Rise of BNP is fault of politicians says Hazel Blears

Labour has abandoned sections of white working class and taken their votes for granted, says minister
£120bn debt shock for Darling

Borrowing projections emerge showing public finances in a worse state than previous estimates
Rail users' fury at train fare rises

Regulated fares including season tickets and saver tickets, will rise by an average of 6%
Cameron tacks to the right and enters dangerous waters

Tories end year-old commitment to match Labour's spending plans in 2010-11

£1,000 fines for out-of-date ID details

Home Office says failures to keep entries on register up to date could be enforced by bailiffs seizing property
Mayor calls for migrants amnesty

Boris Johnson has called for an 'earned amnesty' for illegal immigrants living in the capital

More politics news

- Strike vote threatens turkey supplies
- Lib Dem MP to speak at Moonies event

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Tax cuts, climate change and the BNP

Jenni Russell, Bill Keegan and Julian Glover join Allegra Stratton to pick over the week in politics

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Michael White, Nov 21 2008, 16.35pm

Brown douses election speculation (or tries to)

"Four hours after my earlier post on the possibility of a 2009 election, I flinched on reading evening newspaper billboards in central London saying: 'Go for June 4, Allies Tell Brown' – or words to that effect. Wrong again, Mike?"

More blogposts

VAT to rise to 22.5% after 2010 to raise £20bn to pay for Alistair Darling's borrowing? A prediction from Robert Peston

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Nov 21 2008, 5.00pm
Building more places to call home

Nov 21 2008, 10.57am
Unlocking the door for youth

Nov 21 2008, 12.01am
Is Ken Clarke right about Gordon Brown wanting to hold an early election?

Andrew Sparrow,

Nov 20 2008, 12.10pm

More news and comment

Boris Johnson under fire for cutting London cycling funds

Campaign group accuses mayor of undermining promise to turn capital into city of cyclists
Brown plays down talk of
June 2009 election

PM seeks to dismiss speculation he is considering calling an election in the first half of next year
- Voters trickle back but readers stay away
- Michael White: No shortcuts to June 3 2010
Tax cuts won't work, warns Osborne

Shadow chancellor says cuts expected in pre-budget report will fail politically and economically
All options open to boost lending - No 10

Sources play down threat of legislation but PM's spokesman acknowledges small businesses suffering
- Chris Hamnett: Home truths for mortgage lenders
- Repossessions up by 12%
Welfare reforms could increase poverty, says government adviser

Sir Richard Tilt calls for changes to the benefit system to be delayed amid economic downturn
- Jenni Russell: We must dare to rethink welfare
Blunkett criticises Labour over Whitehall

Former home secretary calls for ministers to be allowed to appoint top civil servants
- Whitehall loses one computer a week, Tories say
Penalising the punters

The home secretary tells Julie Bindel why she is following the global trend to target men who buy sex
Straw halts prison comedy course

Justice secretary brands stand-up comedy course for maximum-security prisoners 'totally unacceptable'
Did you hear the one about God, Bush and Mandelson?

Andrew Sparrow: Some blogs recycle second-hand jokes but you won't find any of that going on here. This gag must be third-hand, at least
- Caption competition: Mandelson hears of a vacancy

Ex-Labour, Tory and Lib Dem members on BNP list

Leaked list contains names of individuals former members of all the mainstream political parties
- Interactive: the far right map of Britain
- Jeremy Dear: Put BNP hypocrisy in spotlight
Woolas to curb court role in deportations

Immigration minister claims asylum appeals are being used to frustrate the system
Ulster Unionist executive backs Tory alliance

Agreement paves the way for the Conservatives and the UUP to field joint candidates in elections in Northern Ireland
Excessive speeders and drivers using drugs could face stiffer penalties

Ministers put forward a series of new policies, including the creation of a formal drug-drive limit
Diversion of opinions ahead

Michael White: Ministers have disappointed the safety lobby by not proposing to cut legal drink-driving limit
Corby and Crawley hope to become university towns

Denham says project will help regions hit by recession by providing education and regeneration in rural areas
All who practise politics are dazzled by the dictatorship of the short term

Simon Jenkins: Leaders always enjoy a boost in national crises. History suggests that the Tories should lie low and wait for the polls to turn
What Monday must bring

Editorial: Brown is hellbent on Daily Mail-friendly tax cuts, but this pre-budget report will be a waste if all it offers is gimmicks
Yesterday in parliament

The children's secretary told MPs there was clear evidence that agencies had failed to adhere to statutory procedures following the death of Baby P