Politics

Politics

Read about the latest UK political news, views and analysis.

Today

24 Nov 2022
The Spectator
In defence of Brexit

Opponents of Brexit have been given plenty of ammunition in recent weeks. Trade with the European Union has taken a big knock. Many British exporters say that owing to the excessive bureaucracy they can no longer sell to the Continent. The United Kingdom’s new trade deals have promised a lot but delivered little. There is worldwide inflation, but Britain is still expected to be the worst economic performer in Europe next year, by some margin. Opinion polls suggest an ever-growing number of voters think it was a mistake to leave. This magazine is the only publication to have backed British independence in both the 1975 and 2016 referendums – arguing on both occasions that it was time to go ‘Out, and into the world’.

In defence of Brexit

Yesterday

23 Nov 2022
Lloyd Evans
Lloyd Evans
The SNP’s howls of outrage at PMQs

Indyref dominated today’s PMQs. The Supreme Court has ruled out Nicola Sturgeon’s plan for a wildcat referendum, she must now proceed with Westminster’s blessing. Howls of outrage were heard from the SNP. Eight of its members stood up to complain that they felt trapped in the union against their will. Rarely have the Scots Nats made such a splash at PMQs and their exposure today did them no favours. When a party surges in popularity, the quality of its MPs declines and it’s clear that many safe Scottish seats have fallen into the hands of incompetent duffers. Few SNP members in Westminster can craft a memorable phrase. Some struggle to ask a brief question without notes. Many are lifelong gym-dodgers. And their personal stylings are eccentric.

The SNP’s howls of outrage at PMQs
Fraser Nelson
Fraser Nelson
Scottish independence was never a matter for the courts

It is testament to the SNP’s tactics that today’s Supreme Court judgment on a Scottish referendum happened at all. Of course, the Scottish parliament doesn’t have the power to call referenda: this was an explicit condition of its creation. Schedule 5, part 1 of the Scotland Act spells out the things Holyrood is not allowed to legislate on: among other things, ‘the Union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England’ and ‘the parliament of the United Kingdom’.

Sunday

11 Dec 2022

Tuesday

22 Nov 2022
Marcel Plichta
Is providing air defence equipment enough to help Ukraine?

During his first visit to Kyiv last Saturday, Rishi Sunak pledged a new tranche of British military aid to Ukraine. Unlike previous UK support, this new package was entirely focused on air defence: £50 million for anti-aircraft guns (almost certainly purchased via a third party as the UK military does not currently use them), radars, and counter-drone electronic warfare systems. The Prime Minister’s pledge follows a promise made by the UK to provide an additional 1,000 anti-aircraft missiles for Ukraine’s armed forces a few weeks ago. It’s no mystery why air defence has become a key priority. Since October, Russian missiles and drones have pummelled Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and power plants. The attacks have left millions heading into a harsh winter without power, and more could come at any time.

Is providing air defence equipment enough to help Ukraine?
Michael Simmons
Michael Simmons
Scotland is getting sicker

For Scotland to stay at its current levels of health in 20 years’ time it would have to entirely eradicate cancer. That’s according to the Burden of Disease study published this morning by Public Health Scotland.  The report found that although the country’s population is projected to fall in the next two decades, its annual ‘disease burden’ – the impact of morbidity and mortality on population health – is forecast to increase by some 21 per cent.

Monday

21 Nov 2022
Steerpike
Steerpike
Hunt faces the wrath of Tory donors

The Autumn Statement was truly awful: no rabbits, no silver linings and no growth. But amid the many groups suffering this Christmas, spare a thought for high-earners — those much-despised but ever-necessary wealth creators. The 45p top rate of tax now applies to anyone earning over £125,140, with fiscal drag pulling many more in. The energy profits levy will increase total oil and gas tax from 65 per cent to 75 per cent in January (initially 40 per cent) with corporation tax to go up from 19 per cent to 25 per cent. Soaking the rich might be good politics, but Steerpike understands that hiking taxes hasn’t been pain-free so far for Jeremy Hunt. Shortly after delivering his speech on Thursday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer had to meet some of the Tories’ most generous party donors at an evening reception: most of whom weren’t too keen to see their largesse rewarded with a higher tax bill.

Hunt faces the wrath of Tory donors