News

A Labour MP accused Reform of sucking up to Russian leader Vladimir Putin during a heated clash on live television.Jeevun Sandher, Labour MP for Loughborough appeared alongside Reform’s head of press Gawain Towler on BBC Politics Live on Tuesday (6 May) to discuss results of the recent local elections.Mr Towler accused the Labour government of “not liking” farmers and pensioners, with Mr Sandher explaining the importance of “doing huge amounts” for veterans and armed forces.Mr Sandher then said: “The difference between us and you is that we stand up to Putin and your leader(Farage) sucks up to Putin.”Mr Towler responded: “Absolute rubbish… we don’t suck up to foreign dictators.” More

Scotland’s First Minister has warned there is a “very real possibility” that Nigel Farage could become the UK’s next Prime Minister, expressing concern about what that might mean for the country’s future. John Swinney also accused both Labour and the Conservatives of “cosying up” to the Reform UK leader. “The only way to deal with Farage is to confront him — and that is exactly what we will do in Scotland,” he said. His remarks follow significant gains by Reform UK in local elections, where the party secured control of 10 councils and won more than 600 seats in Thursday’s vote. More

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has defended new mayor of Greater Lincolnshire Andrea Jenkyns’ calls for migrants to be “put in tents”.The former Conservative minister used her victory speech to propose a controversial idea for immigration, saying tents were “good enough” to be used in France. “We will tackle illegal migration. We’ve been working on policies,” she said.“I say no to putting people in hotels. Tents are good enough for France, they should be good enough for here in Britain.”Speaking from the Hull and East Yorkshire mayor election count, Mr Tice showed his support for Ms Jenkyns. More

Former boxer and Olympic medallist Luke Campbell gave an emotional victory speech after winning the new Hull & East Yorkshire mayoral election for Reform UK. After securing 48,491 votes (a 35.82% share), the former boxer thanked all those who voted for him and pledged to put the people in the region “first”.He said: “Thank you so much to the people of Hull for putting your trust and faith in me, I am truly humbled.“The reason I stood for this role was simple, to put the people in this region first. That commitment starts now. I promise I will not let you down.” More

Nigel Farage has warned council staff to look for other jobs after Reform took control of Durham.The Reform leader had a message for anyone working in a host of roles for Durham council, which his party is now in control of.Speaking at a victory rally in Durham on Friday (2 May), Mr Farage said: “These include those with working on climate change, diversity initiatives or even just from home.“You all better be seeking alternative careers very, very quickly.” More

Former shadow chancellor Ed Balls and Reform UK MP Richard Tice clashed on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday (30 April), after the latter failed repeatedly to give a cost estimate for nationalising British Steel.Mr Tice said it was “cheaper” and a “lot more cost-effective”, that he had an “expert” advising him, and that he has a “good idea” of the sum – but he did not provide an exact figure despite being asked several times.At one point, after Mr Tice addressed his interviewer as “my dear Ed”, Mr Balls replied: “Don’t patronise me, answer the question.” More

Sir Keir Starmer joked about Tory MP Robert Jenrick’s leadership ambitions during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday (30 April), when he referenced last week’s marathons in London and Manchester and said the shadow justice minister “is still running”.Jenrick, who was runner-up in the November leadership election that saw Kemi Badenoch elected to head up the Conservative Party, ran 26.2 miles to raise funds for armed forces charity SSAFA.The prime minister congratulated both MPs and journalists who took part in events on Sunday (27 April), including Scottish politician Harriet Cross who became the fastest female MP. More

Sir David Amess’ daughter has said she rejects an apology from Belfast band Kneecap, after video from November 2023 appeared to show a member saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”The group said on Tuesday (29 April) that it rejects “any suggestion that we would seek to invite violence against any MP or individual”, and sent its “heartfelt apologies” to the families of murdered MPs Sir David and Jo Cox.The Metropolitan Police is assessing the footage, along with a video clip from another concert in November 2024 in which a member of the band appeared to shout “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” – groups which it is a crime to support in the UK.Kneecap said that footage had been deliberately taken out of context and was being “exploited and weaponised”, they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and condemned all attacks on civilians. More