Edward Ware reflects on reasons why the Democrats are far from certain to win the White House, despite George Bush’s unpopularity and serious economic problems

Sixty years ago, people from the West Indies began to shape modern Britain, writes Patrick Vernon

Stephen Hughes argues that ministers are lying about the cost of reforming working practices in Britain

Jon Cruddas argues that poverty of aspiration is the biggest hurdle to a revival of bold Labour

Ray Collins, Labour’s new general secretary, outlines the aims and philosophy he brings to the post

Penny Little warns that the pro-hunt lobby is working behind the scenes to secure a Conservative government pledged to repeal the ban on hunting with hounds

Richard Scorer asks why there is growing disquiet about the treatment of serving and retired personnel

Oli Usher says we should be very wary of regarding biofuels as an appropriate solution to global energy problems

Stephen Tarlton says economic and environmental considerations have put nuclear energy back on the agenda

Nuclear power is not the solution to the energy gap, but the risks associated with it are part of the problem, argues Nathan Argent