UK Politics

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom 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.CloseRead moreCloseChancellor Rachel Reeves described a £500 million private investment by a US firm into a UK research campus as a “real show of confidence in what this Government are doing to grow the economy”.The investment by San Francisco-based developer Prologis, announced days after Labour’s Budget, will fund a 115,000 sq ft expansion to Cambridge Biomedical Campus.The campus already supports more than 22,000 jobs and generates £4.2 billion each year for the UK economy.The new development will house high-tech labs, supporting clinical trials and diagnostic services.It will inject millions into the British economy every year and create more than 2,120 highly-skilled jobs in roles from research to diagnostic.Ms Reeves visited the campus on Friday and toured research institute the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, speaking with staff and being shown some of the science that takes place there.Asked about the investment, she said: “It’s a real show of confidence in what this Government are doing to grow the economy that just a few days after the Budget Prologis are announcing this £500 million investment into the UK here in Cambridge to grow the life science industry in Britain.“The UK’s got huge strengths in industries like life sciences but this additional investment will mean that we can create more good jobs paying decent wages as well as developing here in the UK lifesaving drugs and that’s incredibly exciting because that means patients in the UK having access to better quality medicines while also building our research capability.”Research conducted at Cambridge Biomedical Campus addresses the most pressing global healthcare challenges, including developing techniques for spotting cancer early and understanding dementia.This underlines how this Government is in lockstep with business in our joint ambition to make sure everyone in the UK benefits from advances in science and technologyScience and Technology Secretary Peter KylePaul Weston, regional head at Prologis UK, said: “There is a lot riding on this pivotal first Budget and strong support from the private sector to follow through on investment pledges will be critical.“The Government’s commitment to unlock foreign direct investment matches our own focus on partnering with public and private stakeholders to invest and deliver the infrastructure needed for sustainable, long-term growth.“Steps already taken through the launch of the National Planning Policy Framework and the Green Paper for the Industrial Strategy are paving the way for a stronger, more resilient industrial base.“These initiatives will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of industrial innovation and Prologis are ready to support the Government’s ambitions, providing the spaces that can unlock growth and development.“We look forward to furthering our collaboration and investment activity, ensuring the UK continues to lead on a global stage.”Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said: “The UK’s life sciences sector is central to our ambitions for the UK – from driving economic growth through to saving and improving lives through better treatments.“Major investments like this from Prologis, bringing the sector’s largest global companies under one roof in Cambridge, is another vote of confidence in the UK’s approach to long-term growth.“Coming just days after the Chancellor raised public funding for R&D to record levels, this underlines how this Government is in lockstep with business in our joint ambition to make sure everyone in the UK benefits from advances in science and technology.” More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom 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.CloseRead moreCloseKemi Badenoch has called for the Tories to “be honest” about their mistakes in government after winning the Tory leadership vote – becoming the first Black leader of a Westminster party.After beatint Robert Jenrick in the contest to succeed Rishi Sunak, the former business secretary said the Conservatives need to unite behind her after years of infighting.And, in a frank assessment of the party’s post-Brexit record, Ms Badenoch said: “We have to be honest; honest about the fact that we made mistakes, honest about the fact that we let standards slip.”Kemi Badenoch has been elected leader of the Conservative Party, becoming the first black woman elected to lead a major UK political party (Stefan Rousseau/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom 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.CloseRead moreClose The first Black woman to lead a major U.K. political party, Kemi Badenoch is an upbeat and outspoken libertarian who thinks the British state is broken — and that she’s the one to fix it with smaller government and radical new ideas.The new leader of Britain’s right-of-center Conservative Party was born Olukemi Adegoke in London in 1980 to well-off Nigerian parents — a doctor and an academic — and spent much of her childhood in the West African country.She has said that the experience of Nigeria’s economic and social upheavals shaped her political outlook.“I grew up somewhere where the lights didn’t come on, where we ran out of fuel frequently despite being an oil-producing country,” Badenoch told the BBC last week.“I don’t take what we have in this country for granted,” she said. “I meet a lot of people who assume that things are good here because things are good here and they always will be. They don’t realize just how much work and sacrifice was required in order to get that.”Returning to the U.K. aged 16 during a period of turmoil in Nigeria, she worked part-time at McDonalds while completing school, then studied computer systems engineering at the University of Sussex. She later got a law degree and worked in financial services.In 2012, she married banker Hamish Badenoch, with whom she has three children.She was elected to the London Assembly in 2015 and to Parliament in 2017. She held a series of government posts in the 2019-22 government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, before becoming part of a mass ministerial exodus in July 2022 over a series of ethics scandals that triggered Johnson’s downfall.Badenoch ran unsuccessfully to succeed Johnson, boosting her profile in the process. She was appointed trade secretary in the 49-day government of Prime Minister Liz Truss, and business secretary under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.She