The world of today looks bad, but take hope: we’ve been here before and got through it – and we will again

I am under no illusions about this. Compared with Prince Andrew’s latest disgrace or with Keely Hodgkinson’s latest glittering prize, the reform of...

19.12.2024 5

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Starmer’s Labour knows the kind of Britain it wants – it just doesn’t know how to build it

After five months in office, Labour knows where it wants to take the country; but it does not know how to get there. In this, and despite radically...

11.12.2024 4

Popular

The world of today looks bad, but take hope: we’ve been here before and got through it – and we will again

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Need cheering up after a terrible year? I may have just the story you’re looking for

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Keir Starmer is our most musical prime minister since Edward Heath. He must take up the baton for the arts

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Why it’s ridiculous to call our new train system ‘Great’ British Rail

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Europe is holding the line against Trump’s and Putin’s plans for Ukraine. But it won’t be able to for ever

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Rachel Reeves’s budget has inflamed, not calmed, Britain’s febrile mood

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

People are right to ask ‘what is the point of Labour?’ when it can’t agree on anything

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

A word of warning to the hounds circling Starmer: be careful what you wish for

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Rachel Reeves is damned if she raises income tax in the budget – and damned if she doesn’t

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Thatcher was born 100 years ago and her reign feels a lifetime away. Why is her effect on the country still so huge?

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Ear seeding: can an ancient wellness technique really de-puff your face?

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Was this Starmer’s best speech? Yes. But he’ll need a new battle plan to convince a doubting Britain

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Trump’s UN rant revealed his true priorities – and Britain should watch out

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

I know many are deeply opposed to Trump’s visit. But Keir Starmer doesn’t have that luxury

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Is Britain really the new North Korea? Let us consider the evidence

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

As Putin’s bombs fall on Ukraine, the Royal Opera House had a call to make about Anna Netrebko. It made the wrong one

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Nicola Sturgeon’s immense political talent is undeniable. The nationalism was the problem

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

The biggest problem for Starmer and co: the machinery of government is broken and they can’t fix it

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Critics say Starmer is no Attlee – and they’re right. Labour must look to the future, not the past

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

With Cleverly centre stage, the Tories have a new look – but that isn’t the same as a plan

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

For all the errors and crises, the blight on Starmer’s first year is still the lack of vision

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Without dignity, leaders fell at Trump’s feet in The Hague – and for what? All Nato’s key problems remain

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Easy regime change in Tehran is a nice idea. But look to history: it’s a near-impossible one

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Rachel Reeves seized her moment – whatever the future brings, Labour’s economic course is now set

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

Why is defence such a hard sell? The same reason Starmer is struggling in the polls

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

As seen in Canada, Charles has pushed the boundaries of politics as king – and got away with it

The Guardian

Martin Kettle

The UK risks falling apart. Keir Starmer can mend it now – but he doesn’t have much time