Our top ten picks of the week

The WASPI women have a real sting in their tale – but it should not sway a decision to say no

John Oxley

“This is money the state can ill afford, which would have to be found by borrowing or even greater taxation. A large portion of that would be paid to people who do not really need it.”

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How Badenoch is making winning PMQs a habit

Tali Fraser

“The Labour government is happily ripping itself to shreds, and Badenoch seemed to be enjoying every second of it with a new found confidence.”

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“Growth, growth, growth” the Chancellor said. “Shrink, shrink, shrink” is what she’s delivered

Mel Stride

“Entrepreneurs, the real creators of growth, are exhausted by uncertainty, red tape and punitive taxation. A “relentless focus on growth” has become a relentless cycle of excuses.”

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The delusion at the heart of socialism is a complete misunderstanding of what ‘fairness’ means

Miriam Cates

“The problem is that, like children, socialists believe that inequality is not an inescapable reality of life but a societal fault that can be fixed, and that the state should assume the role of ‘parent’ in order to fix it.”

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Don’t labour under the illusion that this Government has not descended into an utter circus

Giles Dilnot

“​It’s not a series of resets but an unending catalogue of missteps, false starts, and kite flying that ends up crashing to the ground. It’s more newsworthy now when Starmer has a good week than a bad one. Send in the clowns? Don’t bother, they’re here.”

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A new Conservative future must cater to growth, aspiration, and opportunity

James Cowling

“If we can get state spending under control and make key reforms to boost growth, a surge in living standards will follow. The headroom to start cutting taxes will then emerge giving young people yet more scope to save and invest.”

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Peers have no obligation to fix a Bill that is loose and broad by design

Rebecca Paul

“This is a Bill that prioritises bodily autonomy over best interests. And this is a Bill that will ensure assisted suicide is fully funded, whilst palliative care still isn’t. So, any illusion it gives patients a proper choice at the end of their life is a fallacy.”

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It’s time for a fiscal rule referendum

Alexander Bowen

“We should stop pretending that the status in the law of ‘fiscal rules’ is of any relevance – with Parliamentary Supremacy the penalty for ignoring fiscal rules is set by the bond markets not the law courts nor the OBR.”

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The Conservative Party cannot afford to get candidate selection wrong

Brendan Clarke-Smith

“What matters most is who we select, when, and how, and whether we give them the time and local backing to actually build something.”

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Reed’s planning reforms are set to be toothless

James Yucel

“If we are going to rely on local plans, then they must be shaped by the whole local population, not just the colonels, councillors and lifelong objectors who have turned consultation into a blood sport.”