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From apolitical centrists to left-behind patriots, these are six key types of voter that define modern Britain

In the second half of the 20th century, the structure of the British electorate was relatively straightforward. At its core, identifying with a party came down to your attitude to economic inequality and what (if anything) you thought the state should do about it. It’s a simplification, but not a…

The Conversation · Jul 1, 2024

Supreme Court rules that Trump had partial immunity as president, but not for unofficial acts − 4 essential reads

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a president, including former President Donald Trump, “may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled, at a minimum, to a presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts.”

The Conversation · Jul 1, 2024

Why politicians may find it hard to understand ordinary voters

The 2024 election has seen party leaders strain to present themselves as being in touch with the struggles ordinary people are facing in the cost of living crisis. And yet they don’t appear to be convincing anyone.

The Conversation · Jul 1, 2024

Biden v Trump: what are the five things we learned from the presidential debate?

This was the first time that Donald Trump and Joe Biden had debated since the 2020 campaign so The Conversation asked US government and security academic Dafydd Townley to watch the head-to-head and analyse what he thought were the most important points.

The Conversation · Jun 28, 2024

Political gambling: a cautionary tale from the 2009 expenses scandal

As gamblegate stretches into its second week, it seems there is no end to the revelations about MPs misbehaving at the bookies. And naturally, as when any significant ethical misconduct is in the news, it didn’t take long for this one to be equated with the expenses scandal.

The Conversation · Jun 28, 2024

Why Labour should worry this election will be more like 2001 than 1997

What if many people just don’t bother voting in this election? The polls may suggest a landslide victory for Labour, but the party is worried about the millions of people who still say they are undecided or may think a Labour victory is so certain they don’t need to vote.…

The Conversation · Jun 28, 2024

Not quite medicine, not quite food: how a product like mushroom gummies can fall through the regulatory cracks

Several people across the country have recently been hospitalised after consuming mushroom gummies distributed by Australian brand Uncle Frog and made in the United States. Their reported symptoms included elevated heart rate, nausea, anxiety and hallucinations.

The Conversation · Jun 28, 2024

Labour v SNP: the general election is a closer race in Scotland

General elections in Scotland have been notoriously noncompetitive affairs since the 1970s. One party – first Labour and then the SNP – has typically won large landslides. In 2015, when most seats changed hands, the SNP wave was unstoppable.

The Conversation · Jun 27, 2024

Labour’s plan to tax private school fees has drawbacks – but it could be better for society

Private schools in the UK are VAT exempt, as are most education providers. This means that they do not have to charge 20% VAT on the school fees parents pay. The Labour party has confirmed its intention to end this VAT exemption for private schools if elected to government.

The Conversation · Jun 27, 2024

Sell-offs and tax cuts stripped the UK of vital assets. A national wealth fund could turn the tide

One of Labour’s most radical manifesto pledges is the plan to create a national wealth fund. To help drive the green transition and create 600,000 green jobs, the fund aims to raise £3 of private investment for every £1 of government money put in.

The Conversation · Jun 27, 2024