UK politics

[ follow ]
UK politics
fromwww.independent.co.uk
3 hours ago

Government to recruit thousands of volunteer magistrates to tackle court backlog

Thousands of volunteer magistrates are being recruited to reduce crown court backlog while donations fund free on-the-ground journalism.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
14 hours ago

What to expect at Holyrood and beyond as 2026 election race steps up

The 2026 Holyrood election may end or extend nearly two decades of SNP rule, with Swinney leading but opposition gains and Reform UK affecting dynamics.
#populism
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 day ago
UK politics

What is Keir Starmer doing to push back the populists? Not nearly enough. We have a plan to take them on | Chris Powell

A populist surge threatens democratic norms and demands an urgent, large-scale UK counter-plan to stop Reform UK becoming a credible governing force.
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 days ago
UK politics

Zack Polanski offering voters fantasy solutions, says head of Fabian Society

Labour must confront both left and right populisms: Green's unrealistic wealth-tax promises and Reform/Farage's simplistic, divisive solutions.
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 day ago
UK politics

What is Keir Starmer doing to push back the populists? Not nearly enough. We have a plan to take them on | Chris Powell

UK politics
fromwww.independent.co.uk
9 hours ago

British voters want to be part of EU more than French and Italians, poll reveals

A YouGov poll shows 50% of UK voters would choose EU membership now, a higher share than in France and Italy and lower support for leaving.
#journalism-funding
fromwww.independent.co.uk
1 day ago

Scrap drugs deal with bully' Trump and use money to fund social care, Lib Dems say

Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
UK politics
fromIndependent
17 hours ago

IRA engaged in mutilation and intelligence-gathering five years after Agreement - and Government linked it to Sinn Fein

Adams confirmed that they had met Donaldson. But what was the point of talking to Robinson and Donaldson if Ian Paisley was still in charge of the party?
UK politics
#nigel-farage
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
8 hours ago

Downing Street has only itself to blame for lack of grip on Whitehall, say experts

Downing Street failed to exercise power because a political perma-class and stakeholder-state influence distracted government from voters' priorities.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
14 hours ago

Mike Nesbitt to stand down as Ulster Unionist Party leader

Mike Nesbitt will step down as Ulster Unionist Party leader; potential successors include deputy Robbie Butler and MLA Jon Burrows.
#trans-rights
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
12 hours ago

We were missing in the conversation': how Zack Polanski hit on plan to beat Reform at their own game

Zack Polanski transformed the Green Party with eco-populism, rapidly growing membership and media presence, challenging Reform and established parties.
#alaa-abd-el-fattah
fromwww.bbc.com
15 hours ago

Politicians have given away too much power to deliver pledges, says PM's ex-aide

Writing in The Times, Paul Ovenden, who quit as Keir Starmer's director of political strategy last September after offensive messages he had sent in 2017 surfaced, said the British state had got "bigger and bigger while simultaneously and systematically emasculating itself".
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
14 hours ago

Senedd prepares for 'once in a century change' - but do voters know?

It's hard enough to communicate one change...let alone all these changes. But I think the message to voters is register to vote and turn out on 7 May.
UK politics
#shamima-begum
fromwww.independent.co.uk
1 day ago

New rule for minicab firms hailed as huge boost for black cab drivers

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
UK politics
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
21 hours ago

Nine out of 10 London car thefts are unsolved

Almost 90% of vehicle thefts reported to the Metropolitan Police go unsolved, prompting calls for a national specialist team to target organised car crime.
UK politics
fromBusiness Matters
10 hours ago

Baroness Mone allowed to keep 15,000-a-week rent from Belgravia mansion amid PPE investigation

Michelle Mone can keep up to £15,000 weekly rental income from a Belgravia mansion despite an asset freeze tied to the £148m PPE Medpro scandal.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
1 day ago

Hospitals working to get patients home for Christmas after five-day doctor strike

Resident doctor strikes in England disrupted thousands of appointments and hospitals are working to recover while talks continue over pay and job-security reforms.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
9 hours ago

MP abused by trolls loses 10 stone after taking Mounjaro

Carolyn Harris warns that using unregulated weight-loss injections is 'playing Russian roulette' and urges obtaining them only through regulated medical channels for health reasons.
fromBusiness Matters
1 day ago

Political ignorance of business is stunting UK growth, warns Iceland boss

"I've met a lot of MPs over the years," Walker said. "Very few understand how a business actually runs. There's still a mindset in parts of government that treats profit like a dirty word, when profit is precisely what allows businesses to invest, employ people and pay tax."
UK politics
#journalism
#channel-crossings
#gambling-advertising
UK politics
fromIrish Independent
1 day ago

'The Brits are at it again' - Kneecap 'will not be silent' over appeal against decision to end terror case

