Vote on assisted dying summons ultra-rare Commons sight: intelligent debate | John Crace
WWho would have guessed? Debate in the House of Commons is a partisan matter, too often punctuated by jeers and shouting. There, reason is replaced by dogma and petulance. This was a completely different occasion. On the best course of action for Congress. When necessary, people are mostly polite and agree to disagree. Deputies listened […]
Two million voters already think Keir Starmer’s team should be relegated | John Crace
IThis is the logical consequence of a throwaway society. Don't like the results of the last general election? Then please eat another one. Who cares that the new government has only been in office for four months? If you aren't already feeling significantly better, the new Prime Minister is clearly a bad person. Even if […]
Unleashed: John Crace digests Boris Johnson’s memoir – podcast | Politics
John Craceparliamentary sketch writer for the Guardian and author of the following books: Taking the lead: 10th place dogexamines Boris Johnson's new memoir Unleashed for signs of introspection. “Boris clearly hoped that by writing this book, maybe the country would fall in love with him again,” says John. Helen Pitt. “But if anything, it will […]
The Tories’ Fearless Four battle on to the end. Alas, that’s just the beginning | John Crace
WWelcome, my friends, to the never-ending show. At least, that's what it feels like. After weeks of nonsense and four days of the Fearless Four saying the same thing every minute, it's hard to believe that we're still a month away from the Tory leadership election. I think we need to be grateful for small […]
PopCons reassemble and Jacob Rees-Mogg is the sanest person in the room | John Crace
IAs I waited for a coffee near the main entrance of Westminster’s Emmanuel Centre, a well-dressed man leaned over and whispered: ‘Did you manage to get your MP across the finish line?’ I was mistaken for one of the men left at the end, most of them men. True believers. I don’t want to upset […]
The seconds ticked by to 10pm, when the people’s will would be revealed | John Crace
IIt was as if the world had stopped. Time slowed as 10pm approached. The wait became unbearable. In the ITV studios, presenters, pundits and reporters nervously practiced their lines, filling the time before the polls closed and the exit poll results were published. Democracy can be surprisingly tense; it’s a moment in the election cycle […]
Sunak and Starmer wrap up their final debate of despair | John Crace
Ring the bells that can still be rung. Forget the perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That is how the light shines through. Look on the bright side. It’s almost over. Finally. For the last four weeks, broadcasters have tested the principle that it is insanity to do the same thing over and […]
Mordaunt meets Labourâs olive twig with theatrical fury after Gaza omnishambles | John Crace
a Rule of thumb. When you’re in a hole, it’s generally best to stop digging. So, after a spectacular display of arrogant selfishness and partisan politics by MPs from all parties in the Opposition Day debate in Gaza the night before, Thursday morning saw what you might have least expected. It was just a little […]
Why so tetchy, tech bro? Rish! doesn’t take well to Rwanda fantasy being challenged | John Crace
WIs it really so? A press conference was also held in a hurry on government grounds, but it was a political broadcast from a third-rate political party. There used to be such a rule. Not that it did much good for Rishi Sunak. More of these nasty, groan-filled outings will continue, and the Conservative Party's […]