#reform-uk

#reform-uk

The failure of the Conservative party both when in government and more recently in opposition to actively hold the government to account on the issue of Chagossian self-determination and the defence of British sovereignty, represents a clear red line for me. Since entering parliament in 2001, I have consistently argued, both from the backbenches and the frontbench, that the right of self-determination of the Chagossian people is sacrosanct, and that they alone should decide the future sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.

Nigel Farage has insisted Reform UK will not become "the Conservative Party 2.0" following the defection of former senior Tory Robert Jenrick. Writing in the Telegraph, the party's leader said Reform "is not a rescue charity for every panicky Tory MP" and any potential defectors would have to be prepared to admit publicly that the previous Conservative government "broke the country".

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has insisted Britain is not broken after her former minister Robert Jenrick criticised the party for failing to campaign on that line. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, she said: "Ours is still one of the most successful, resilient and influential countries on Earth," adding that telling voters their "country is finished" only "drags them down". She also insisted that the Conservatives were stronger after Jenrick was sacked, ahead of his defection to Reform.

For Sam Smith, Thursday began as an ordinary day. The Conservative councillor was preparing for a budget scrutiny meeting at the Reform-led Nottinghamshire county council hall, where he is leader of the opposition, when he received a message from long-time friend Robert Jenrick. The MP's message to the Newark Conservative Association's group chat queried what local pubs they could visit to oppose Labour's hike on business rates.

Laila Cunningham, who was announced as Reform's candidate for the 2028 mayoral elections last week, said no one should cover their face in an open society, adding: It has to be assumed that if you're hiding your face, you're hiding it for a criminal reason. Cunningham told the Standard podcast: If you go to parts of London, it does feel like a Muslim city. The signs are written in a different language. You've got burqas being sold in markets.

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.

The results show students' views on free issues tend to be nuanced and they sometimes seem contradictory. In particular, while the principle of free speech has stronger support from students than in the past, so do specific bans. While 35% said they would bar Reform politicians from speaking, that included 41% of those who said they voted for Reform in the 2024 general election.

There are 14 former Conservatives, five independents and one Green among the new batch of Reform UK councillors, who represent areas such as Stoke-on-Trent, Thanet and Bolsover. The new intake include a former BBC journalist, a man who was held hostage by Iraq, and an engineer who has quit the left-wing party led by Zack Polanski to join Reform UK.

The prime minister sought to rally his cabinet on Tuesday, telling them to ignore the polls and to prepare to take on Nigel Farage's Reform UK. But sources said that in a presentation by chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, ministers were told the government needed to gain back voters' trust with three Es, emotion, empathy and evidence. One source said McSweeney warned that the government had a deficit in emotion, though a No 10 source denied he had used that phrase.

In a statement, Made in Britain said it had become aware that Reform UK was using a logo it believes to be "substantially similar" to its registered mark across marketing materials and merchandise. The organisation stressed that no authorisation, licence or consent had been granted for such use. Made in Britain said it maintains a strictly neutral political stance and does not endorse, support or affiliate with any political party or movement.

Essex Police said it could not investigate the Clacton MP because more than a year had passed since the alleged offence. It followed a former member of Farage's campaign team claiming Reform spent more than the 20,660 spending limit set by law. A police spokeswoman said: "Any prosecution for such an offence must commence within one year." She said an "allegation around misreported expenditure by a political candidate" in July 2024 was made on 5 December.

For seven months Helen Pidd has been keeping a close eye on what has been happening in Lancashire, her home county. It is one of 10 local councils Reform has taken over potentially a big indicator of what could happen if Nigel Farage's party were to get into Downing Street. She was keen to see if Reform's anti-woke' agenda would come crashing down when confronted with the cold hard realities of local government or if the party would prove itself more competent than people expected.

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.

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. 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. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.

I find it insulting to see people breaking into the UK and immediately being put up in free accomodation, receiving allowances, working illegally and accessing free education while I have done everything the right way.