A technical charging error led a magistrate to dismiss charges against O hAnnaidh for displaying a Hezbollah flag, and the government plans to appeal.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 day ago

When racists shout Go home', and you come from 15 places, what to do? | Hugh Muir

Racist and nativist othering surged in 2025, normalizing attacks on public figures like David Lammy and emboldening violent, symbolic intimidation.
UK politics
fromBusiness Matters
1 day ago

Dream of 'Europe's Silicon Valley' at risk as ministers urged to move faster on OxCam rail link

Delays to East West Rail and slow infrastructure delivery risk stalling the Oxford–Cambridge supercluster, undermining investor confidence and jeopardizing projected economic growth.
fromwww.standard.co.uk
1 day ago

Row as Star of David 'disappears' from Israeli flag during London's New Year fireworks

A range of flags were displayed on the London Eye to represent the wide variety of countries of origin of people who live in and contribute to the success of London. These animated flags were small and moving so were not all entirely clear at every point as they gradually formed into the Union Flag.
UK politics
UK politics
fromwww.independent.co.uk
2 days ago

Keir Starmer vows to stay the course' in 2026 after Labour leadership speculation

Keir Starmer pledges to remain leader through 2026 as Labour struggles economically and trails Reform UK; The Independent seeks donations to fund reporters.
#keir-starmer
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
2 days ago

Grooming gang row 'could have been handled better' - Constance

Angela Constance faces an independent investigation over remarks about Prof Alexis Jay and survived a no-confidence vote while saying her actions were in good faith.
fromLondon Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
2 days ago

Reeves warned she has 'shattered business confidence with tax hikes' - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

We are now at a level where we can't tax anybody any more, but we can't borrow any more, so we are really at the mercy of those people we've borrowed from, so if they lose confidence in us, we have serious issues.
UK politics
#green-party
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

Judge me on what I do, says new EHRC chair after transgender groups' criticism

Mary-Ann Stephenson pledges to uphold rights of all protected groups and asks to be judged by actions despite controversy over past statements and donations.
#royal-family
fromwww.independent.co.uk
2 days ago

Fresh proposals for panel of judges to reconsider cases of every IPP prisoner

Edward Garnier KC, a former solicitor general under the Conservative government, has proposed the formation of a specialist panel to review the cases of each prisoner still serving an abolished Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) jail term. He told The Independent too many IPP prisoners are now victims of state action or lack of it as he urged the government to fix this broken system.
UK politics
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 days ago

The Guardian view on hard times for Britain's charities: struggling to do more with less | Editorial

Voluntary organisations face rising demand, shrinking state funding, falling donations and higher costs, threatening services and forcing major charities to cut staff and branches.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
2 days ago

Council leader to give evidence over Maccabi ban

Birmingham council leader and officials will give evidence to MPs over the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match.
#queen-camilla
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 days ago

Oldham child gang-rape suspect later attempted to murder wife

Police failings let an alleged grooming gang member evade investigation; he later attempted to murder his wife and is unlikely to be charged.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

From Send to single-sex spaces: key tests facing Keir Starmer in 2026

Proposed education reforms risk removing EHCPs and prompting Labour rebellions amid financial pressure from rising numbers of children with autism and ADHD.
#labour-party
fromwww.bbc.com
3 days ago

Papers reveal Blair said voters had no appetite for more Welsh powers

Tony Blair believed his Labour government had defeated the threat of a breakup of the UK by delivering devolution to Wales and Scotland, newly released documents reveal. Rejecting calls in 2004 for the then-Welsh Assembly to have full law-making powers, he said voters in Wales and Scotland had "no appetite" for more powers and that his government had "lanced the boil of separatism". The then-prime minister made the comments during a significant government cabinet discussion on further devolution for Wales - the minutes of which have just been released.
UK politics
UK politics
fromBusiness Matters
3 days ago

Britain stuck at bottom of G7 for investment as private spending stalls

The UK records the lowest overall investment in the G7 at 18.6% of GDP, with public investment set to rise but private investment likely stagnating.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

Badenoch under fire as Tory shadow attorney general acts for Roman Abramovich

Kemi Badenoch faces pressure over her shadow attorney general's legal representation of sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
#conflict-of-interest
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

Too complacent': how Blair's advisers misjudged his disastrous WI speech

Tony Blair's advisers criticized his WI speech as complacent, patronising and insufficiently policy-focused, urging more dynamism and concrete topics to avoid alienating the audience.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
3 days ago

Cabinet Office withdraws Andrew papers after 'error'

An administrative error led to brief release then withdrawal of official files mentioning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor; papers were later redacted before public transfer.
UK politics
fromianVisits
3 days ago

