This Week in History: Labour landslide, LA riots, and an MI5 scandal Explore how major events between 27 April and 3 May were captured on The Independent’s front pages The Independent UK · Apr 27
Campbell likens Starmer to Bush as he warns of ‘dark place’ if Labour fails Alastair Campbell said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer struggles to get his personality across. Evening Standard · Apr 26
Prime ministers have always faced political scandals – so why can’t they weather them now? UK prime ministers today are about as secure in their jobs as football managers. In the nearly three decades between 1979 and 2005, Britain had just three prime ministers: Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair. From 2005-2015, we again had three: Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron. The Conversation · Apr 24
Sir Humphrey moments: a brief history of bust-ups between ministers and mandarins Olly Robbins gave MPs a classic civil servant’s performance – and there are lessons from the past about how ministers should respond The Guardian - UK · Apr 24
Quote of the day by Tony Blair: “Sometimes it is better to lose and do the right thing than to win and do the wrong thing.” “Sometimes it is better to lose and do the right thing than to win and do the wrong thing.” This strong line by Tony Blair still resonates with people of all ages because it talks about a problem that everyone faces: the choice between success and honesty. This quote reminds… The Times of India · Apr 23
Nigel Farage puts 'London mums' at heart of May local elections, claiming Reform is party for them Rival parties slammed the idea that Reform UK would best represent mothers in the capital Evening Standard · Apr 23
Who is Olly Robbins? Former top civil servant to give evidence after being sacked by Starmer over Mandelson vetting scandal The 50-year-old, who has served three prime ministers at Number 10, will face MPs on the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday to give his account on the scandal The Independent UK · Apr 20
Today, it fell to parliament to hold Keir Starmer to account for the Mandelson scandal. It largely failed On these occasions, MPs have a solemn duty to reflect the public’s anger and need for answers. A pity that so few seem able to fulfil it, says political commentator Toby Helm The Guardian - UK · Apr 20
Banned from the radio after Princess Diana died: how Levellers made What a Beautiful Day ‘Its release seemed timely as the Tories had just left office. But then Diana died and all cheerful songs were taken straight off the radio. Boom! It disappeared’ The Guardian - UK · Apr 20
This Week in History: Columbine, an apocalypse in Texas, and the loss of a Prince Explore how major events between 20 and 26 April were captured on The Independent’s front pages The Independent UK · Apr 20
Does Olly Robbins have Mandelson scandal smoking gun to finish off Keir Starmer as PM? Commentary: The Prime Minister is fighting for his political life after the security vetting revelations in the Mandelson storm Evening Standard · Apr 19
UK ‘badly exposed’ and needs 10 years to rebuild defence, former military chief warns Starmer Exclusive: Jock Stirrup, the former chief of defence staff under Tony Blair, tells the prime minister: ‘We expect our leaders to lead and that means making tough decisions’ The Independent UK · Apr 16
Queen Elizabeth Used a "Silent Signal of Displeasure" That Would Get Paddington's Stamp of Approval Royal author Robert Hardman revealed the trick in his new biography of the late Queen. Marie Claire · Apr 14
The Independent UK · Apr 9 Tony Blair calls for more North Sea drilling to protect UK from economic shocks exposed by Iran war Former prime minister’s think tank says Labour should back Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas fields
The Guardian - UK · Apr 3 Lord Haskins obituary Europhile farmer and businessman whose Northern Foods supplied ready meals to Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Waitrose
The Guardian - UK · Apr 1 Tony Blair says the left is in ‘unholy alliance’ with Islamists. It’s a desperate last ploy to quell the anger over Gaza The former PM has no valid response when progressives raise a voice over war crimes, so he seeks to mute them. But we’ll take no moral lectures from him, says Guardian columnist Owen Jones
The Guardian - UK · Mar 28 Quotations quiz: can you spot what’s Shakespeare, Cantona or chatbot? ChatGPT allegedly mangled some quotes in Matt Goodwin’s book, but which of these are correct or correctly attributed?
The Guardian - UK · Mar 27 Ed Miliband’s stock is rising because he’s a rare commodity in Labour these days: a thinker The party seems to have woken up to its need for an old-style intellectual heavyweight to counter the vacuousness of recent years, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff
International Business Times UK · Mar 25 Critics Say Starmer's £4m Foreign Trips are 'Too Much', UK Defends Britain's 'Banging the Drum' on Investments Prime Minister Keir Starmer has spent over £4 million on foreign travel in less than two years, including a £1.2 million spike in late 2025. Transparency figures reveal high-cost delegations to Brazil, India, and South Africa. Critics argue the spending is tone-deaf, while Downing Street insists the trips secure vital…
The Guardian - UK · Mar 24 Starmer’s government increasing spending on foreign trips, figures show PM’s most costly quarter for travel was in last quarter of 2025, with the most expensive trip to Cop30 in Brazil
The Guardian - UK · Mar 24 Starmer’s press tormentors are merciless. He either needs to fight back or bypass them Now the rightwing press are accusing the PM of cowardice over Iran. He must stop letting them craft his narrative and create his own, says academic and Guardian columnist Jane Martinson
The Guardian - UK · Mar 23 A war and maybe an unprecedented depression: it’s Trump’s mania, but now all of us will pay the price It has been possible to observe this presidency in abstract terms, but no more. The consequences of the Iran attack will affect our lives and our politics, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
The Guardian - UK · Mar 20 Ten years of acrimony finally at an end as Millwall get a new lease of life Transformative 999-year deal is a massive moment in the history of the club and the violent cultural push-pull of London
The Guardian - UK · Mar 20 This is a key moment in the war on Iran – and Starmer must resist the UK being dragged into it any further This is not Britain’s war, it’s Trump’s and Netanyahu’s. The prime minister should be wary of becoming ensnared like Blair was with Iraq, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins