UK Politics

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorRussell Findlay has been elected as the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives after winning a majority of votes in the first round.Mr Findlay secured a clear victory with 62 per cent of the vote, with Murdo Fraser coming second and Meghan Gallacher third.He called for the party to “come together as one united team”, as the Scottish Conservatives look to bounce back from their worst UK general election result since 2005.The Scottish Conservatives saw their vote share halved since the 2019 general election, when Jackson Carlaw ran the party.Murdo Fraser, left, came second while Meghan Gallacher, centre, came third More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorSir Keir Starmer admitted he mangled his words when referring to Israeli hostages as “sausages” during his Labour conference speech this week.When asked about the blunder, Sir Keir said he was prepared to be ribbed over the gaffe which was ridiculed across social media.“I just mangled the beginning of the word,” he admitted. “These things are there to give you all the opportunity to rib me.”The prime minister butchered a call for Hamas to release Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, instead demanding the “return of the sausages” before swiftly correcting himself.“I call again for restraint and de-escalation at the border between Lebanon and Israel. I call again for all parties to step back from the brink. I call again for all parties to step back from the brink,” he said.Sir Keir made the embarrassing blunder at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Tuesday More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentSir Keir Starmer met with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Thursday after the former president described him as “very nice”.The prime minister visited Trump Tower in New York ahead of November’s US election as he visited the United States for the United Nations General Assembly.Foreign secretary David Lammy, who called Mr Trump a “racist KKK and Nazi sympathiser” seven years ago, also attended the talks.Ahead of the meeting, Sir Keir said: “It’ll be really good to establish a relationship between the two of us. I’m a great believer in personal relations on the international stage.“I think it really matters that you know who your counterpart is in any given country, and know them personally, get to know them face to face.”Sir Keir Starmer met with former president Donald Trump during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorI’ve been responding to your questions following a significant week for Labour, as they held their first conference in government in over a decade.Sir Keir Starmer steadied his party on Tuesday in a keynote speech, reminding of Labour’s mandate to reshape Britain with a simple message: “We won.” The prime minister pledged to “face the storm” of unpopular decisions and declared “we’re all in this together” at the party’s annual conference in Liverpool.Amid criticism over winter fuel payment cuts, gifts, and tensions in Downing Street, Sir Keir sought to silence doubters with a long-term vision. He promised “homes for heroes” for veterans, unveiled a Hillsborough Law to tackle cover-ups, and his justice secretary vowed to reduce the number of women in prison.As the conference unveiled more of Labour’s platform and policy positions ahead of the upcoming budget, it was only natural that our readers had questions.Here are six questions from Independent readers – and my answers from the “Ask Me Anything” event.Q: Why is everyone obsessed with “the first 100 days” and do you think the gap between forming a government and the first Budget has been the big problem?TimCA: I agree that the obsession with “100 days” is an irritating journalistic device, but we humans like round numbers. You make a good point about the lateness of the Budget: I think it would have been better to have an early emergency Budget in July and got the pain out of the way in one go. Part of the thinking was presumably the need to give the Office for Budget Responsibility 10 weeks’ notice – after criticising Liz Truss for ignoring the OBR, Rachel Reeves obviously wanted to play it by the book (but possibly could still have had a Budget in September?).Q: Shouldn’t we give labour (I didn’t vote them in) a little while to sort out the dog’s breakfast that the Tories have left us with?WaitWhatA: I think most people are prepared to give Labour time to sort out the problems they have inherited. They have settled some strikes, but without securing changes in working practices.But the acceptance of gifts has struck home with a lot of people, especially with pensioners who are just above pension credit level.Q: Where are the tax reforms aimed at closing loopholes and preventing tax avoidance by wealthy high earners? What tangible benefits are being provided for low-income individuals? Additionally, where is the promised review of employment laws addressing zero-hour contracts and workplace bullying?WorkerA: The tax changes will be announced in the Budget, and Keir Starmer hinted in his speech that they will fall on the better off. He said: “The cost of filling that black hole in our public finances, that will be shared fairly.” I am not sure why the winter fuel payment cut was announced so much earlier.As for the employment rights measures, Angela Rayner promised the bill would be published when parliament resumes in a couple of weeks’ time, although not all the detail will be decided until later. It seems reasonable to take some time to get it right – although I think Labour should have done more work on these policies in opposition.Q: No mention of climate change which is getting exponentially worse and will consume more and more of our national resources. It is also an opportunity for industry (flood resilience, food resilience, renewable energy, EV) Where will Labour go on all this?JPCoetzeeA: Keir Starmer mentioned “climate change” three times in his speech, but each time only as an item in a list of things that the government has to attend to. But Ed Miliband delivered a substantial speech yesterday – you can find a copy on the Labour Party website.Q: Now that the Labour Party has taken away the winter fuel allowance do they still subscribe to the statements they made back when the Tories wanted to do that and Labour said 4,000 people would die? What has changed, maybe mild winters?DaleelA: I think the Labour Party would say that it is a changed party, and