held onto her seat in Parliament in July’s national election, which saw the Labour Party win a huge majority and the Conservatives reduced to 121 lawmakers in the 650-seat House of Commons. Like many Conservatives, Badenoch idolizes Margaret Thatcher, the party’s first female leader, who transformed Britain with her free-market policies in the 1980s. Citing her engineering background as evidence she’s a problem-solver, she depicts herself as a disruptor, arguing for a low-tax, free-market economy and pledging to “rewire, reboot and reprogram” the British state.A critic of multiculturalism and self-proclaimed enemy of wokeness, Badenoch is an opponent of “identity politics,” gender-neutral bathrooms and government plans to reduce U.K. carbon emissions.Supporters think her charismatic, outspoken style is just what the Conservative Party needs to come back from its worst-ever election defeat. During her leadership campaign, her backers wore T-shirts urging: “Be more Kemi.”Critics say Badenoch has clashed with colleagues and civil servants and has a tendency to make rash statements and provoke unnecessary fights. During the leadership campaign she drew criticism for saying that “not all cultures are equally valid,” and for suggesting that maternity pay was excessive — though she later backtracked on that claim.“I do speak my mind,” she told the BBC. “And I tell the truth.” More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom 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.CloseRead moreCloseKemi Badenoch has won the race to become the new leader of the Conservative Party, beating Robert Jenrick in the ballot of party members on Saturday.She will take over from Rishi Sunak after winning 53,806 votes, while her rival received 41,388 votes.Here is her first speech as party leader in full, delivered immediately after the result:“I want to start by thanking Richard Fuller for his work as our party chairman since July, and also Bob Blackman as returning officer for this contest. You and your teams have done us all a great service.“I also want to pay tribute to everyone in the Conservative Party who has been involved in this very long campaign. It has been an experience none of us candidates will ever forget. Thank you for hosting us in your communities, in your village halls, in your pubs and in your homes.“It is the most enormous honour to be elected in this role, to lead the party that I love, the party that has given me so much. I hope that I will be able to repay that debt.“There are so many people to thank; firstly, my family, especially my husband Hamish – I couldn’t have done this without you, thank you for being with me every step of the way.“I also want to thank Rishi. No-one could have worked harder in such difficult times. Rishi, thank you for everything you did, we all wish you and your wonderful family the very best for the future.“I’d also like to pay a special tribute to Robert Jenrick, who has fought a great campaign.“Rob, we have all been impressed by your energy and your determination. You and I know that we don’t actually disagree on very much, and I have no doubt that you have a key role to play in our party for many years to come.“I would also like to thank all the other candidates, Priti, Mel, Tom and James, for your kind words and your many insights.“We have come through this campaign more united and the party needs you now more than ever.“The task that stands before us is tough but simple.“Our first responsibility as His Majesty’s loyal Opposition is to hold this Labour Government to account.“Our second is no less important. It is to prepare over the course of the next few years for government, to ensure that by the time of the next election, we have not just a clear set of Conservative pledges that appeal to the British people, but a clear plan for how to implement them, a clear plan to change this country by changing the way that government works.“The Prime Minister is discovering all too late the perils of not having such a plan.“That huge job begins today.“It will seek to involve all of our colleagues in Parliament, in the Scottish Parliament, the Senedd, our friends in Northern Ireland, as well as councillors and party members.“But this is not just about the Conservative Party, it is about the people we want to bring back to the Conservative Party, it is about the people we need to bring into the Conservative Party.“It is about what the Conservative Party needs to be over the next five, 10 and 20 years.“Our party is critical to the success of our country, but to be heard we have to be honest – honest about the fact that we made mistakes, honest about the fact that we let standards slip.“The time has come to tell the truth. The time has come to tell the truth, to stand up for our principles, to plan for our future, to reset our politics and our thinking, and to give our party, and our country, the new start that they deserve.“It is time to get down to business, it is time to renew.” More

Moment Kemi Badenoch is announced as new Tory leader to replace Rishi SunakYour support helps us to tell the storyFrom 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.CloseRead moreCloseNewly elected Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has admitted the Tories “let standards slip” but vowed to rebuild the party.In a resounding victory after being the overwhelming odds on favourite to win the Conservative leadership contest, the right-wing culture warrior bagged 53,806 votes over Robert Jenrick’s 41,000, out of a total electorate of 131,680.The four-month-long race to replace Rishi Sunak reached the finish line on Saturday, with the result of the leadership ballot announced in the morning after the members’ ballot closed on Thursday.Mr Sunak and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were among those offering Ms Badenoch their congratulations.Ms Badenoch will be at the helm as the Tories look to recover from the July election result, which saw them return just 121 MPs, having lost lost seats to Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK.Immigration, the economy, and how the Tories can rebuild trust with the electorate and win back the voters they lost have all been discussed at length through the campaign.Dame Priti Patel, Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat and James Cleverly also put their names forward in the nominations at the end of July and spent the summer campaigning before they were each knocked out of the contest.Show latest update 1730558449Badenoch repeats calls for Conservatives to ‘renew’ in social media post following winKemi Badenoch has repeated her calls for the Conservatives to “renew” in a post on social media following her election as leader of the party.In a post on X this afternoon, she wrote: “It is an honour and a privilege to have been elected to lead our great Conservative Party. A party that I love, that has given me so much.