UK Politics

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsPakistan has launched missiles into Iran, killing at least nine people, in retaliation for Iran airstrikes inside Pakistan earlier this week. The move has heightened fears of instability spreading across the Middle East in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.Pakistan had warned Tehran that there would be “serious consequences” for Tuesday’s attack, which it said had killed at least two children in western Pakistan.Multiple blasts were heard in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Balochistan on Thursday, according to state news agency IRNA. Four children were said to be among the dead.Pakistan’s foreign ministry said it had conducted airstrikes targeting Baloch separatist groups inside Iran, such as the Balochistan Liberation Front and the associated Baloch Liberation Army. Several missiles hit a border village, officials in Tehran said.The victims – three women, four children and two men – were all non-Iranian citizens and were killed near the town of Saravan, according to Ali Reza Marhamati, a deputy governor of the province. Pakistan’s foreign ministry said it had conducted a series of “highly coordinated” strikes in the Sistan-Balochistan province. It said: “A number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation.”Pakistan’s military described using “killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions and stand-off weapons” in the attack. Stand-off weapons are missiles fired from aircraft at a distance.On Tuesday, Iran carried out missile strikes on targets in Pakistan, saying they had hit two bases connected to the militant group Jaish al-Adl.Pakistan’s foreign office said the attack was an “illegal act” and condemned the “unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran” that it said had resulted in the deaths of two children and injured three girls. “This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences,” a foreign office spokesperson said.Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister, Anwaar ul-Haq Kakar, cut short a trip to Davos to return to Pakistan, while acting foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani returned from a visit to Uganda.Iran strongly condemned the strikes and summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires to give an explanation. Pakistan had already withdrawn its ambassador over Tuesday’s attack.Mr Jilani “firmly underscored” in a telephone call with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, that Iran’s attack on Tuesday was not only a breach of sovereignty but also an “egregious violation of international law”.However, both sides appeared to signal a desire to keep the situation contained. Iran’s foreign ministry said on Thursday that it was committed to good neighbourly relations with Pakistan, but called on Islamabad to prevent the establishment of “terrorist bases” on its soil.Pakistan issued a similar statement, saying: “Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest, which is paramount and cannot be compromised.”In state media reports, which were later withdrawn without explanation, Iran said its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard had targeted bases used by the militant group Jaish al-Adl, or “Army of Justice”, in Pakistan on Tuesday. The group, which seeks an independent Balochistan and has spread across Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, acknowledged the missile strike in a statement shared online.Pakistan was the third country to be struck by Tehran this week after earlier attacks on targets in Iraq and Syria, in a move that has further escalated fears of a conflict spreading across the Middle East. The attacks were condemned by the United States, which accused Iran of violating the “sovereign borders of three of its neighbours in just the past couple of days”.Nations across the Middle East have been on edge since a Hamas attack inside Israel on 7 October that killed 1,200 people and saw more than 240 taken hostage. In response, Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas and has launched airstrikes and ground operations inside Hamas-controlled Gaza, backed up by a blockade. Health officials in Gaza say more than 24,000 people have been killed in the three-month conflict.Hamas is backed by Iran, with Tehran also supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Hezbollah has been engaging in near-daily exchanges of fire with Israeli forces on the Israel-Lebanon border, while the Houthis have been striking ships in the Red Sea, a vital route for global trade. The Houthis claim they are targeting Israel-bound ships, but have struck several US-owed vessels, sparking the creation of a multi-national force in the area, led by Washington, to protect shipping.The UK and the US have also struck several Houthi sites across Yemen with missiles to try to deter attacks. The latest US strikes took place place on Wednesday. Some 14 Houthi missiles, which the US says may have been intended for attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, were targeted by American forces.Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, told the Davos conference that there was an “empire of evil” emanating from Iran, which must be tackled by a very strong coalition. Mr Herzog said billions of dollars were being spent to destabilise the world as Iran funded proxies around the region to undermine any peace process.China, a crucial partner for both countries, has urged restraint. