Polly Toynbee

If it wants to build 1.5m homes, the government will sometimes need to be brave enough to reject local feeling – as it has done in Swale, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

Labour inherited a dire situation that needed desperate change – but powerful lobbies make any tax reform near-impossible, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

I have campaigned for the right to avoid a needlessly agonising death all my life. After this vote, I hope I will no longer have to, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

A new report shows a bad situation is getting worse. This really is a case for draconian action from the state, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

MPs had a chance to make a seismic change to ease the suffering of countless people. I’m so glad they took it, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

‘Tax wealth, not work’ would be a powerful message for Starmer and Reeves – are they bold enough to pursue it, asks Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

New EU trade regulations will cause further pain for the UK. Starmer’s talk of breaking down barriers must be more than warm words, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

Goals for low-carbon energy, prison reforms, housebuilding and more are ambitious and nation-changing. They won’t happen overnight, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

The government is right in its decision not to pay the women up to £10.5bn in compensation – it can’t afford to, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

The pension credit deadline has passed – and the government must help find millions missing out on money they’re entitled to, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee