The die seems cast for the next General Election, says Simon Barrow. But much can still shift if non-Conservative parties, voters and reformers swing into action.

The Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Council has called on politicians making difficult economic decisions to ensure that the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable come first.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews has written to Tory leader David Cameron “seeking assurances” about the Conservative Party’s links with allegedly anti-Semitic politicians from Poland and Latvia.

Only 37% of the UK public support the war in Afghanistan, according to research published today, eight years after it began. Despite the government's attempts to increase support for the war, it is opposed by 56% of the population.

Sales of products in the United Kingdom carrying the Fairtrade mark reached an estimated retail value in excess of £700 million by the end of last year, research into the latest trends has demonstrated.

Most people in Britain want an end to tax-breaks for fee-paying schools, with the money raised used for education more widely, according to a poll published today. 56% support the change with only 23% against.

Church Action on Poverty has said it is 'extremely disappointed' by the Conservative party’s 'harsh statements' about benefit policies. It says the reforms would penalise the most vulnerable.

The police and the Director of Public Prosecutions are facing strong criticism for bringing charges against peaceful protestors who wore fancy dress at the G20 demonstrations in April. They are accused of impersonating police officers.

The news that BAE will be prosecuted shouldn't be such a surprise. In a fair world, it would be normal. But fairness is not a quality that has ever applied to BAE, a company that has spent years using its influence to avoid facing justice.

The arms company BAE Systems will be charged with corruption after years of allegations and controversy. The Serious Fraud Office has asked the attorney-general to initiate prosecution on charges of multimillion pound bribery.

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has been criticised for avoiding the issue of Trident in his speech to the Labour Party conference yesterday, despite the increasingly vocal opposition to its renewal.

The Conservatives' shadow Defence Secretary, Liam Fox, is facing strong criticism for suggesting that a Tory government would increase financial and political support for arms exports despite the party's commitment to spending cuts in other areas.

A new report from Christian Aid argues that policy makers must address the de-regulation, liberalisation and privatisation that poor countries have had to endure for the last few decades.

There has been a shocked response to news that the royal family is seeking to negotiate an increase in the Civil List - the money they are granted each year from public funds - despite the public spending cuts that are likely due to the recession.