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning said: “China sincerely hopes that both sides can exercise calm and restraint and avoid escalation of tension.”India has backed Iran in its strikes on Pakistan, calling them an act of self-defence. India’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday: “Insofar as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising position of zero tolerance towards terrorism. We understand actions that countries take in their self-defence.” More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster email European lawmakers on Thursday adopted a resolution calling for a permanent cease-fire in Israel’s war against Hamas, on the condition that the Palestinian militant group in Gaza be dismantled and that all hostages it holds be released.The conflict has divided European Union countries and political groups at the legislature, and reaching a consensus on the wording of the resolution was not an easy task.The original text underlined the need for a permanent cease-fire. It was adopted after an amendment tabled by conservative lawmakers was passed, insisting that Hamas needed to be dismantled for a cease-fire to happen and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages. The resolution, which is non-binding and highly symbolical, was adopted by 312 votes in favor, 131 against and 72 abstentions. It was the first time the Parliament called for a cease-fire after lawmakers in October agreed on a call for a “humanitarian pause.”The amendment insisted that all the hostages be “immediately and unconditionally released and (that) the terrorist organization Hamas is dismantled.”Palestinian militants are still putting up resistance across Gaza in the face of one of the deadliest military campaigns in recent history. More than 24,400 Palestinians have been killed. Some 85% of the narrow coastal territory’s 2.3 million people have fled their homes, and the United Nations says a quarter of the population is starving.Israel has vowed to dismantle Hamas to ensure it can never repeat an attack like the one on Oct. 7 that triggered the war. Militants burst through Israel’s border defenses and stormed through several communities that day, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and capturing around 250, taking them back to Gaza as hostages.Since the attack, the bloc has struggled to strike a balance between condemning Hamas, supporting Israel’s right to defend itself and ensuring that the rights of civilians on both sides are protected under international law.Hamas is on the EU’s list of terrorist groups.European lawmakers also expressed their “deep concern at the dire and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip” and asked for the moribund “two-state solution” between Israel and Palestinians to be revived, and for the end of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. More

Tory rebel Robert Jenrick says he is prepared to vote against Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda billSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak is pleading with the House of Lords to back his Rwanda plan after it passed the Commons last night.In a press conference on Thursday morning, the prime minister described the bill as a “national priority” and urged the upper chamber to “do the right thing”.“There is now only one question,” he said. “Will the opposition in the appointed House of Lords try and frustrate the will of the people as expressed by the elected House?” Or will they get on board and do the right thing?”After a very short opening statement, Mr Sunak went straight on the attack against Labour, saying Keir Starmer’s party had “no plan”.He also could not guarantee that flights to Rwanda would take off before the next election, expected in the spring or autumn.Show latest update 1705589700Sunak meets Border Force staff after passing Rwanda BillRishi Sunak has met with Border Force staff after the Rwanda bill passed through the Commons.The prime minister visited workers at Gatwick Airport, where he met a sniffer dog and chatted with those present. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailOnly 10 per cent of voters under the age of 50 would vote Conservative in the next general election, according to a new poll. The YouGov survey of more than 2,000 adults found only 20 per cent said they would vote for Rishi Sunak’s party, while fewer than half (49 per cent) of those who back the Tories in 2019 intend to support the, again.But the poll lays bare just how unpopular the party is with young people, with just four per cent of those aged between 18 and 25 saying they intend to vote Conservative, and only 12 per cent of 25-49 year olds. It also shows support for the Conservatives is at its lowest level since Liz Truss’ final days as prime minister. It comes after a testing week for the prime minister, who staved off a major rebellion over his flagship Rwanda policy.Rishi Sunak has insisted his small boats plan is working despite party divisions The Rwanda bill passed its third reading on Wednesday night after days of Tory infighting, as 60 Conservatives backed rebel amendments to the government bill.Only 11 Conservative MPs voted against the government at third reading, but the highly-publicised conflict has exposed deep divisions in the Conservative party over the legislation and Mr Sunak’s leadership.Mr Sunak was also facing further criticism on Monday when the Telegraph published a YouGov survey, comissioned by a number of Tory donors led by Lord Frost, which showed the Conservatives were on track for a 1997-style electoral wipe out, set to retain as few as 169 seats.Lord Frost, who called for a new Conservative leader back in December, told the Telegraph that the only way to reverse the trend was to be “as tough as it takes” on immigration, reverse tax increases and do a U-turn on renewable energy measures.The latest survery has also revealed that right-wing party Reform UK has hit its highest ever level of support at 12 per cent, and that one in four (25 per cent) of 2019 Conservative voters now say they plan to vote for the challenger party. Reform UK leader Richard Tice has said his party will field a candidate against every Conservative MP at the next election Labour are also set to make gains, giving them a lead of 27-points – the largest since Mr Sunak became prime minister.This morning, Mr Sunak gave a press conference to assuage fears around the progress of the immigration bill and disunity in his party.He said: “The House of Commons has spoken. The Conservative party has come together. The Rwanda bill has passed. It’s now for the Lords to pass this bill too. This is an urgent national priority.”Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said has said that instead of tackling economic issues, “Rishi Sunak’s government is too busy fighting over an unworkable and expensive policy that is destined to fail.”“It just confirms how desperately out of touch and out of ideas this Conservative government is. We urgently need a general election so we can finally put an end to this cycle of Conservative chaos and get on with tackling the huge challenges facing us all,” he said. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailThe UK’s statistics watchdog has slammed Rishi Sunak for his repeated claim to have “cleared” the asylum backlog – and warned the assertion could erode trust in the government. Sir Robert Chote, the chair of the UK Statistics Authority, also said voters may have felt “misled”.The prime minister was accused of trying to “cook the books” and a “barefaced lie” over the assertion, made despite figures showing nearly 100,000 migrants still waiting for a decision.Mr Sunak’s home secretary James Cleverly later said it was “impossible” to forecast how long it would take to deal with the outstanding cases.The government said it had met Mr Sunak’s pledge to clear all so-called legacy asylum claims – counted as those submitted before June 2022. But official statistics also confirmed that 4,500 of those cases were still ongoing.Mr Sunak also came under fire for a tweet suggesting the government had cleared the entire backlog – as figures showed a total 98,599 asylum claims still languishing in the system.And yet on January 2 Mr Sunak posted on X, formerly Twitter: “I said that this government would clear the backlog of asylum decisions by the end of 2023. That’s exactly what we’ve done.”In a letter published on Thursday, to Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael who had raised concerns with the watchdog, Sir Robert said: “The average member of the public is likely to interpret a claim to have ‘cleared a backlog’ – especially when presented without context on social media – as meaning that it has been eliminated entirely, so it is not surprising that the Government’s claim has been greeted with scepticism and that some people may feel misled when these ‘hard cases’ remain in the official estimates of the legacy backlog.” Mr Carmichael, the Lib Dem home affairs spokesman, said Sir Robert’s letter showed once again that Mr Sunak had not cleared the asylum backlog. “Not only is the Conservative Government celebrating something that is no achievement, they are twisting the facts – as proven by the UK Statistics Authority just today,” he added. He said: “Thousands of vulnerable people are still living in limbo as they wait for their claims to be processed. The British public deserves better than this.”Mr Chote went on to say “there may be a perfectly good case for excluding cases of this type from any commitment to eliminate the backlog over the timeframe the Government chose, but this argument was not made at the time the target was announced or when it was clarified in the letter to the Home Affairs Committee.”He added: “This episode may affect public trust when the Government sets targets and announces whether they have been met in the other policy domains. It highlights the need for ministers and advisers to think carefully about how a reasonable person would interpret a quantitative claim of the sort and to consult the statistical professionals in their department.”The statistics watchdog also said it had raised concerns with the Home Office after a press release on the backlog was published but without the accompanying data “which prevented (journalists) from being able to scrutinise the data when first reporting it.” Shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock had accused the PM of promoting a “barefaced lie” that was “an insult to the public’s intelligence”.As the row grew, the claim was denounced as “false” by opposition parties, campaign groups and even Fraser Nelson, the editor of Tory bible The Spectator magazine, who likened the tweet to that of a “snake oil salesman” and urged the PM’s social media team to take the row “as a lesson learned”. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailLee Anderson has said he could not vote against Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill because Labour MPs were “giggling” at him.The ex-Tory deputy chairman, who quit on Tuesday in order to rebel over the policy, said opposition MPs were “giggling and laughing and taking the mick”, adding: “I couldn’t vote no”.In an extraordinary interview with GB News, the top Tory said he had entered the “no” lobby, in order to reject Mr Sunak’s Safety of Rwanda bill. But after two or three minutes of being mocked, outspoken Mr Anderson walked out and abstained.He said: “I was going to vote no. I went into the no lobby to vote no, because I couldn’t see how I could support the bill after backing all the amendments.Conservative MP Lee Anderson stepped down as deputy Tory chairman to rebel over the Rwanda bill (Yui Mok/PA)“I got into the no lobby and I spent about two or three minutes with a colleague in there. The Labour lot were giggling and laughing and taking the mick and I couldn’t do it: In my heart of hearts, I couldn’t vote no.