📰 New Statesman · 89
United KingdomFarage blames Makerfield defeat on anti-Starmer votes
Nigel Farage expressed disappointment with Reform UK's performance in the Makerfield by-election, attributing the loss to voter frustration with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He suggested that voters wanted to remove Starmer from office, leading to an 'emphatic' Labour victory over Reform's candidate. Farage acknowledged that some votes were also lost to the right-wing party Restore Britain, founded by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe. He urged Restore voters to support Reform as the main challenger to Labour. The by-election was seen as an opportunity for Reform to establish itself as the main
Girls as young as 9 feel pressured to lead ‘perfect lives’ with ‘boyfriend and good skin’ due to influencers
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Surrey found that girls as young as nine feel pressure to live 'perfect lives' influenced by social media content creators. The research involved interviews with girls in years seven to 10 across schools in southeast England. Participants discussed how influencers promote ideals such as physical appearance, relationships, and career success. Younger girls expressed concerns about self-esteem and sought validation from family and peers, while older girls highlighted issues like comparison culture and the lack of diverse representation among
The series that predicted Burnham’s Makerfield victory
The article discusses a series that accurately predicted Keir Starmer's victory in the Makerfield by-election.
My dear friend Roy Hattersley helped save the Labour Party. What a shame his (and my) insane commitment to Sheffield Wednesday inflicted so much pain and punishment...
The article reflects on the author's relationship with Roy Hattersley, a former deputy leader of the Labour Party, and their shared connection to Sheffield. It mentions Hattersley's role in helping save the Labour Party and touches on the author's experiences during the 1980s, including involvement with the Labour Party under Neil Kinnock and the challenges posed by Margaret Thatcher's policies.
Andy Burnham has made a fragile peace with the bond markets
The article discusses Andy Burnham's efforts to reach an agreement with the bond markets.
War in Iran: Trump's glittering climbdown in Versailles
The article discusses former US President Donald Trump's response to the escalating tensions with Iran, focusing on his diplomatic approach and the implications of his actions.
Trio of senior defence figures accuse Starmer of underfunding military
Three senior defense officials—John Healey, Al Carns, and Rich Knighton—criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for underfunding the military during parliamentary sessions. They expressed concerns over the Defense Investment Plan (DIP), which allocates an additional £13.5 billion to the Ministry of Defence over four years. Healey and Carns resigned from the government shortly before making these remarks, citing dissatisfaction with the DIP. Their comments reflect internal tensions within the Labour Party regarding Starmer's approach to defense spending.
Elon Musk’s X not facing action from UK government over posts inciting violence in Belfast
The UK government has decided not to take immediate action against Elon Musk's X platform regarding posts that incited violence in Belfast, despite public outcry. Concerns about social media's role in spreading harmful content and escalating tensions have increased following recent unrest in Northern Ireland. Police and community leaders are urging calm, fearing a repeat of the violence seen earlier in the week. The government plans to amend the Online Safety Act to require faster removal of inflammatory content during crises, but these changes won't take effect until mid-July. In the interim,
Makerfield days
Shakespeare’s Adonis is out of his depth
The article discusses Shakespeare's poem 'Shakespeare's Adonis,' focusing on its themes and literary significance.
Roy Hattersley, bon viveur and Labour hero
The article discusses Roy Hattersley, focusing on his role as a prominent figure in the Labour Party and his personal life as a 'bon vivre,' highlighting his contributions and legacy.
Wes Streeting: I’m a career politician. I think it’s a strength
Wes Streeting, a member of the UK Labour Party, discusses his experience as a career politician and argues that this background is an asset rather than a liability.
The insignificance of Harry Kane
The article discusses the perceived lack of impact or significance of Harry Kane, a prominent football player.
Letter of the week: The great blame game
The article discusses the tendency of individuals and groups to shift responsibility onto others when faced with challenges or failures, highlighting this behavior as a common human trait.
Thank God for George Michael
The article is titled 'Thank God for George Michael' but no further text is provided.
Beer and Sandwiches: the Last Light in Margate
The article discusses the decline of traditional seaside culture in Margate, focusing on the closure of local businesses such as 'Beer and Sandwiches,' a longstanding establishment. It reflects on the changing nature of coastal towns and their struggle to maintain heritage amid modernization.
In Belfast, ancient grudges and new furies leave a city burned
In Belfast, riots erupted following the stabbing of a local man, Stephen Ogilvie, leading to widespread destruction in predominantly loyalist Protestant areas. The violence targeted migrant communities, including Ukrainian, Polish, and Romanian families, whose homes were burned down. Addresses of these residents were shared online, and rioters were instructed to avoid being identified. The incident has raised concerns over rising tensions and potential discrimination against immigrant populations.
