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Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorThe UK’s Labour government is taking its first steps to building greater trading links with EU members as new business secretary Jonathan Reynolds meets international counterparts in Italy.In his first international visit since the party’s electoral landslide, Mr Reynolds will tell a G7 meeting of trade ministers that the UK wants “a closer, more mature, more level-headed relationship with our friends in the European Union”.“In the UK, we now have a strong government with an even stronger mandate from the British people. One that respects, wants to partner with and is open for business,” Mr Reynolds will say. “My message to you today is simple – Britain is back. A confident, outward-looking, future-facing UK is ready and willing to play our part on the international stage.“We are seeking a closer, more mature, more level-headed relationship with our friends in the European Union – our nearest and largest trading partner, and we also intend to forge better trading relationships with countries around the world.The business secretary’s trip will also see him meet Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis and German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck. It comes as prime minister Keir Starmer hosts EU leaders at Oxford’s Blenheim Palace in the same week.The moves mark a clear departure from previous Conservative government’s hardline approach to the EU since the 2016 Brexit referendum. Trade agreements with the continental bloc since have been marred by border checks and higher costs for consumers – issues Labour has pledged to tackle.Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will meet his G7 counterparts in Italy (Lucy North/PA) More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorKeir Starmer has asked for a thorough “root and branch” assessment of the state of Britain’s military capabilities, left “hollowed out” during 14 years of Tory rule, as the country faces a dangerous and uncertain world, the government has announced. A new strategic defence review, launched by Labour in its second week of power, will be a radical departure from the ones which have taken place before by bringing in senior public figures from outside Whitehall to shape defence and geopolitical strategies in the coming years.Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, the former defence secretary and Nato secretary general, will lead a team with General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of Joint Forces Command and deputy chief of the Defence Staff, and Fiona Hill, a foreign policy specialist and former advisor to a US President.Announcing the review, Starmer is due to say in the Commons on Tuesday: “ We live in a more dangerous and volatile world…. I promised the British people I would deliver the change needed to take our country forward, and I promised action not words. “That’s why one of my first acts since taking office is to launch our strategic defence review. We will make sure our hollowed out armed forces are bolstered and respected, that defence spending is responsibly increased, and that our country has the capabilities needed to ensure the UK’s resilience for the long term.”Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (PA) More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorAngela Rayner is set to give more power to local authorities as she pledges to transfer more powers out of Westminster in her first weeks as deputy prime minister.Dubbed the “devolution revolution”, the cabinet minister said the government’s doors are open to areas which want to get in touch and take on devolution for the first time.Ms Rayner has written to leaders of councils not currently subject to a devolution deal, to urge them to “partner with the government”.She has announced the push in a bid to “drive growth in every part of the country” as the new Labour government begins to make headway on key pledges.Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner talks with Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin during a meeting in Number 10 Downing Street (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror) More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorA newly elected Reform UK MP was previously jailed for attacking his ex-girlfriend, it has been revealed.James McMurdock, 38, was convicted of assault at Chelmsford Crown Court nearly 20 years ago, with his party admitting it knew this before adopting him as a prospective parliamentary candidate.The 38-year-old, from Essex, was narrowly elected as MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock earlier this month, joining the four other MPs from his party, including leader Nigel Farage, in Westminster.The former banker assaulted a woman in what he described as an alcohol-fuelled argument after a night out in Chelmsford.McMurdock, who MailOnline reported was working as a barman aged 19 at the time, claimed he pushed his victim to the floor in the incident.Murdock, who is now a married father of four, was subsequently charged and sentenced to a short prison term.The new Reform UK MPs (left to right) Lee Anderson, Nigel Farage, Rupert Lowe, Richard Tice and James McMurdock More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorNigel Farage has pledged to visit Donald Trump in the US to stand in the wake of his assassination attempt.The Reform UK leader referenced rocks and a milkshake being thrown at him during the general election campaign as he spoke of his fears that political discourse is becoming “more violent” across the world.The Republican former president was shot in the ear about 15 minutes after he took to the stage at the campaign event in Pennsylvania on Saturday night. He dropped to the ground and was swarmed by his security detail, who rushed him offstage to a waiting motorcade. Mr Trump could be seen raising his fist in the air and mouthing the words: “Fight, fight, fight.”After the shooting, Mr Trump’s likely Democrat opponent in the forthcoming US election, President Joe Biden, said: “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”The former president was shot in the ear around 15 minutes after he took to the stage at the campaign event in Pennsylvania More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorTrade union leaders have pushed Sir Keir Starmer for “oven ready” legislation to reverse Tory anti-strike laws ahead of the King’s Speech.With 35 bills set to be contained in Labour’s first legislative programme in 14 years, there are fears in the trade union movement that Sir Keir may deprioritise his pledges on workers’ rights on Wednesday.Speaking exclusively to The Independent, Trades Union Congress (TUC) president Matt Wrack, who is also general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), warned that “words will not be enough” from the new Labour prime minister and rapid action is expected.The concerns have come through a lack of communication and reports that deputy prime minister Angela Rayner is already being sidelined in the government.Matt Wrack, TUC president More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorLabour’s legislative agenda will be set out in the King’s Speech later this week, and it is predicted to pack in 35 new bills. Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer described the measures, to be announced on Wednesday, as the “down payment” on the change his government is seeking to deliver.Ahead of the speech, which will be delivered by the King as part of the State Opening of Parliament, Sir Keir said “there is no time to waste”. “From energy, to planning, to unbreakable fiscal rules, my government is serious about delivering the stability that is going to turbo-charge growth that will create wealth in every corner of the UK,” he added. “The task of national renewal will not be easy, and this is just the down payment on our plans for the next five years, but the legislation set out at the King’s Speech will build on the momentum of our first days in office and make a difference to the lives of working people.”Here, The Independent looks at everything we know about the legislation that could be announced on Wednesday. Crime and policing billThe new crime and policing bill is expected to introduce a ban on dangerous “zombie” knives More