the House of Lords, and Contributing Editor at Left Foot Forward. A wise man once said that “history repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce”. Successive UK governments have learnt so little from financial crises and the UK is hurtling towards the next crash. The country has had a banking crisis in every decade since the 1970s. Each crisis…

Peter Kyle has become the latest senior political figure who has refused to rule out quitting Elon Musk’s X, after claiming that the site was no longer as enjoyable as it used to be. Labour Cabinet Minister Peter Kyle has become the latest senior political figure who has refused to rule out quitting Elon Musk’s X, after claiming that the site was no longer as enjoyable as it used to be. Tech billionaire Musk has come in for criticism in recent months, for allowing X to become a platform where fake news and extremist content is allowed to go unchecked.…

He had not publicly disclosed the conviction before he was elected as an MP It’s been revealed that a Reform UK MP James McMurdock was jailed 18 years ago for repeatedly kicking his then girlfriend. The shocking revelations were made by the Times newspaper. McMurdock, who was previously an investment banker, joined Reform this year and agreed to be a paper candidate for the party in South Basildon and East Thurrock, a seat he ended up winning after defeating Tory candidate Stephen Metcalfe by just 98 votes. He had not publicly disclosed the conviction before he was elected as an…