TfL raises 'existential' concerns over track access under Great British Railways

Unclear Great British Railways legislation clauses could create long-term operational uncertainty for Transport for London, including potential denial of access to shared tracks.
fromwww.bbc.com
3 days ago

Alpacas, buses and pints: Five laws you may have missed in 2025

The furry creatures, best described as a cross between a horse and a sheep, have become an increasingly regular feature of the UK landscape despite their South American origins. There are an estimated 45,000 alpacas and another 4,000 llamas in the UK, according to the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra). Now, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act gives the animals the same protections as goats, sheep, cattle and poultry, with an unlimited fine for irresponsible dog walkers.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

We have to go': longest-serving lord reflects on looming Labour eviction

But now well into his 64th year in the upper house, he is very much the longest serving. And in the next few months, it will all end. The 2nd Baron Trefgarne, to use his formal title, is one of the few hereditary peers still helping to make UK law, the tail end of a legislative chain dating back to the 13th century and Magna Carta.
UK politics
UK politics
fromThe Atlantic
3 days ago

Keir Starmer's Gift to the British Right

States must weigh diplomatic resources and political costs when securing citizens’ release who have expressed violent, racist, or extremist views.
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

Blair pressured officials over case of UK soldiers accused of beating Iraqi man to death, files show

A senior aide wrote to the prime minster in July 2005 to tell him that the attorney general had met army prosecutors that afternoon to discuss the case against soldiers alleged to have beaten Baha Mousa to death. It was likely the case would proceed to a court martial, wrote Antony Phillipson, the then prime minister's private secretary for foreign affairs, adding: Although if the AG felt that the case were better dealt with in a civil court he could direct accordingly. It must not!
UK politics
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

Foreign Office cautioned against UK military action to overthrow Robert Mugabe

UK Foreign Office concluded military intervention to remove Robert Mugabe in 2004 was not a serious or viable option due to high costs and risks.
UK politics
fromwww.independent.co.uk
4 days ago

How does the British honours system work and how do you nominate someone?

The British honours system recognises diverse public achievements and bravery across many fields, while free journalism relies on reader support to fund on-the-ground reporting.
UK politics
fromBusiness Matters
3 days ago

10m in late payments recovered for small firms by Small Business Commissioner

The Small Business Commissioner has helped UK small businesses recover £10 million in late and overdue payments, improving cashflow and challenging large firms' payment practices.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

What happened next: the man who saved the last phone box in his village

Derek Harris led a community campaign to save the K6 phone box from BT closure, mobilizing volunteers to exceed usage criteria and secure its retention.
UK politics
fromwww.standard.co.uk
4 days ago

Nigel Farage targeting six London council wins for Reform in elections as he says capital 'in big trouble'

Reform UK targets London boroughs, emphasizing law-and-order failures to win about six boroughs and lay groundwork to challenge the mayoralty in 2028.
UK politics
fromBusiness Matters
4 days ago

Hairdressers join pub landlords in banning Labour MPs over business rates backlash

Hairdressers and barbers are banning Labour MPs over rising business rates, employment costs and perceived government failure to protect high street firms.
UK politics
fromwww.independent.co.uk
5 days ago

Labour warns of horrifying' rise in rat sightings

Cuts to local authority street-cleaning budgets correlate with a surge in rat sightings across Scotland, with Glasgow reporting over half of complaints and spending declines.
fromwww.standard.co.uk
4 days ago

Celeb hairdresser bans Labour MPs from his west London salon in protest over Budget

We have a history of looking after senior party members on both sides but I fully support this latest initiative. I feel the lives of Labour MPs should be hindered and diminished like they are doing to ours. I don't think they are all evil. Most are just naive and ideologically stupid. If the entire country refuses to do business with them perhaps they will get the message.
UK politics
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

Abd el-Fattah citizenship row shows shift on questions of national identity

British citizenship raises questions about nationality, consular protection for dual nationals, and whether decades-old offensive social media posts should affect citizenship status.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
4 days ago

'It has the X-factor' - the view from the Commons public gallery

The Visitors' Gallery offers free public access to House of Commons proceedings, showcasing ceremonial traditions and allowing direct observation of MPs' debates and behavior.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

Grenfell firms still receiving multimillion-pound public contracts, analysis finds

Companies criticised in the Grenfell public inquiry still hold public-sector contracts; survivors demand audits and exclusion from government procurement.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

Number of people who say Britons must be born in UK is rising, study shows

Belief that Britishness is determined by birth, ancestry or ethnicity has nearly doubled, signalling rising ethno‑nationalist attitudes.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

Third of Reform UK's council leaders have expressed vaccine-sceptic views

A third of Reform UK council leaders and several senior figures publicly express vaccine scepticism, questioning Covid vaccine safety and suggesting cancer links.
[ Load more ]