LONDON — Peter Mandelson looks set for a new life in the United States after a long and sometimes-controversial career in British public life. An announcement confirming him as the government’s choice for next U.K. ambassador to Washington is expected from No.10 Downing Street Friday. It’s a remarkable next chapter for Mandelson, who is staunchly … Read more
It has been presented by the government elected in July as a short, focused piece of legislation designed to remove a glaring anachronism left by Tony Blair’s 1999 reforms, which saw the former Labour PM strike a deal to preserve some hereditary members in order to get rid of most of them. Yet dozens of … Read more
Britain has previously sanctioned a number of Israelis responsible for settler violence on Palestinians in the West Bank, and has called for a cease-fire in Gaza amid Israel’s continued bombardment of the territory in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. Barber already works for U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer as an unpaid … Read more
After voting, Starmer arrived in the office and locked himself away with his chief of staff Sue Gray. | Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images The media entrepreneur, who was given a peerage by Tony Blair aged just 34, had played a big backroom role as a fixer for Labour, leading election fundraising activities. Alli’s fans … Read more
In a statement, his family said Prescott, who had Alzheimer’s, died peacefully on Wednesday, “surrounded by family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery.” The statement said Prescott spent his life “trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment.” “John dearly loved his home of Hull and representing … Read more
While the spin doctors put a lot of energy into trying to ensure everything runs without a hitch, all too often circumstance conspires to derail the best-laid plans. The unwritten rule of British politics, that if something can go wrong at conference it usually will, means both euphoric new Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his … Read more
Yet a win by a conservative outsider is hardly unprecedented, with movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger having served two terms as governor from 2003 to 2011. Gove commented that Hilton “has the policy smarts and the drive” to take on the job. He noted that “of course it’s a blue state, but governor races are different, … Read more
Common challenges The collaboration is just one strand in a growing transatlantic network of center-left think tanks and political operatives shaping policy and political messaging in Washington and London. Common challenges on both sides of the Atlantic include immigration, housing and pressure from the left on issues such as the Gaza crisis. Matthew McGregor, the … Read more
Polling suggests the public has mixed views on extending the franchise. In June, Conservative pollster Michael Ashcroft found 52 percent of voters were “strongly” or “somewhat” opposed to lowering the voting age, compared to 38 percent in favor. And some democracy-watchers argue that boosting the franchise may be ineffective without better civic education. “I don’t … Read more
Those opposed to the idea — which, unsurprisingly, includes most hereditary peers — complain the plan is incomplete, partisan (because most hereditary peers are Tory) and gives too much power to the prime minister. Conservative peer Thomas Galloway Dunlop du Roy de Blicquy Galbraith, better known as Lord Strathclyde, is a former leader of the … Read more
