News

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

This is the moment the Labour candidate in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election has a door slammed in her face by a constituent.Karen Shore was out canvassing in Runcorn and Helsby constituency in Cheshire on Tuesday (29 April).She was filmed by ITV News knocking on the door of one residence.The woman who answered the door can he heard telling Ms Shore, she “can’t stand the man” in reference to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.Sir Keir has previously conceded that the upcoming Runcorn and Helsby by-election will be “tough”, but insisted Labour had “a positive case to tell”.Ms Shore will battle it out in Thursday’s election alongside Conservative Sean Houlston, Lib Dem Paul Duffy, Green Chris Copeman and Reform’s Sarah Pochin. More

There were shouts of “shame” in the Commons after Reform’s Lee Anderson asked Labour’s Jess Phillips if she is part of child grooming gang cover up.Labour’s safeguarding and violence against women and girls minister appeared disgusted and told Mr Anderson his question did not deserve a response during the session on Monday (28 April).Addressing the Labour minister, Mr Anderson said: “Thousands of young white British working class girls have been raped, tortured and abused by Pakistani grooming gangs, and yet this minister here refuses to support a full national public enquiry. Is she part of the cover up.”After shouts of “shame”, rang out, Ms Phillips said: “There is absolutely no way I would be part of any cover up.” More