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The inside track
The New Statesman’s unrivalled coverage of the politicial scene
Interview: Peter Mandelson
Just before being reappointed to the Cabinet Peter Mandelson, one of the key architects of New Labour, talked to the New Statesman. Read our exclusive in which he talks about the challenges faced by the party and how it mustn't return to the left/right warfare of the past which left them languishing in opposition
Beware Brown's briefers
Geoff Hoon warns against the unhealthy habit of briefing journalists, repeats his appeal to stay in government, and says Brown is right man for turbulent times
Brown’s big moment
The Prime Minister faced down his enemies and won back Labour's confidence. Now comes the difficult part: delivery
Cameron's Achilles' heel
Can the Conservatives handle the economy? The current opposition front bench is the least financially savvy for a generation
The Brown bounce
Tactical Briefing
From: The Unit
To: GB
Subject: Loyalty Pledge
'Muted optimism' is the theme
The Tory conference will be a sober affair: any signs of hubris are to be nipped in the bud
Gordon's path to redemption
To seize the moment, Gordon Brown has to change course; not a U-turn or swerve to the left, but a prudent adjustment of direction, writes Labour's former deputy leader
Democracy is the loser
The rebels' tactics may not produce a challenger to Brown, but the point has now been made that the party is anti-democratic
Interview: James Purnell
Saviour of Labour or dangerous Thatcherite? James Purnell, the Work and Pensions Secretary, talks to Martin Bright about capitalism, the leadership battle and winning back the voters
The whispers
Darkness has fallen over Downing Street
The scapegoat
The party could have been in no doubt about what it was getting when Gordon Brown was elected unopposed. But for all the backbiting no one is offering an intellectually inspiring new political idea
Go fourth
John Prescott, Alastair Campbell, Richard Caborn and Glenys Kinnock call for the party and its supporters to get off the back foot and join a new Campaign for a Labour Fourth Term
Leader's speeches they won't be making
Bring your cooks and your personal trainers, your butlers and your heiresses. Because new Labour is the natural party of ambition
Empowerment: The new political territory
Gordon Brown talks of placing power in the hands of people themselves, but a splurge of Whitehall initiatives points in the opposite direction. A half-in, half-out approach won't work. Uncertainty must make way for clarity
Shameless but effective
David Cameron has given his ailing party a facelift, schmoozed voters and promised to transform society magically - and the left has let him get away with it
Jim's lessons
If the Prime Minister is to survive, he has to crush the cabals and replace cabinet "goblins" with heavyweights such as Blunkett, Clarke, Milburn and Reid
Let's Get Serious
There are still attempts to suggest that it's business as usual in Westminster. The reality is Gordon Brown is in deep trouble.
Is the future Conservative?
New Labour has created a more individualised and wealthier society, but not a freer or more equal one. And now the party lacks a vision that can challenge the Tory revival
Two diagnoses, one conclusion
The unions and the Liberal Democrats agree on one thing: new Labour is at the end of the road









