Why a businessman (or woman) should run the civil service October 10, 2024 Keir Starmer has reshuffled his top team, but he has still one appointment left to make: cabinet secretary. He should hire someone from outside the Whitehall machine to drive better performance across the public sector, says Andrew Haldenby If Keir Starmer wants a government that works and a productive economy, he needs to do more [...]
With Sue Gray gone, Keir Starmer will have no more excuses October 8, 2024 Sue Gray is carrying the can for the shortcomings and mistakes of her boss, says Henry Newman Morgan McSweeney is Keir Starmer’s second chief of staff following Sue Gray’s resignation. And we aren’t even 100 days into the new government. Some of his predecessors lasted far longer. David Cameron’s only chief of staff was there [...]
The Notebook: How to fix the civil service? Pay the top brass more October 7, 2024 It's in everyone's interest to have the best talent in the civil service. That's why we should pay the top brass more, writes James Chapman.
Explainer: Boris Johnson’s humble address to the Queen? October 4, 2024 Boris Johnson is never less than obsequious when referring to the late Queen in his new memoir, Unleashed, but is he really a loyal subject? Westminster has been gripped by the release of Boris Johnson’s new memoir, Unleashed, with figures from all areas of public life frantically checking the index to see if they are [...]
The main task of the next Tory leader is to repaint the party’s image October 2, 2024 The dominant narrative around a government’s record is more important than the facts, writes Paul Ormerod
Donald Trump is wrong: AI is NOT a threat to speechwriting September 30, 2024 “He goes click, click, click, and like 15 seconds later he shows me my speech, written so beautifully.” This is Donald Trump on Logan Paul’s podcast, describing his first encounter with ChatGPT. “I’ve never seen anything like it. And so quickly… It’s a little bit scary… So one industry I think that will be gone [...]
Labour’s relationship with business was never a love match September 30, 2024 A shambolic ‘business day’ at Labour Party conference reveals the government’s true feelings about the City, says Eliot Wilson Only those addicted to Sir Keir Starmer’s own-brand Flavor Aid would claim that last week’s Labour Party conference was an unqualified success. Assessments were mixed, but it was not the joyful fiesta a new government might [...]
Sadiq Khan meets NBA chiefs with potential London return on cards September 26, 2024 London mayor Sadiq Khan today met the NBA Deputy Commissioner as hopes of a NBA return to London grew further. The pair spoke on Thursday “to discuss their shared ambition to expand the sport’s reach and influence in the capital, including through live NBA games”. “I want to do big events, whether it’s Wrestlemania, whether [...]
Pay tax on your gifts, top accountancy firm warns politicians amid Labour row September 26, 2024 Politicians should pay tax on gifts in the same way that other industries and individuals do, a leading accountant has said. Currently, firms and workers in sectors where gifting is commonplace and an element of their profession – such as the media industry or online influencers – are made pay to income tax and, in [...]
Cut Starmer some slack, three months hasn’t undone his victory September 26, 2024 The Labour Party is having some teething issues, but three months is hardly enough to judge Starmer by, writes Will Cooling.