“So I walked out and abstained.”He quit his role as deputy Tory chairman on Tuesday night alongside Brendan Clarke-Smith, who held the same post, saying that he could not “carry on in my role when I fundamentally disagree with the bill”. “I can’t be in a position to vote for something I don’t believe in,” Mr Anderson said. His abstention came as an expected Tory rebellion fizzled out, with just 11 Tory MPs voting against the deportation bill, including former home secretary Suella Braverman and ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick.MPs passed the embattled prime minister’s controversial deportation bill by 320 votes to 276, after most Conservative rebels “wimped out” of a threatened revolt.The PM still faces a lengthy battle over the legislation in the House of Lords and the courts, however, as the government refused to say when flights to the African country might finally take off.Rishi Sunak and Lee Anderson had been close in the days before Mr Anderson resigned as Tory deputy chairman A close ally of Mr Sunak’s said it was inevitable that Tory right-wingers would “wimp out” of taking part in a revolt that could have triggered a general election, in which the party would be set to face a thumping from Labour.Mr Anderson was appointed deputy chairman of the Conservatives in February 2023 in a move Mr Sunak hoped would help the Tories remain connected to Red Wall voters who backed the party in 2019.His inability to put up with “giggling” Labour MPs is in contrast with his own propensity for making controversial comments.The ex-Tory deputy chairman has said that people who use food banks cannot cook properly, and earned the nickname “30p Lee” for suggesting people can make meals for 30p a day.And, before entering the House of Commons, Mr Anderson said “nuisance tenants” should be forced to live in tents and pick potatoes.He recently said asylum seekers arriving in the UK should be sent to the remote Scottish Orkney Islands – adding that they would be “perfect” for people fleeing persecution. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailA leading lawyer who sits in the Lords has warned that Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill is “a step toward totalitarianism”.Lord Carlile, the former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said ministers were seeking to elevate themselves “to an unacceptable level above the law”.The crossbench peer, a leading critic of the Rwanda deportation plan in the House of Lords, also warned the “integrity of our legal system is under attack because of internal political quarrelling in the Conservative Party”.His intervention came the morning after Mr Sunak faced down rebels within his own party to win a showdown Commons vote on the plan to deport asylum seekers to the east African country.Lord Carlile warned that ‘the integrity of our legal system are under attack’ MPs passed the embattled PM’s controversial bill by 320 votes to 276 – with 11 Tories voting against the government.But Mr Sunak still faces a lengthy battle to get the bill into law, as the House of Lords is likely to push for significant changes or to throw the bill out altogether.Policing minister Chris Philp said the bill would be able to pass through the upper chamber “fairly fast” as it is “pretty short”.He told Times Radio: “It is a pretty short Bill, it is only about five or six substantive clauses. To give you a sense of context, the Criminal Justice Bill that I am taking through Parliament… has about 80 clauses.“So it is a pretty short bill which means it should be able to get through the House of Lords fairly fast.”But Lord Carlile told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme it is the upper chamber’s role to revise legislation and protect the public from abuses of the law by ministers.He added: “I think many of us in the House of Lords believe that is exactly what has happened, that good policymaking and the integrity of our legal system are under attack because of internal political quarrelling in the Conservative Party.He said lawyers are being unfairly blamed for the hurdles the Rwanda policy has faced, adding that “lawyers on the whole do not accept that”.“What we are doing is trying to countermand meddling by politicians in the law,” he added.And Lord Carlile said: “It’s been the government elevating itself to an unacceptable level above the law, above our much-admired Supreme Court, and above the reputation internationally of the United Kingdom law.“We’ve seen in various countries the damage that is done when governments use perceived and often ill-judged political imperatives to place themselves above the courts – this is a step towards totalitarianism and an attitude that the United Kingdom usually deprecates.“I think you’ll find that many of us in the House of Lords will say this is a step too far, this is illegitimate interference by politics with the law, on an issue that can be solved in other ways.” More

Rishi Sunak did not guarantee that a flight would take off to Rwanda before the general election if legislation passed the House of Lords quickly.Asked if he would give such a guarantee, the Prime Minister told a Downing Street press conference today (18 January): “Look at my actions. “We had the Supreme Court ruling middle of November and within a matter of weeks after that happened we negotiated and signed a treaty with Rwanda, and brought fresh legislation to Parliament that had its first vote as well and was supported.“So, that gives you a sense, I hope, of the urgency with which we are attacking this problem.” More