Author profile

Polly Toynbee

Polly Toynbee is a commentator for The Guardian newspaper. Her latest books are a memoir, ‘An Uneasy Inheritance: My family and other radicals’ and 'The Only Way is Up: how to take Britain from austerity to prosperity'.

Stylised landscape with winding path and trees, social Europe.

Social Democracy’s Lost Spark: When the Third Way Led Nowhere

Polly Toynbee

The centre-left’s millennial triumph marked not a new dawn but the beginning of a long decline into cautious centrism.

Handshake between two hands over a map of Europe and UK flags.

Britain Rediscovers Europe as Macron and Merz Lead a Democratic Reawakening

Polly Toynbee

With Trump looming and war in Europe, Britain finds renewed purpose in unity with France and Germany.

London skyline with Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and the London Eye.

Trump’s Policies Are Making Europe the New Education Superpower

Polly Toynbee

As America’s global appeal diminishes amid domestic turmoil, Europe emerges as a beacon of stability and cultural leadership.

London landmarks with European and UK flags overlay.

Britain’s Brexit reality check: Why the majority now want back in

Polly Toynbee

Every UK poll now shows a majority longing to rejoin the EU – but can Britain overcome its Brexit scars?