Archive of articles from 2007

Police offer Smith "olive branch" in pay dispute

Smith to meet Federation over police pay

The Police Federation has offered a new year's "olive branch" to the home secretary as the government continues to reject demands to backdate the police pay award.

Government bid for sensible New Year's Eve drinking

The government has issued a ten-point plan for responsible drinking in a bid to encourage revellers to consume alcohol in moderation this New Year's Eve.

Clegg seeks constitutional reform

New Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has urged other political leaders to work with him to "fix Britain's broken political system".

Political leaders deliver new year messages

Both the main political parties have promised "change" in 2008, although there is little chance of voters being given a say on the major issues facing the country.

Brown warns against Pakistani poll delay

Gordon Brown has urged Pakistan to press ahead with scheduled elections in the aftermath of the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

Peerage for Blair spokesman

Tony Blair's former official spokesman has been awarded a CBE in the year's new year's honours list.

Brown: UK will master 2008 challenges

Next year's "real and serious changes" will be built on the government's commitment to maintaining economic stability, Gordon Brown has said.

Blairites to rally round Brown

Stephen Byers was one of Tony Blair's most loyal ministers

Former minister Stephen Byers has called on fellow supporters of Tony Blair to unite behind new Labour leader Gordon Brown.

Doctors attack prison healthcare

A year of "political failure" has led to prisons being turned into "just a holding pen for criminals", the British Medical Association has said.

Callaghan faced police strikes

Official records show James Callaghan threatened to resign as PM rather than give in to possible police strike

James Callaghan threatened to resign as prime minister rather than give in to a possible police strike, official documents released today have shown.

Brown urges Pakistan elections

Gordon Brown has passed on his condolences to the people of Pakistan

Gordon Brown has urged Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf to go ahead with elections next month.

Tories unveil new visa proposals

Shadow immigration minister Damian Green unveiled the new proposals

The Conservatives have announced their intention to crack down upon UK visitors who outstay their visas through increased punishments.

Tories: More teachers quitting

Teachers are leaving schools in increasing numbers, the Tories say

Double the number of teachers are leaving their positions now than in the late 1990s, the Conservatives have claimed.

Lord Ahmed reveals crash shock

Labour peer Lord Ahmed has spoken of his shock after being involved in a fatal motorway collision on Christmas Day.

Miliband condemns Bhutto attack

Foreign secretary says killing of Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was a "senseless attack".

Foreign secretary David Miliband has said the killing of Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was a "senseless attack".

Taliban and MI6 'in talks'

Prime minister Gordon Brown has previously denied holding any negotiations with the Taliban

MI6 agents reportedly held talks with members of the Taliban in Afghanistan in order to convince them to stop fighting the country's government.

Conservatives: Complacency on crime

Conservatives: Level of gun crime in Britain is rising

The Conservative party has claimed that the level of gun crime in Britain is rising while the number of armed police officers on patrol is falling.

Alexander hopeful on Gaza

Douglas Alexander has recently visited the Middle East

Douglas Alexander has admitted that "very significant blocks" on the Gaza economy are making it difficult for the humanitarian situation to improve.

2007 at Westminster

Brown and Cameron battled it out for half of 2007

<i>politics.co.uk</i> looks back at the political highlights of 2007.

Quotes of the year 2007

<i>politics.co.uk</i> looks back at the best political quotes of 2007.

MPs call for review of NHS database plans

Information commissioner warns over data loss

Opposition politicians have called for the planned national database of NHS patient records to be put on hold while the government assesses data security.

Smith admits deportation mistake

Home secretary says number of failed asylum seekers whose deportation is postponed is twice as many as previously believed.

The home secretary has said the number of failed asylum seekers whose deportation flights are postponed is almost twice as many as previously believed.