UK Politics

Rachel Reeves’ authority has not been dealt a blow by Sir Keir Starmer’s shake-up of his Downing Street team, No 10 has insisted as it sought to calm market jitters.The government’s “ironclad commitment” to its fiscal rules remains, the prime minister’s official spokesman emphasised against a backdrop of soaring long-term government borrowing costs.This week’s reshuffle saw the chancellor’s deputy, Darren Jones, move into a new role as chief secretary to the prime minister – a move many saw as an attempt to sideline the beleaguered chancellor, who has faced criticism for her handling of the economy. Sir Keir also brought in Baroness Minouche Shafik, a former Bank of England deputy governor, as his chief economic adviser, and senior Treasury mandarin Dan York-Smith as his principal private secretary.The reshuffle has been seen as a sign the prime minister is seeking to bolster No 10’s economic firepower before a tricky budget this autumn, with speculation rife over tax rises.Sir Keir and Ms Reeves spoke “at length over the summer about how these changes would bolster their joint approach to the growth agenda,” the prime minister’s spokesman told reporters.Asked whether Ms Reeves’ role has been diminished, the official said: “No, and as I say it reflects the strengthening of the relationship between the prime minister and the chancellor, a determination to drive growth in the economy, a recommitment to our robust fiscal rules.”Rachel Reeves’ former number two in the Treasury, Darren Jones, has become the Prime Minister’s chief secretary (James Manning/PA)It comes ahead of what are expected to be a difficult few months for the chancellor, amid growing speculation that she is likely to have to announce major tax rises in the Budget amid growing worries over the UK’s finances. The yield on UK government bonds – also known as gilts – jumped to the highest level since 1998, at 5.698 per cent, meaning it costs more for the government to borrow from financial markets.The pound also fell on Tuesday morning, down 1 per cent to 1.34 US dollars and 0.6 per cent lower at 1.15 euros.Without commenting on specific market movements, Sir Keir’s spokesman said: “Our ironclad commitment to our robust fiscal rules remain.“You’ll have seen since this government took office that we have taken the necessary decisions to stabilise the public finances, drive growth.“Our fiscal strategy has been backed by the IMF and others, and our approach has helped interest rates to be cut five times since the election, which is the best way to bring borrowing costs and inflation down.”Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer shut down attempts by Cabinet colleagues to sing him Happy Birthday (Anthony Devlin/PA)When she entered the Treasury, Ms Reeves set out two key fiscal rules: the first to ensure that day-to-day spending is matched by tax revenues by 2029-30 rather than borrowing, and the second to reduce net financial debt as a share of the economy.Analysts have suggested the latest spike in gilts is a sign that investors do not have confidence the Treasury will stick to its borrowing rules.The prime minister’s spokesman stressed that Mr Jones is “someone who has been involved in the work to stabilise the economy, invest in public services and an approach to the economy that’s brought borrowing costs down, brought interest rates down”.Sir Keir earlier brought together his senior ministers for their first Cabinet meeting after the summer recess and since the mini-reshuffle – on what was also the prime minister’s birthday.Sir Keir told his Cabinet that “phase two” had begun, with changes made to the No 10 operation to help deliver higher living standards, improvements to public services and more secure borders.“He said he and the chancellor had spoken at length over the summer about how these changes would bolster their joint approach to the growth agenda and ensure it is a key factor when taking decisions,” the prime minister’s spokesman said.Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch compared the shake-up to “shifting the deckchairs on the Titanic”, adding: “I don’t think it’s going to make any difference.”Speaking to reporters on a visit to Scotland, she said: “I don’t know what this says about his confidence in the Chancellor, but the fact that he’s taken his chief secretary of the Treasury and put him into No 10 does not inspire me with confidence because he’s one of the people who’s been making the mess.”Sir Keir, who turns 63 today, shut down an attempt by Cabinet colleagues to sing him Happy Birthday, according to his spokesman. More

