Archive of articles from 2006

Telegraph poll: Cameron support ebbing

David Cameron is due to give his maiden leader's speech at tomorrow's conference

The popularity of the Conservative party leader David Cameron with the electorate is slipping, a poll published in the <i>Daily Telegraph</i> has today suggested.

Senate ratifies extradition treaty

John Reid says the treaty is integral to fighting international crime

The US senate today ratified a transatlantic extradition treaty that had already been law in Britain for four years.

NHS IT upgrade dealt another blow

NHS IT upgrade system rocked by withdrawal of key contractor Accenture

Opposition parties last night raised doubts about the £6.2 billion project to upgrade IT in the NHS after a key contractor pulled out.

Blair aide questioned in loans for peerages row

Downing Street aide Ruth Turner questioned over loans for honours row

A Downing Street aide has been questioned by police investigating the loans for honours row.

Straw admits 'dire' situation in Iraq

Jack Straw says the situation in Iraq is dire

Iraq is in a "dire" situation largely due to the mistakes made by the US following the fall of Saddam Hussein, Jack Straw has said.

MPs 'should lose power to set their pay'

David Cameron calls for MPs to give up their power to decide their pay

Members of parliament should no longer have the power to set their own pay packets, David Cameron has suggested.

Mentally ill 'failed' by the system

The Healthcare Commission warned of gaps in the provision of round the clock care for the mentally ill

People suffering from mental health problems are being let down by gaps in the provision of care, a health watchdog warned today.

Iraq war helped 'recruit extremists'

A leaked report states the Iraq war has helped fuel extremism

The war in Iraq has acted as a "recruiting sergeant" for extremists, and radicalised Muslims across the world, a report for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has found.

Hain pushes his deputy leadership claim

The Northern Ireland and Wales secretary is a contender for the deputy leadership of the Labour party

Peter Hain today stepped up his campaign for the deputy Labour leadership with a call for members to target the Conservatives in next May's Welsh elections.

Pentonville 'infested with vermin'

The chief inspector of prisons said inmates at Pentonville prison were denied basic living standards

Prisoners at London's biggest jail have been living in vermin-infested conditions and 40 per cent fear abuse from staff, official inspectors said today.

Ofsted: Schools failing citizenship test

A report by the education watchdog said one in four schools were failing to teach citizenship properly

A quarter of secondary schools are failing to teach citizenship to a sufficient standard, a report by education watchdog Ofsted warned today.

Prescott says sorry to Labour members

The deputy prime minister confirmed he would quit within a year

John Prescott has apologised to Labour delegates for his behaviour over the last few months - and announced he will quit as deputy leader when Tony Blair resigns.

Reid stands tough on terror

The home secretary said Britain 'will never be brow-beaten by bullies'

John Reid today raised the odds that he might stand as Labour leader when he set himself out as a strong and powerful leader at the party conference in Manchester.

Browne: We need more troops in Afghanistan

The defence secretary said the international community needed a long-term approach to Afghanistan

Defence secretary Des Browne has called on Nato to provide more troops to support the military action in Afghanistan.

Labour boosted by feel good conference

The prime minister said this year's Labour conference left the party stronger

Labour delegates are leaving Manchester today with a spring in their step, after a conference that most agreed had put the party back on course.

Post office closures leave pensioners isolated

Age Concern warn that closing rural post offices could cut off elderly people

Pensioners risk having their "lifeline" cut unless the government reaches a decision on the future of the 8,000 rural post officers in Britain, Age Concern has warned.

Falconer rejects idea of written constitution

The lord chancellor said Britain should not adopt a written constitution

The constitutional affairs secretary last night attacked the idea of introducing a written constitution in the UK.

Clinton praises Blair and backs Brown

The former US president gave heartfelt thanks to Tony Blair at the Labour conference today

Bill Clinton today praised Gordon Brown for his "brilliant" work and "stunning vision for the future" in a major boost to the chancellor's leadership campaign.

Former Blair aide stands for deputy leadership

John Cruddas has announced his intentions for the deputy leadership

Dagenham MP Jon Cruddas has announced he will be joining the increasingly crowded race for the Labour deputy leadership.

Police drop Prescott probe

Scotland Yard have confirmed the investigation into the deputy prime minister has been dropped

John Prescott's stay at the ranch of the Texan billionaire bidding to open a super-casino at the Millennium Dome will not be investigated by police, Scotland Yard said today.

Labour rebels over NHS reforms

Health secretary Patricia Hewitt's reforms have been controversial with some Labour delegates

Labour activists today defied the party leadership to back a highly critical motion condemning NHS reforms and the sell-off of NHS Logistics.

GCSE maths coursework scrapped

$Alan Johnson announces abolition of GCSE maths coursework$

The coursework element of GCSE maths will be scrapped and in all other subjects it will be supervised, the education secretary has announced.

Unions warn Blair's successor

Among the unionists urging Labour to consider its policies was Unison general secretary Dave Prentis

Union chiefs have warned that the next Labour leader must reinvigorate the party's grass roots - and begin work before the devolved and local elections in May.

Lib Dem bankroller banged up

Michael Brown was sentenced to two years in jail yesterday

The Liberal Democrat donor who helped fund the party's general election campaign has been jailed for two years after pleading guilty to perjury and obtaining a passport by deception.