the 4,000 figure was produced when Jeremy Corbyn was leader.Q: According to Starmer We should ‘respect the ballot box’, but under our corrupt system, Starmer is wielding his ‘majority’ on the 24 per cent Labour vote. The majority of British people abstained or voted against Labour. How is this fair?will121A: I am not in favour of compulsory voting. If people don’t want to vote, that’s up to them. Their abstention cannot then be used to make an argument about the democratic legitimacy about the process that took place without them.But I’m not in favour of proportional representation either. Our system is easy to understand and I think most people got the result they wanted.These questions and answers were part of an ‘Ask Me Anything’ hosted by John Rentoul at 4pm BST on Tuesday 24 September. Some of the questions and answers have been edited for this article. You can read the full discussion in the comments section of the original article.John also sends a weekly Commons Confidential newsletter exclusive to Independent Premium subscribers, taking you behind the curtain of Westminster. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, head here to find out more. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorLabour’s standing with the public is holding firm despite a barrage of criticism for Keir Starmer and senior ministers over freebies, his chief of staff Sue Gray and unpopular policy decisions.The weekly Techne UK tracker poll reveals that after a difficult conference in Liverpool for Labour – overshadowed by questions about the prime minister’s integrity and infighting – the party is still at 32 per cent, down just one point.Meanwhile the Tories, who go into their conference in disarray without a leader and overshadowed by the resignation of former chair Baroness Warsi, have failed to capitalise on Labour’s woes – going up just one point to 22 per cent.Nigel Farage’s Reform are still challenging the Tories at 18 per cent, with the Lib Dems at 13 per cent and the Greens at 7 per cent – all unchanged.Starmer has faced criticism but is not suffering yet in the public’s verdict More

Keir Starmer refuses to apologise to pensioners over winter fuel payment cutsYour support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseMy recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyondEric GarciaWashington Bureau ChiefSir Keir Starmer met Donald Trump for the first time as the two men sat down for a two-hour dinner meeting in New York on Thursday night.The PM and Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with the former president before flying back to the UK.Topics discussed included the importance of retaining the close partnership between the UK & US, according to Downing Street.Earlier, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, the prime minister urged Israel and Hezbollah to agree a ceasefire and for the two sides to “step back from the brink”.In a speech to world leaders in New York, Sir Keir said: “I call on Israel and Hezbollah: Stop the violence, step back from the brink.”The 79th UN summit comes as the Middle East teeters on the brink of all-out conflict and the bloody war in Ukraine grinds on.It follows an intervention at the UN Security Council where he tore into Russia over its actions in Ukraine, saying Vladimir Putin was treating his own citizens as “bits of meat to fling into the grinder” in the conflict.Show latest update 1727404200What was announced in Starmer’s Labour conference speech?Sir Keir Starmer’s address to the 2024 Labour Party Conference saw him promise to rebuild Britain “brick by brick” after fourteen years of Tory government, telling conference delegates his government will create a “Britain that belongs to you”.But what exactly was announced? We look at the key developments from the prime minister’s speech below.Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 03:301727402439Starmer wraps up 2-hour dinner with Donald TrumpSir Keir Starmer has finished a two-hour dinner meeting with Donald Trump in New York, according to reports.The PM and Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with the former president before flying back to the UK.Topics discussed included the importance of retaining the close partnership between the UK & US, according to Downing Street.Graeme Massie27 September 2024 03:001727402400Sir Keir Starmer says he wants to “reset” the UK’s relationship with the EU.Sir Keir Starmer will visit Brussels as he steps up efforts to “reset” the UK’s relationship with the European Union.The Prime Minister wants to repair the damage caused by years of Brexit wrangling in an effort to boost trade and security co-operation.European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen revealed that Sir Keir would visit Brussels next week after the pair met in New York.Sir Keir has met a string of EU leaders since taking office and has spoken about his “ambitious” plans for a new relationship.Sir Keir said: “I want to reset our relationship with the EU and make Brexit work for the British people.”He said he was “looking forward to visiting Brussels next week to start discussions” with the commission president.Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 03:001727400600Tory leadership candidate Labour most fears revealedSenior aids have revealed that Labour wants to “avoid” James Cleverly as future Tory leader.According to the i newspaper, Downing Street officials said it was the former home secretary who they would least like to win the contest.A Labour party figure said: “I think Cleverly could be a problem. He sounds quite reasonable,” a No 10 aide added: “James Cleverly – that’s who we want to avoid.”Another government aide said Kemi Badenoch does not represent a threat as the party is “not sure she’d take our votes”.Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 02:301727398800£10bn data centre investment shows UK ‘open for business’, says StarmerA £10 billion US investment in a new artificial intelligence data centre will create 4,000 jobs in the UK, the government has announced.The deal with private equity giant Blackstone will create Europe’s biggest AI data centre in Blyth, Northumberland.You can read the full story below:Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 02:001727397000POLITICS EXPLAINED | Can Starmer ignore his Labour conference defeat on fuel payments?Rank-and-file members at conference – Labour’s supreme policy-making body – have voted against the government’s decision to means-test pensioners’ winter fuel payments. John Rentoul explains why the cuts will go ahead regardless:Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 01:301727395200Starmer’s Covid broadcast urging work from home recorded in donor’s £18m penthouseSir Keir Starmer recorded a Covid-era broadcast urging the public to work from home from a Labour donor’s £18 million penthouse.The Christmas message, broadcast in December 2021, was reportedly filmed at a flat belonging to Lord Waheed Alli – a donor who has handed hundreds of thousands of pounds to the Labour Party over the last two decades.It came five days after the previous Conservative government presided over new guidance to limit the spread of a new Covid-19 variant, including recommendations to work from home when possible.Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story:Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 01:001727393400Fewer pupils out of school at start of academic year as absence fines riseThe number of pupils in England off school without permission at the start of the academic year has fallen slightly compared with last year, figures suggest.Data from the Department for Education (DfE) shows the unauthorised absence rate across all schools in England was 2.0% in the week ending September 13, compared with 2.1% in the equivalent week in 2023.It comes as parents in England face higher fines if they take their children out of class without permission this academic year as part of a government drive to boost attendance since the Covid-19 pandemic.School absence fines have increased from £60 to £80 under the changes, and a parent who receives a second fine for the same child within a three-year period will automatically receive a £160 fine.The DfE has said other actions, such as a parenting order or prosecution, will be considered if a parent exceeds two fines per child within a three-year period, and those who are prosecuted could receive a fine of up to £2,500.In the last week of the summer term – the week ending July 19 – the unauthorised absence rate was 5.0%, which was lower than at the end of the academic year in 2023 when the rate was 5.6%.Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 00:301727391600Pensioners in legal action against governments over winter fuel payment cutTwo pensioners are seeking to take the Scottish and UK governments to court over the cut to the winter fuel payment.Peter and Florence Fanning, of Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, have raised proceedings with the help of the Govan Law Centre against the Scottish government and the UK Work and Pensions Secretary over the policy.Following Labour’s election win, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the winter fuel payment – which had previously been universal – will only be available to those on pension credit or other means-tested benefits this year due to financial woes.The decision led to the Scottish government – which was due to take control over a similar payment through the devolved Social Security Scotland but has since announced a delay – to follow suit.The judicial review – which has been raised at the Court of Session – now requires a judge’s approval to move to a hearing on the merits, with the Govan Law Centre seeking to expedite both the case and its application for legal aid to ensure a decision can be handed down before the winter.The case asks the court to rule on whether the decision was unlawful, which would then allow the petitioners to ask the court to, in effect, set aside the policy and restore the winter fuel payment to all.Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh on Thursday, Mr Fanning, 73, said: “We intend to sue both the London and Scottish governments, since both are guilty through action and inaction, of damaging the welfare of pensioners.“We are hoping to be successful, given the manifest injustice involved, however, my work as a trade unionist and shop steward has taught me that some battles are worth fighting regardless of the outcome – I believe this is one such battle.”Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 00:001727390792‘I have to be nice’ Donald Trump ahead of New York meeting with Sir KeirAsked by GB News what he thought of Sir Keir Starmer, Trump replied: “Well I’m going to see him in about an hour so I have to be nice.” “I actually think he’s very nice. He ran a great race, he did very well, it’s very early he’s very popular.”Ahead of the meeting, Sir Keir told reporters: “I think it really matters that you know who your counterpart is in any given country, and know them personally, get to know them face to face.”Barney Davis26 September 2024 23:46 More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorSupporters of former Tory chair Baroness Sayeeda Warsi claim the Tories have “lied” over the requirement for an investigation which has forced her to quit the party.The furious row has exploded just as the party is preparing to gather for a crucial conference on its future in Birmingham where the four hopefuls to replace Rishi Sunak will make their cases to members.The Muslim peer was brought in as chair by David Cameron in 2010 to help detoxify the party’s brand and bring it into the 21st century.But since leaving government in 2014 Warsi has had a difficult relationship with the Tory leadership consistently calling out racism and islamophobia in the Conservative Party.She has angered many recently as a passionate advocate for the suffering of Palestinians with Rishi Sunak as prime minister and the potential leadership candidates to replace him all supporting Israel instead of condemning the killing of 41,000 people in Gaza.Baroness Warsi was brought in as chair by David Cameron in 2010 More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorSir Keir Starmer is still open to agreeing a deal with the EU on free movement for young people – but does not want to give away his negotiating hand too early as he prepares to head to Brussels next week.The Independent understands that the Labour government has a “three pillar” blueprint to reset the relationship with the EU in painstaking talks.The main talks will be headed by European affairs minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, who is based in the Cabinet Office and has been handed some of the most complex and sensitive tasks in the Starmer government.The youth mobility scheme (YMS) has become a symbolic issue for those who claim that Sir Keir is not being ambitious enough with his EU relationship reset.Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen talk at the UN More