As a new poll shows even Reform UK supporters back a youth mobility scheme with the EU, Independent readers have reignited a debate over the scheme and the wider ramifications of Brexit.Many readers said young people had a particular reason to feel aggrieved – most were too young to vote in 2016, and those who could largely opposed Brexit, yet they are now the most restricted when it comes to living, working and studying abroad. Others stressed that the vote to leave was one of the worst economic mistakes in modern history, and that Britain must edge closer to the EU for growth and stability. Some said a youth mobility scheme is just the start, with eventual rejoining the only long-term solution.But not all agreed. Several insisted such schemes do not “unpick Brexit”, pointing out that the UK already has similar arrangements with countries outside the EU. One commenter argued that remainers are now defecting to Reform, and claimed a second referendum might return an even bigger Leave vote – if led by a government fully committed to Brexit.Here’s what you had to say:A compelling moral case for youthWe all need more flexibility in terms of travel to, and mobility in, the EU all round. There’s a compelling moral case for younger people, because fewer of them had a chance to vote and most of those that did opposed Brexit. However, it is a burden on all people, not just the young. In my field (university research) it is a nightmare because it’s an area which relies heavily on international collaboration and mobility.Tanaquil2One of the worst economic decisions in historyThe vote to leave the EU in 2016 was one of the most catastrophically bad economic decisions in this nation’s history. That David Cameron didn’t introduce a “super” majority vote (60/40) is a good measure of his arrogance and hubris. The sooner we can re-join the better. We should also seek early admittance to the Eurozone. Like it or not, the world is settling into a number of powerful economic and military blocs and the UK, without EU membership, is just a minnow now. That we had such an advantageous membership of the EU and we simply threw it away is nothing short of a tragedy. HampsYouth mobility is not freedom of movementThe UK has youth mobility schemes with various countries, hence a youth mobility scheme does not “unpick Brexit”.The UK already has youth mobility schemes with Australia, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Iceland, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Those were set up by Conservative UK governments. Sunak approached several EU members and asked them for a youth mobility scheme too. They informed the EU Commission that in turn informed all other EU members and the EU27 decided to write up a joint proposal to Sunak.To be eligible for this visa, the candidates must have sufficient financial means and a comprehensive health insurance – both to be tested before and throughout the stay. Also, it is valid for only one EU member state, it does not include FOM inside the EU. Real EuropeanThe Farage mistakeHere we go. Who’s going to break it to them gently that following Farage was, and if they do so in the future will be, a big mistake with many unforeseeable penalties.Him, together with Johnson and the other band of prominent Brexiteers, have done more damage to the UK than anyone can probably imagine.Companies have gone to the wall, food imports and exports are tied up in UK red tape as much as any produced in the EU, the UK’s seas and waterways are filthy compared to how they were when the UK was part of the EU, the economy is a mess, food is more expensive, jobs have gone, and there are so many things that haven’t changed for the better. Wait until you have to pay for ETIAS and the biometric data obligation, then you’ll know you belong to a third country. Now suddenly it seems they want to start cherry-picking the bits of EU membership that made their lives easier. They’ll soon find out cherry-picking isn’t on the EU agenda.They’d better think carefully when they go to the polls because any attempt at sending Farage to negotiate anything with the EU would be a total waste of time. He’d undoubtedly come back claiming it’s the EU’s fault he achieved nothing – which he wouldn’t – because Farage is one of those people who’s never to blame, it’s always the others. The kid that broke the window leaving someone else to take the blame! It doesn’t suit Farage to be part of the EU because he has his own ideas about empowering and enriching himself.The EU was glad to see the back of him and they certainly won’t want any dealings with someone who was always out for trouble, causing disruption where he could as well as being rude and insulting! AmbigirlsBrexiteers have a case to answerNo wonder Reform and Farage are being very coy about Brexit these days. A policy they were very closely involved in and supported has been seen as a major failure.It is clear the British public realises it.That said, why should voters trust these people to make the right call on anything else? I did not support Brexit but it was implemented. Those who supported it have a case to answer. What was so good about it? Or did they just tell porky pies?Do not trust such people again. 49ninerThe slow non-EU queueSo Brexiters don’t like having to stand in the slow non-EU queue at airports. That’s strange because it’s what they voted for and now they have the added burden of EES and ETIAS to come. Oh dear. Hammer71Youth mobility is not rejoinA youth mobility scheme has nothing to do with steps towards rejoin – the UK has youth mobility schemes with many countries. And Starmer will not take any step towards rejoin. That’s the one promise he is sticking with. Real EuropeanExcluded from Johnson’s dealIt does “unpick Brexit” to the extent that the agreement Boris Johnson made with the EU (in contradiction to much of what he said before the vote) excluded youth mobility along with the rest of freedom of movement. I don’t think he ever gave a reason for this betrayal of what was voted for. EpaminondasOnly closer ties can fix the messEven a good idea like the youth mobility scheme won’t bring back the billions and billions Farage and the Tories have lost us. Closer ties with the EU are the only way to address economic growth and the global immigration issue. The Tories and Reform don’t have it in their DNA to do so. Hammerhead72Remainers defecting to ReformAll this indicates is that remainers are now defecting to Reform. My bet is that another Brexit referendum today would produce the same result as last time, possibly with an even bigger margin.Pollsters might just begin to ask the obvious question about what if we actually had a government fully behind our decision to leave, rather than the supine pair who made no effort to make it work so far. OlTom Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day’s top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click ‘log in’ or ‘register’ in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here. More

Zack Polanski has been elected as the new leader of the Green Party, after winning a landslide victory in the contest. The former actor and hypnotherapist received 20,411 votes from the party membership, while Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay’s joint campaign received just 3,705 votes. Elected with the largest ever number of votes in a Green Party leadership election, becoming the first ever sole leader of the party, Mr Polanski promised “bold action and bold leadership”. In his victory speech, Mr Polanski sent a message to Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, saying the Greens were going to “replace you”. “We will nationalise the water companies. We will hold this Labour government to account. Because when we look at Keir Starmer and what this government have been doing, whether it’s the two-child benefit cap, the disability cuts, the genocide in Gaza, my message to Labour is very clear: we are not here to be disappointed by you, we are not here to be concerned by you, we’re here to replace you.”Mr Polanski used his victory speech to promise his followers and those who did not vote for him to work to expand the party, welcoming “thousands of new members” to the Green Party.”Thank you to every single person who voted for me. I promise to work every single day to deliver environmental, social, racial and economic justice”, he said. It comes as the Green Party seeks to pitch itself as a serious progressive alternative to Labour, having increased its Commons representation to four MPs last year.Zack Polanski was elected with the largest ever number of votes in a Green Party leadership election More

