Ian Dunt

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Ukip casts its shadow: Nadine Dorries brought back into Tory fold

Nadine Dorries was finally reinstated as an MP today, amid rumours of a possible defection to Ukip.

'In office but not in power': Queen's Speech triggers brutal Miliband/Cameron spat

The Queen's Speech debate has seen Ed Miliband and David Cameron issue some of their harshest ever attacks on each other, after the Labour leader told the prime minister he was "in office but not in power".

Queen's Speech 2013 comment: Cameron offers another damp, right-wing sigh

Cameron does enough to alienate centrists but not enough to placate his backbenchers.

Labour should call for an EU referendum on election day

Why should Labour wait until after the general election for the Conservative party to destroy itself?

Bad body language: The secret cost of Labour's coalition negotiation

The disrespectful body language of Labour's negotiating team was one of the reasons that a Lib-Lab coalition became impossible in 2010, new memoirs have revealed.

Lawson intervention threatens to blow Tories apart on Europe

Former chancellor Nigel Lawson has issued a challenge to the authority of David Cameron by insisting he will vote against membership of the EU whatever deal the prime minister might be able to secure.

Humbled: Cameron shows Ukip respect after local election drubbing

David Cameron vowed to show Ukip a newfound respect today, after the party's unprecedented surge in the local elections gave the Conservatives a bloody nose.

Local election analysis: What does the rise of Ukip mean?

Could a Ukip surge split the Conservative vote and let Labour in? Or will it simply drag David Cameron and Ed Miliband to the right?

Wonga and the payday lenders: The Hear hear podcast

Wonga and other payday lenders are the subject of this week's Hear hear podcast - the brainchild of political journalist Sean Dilley.

Is Ukip about to turn England into a four-party state?

England could truly start to look like a four-party electoral system today, as much of the country goes to the polls in local elections.

Drinking with the enemy: A day with the Ukip foot soldiers

"When I met Nigel Farage we both had our dicks out. Mind you, it was the gents' toilet. Here, that would make a bloody good headline."

The public finally turns against austerity

The public's patience with the government's austerity programme appears to finally be running out, after a new poll showed a majority now opposed it.

All change at the top: Cameron dumps Letwin and brings in more rich white men

There were further changes to the Conservatives' election machine today, when Oliver Letwin was reportedly dropped as the prime minister's policy boss, to be replaced by Jo Johnson, Boris Johnson's brother.

Ukip surges to new poll high despite racism accusations

Ukip surged to a new poll high today, despite ongoing revelations of racist and far-right behaviour from its candidates.

A sting in the tale: Cameron slapped down by the beekeepers

The prime minister's claim to be a life patron of the Oxfordshire Beekeepers' Association during last week's PMQs has been shown to be false – by the association's current president.

Queen dragged into Dubai torture row

The Queen was being dragged into a row about the alleged torture of British citizens in Dubai today, as a visit by the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) coincided with a guilty verdict for the men.

Ukip's dark night of the soul: Farage hits out at racism allegation

Nigel Farage hit out at his critics this morning, after a weekend of disastrous press coverage which highlighted racism among members and chaos at the top of the party.

Ed Balls Day update: Ed Balls goes for a walk

Ed Balls looked set to avoid Twitter's celebration of Ed Balls day today, when he told his followers on social media he was going for a walk.

Ukip in chaos: Party hammered by controversy ahead of local elections

Ukip appeared to be the victim of a coordinated political and media attack today, just days ahead of the local elections.

'The poacher turned gamekeeper': Hodge blasts open tax avoidance debate

The debate over corporate tax dodging escalated a notch today, when Margaret Hodge accused big accountancy firms of a fundamental conflict of interest in their interaction with government.