“I’d also like to pay tribute to Robert Jenrick who fought a great campaign. I have no doubt he will have a key role to play in our party for many years to come.“Thank you to all the members who have put their faith in me.“It is time to get down to business. “It is time to renew.”Tara Cobham2 November 2024 14:401730557278Full story: Badenoch calls for Tories to be honest about mistakes as she’s elected leaderPolitical correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:Tara Cobham2 November 2024 14:211730556049What will be the top issues facing Badenoch as leader of the Conservatives?Party unity: Ms Badenoch becomes the Tory party’s fourth leader since the summer of 2022. Tory MPs have had public disagreements and squabbles in recent years over topics from immigration to integrity. Conservative peer and elections commentator, Lord Robert Hayward, said bringing the party back together is the next leader’s number one task.Immigration: The issue of immigration and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is one that could bring party unity back to centre stage and has been a much-discussed topic during the campaign. Adam Drummond, the head of political and social research at pollster Opinium, said of the new leader, “it’s hard to see them not talking about immigration a lot”. Ms Badenoch has said that focusing on the ECHR risks shutting “the conversation that we need to have with the entire country” on immigration, and has not gone as far as to say she would quit the agreement completely, writing in The Daily Telegraph in September that “if necessary” the UK should leave “international frameworks like the ECHR”.The economy: Focusing on the economy could provide a “viable” path back to power for the Conservatives, Mr Drummond suggested. Responding to Rachel Reeves’ first Budget on Wednesday, Ms Badenoch told LBC that “this is not a growth Budget”.Winning back votes lost at the general election: The Conservatives secured 121 seats at the general election in July, losing constituencies to Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK in different parts of the country. Labour won almost 300 more seats than the Tories with 33 per cent of the vote, compared to the Conservatives’ 23 per cent. As well as reuniting the party in Parliament, Lord Hayward said that under the new leader, the party has to “get a message across to the public at large” about their position as Labour’s main opposition.Tara Cobham2 November 2024 14:001730554849Kemi Badenoch: The darling of the Tory right bidding to lead them back to powerNever frightened to ruffle feathers, new Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch’s willingness to say what others may regard as unsayable has made her the darling of the Tory grassroots.Her forthright views on issues from gender identity to institutional racism have thrilled supporters on the right while outraging critics on the left in equal measure.In the course of a turbulent ministerial career Ms Badenoch clashed with civil servants over her insistence public buildings should have separate men’s and women’s toilet facilities and faced accusations of bullying her own officials.Read more here:Tara Cobham2 November 2024 13:401730553649Ellie Reeves ‘worried’ about policies Badenoch would advocate as leader of oppositionEllie Reeves said she is “worried” about the policies that Kemi Badenoch would advocate as leader of the opposition.The Labour Party chairwoman told broadcasters: “Kemi was part of the chaos of the last 14 years, serving in various roles.“And when you think about her leadership campaign, she made some pretty negative comments about autistic children, she said that maternity pay was excessive and the national minimum wage was harmful.“I’m quite worried about what that means.“Is their policy going to be to get rid of maternity pay? Would they scrap the minimum wage?“These are all the things that need to be answered.”Ellie Reeves said she was ‘worried’ about the policies that Kemi Badenoch would advocate as leader of the Opposition More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom 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.CloseRead moreCloseWatch as Kemi Badenoch is confirmed as the new Tory leader, defeating Robert Jenrick to be crowned as Rishi Sunak’s replacement on Saturday, 2 November.It concludes a four-month-long race after the members’ ballot closed on Thursday.The MP for North West Essex will be tasked with fronting the Conservative Party’s recovery from the July election result which saw it return just 121 MPs.Dame Priti Patel, Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat and James Cleverly all spent the summer campaigning alongside Mr Jenrick and Ms Badenoch but were eventually eliminated leaving the two frontrunners.There was some surprise when the shadow home secretary did not make the final two names to be put to members the following day, securing only 37 votes compared with Mr Jenrick’s 41 and Ms Badenoch’s 42.The leadership contest was triggered after the party secured less than 25 per cent of the vote nationally in the July general election, prompting Mr Sunak to apologise to the country and his party and announce his resignation. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom 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.CloseRead moreClose Britain’s Conservative Party on Saturday elected Kemi Badenoch as its new leader as it tries to rebound from a crushing election defeat that ended 14 years in power.Badenoch defeated rival lawmaker Robert Jenrick in a vote of almost 100,000 members of the right-of-center party. She is the first Black woman to lead a major British political party.Badenoch replaces former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who in July led the Conservatives to their worst election result since 1832. The Conservatives lost more than 200 seats, taking their tally down to 121.The new leader’s daunting task is to try to restore the party’s reputation after years of division, scandal and economic tumult, hammer Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s policies on key issues including the economy and immigration, and return the Conservatives to power at the next election, due by 2029. More