What Trump’s Anthropic AI ban means for Britain
The article discusses the implications of former US President Donald Trump's proposed ban on Anthropic, an artificial intelligence company, and examines how this could affect Britain.
Have the Greens all but conceded defeat in Makerfield?
The article questions whether the Green Party has effectively conceded defeat in the Makerfield constituency, likely referring to recent local election results or campaign strategies.
Healey and Carns fire their parting shots in the Commons
The article discusses the final remarks made by Healey and Carns in the Commons.
Labour needs a leader who actually enjoys the job
The article discusses the need for Labour to have a leader who is genuinely enthusiastic about their role.
We haven’t learned from Jo Cox’s death
The article discusses the lack of progress in addressing the issues highlighted by the murder of Jo Cox, a British politician.
A politics of belonging
The article discusses the concept of a 'politics of belonging,' focusing on how identity, community, and inclusion shape political discourse and policy-making.
Andy Burnham’s crusade against neoliberalism
The article questions whether Andy Burnham, a prominent British politician, has a proper understanding of neoliberalism.
OnlyFans, a Great British export
The article discusses OnlyFans, an online platform that allows content creators to sell directly to their audience, highlighting its origins and growth as a British-based service.
America has no counterculture
The article argues that America lacks a true counterculture, suggesting that cultural movements in the US are often co-opted by mainstream institutions rather than existing as distinct, oppositional forces.
The biggest New York Knicks fans are in London
The article discusses the presence of significant New York Knicks fan support in London.
The left must be honest about immigration
The article argues that the left needs to address immigration more honestly.
How to solve Britain’s defence crisis
The article discusses potential solutions to Britain's defense challenges, though specific proposals are not detailed in the provided text.
Magazine - New Statesman
Hubris and human cloning at London’s AI summit
The article discusses concerns raised during an AI summit in London regarding the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, including references to hubris and human cloning.
Danny Bones: The far right’s Frankenstein’s monster
The article discusses Danny Bones, referring to him as 'the far right’s Frankenstein’s monster,' suggesting he represents an amalgamation or creation of far-right elements.
Fun, dashing, radical, dogmatic and defiant
The article recounts an anecdote about David Hockney, a renowned artist, who interacted with police during a burglary investigation at a local restaurant. It highlights Hockney's personality traits—fun, dashing, radical, dogmatic, and defiant—and reflects on his philosophy of life centered around food, love, and art. The piece also mentions an upcoming exhibition celebrating Hockney's 90th birthday.
Olivia Rodrigo is sick of love
The article discusses Olivia Rodrigo's feelings towards love, suggesting she is tired of it.
Magazine
Britain’s defence establishment has turned on Keir Starmer
The article discusses the perception within Britain's defense establishment regarding Keir Starmer.
Britain has had enough of “common sense” politics
The article discusses public sentiment towards 'common sense' politics in Britain, suggesting that there is growing dissatisfaction with this approach.
Starmer in crisis as second minister resigns
The article reports that Keir Starmer is facing a crisis following the resignation of a second minister.
John Healey on Labour, loyalty and leadership speculation
The article discusses John Healey's comments on Labour Party dynamics, focusing on themes of loyalty and leadership speculation within the party.
Who’s normal enough for Makerfield?
The casual coup - New Statesman
Don’t ban the kirpan
The article argues against banning the kirpan, a religious symbol worn by some Sikhs, emphasizing the importance of protecting religious freedom and cultural expression.
How Britain lost control
The article discusses how Britain has lost control, though specific details of the content are not provided.
Mariana Mazzucato, rockstar economist
The article introduces Mariana Mazzucato, an economist known for her work on innovation and public investment, referring to her as a 'rockstar economist.'
This might be my last World Cup
New York: do Americans cook better than Italians?
The article poses the question of whether Americans cook better than Italians, focusing on culinary practices in New York.
Beer and sandwiches: At the Ring O’Bells in Frodsham
The article discusses a visit to the Ring O'Bells pub in Frodsham, focusing on the atmosphere, food, and drink offerings.
England is in a state
The article's text is incomplete, consisting only of the headline 'England is in a state' repeated once.
What did the Black Death ever do for us?
The article explores the historical impact of the Black Death, examining both the devastation it caused and the unintended positive consequences it had on European society.
Living with and without Paul Auster
How to live without a fridge
The article discusses strategies and lifestyles that allow individuals to live without a refrigerator, focusing on alternative methods of food preservation and consumption.
The myth of English insularity
The article discusses the misconception that England has historically been isolated or insular, arguing against this narrative and exploring the interconnectedness of English society and culture.
