In his fortnightly column MARK SEDDON reflects on the death of Major Oak and why such ancient trees matter to us
WE ARE in a bizarre situation where the leaders of the two parties of government — for the moment let’s forget the Tory’s “first reserves” gathered in the ranks of the Lib Dems — are barely trusted by the electorate.
Rishi Sunak has an unfavourable rating of 49 per cent while 38 per cent are unfavourably disposed towards Keir Starmer.
In a YouGov poll carried out in July, Jeremy Corbyn — despite years of vilification by the media and the New Labour restoration regime — emerged as the most popular living Labour leader.
Every Starmer boast about removing asylum-seekers probably wins Reform another seat while Labour loses more voters to Lib Dems, Greens and nationalists than to the far right — the disaster facing Labour is the leadership’s fault, writes DIANE ABBOTT MP
Starmer sabotaged Labour with his second referendum campaign, mobilising a liberal backlash that sincerely felt progressive ideals were at stake — but the EU was then and is now an entity Britain should have nothing to do with, explains NICK WRIGHT
Deep disillusionment with the Westminster cross-party consensus means rupture with the status quo is on the cards – bringing not only opportunities but also dangers, says NICK WRIGHT


