‘It was an awakening’: Diane Abbott, Nicola Sturgeon, Rory Stewart and more on the books that shaped their politics
From Animal Farm to The Female Eunuch ... Caroline Lucas, Alan Johnson and others reveal the books that get their vote
April 2024
Carer's allowance crisis
Ex-ministers press Sunak on ‘persecution’ of carers who broke earnings rules
Senior Labour figures call for ‘life-transforming’ Sure Start policy
November 2022
Making a Splash! The politicians who couldn’t say no to reality TV
Several current and former UK MPs have risked derision by appearing on shows such as I’m a Celebrity …
October 2022
Suella Braverman is shortest-serving home secretary at 43 days
Which politicians trail Braverman as shortest-serving home secretaries in modern times?
March 2022
Alan Johnson accidentally ate the Queen’s corgis’ biscuits, book reveals
Former Labour health secretary also tells author monarch was ‘good company’ and talked about Diana
December 2021
From Bill Clinton to Robert Peston: celebrity crime fiction on trial
After you’ve written your memoir, publishers these days want anyone famous to write crime novels. We put 10 of the most well-known in the dock
September 2021
The best original photographs from the Observer
Original Observer Photography
Michael Rosen, Paloma Faith, St Etienne and ‘champing’ holidays – the best photography commissioned by the Observer in August 2021
August 2021
Books interview
Alan Johnson: ‘John Betjeman was wrong about Slough’
The former health secretary and acclaimed memoirist on his rock’n’roll past, how the Litvinenko poisoning inspired his new thriller, and how he’d have handled Covid
March 2021
What a public inquiry into Covid must cover
Letters: Wendy Savage sheds light on a people’s inquiry that is already under way, plus letters by Neil Hornsby, Dr Richard Carter andAlan Marsden
May 2020
Who'd be a health secretary? Five former incumbents on the toughest gig in politics
With Matt Hancock under fire, former health secretaries discuss their highs and lows and how they dealt with pandemics
December 2019
A Labour defeat, yes, but this was not nearly as bad as 1983
Andy Beckett
The party’s policies on the big issues of the day could sow the seeds for future success, says Guardian columnist Andy Beckett
Elmo's antics and Alan Johnson's rage: strangest moments of election night
Sturgeon’s celebrations, Francois’ analogies, and two different Johnsons going off on one live on air. What you missed while you were asleep
Gravitas, surprises and John Bercow: TV election night coverage
The BBC goes in heavy, Channel 4 goes for laughs and Sky News boasts the former Speaker as a pundit
September 2019
Further reading
As David Cameron tells all, a guide to the best political memoirs
Labour heading for Brexit strategy showdown in Brighton
August 2019
Observer New Review Q&A
Ex-Labour minister Alan Johnson: ‘I sent a tape to Elvis Costello in '82. I'm still awaiting a reply'’
The Labour grandee turned memoirist on his musical youth and his problem with Corbyn
December 2018
May’s cynical Brexit vote delay all about her keeping power
Letters: Guardian readers share their views on the trials and tribulations of the Conservatives’ Brexit plans
September 2018
How Gordon Brown contributed to Tory austerity policy
Letters from David Purdy, David Beake, Martin London, Bernard Watson, DBC Reed and Adrian Berridge
May 2018
ID cards were never the answer to illegal migration, and they aren’t now
Conrad Landin
The Windrush scandal has led former Labour home secretaries to resurrect a forgotten policy, writes Conrad Landin