007: First Light – Britain needs James Bond
The article discusses the need for a modern James Bond figure to represent Britain, likely in the context of national identity or cultural exports.
Meet Andy Burnham’s northern queens
The article discusses Andy Burnham's efforts to promote women in leadership roles across the north of England.
Disclosure Day’s earnest hokum
Lammy says he told JD Vance his comments about the Nowak case were 'wrong'
Foreign Secretary David Lammy states that he has told US Vice-President JD Vance that his comments about a teenager's murder should not be linked to mass migration. The article reports Lammy's characterization of Vance's remarks as factually disconnected from immigration policy.
The false promise that sparked the student loans crisis
The article discusses the origins of the student loans crisis, focusing on the promises made regarding higher education funding and their subsequent failure to materialize.
Lizzo’s bitter return
The article discusses Lizzo's return to the public eye, focusing on her experiences and challenges since her previous appearances.
The limits of Andy Burnham
The women standing by their XL Bullies
Restore’s rise is no cause for celebration
The article discusses the growing influence of the Restore party, suggesting that its rise is not something to be celebrated.
Henry Nowak’s death is being exploited
The article discusses how Henry Nowak's death is being used for political purposes.
Even the Murrell scandal can’t humble the SNP
The article discusses the impact of the Murrell scandal on the Scottish National Party (SNP), suggesting that despite the controversy, the SNP remains resilient.
The Marilyn Monroe we keep inventing
Andy Burnham: If I win, I will run to be Labour leader and PM
Andy Burnham has stated that if he wins the Greater Manchester Mayoral election, he will seek to become the leader of the Labour Party and subsequently the Prime Minister.
Land is Maggie O’Farrell’s best novel
The article discusses Maggie O'Farrell's novel 'Land', suggesting it is her best work.
How to trivialise Brexit
The article discusses ways in which Brexit has been trivialised in public discourse.
What Makerfield believes
Beer and sandwiches: At the Boot Inn in Tisbury
The article discusses the Boot Inn in Tisbury, focusing on its offerings of beer and sandwiches.
The quintessential Colonel Gaddafi
Will graduates ever be compensated for student debt?
The article discusses the ongoing debate over whether graduates should be compensated for their student debt, exploring potential solutions and policy discussions around this issue.
The British aristocracy has never been so wretched
The article discusses the current state of the British aristocracy, suggesting it is experiencing a period of decline or hardship.
Steven Spielberg goes home
The article mentions Steven Spielberg going home but provides no further details.
Flesh, death and bohemia
The examined life of Brian Dillon
This is a by-election driven by despair
The article discusses a by-election that is described as being driven by despair.
This is not what Henry Nowak’s family wanted
The article discusses the situation surrounding Henry Nowak's family, though the specific details of the story are not provided in the text given.
Two visions for Labour’s future
The article discusses two competing visions within the Labour Party regarding its future direction.
Faith and governance in the age of thinking machines
The article explores the intersection of faith, governance, and artificial intelligence, examining how emerging technologies like AI challenge traditional notions of authority, morality, and decision-making. It discusses the ethical implications of AI in public policy, the role of religion in shaping technological ethics, and the potential for AI to influence or replace human judgment in governance.
It’s so much worse than Tony Blair thinks
The article suggests that the current situation is more severe than what former Prime Minister Tony Blair believes.
The cover-up? - New Statesman
Justice failed Hampshire’s teenage rape victims
The article discusses the failure of the justice system in Hampshire regarding cases involving teenage rape victims.
Oxford trust accused of inappropriately accessing maternity campaigner’s medical records
An Oxford-based healthcare trust has been accused of inappropriately accessing the medical records of a maternity campaigner.
How Sylvia Plath dissected her pain
The article explores Sylvia Plath's literary work and how she expressed her personal struggles through her writing.
Burn This Letter by Susan Pederson review: Foursomes in the time of cholera
The article reviews Susan Pederson's book 'Burn This Letter', focusing on themes related to historical events during the time of cholera.
What Britain won’t face
Whose liberty and how much equality?
The article explores the tension between individual freedom and social equality, examining how these concepts are interpreted and prioritized in policy-making.
Backrooms: How 4chan "creepypasta" became Hollywood horror
The article explores the evolution of 'Backrooms,' a creepypasta originating from the 4chan internet forum, into a major Hollywood horror franchise. It traces the journey of this user-generated content from online communities to mainstream cinema, examining its cultural impact and the role of internet subcultures in shaping modern entertainment.
Andy Burnham is a Starmerite
The article states that Andy Burnham is a 'Starmerite', referring to his alignment with Keir Starmer and the Labour Party under his leadership.