Indy TV

A new MP fought back tears after recalling the death of his parents in a house fire, saying of his election to Parliament: “I hope I made you proud.”Alex Easton dabbed his eyes and was hugged by fellow MPs after delivering his first speech in the House of Commons on Monday (22 July).The independent unionist MP’s success was tinged with sadness after his mother and father died in January 2023 following a blaze at a property in the Dellmount Park area of Bangor.Alec and Ann Easton, who were aged in their 80s, were treated for injuries but both died at the scene.Speaking in the Commons on Monday (22 July), Mr Easton said their deaths “caused a lot of heartache for me”. More

Rachel Reeves admitted she is still getting used to being called “chancellor” and says she has to “pinch herself” occasionally.The Labour chancellor appeared on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show on 21 July, and was asked if she was used to being called “chancellor” yet.Laughing, Ms Reeves said: “Keir Starmer used the words and said ‘and this afternoon the chancellor’, and I thought ‘what has he done now >’ and then I remembered it was me.“I am still getting used to it but I do have to pinch myself occasionally.” More

This is the moment shadow health secretary Victoria Atkins stands up at the Commons dispatch box to shout at environment secretary Steve Reed, while he is still speaking.Mr Reed was addressing MPs on Friday (19 July), when the exchange took place.Mr Reed tells MPs “There will be 500 more mental health professionals and a hub in every community” as Ms Atkins is seen shouting over him and pointing her finger at him.The Speaker interrupts and states: “The right honourable lady has behaved abominably” More

Reform MP Lee Anderson enjoyed a night out with party supporters as he was filmed leading a “Love Train” dance.The Ashfield MP, was seen leading supporters in a dance to The Ojay’s popular Love Train song at an event on Thursday (18 July).Mr Anderson shared footage of the celebrations on X, formerly Twitter.The video is captioned: “It’s a Love Train. Last night I was out with supporters for a few drinks and a dance. Yes, I had a few too many but so what. We want our country back .” More

Liz Truss discussed shower heads at a Republican National Convention breakfast event.The former prime minister revealed she had recently acquired a ‘Liberty Bell’ shower head, created in the image of the famous, cracked bell in Philadelphia.Addressing crowds at the event this week, and showing her support for Donald Trump, she said: “I will proudly be installing this shower head as a symbol of liberty and democracy, and of course, Pennsylvania.You all know why you are so important, which this is a crucial state in order for President Trump to be reinstalled in the White House.” More

Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky shared a hug as the European Political Community summit met at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire on Thursday, 18 July.The British prime minister hosted European leaders at the birthplace of Winston Churchill for talks to address the illegal migration “crisis” and to stand firm in support of Ukraine as he sought to strengthen the UK’s ties with the continent.In remarks at the summit, the Ukrainian president urged his counterparts to channel Churchill’s “bravery” in the fight against Russian aggression. More

Nigel Farage has defended his decision to fly to the US just weeks after being elected in Clacton, to support Donald Trump after the former president survived an assassination attempt.When asked by Emily Maitlis on The News Agents if he was giving all his time to his new constituency, the Reform UK MP responded: “I’m allowed to come to America on a trip like this, particularly in these circumstances.”In a speech after his general election victory, Mr Farage pledged that he would “speak up” and provide a challenge in government.Mr Farage wrote in the The Telegraph that he would travel to Milwaukee to support his “friend” Mr Trump “as we head into the later stages of an era-defining election.” More

Labour MP John McDonnell urged Sir Keir Starmer to scrap the two-child benefit cap and “lift 300,000 children out of poverty”.Addressing the Commons on Wednesday (17 July), the Hayes and Harlington MP said: “I was in this House when the Tories introduced it, it was introduced as part of the stigmatising of all those on benefits. “I did a speech, I actually think I said I’d swim through vomit to vote against this piece of legislation, and some of the nauseous speeches from the Tories at the time almost meant I would have to.“It was (an) appalling form of attack on the poorest within our communities. I think we just need to lift that stigma, lift that impact, but we need to do it quickly. More