The Green Party has elected 42-year-old London Assembly member Zack Polanski to be their leader for the next two years.The former actor and hypnotherapist, who was deputy leader from 2022, saw off competition from former leader Adrian Ramsay and another Green MP, Ellie Chowns, with a pitch that he could do for the Green Party what Nigel Farage has done for Reform and previously Ukip.He describes his style of politics as “eco populism”, which galvanised party members, giving him a landslide victory over his rivals with 20,411 votes, while Ms Chowns and Mr Ramsay’s joint campaign received just 3,705 votes.Zack Polanski during the general election campaign in July 2024 More

Belgium will move toward recognizing a Palestinian state, the country’s foreign minister said Tuesday, joining a growing list of countries preparing to take the step as Israel steps up its offensive in Gaza.Maxime Prévot said Belgium’s plans to recognize a Palestinian state will be announced at the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 9. However, the acknowledgment is predicated on two conditions — the return of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza and the removal of Hamas from political power in the coastal exclave. The conditions make it unlikely the recognition will be formalized anytime soon.The announcement marks the latest sign of international support for a Palestinian state, and would add Belgium to a list of more than 140 countries to recognize Palestinian statehood, including more than a dozen in Europe.Prévot on Tuesday also announced plans to ban goods coming from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and designate Hamas leaders, violent settlers, and two far-right Israeli ministers as persona non grata. “This is not about sanctioning the Israeli people but about ensuring that their government respects international and humanitarian law and taking action to try to change the situation on the ground,” Prévot said on social platform X. Prévot said the European Union should increase more pressure on Israel by suspending ties with the country, including its trade pact known as the Association Agreement.Israel’s war in Gaza has stressed ties within the bloc’s 27 nations, ignited protests across the continent, and frayed political coalitions including in Belgium and its neighbor the Netherlands. But despite growing political tension, Israel’s deep ties with European military, business and academic institutions remain largely intact.Belgium’s announcement sparked fury from Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who, along with finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, is a likely target of the new sanctions.“The self-righteous European countries that are being manipulated by Hamas — at the end they’ll discover terrorism on their own flesh,” Ben Gvir said in a statement to The Associated Press.France and the United Kingdom have both announced plans to recognize Palestine, putting added diplomatic pressure on Israel.Australia, Canada and the European countries moving toward statehood recognition have predicated the step on the Palestinian Authority making reforms. But the body is deeply unpopular among Palestinians and is seen as corrupt and incapable of governing effectively. Israel has opposed granting it a larger role in postwar Gaza.The Palestinians seek an independent state in the occupied West Bank, annexed east Jerusalem and Gaza, territories Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel’s government and most of its political class have long opposed Palestinian statehood and now say it would reward militants after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.—-Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem contributed to this report. More

Yvette Cooper has denounced calls by Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch for tougher action on migrants, accusing them of “standing on the shoreline and shouting at the sea”. The home secretary denied her attempts to curb small boat crossings by migrants had failed and said the problem would only be solved by “hard graft not grand pledges”. Ms Cooper said: “You can just stand on the shoreline shouting at the sea – and that is what the opposition parties have been doing.Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the first returns under a deal with France are expected this month More

Yvette Cooper has failed to guarantee that the number of small boat crossings will come down by this time next year, amid growing public anger of the government’s handling of the issue. Public discontent with the government’s handling of the small boats crisis and the housing of asylum seekers in hotels has led to a wave of protests over the summer, as well as criticism from Labour’s political opponents after the number of people crossing the Channel reached a record high this year. Asked whether the numbers of people making the dangerous crossing will still be going up in a year’s time, the home secretary refused to make “grand promises” – claiming that is what the previous government did and failed to deliver on them. Yvette Cooper has failed to guarantee that the number of small boat crossings will come down by this time next year More

Leading female politicians, campaigners and cultural figures have signed an open letter criticising attempts from the right to link sexual violence in Britain to the arrival of asylum seekers. The letter – signed by musicians Paloma Faith, Charlotte Church and Anoushka Shankar, as well as Labour, Green and independent MPs including Kim Johnson, Ellie Chowns, Diane Abbott and Zarah Sultana – says they “reject the far right’s racist lies about ‘protecting’ women and girls”. “They are not defenders of women – they exploit violence against women to fuel hate and division,” reads the letter, coordinated by Stand Up to Racism and titled ‘Women Against the Far Right’.Nigel Farage has repeatedly tried to link illegal immigration with levels of violence against women and girls More