Labour leadership candidates

What is Left?

 Patrick Diamond 01 Sep 2010

One of the harsher lessons for oppositions to learn is that in contrast to government, what you do and what you say very seldom matters. So it has been for … » more

So what's the next big idea that would recapture Middle England from the Tories?

 Simon Lee 01 Sep 2010

The Labour Party’s defeat at the May 2010 general election, after thirteen years and three consecutive terms in office, has triggered a vigorous debate within and beyond the party about the reasons for its defeat and the legacy of New Labour.

Constitution and government

George Osborne

Yes, you can cut back and reform but it's a tough call

 Christopher Hood 01 Sep 2010

How can you not reform public services if you make sufficiently severe cuts in public spending? Cut spending by five per cent or so and, despite squeals of pain, many … » more

False economy

 Andrew Gamble 01 Sep 2010

The Coalition government has announced a major rethinking of the role of the state, spurred on by its decision to make a more rapid reduction in the budget deficit its … » more

» More from this edition

What is Left?

Reflecting on New Labour's legacy; plus health: a false start on commissioning; nuclear deterrent: the case against and (online only) the countargument for Trident; personal…» more

From the last edition …

General Nick Carter close-up

General Winner

 Anthony King 24 Jun 2010

Nick Carter, Britain’s unsung commander in Kandahar, has brought coherence to the struggle against the Taliban across Southern Afghanistan.  This is the ‘good news’ story the government should tell the country...

Opinion - Chilcot: the price of being a loser

 Parliamentary Brief opinion piece 24 Jun 2010

Apart from the star performance of Blair, the media coverage of the Chilcot inquiry has been dominated by the question of legality centred on an interpretation of UNSCR 1441. Two … » more

Defence needs revolution not reform

 Andrew Dorman 24 Jun 2010

George Osborne’s emergency budget promised a reduction in most departmental (including defence) budgets of 25 per cent in real terms. Even without these reductions we already know from a National Audit Office report that the current planned procurement programme is up to £36bn overspent over the next decade assuming the defence budget keeps pace with inflation which it will not.

Security must be a strategy in more than just name

 Paul Cornish 24 Jun 2010

Every US Administration is required by the 1986 Goldwater-Nichols Act to publish a National Security Strategy.  The document has often appeared late, and sometimes not at all; the latest edition … » more

Business and finance

Osborne and Alexander

Osborne's private gamble

 Simon Lee 24 Jun 2010

On becoming leader of the Conservative party, David Cameron commissioned Built to Last, a statement of party aims and values. The first of the eight aims was the encouragement of … » more

» More from this edition

The world on their shoulders

Defence: the good news from Afghanistan that Britain needs to hear, and why defence strategy needs a revolution.  Plus, Osborne's private budget gamble, how the…» more

Online now

Recent editions

Search all articles


What they say …

  • ‘IN-DEPTH’ ‘Parliamentary Brief's coverage of current affairs is both informed and in-depth. By drawing from such a wide pool of contributors, it always provides a fresh insight into the issues of the day.’

    David Cameron — Prime Minister

  • ‘NEVER FAILS’ ‘This publication is an essential read. It never fails to provide absorbing and insightful articles over a wide range of policy areas.’

    Nick Clegg — Deputy Prime Minister

Recent cartoons