The Latest Breaking News from Andy Beckett

Keir Starmer is one of Labour’s most rightwing prime ministers. And one of its most leftwing, too

The PM offers a political hybrid designed for a fickle electorate. There are short-term electoral gains to be won, but risks in the long term, says Guardian columnist Andy Beckett

The Guardian - UK · Mar 28, 2025

In Canada, I saw how Trump is ripping North America apart – and how hard its bond will be to repair

With the US president now warmer to Moscow than to Ottawa, it’s little surprise Canadians I met rolled their eyes at the decline of the special relationship, says Guardian columnist Andy Beckett

The Guardian - UK · Mar 24, 2025

The UK has a history of coddling authoritarian leaders – now it’s happening again

British politicians think they exercise a moderating force on strongmen. In practice, ‘diplomacy’ and ‘pragmatism’ only ease their path, says Guardian columnist Andy Beckett

The Guardian - UK · Feb 28, 2025

Bullies can sense weakness – which is why Labour must not shy away from taking on the global far right

By failing to challenge extremist narratives around immigration, Starmer is weakening, not strengthening, his government’s position, says Guardian columnist Andy Beckett

The Guardian - UK · Dec 9, 2024

Why disunity on the left spells trouble for Labour

Letters: A breakaway party of Labour leftists would only benefit the far right, warns Dr Anthony Isaacs. Plus letters from Andrew Shepherd, David Howard and Bruce Henderson

The Guardian - UK · Nov 20, 2024

Meet the groups trying to create a new leftwing party – and channel the energy missing from Starmer’s Labour

As disenchantment grows with mainstream parties, these collectives argue that the time is right – but there will be big obstacles, says Guardian columnist Andy Beckett

The Guardian - UK · Nov 15, 2024

If I were a cautious, centre-left prime minister, Trump’s victory would have me worried

A Kamala-Harris-like fate could await Keir Starmer unless he becomes more class conscious – even populist, asks Guardian columnist Andy Beckett

The Guardian - UK · Nov 7, 2024

Battered but bizarrely upbeat: why even utter defeat hasn’t shaken the Tory party’s confidence

The Conservatives believe that they uniquely represent British values – so what need is there to admit the UK is changing? says Guardian columnist Andy Beckett

The Guardian - UK · Oct 22, 2024

Starmer’s opening moves as PM have been as unpopular as Thatcher’s were. Can he recover like she did?

In 1979, another incoming prime minister struggled to satisfy the public hunger for change, asks the Guardian columnist Andy Beckett

The Guardian - UK · Oct 11, 2024

Warning to Keir Starmer – you are a Labour prime minister, not a ‘red wall’ one. Remember that

This narrow demographic helped the PM into No 10. But overemphasis on socially conservative voters will lead to failure, says Guardian columnist Andy Beckett

The Guardian - UK · Sep 20, 2024