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The Conservative Party should let Reform UK win the Runcorn by-election next month as part of an “electoral pact” between the two parties, a senior Tory MP has said. As the Conservatives continue to lag behind in the polls, former Cabinet minister Esther McVey appeared to defy party leader Kemi Badenoch and advocate an alliance with Nigel Farage’s party. It comes just weeks ahead of the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, which will see both Reform and the Conservatives attempt to overturn Labour’s 15,000 vote majority in the safe seat. The area has been held by Labour for more than 40 years. Ms McVey said the by-election was a chance for the Tories to let Reform pick up a victory, with the expectation they would then allow the Tories to do the same elsewhere. Conservative former minister Esther McVey has suggested her party should stand aside at the Runcorn byelection (Jacob King/PA) More

Keir Starmer’s government could hit the US with retaliatory tariffs if the UK cannot strike a trade deal with Donald Trump. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told MPs that ministers will look at “possible retaliatory action” in response to 10 per cent levies on British goods entering the US,as officials work through 417 pages of products they could target. It comes as the prime minister was unable to rule out another tax raid or more cuts to benefits in a bid to balance the government books. The Office for Budget responsibility (OBR) had already warned Trump tariffs would wipe out all the fiscal headroom established by chancellor Rachel Reeves in her spring statement last week.And as businesses began to assess the economic turmoil unleashed by the US president the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) revealed that around a third (32 per cent) of small and medium sized firms have been hit by the tariffs.Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Jonathan Brady/PA) More

Welcome to an exclusive Ask Me Anything session with me, John Rentoul, The Independent’s chief political commentator.Keep scrolling for more. If you want to jump straight to the Q&A, click here.Donald Trump has launched a fresh wave of tariffs, including a 10 per cent duty on all British exports to the US, in a dramatic escalation of his trade war. Dubbed “Liberation Day”, the president’s announcement has sent shockwaves through global markets, with European nations hit even harder, some facing tariffs of up to 34 per cent.The UK government, under Keir Starmer, has so far failed to secure an exemption, though officials insist negotiations are continuing. Ministers argue that Britain’s 10 per cent tariff – half the level imposed on EU nations – is a sign of their diplomatic strategy paying off; although Brexiteers claim it as a benefit of leaving the EU. Even so, British businesses, especially in the automotive and manufacturing sectors, will still suffer.In response, the Labour government is balancing two key trade relationships: managing the fallout with the US while fending off calls to pivot back towards Europe. At home, Starmer’s administration is under pressure to act decisively. The prime minister insists he will take a “calm, pragmatic” approach, refusing to be drawn into retaliatory tariffs. Business leaders, however, are growing increasingly concerned.So, what does Trump’s latest move mean for the UK economy? How will it impact post-Brexit Britain’s place on the global stage? And what should Starmer’s next steps be?Join me live at 1pm BST on Friday, 4 April, as I tackle your questions on tariffs, Brexit, UK-EU relations, and what the markets might do next.Submit your questions in the comments below. If you’re not already a member, click “sign up” in the comments section to participate. For a full guide on how to comment, click here.Don’t worry if you can’t see your question right away – some may be hidden until the Q&A starts. See you at 1pm! More

Within minutes of Donald Trump’s announcement on so-called “reciprocal tariffs” around the world, Brexiteers were claiming victory because the UK escaped with half the rate imposed on the EU.But if the UK’s 10 per cent import tariffs to the American market compared to the EU’s 20 per cent, is the best economic justification for Brexit that can be made, then supporters of leaving the EU are clutching at straws.The first and most obvious point is that Brexit has not spared the UK from having tariffs imposed on it by the one world leader who was the biggest cheerleader outside Britain for the UK leaving the EU.Trump with his tariffs list More

Donald Trump was “acting for his country” when he slapped a 10 per cent tariff on all British exports to the United States, Sir Keir Starmer has said. The prime minister vowed to act in Britain’s interests in return, but indicated he would not hit back with retaliatory measures and instead would “keep a cool head”.As he met business leaders to discuss the measures in Downing Street, Sir Keir warned: “Clearly, there will be an economic impact from the decisions the US has taken, both here and globally.”Keir Starmer is seeking to strike a deal with Donald Trump More

Donald Trump has imposed 10 per cent tariffs on all of the United Kingdom’s exports to the United States.There are higher tariffs for cars and car parts – 25 per cent – which will also extend to all computer imports, including laptops.The list includes tariff codes for engines, transmissions, lithium-ion batteries and other major components, along with less expensive parts including tires, shock absorbers, spark plug wires and brake hoses.Trump says the tariffs are the US’s “declaration of independence”.However, UK businesses have labelled them “devastating”.Here is a look at how much trade the UK has with the US, based on figures published by the Office for National Statistics.U.S. President Donald Trump announces tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House More