I think this fully funded plan refers to how the Conservatives claim they planned to cut the welfare bill. However, I’ve heard her Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer claim these savings would have gone into abolishing National Insurance contributions. Maybe they found a magic money tree 🧐

I feel like this is a emblematic of the Conservative Party’s tendency to find an issue and amplify it by yelling about how they dislike the issue, without any practical solutions to it, which simply makes their electoral problems worse.

I find it odd that international students who come to UK unis get counted as migrants.

I have many friends at my uni who come from abroad. They say that after graduation, they will likely to do a masters here and then go back home for work.

Should we really include them in net migrant stats?

I’m starting to imagine a scenario where Labour wins the next election and the Lib Dem’s become the official opposition because they openly discuss Brexit’s failure.

BUT the Conservatives continue obsessing about the need to win over Reform UK voters because Reform UK has… ahem.. 5 MPs 😂

How do you think their pro EU stance on rejoining the customs union and single market figures in all this? They seem to be the only party highlighting Brexit’s failures.

I don’t know whether it helps in rural, farmer constituencies that voted for Brexit, but who Truss trade deals screwed over?

Also. Thank you for responding. I really enjoy your inside politics column in the ft. You’re one of my favourite ft columnists/editors!

I suppose that magic lamp of his would have to be working overtime 😂

Maybe. But anyone’s who has bet against Starmer so far has come up short. I don’t think that’s likely to change. Thoughts?