Victory in the Holborn by-election may mislead Burnham into thinking he is doing just fine

Labour is running a content-free campaign in North London, and has found a candidate with an enchanting smile, but shows no sign of recognising that tough decisions about welfare reform will be needed in order to win back the North of England from Reform UK.
—
They aren’t always very democratic or terribly liberal but see themselves as terribly nice – but what are they for?

Gathered in Brighton two years on from the best result they’ve had those 72 MPs and many local councillors are starting to ask the question of themselves: What is the point of the Liberal Democrats, what are they for? And is it time to look elsewhere for leadership of their party?
—
The Tories are back. Please don’t blow it

But we mustn’t let that optimism cloud our judgement. If we take the foot off the pedal now, this will have all been for nothing. This is a party that has existed for close to two centuries, and, over the last 18 months, we have teetered on the edge of political extinction far more than I would have ideally liked. If we relax now, we risk that future.
—
It’s a long shot, but this is how Conservatives and Reform could still cooperate

I’m making a big assumption that Reform is interested in mutual benefit. It’s equally possible that they haven’t given up their ambition to kill us off — or that their primary objective at the next election is to replace us as the official opposition. In which case, they need to know that if they want all-out-war we will give it to them.
—
Are the Lib Dems coming for the Tory heartlands?

The Lib Dem conference may have been a third-order news story, but its message should still matter to the Conservatives. We continue to be squeezed from both sides of the electoral spectrum, and we don’t have the luxury of picking which opponent to fight.
—
More – not fewer – people should pay income tax

There will be a reckoning, whether by virtue of an economic catastrophe, war or a bond market crisis. Such a calamity could be avoided if the Prime Minister, guided by the long-term best interests of our nation, rather than the short-term demands of his political base, took decisive action to cut spending and incentivise growth. I for one am not holding my breath.
—
The Bank of England has lost the plot on inflation

The recent exchange of letters does not instil confidence in their policies and shows no understanding of the role domestic policies have played in driving prices higher. Once again they leave us well above the target they are meant to hit. Policy meanwhile drifts and the Chancellor fails to take action to rein in the cost of living pressures on a large enough scale to have a useful impact.
—
How the Local Government Association won over Reform UK

I have asked all English local authorities, via a Freedom of Information request, for details of any efficiency savings in the past year due to LGA advice. None of them could think of a single one.
—
Britain doesn’t need to be everywhere but it does need to matter somewhere

A navy that can’t keep one destroyer’s water system working through a routine deployment is not one that can generate its own carrier escort, let alone in the Euro-Atlantic and project into the Indo-Pacific. That gap will only be closed by matching ambition to reality in the one theatre where our contribution cannot be replaced.
—
Immigration reform must go beyond small boats

As Parliament debates the Immigration and Asylum Bill, we must look beyond the immediate headlines and address the wider weaknesses that continue to undermine public confidence. The objective should not simply be to respond to today’s pressures, but to build an immigration system that is sustainable, trusted and fit for the decades ahead.