Oliver Letwin was heavily outnumbered when he entered Ed Miliband’s Westminster office at around 10pm on Sunday night. The Conservatives’ policy chief, wearing garish mustard-coloured corduroy trousers and a sky blue shirt, looked rather crestfallen to be greeted by such a crowd.

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It was a firm commitment by the Government last year. So what has happened?

Foster carers and parents of serving armed forces personnel will be exempted from welfare deductions if they have spare rooms, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has announced.

Home Secretary pledges loyalty to Cameron but urges party to empower all the people, not just elites

The Independent’s Dave Brown has been named Cartoonist of the Year. His rival, Martin Rowson, pays tribute

Activists table motion calling on leader to abandon austerity and kickstart economy

Why do politicians "scuttle sideways like a startled crab" whenever the legalisation of drugs is mentioned? Three experts on the drugs trade trained their headlights on the crab today.

The Eastleigh by-election result prompted a slew of predictable reactions. The Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, sounded amazed to be celebrating a victory. Nigel Farage insisted the UK Independence Party (Ukip) was about much more than Europe. And with Labour making no headway on its general election showing, Ed Miliband admitted he had more work to do.

Lib Dem candidate Mike Thornton wins seat but with greatly reduced majority of 1,771

Ministers should be given annual performance appraisals to see how well they are doing their jobs, a former head of the civil service said today.

Nick Clegg regards his mission as taking the Liberal Democrats from being a party of opposition which can hoover up protest votes to one that is a serious partner in government.

More hot air in the wind turbine debate?