Pinning Down Miliband: Health

When it comes to the NHS, the Labour leader enjoys making promises: to tear up Coalition policy, to reduce waiting times, to somehow find the money… but can he deliver?

Immigration restrictions are here to stay – but what should be restricted and why?

There are few clear answers to that question, despite all the firm rhetoric flying around. What we need is more nuance and better information.  

The Tory leadership needs to start talking about England again, ahead of 2015

They promised to address the West Lothian Question. Now they’re just ignoring it. If they carry on, UKIP and Labour will capitalise.

May announces the over-arching inquiry into sex abuse that was needed

The Home Secretary’s statement to the Commons assuaged those who were demanding more from the Government. Questions remain, however.

Peter Hoskin: The horror of war – and the heroism and humanity, too  

The latest review for our Film Club, a century after the start of the First World War: Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Paths of Glory’ (1957).

Sajid Javid breaks into the top five in our Cabinet league table

Also: Osborne replaces May at the top. The Home Secretary has lost 20 percentage points off her satisfaction rating since last month.

Breaking away from the Lib Dems: how will the 1922 Committee discuss it?

Will it be raised during their weekly meetings? Or will a special meeting be convened? The latter is likely to have more impact.

Cameron’s European plan would be upset by another Coalition

Clegg is sidling closer to the Prime Minister on Europe, but the Prime Minister might want to back away.

The dangerous, unknowable consequences of Help to Buy

The direct effects of Help to Buy haven’t been too bad because they’ve been quite limited. The indirect effects, however, could be a totally different matter.

What would happen if Clegg backed an EU Referendum?

Today’s papers suggest that he might. In anticipation, we list some of the potential ramifications for Clegg himself and for the other party leaders.

Prime Ministers: The younger they become, the longer their political afterlives

The world will be talking about Blair for decades because, unlike past Prime Ministers, Blair will be talking about the world for decades.

Risky business: Osborne’s new warnings about the economy

The overwhelming theme of the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech was risk. As he describes it, the economy isn’t out of the woods yet.

Personal attacks ought to stop, but the nature of Westminster means that they won’t

The Fiona Cunningham case shone more light on our politics’ culture of briefing and counter-briefing. Despite Cameron’s promises, it’s never really gone away.

Clegg’s fiscal rules don’t really matter. How he sold them does.

The Lib Dem leader’s speech yesterday was notable for its attacks on Osborne’s fiscal plan. Could next year’s Budget be the time for a split?

Pinning Down Miliband: Business policy

It’s predators versus providers in the Labour leader’s world. Question is: who’s who?