UK Politics

Moment Kemi Badenoch is announced as new Tory leader to replace Rishi SunakYour support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseKemi Badenoch’s new shadow cabinet shows the Tory party has “learned nothing” from the chaos of the Liz Truss and Boris Johnson years, Labour says.Most of Ms Badenoch’s new team “went AWOL for the vote on Boris Johnson’s antics at Partygate”, Labour Party chairwoman Ellie Reeves said in a statement.The majority of them were ministers for Liz Truss “as they crashed Britain’s economy”, Ms Reeves added.“Instead of turning the page on 14 years of Tory government, Kemi Badenoch’s shadow cabinet shows that the Conservatives have learnt nothing.”It comes as Ms Badenoch said she will “win back the trust of the public” after announcing her shadow cabinet, which includes Dame Priti Patel as foreign secretary and Robert Jenrick as justice secretary.“The process of renewing our great party has now begun,” Ms Badenoch said in a speech which echoed the rhetoric employed by Sir Keir Starmer after he took the Labour Party reins in 2020.Ms Badenoch called for a “team effort” from her colleagues, but she already faces dissent after one anonymous senior Tory told the BBC Dame Priti’s appointment had “destroyed” any chance of a “respectable foreign policy”.Show latest update 1730818127Badenoch ‘has destroyed any chance of respectable foreign policy’ with Patel appointmentKemi Badenoch’s decision to appoint Priti Patel as shadow foreign secretary has reportedly been met with scorn by one senior Tory.Following reports of Ms Patel’s appointment, BBC political editor Chris Mason said he was contacted by the senior Tory who accused Ms Badenoch of having “destroyed within 48 hours any chance she had of having a respectable foreign policy”.Prior to serving as Boris Johnson’s home secretary, Ms Patel was international development secretary under Theresa May – but was fired from the role in 2017 after holding unsanctioned meetings with senior Israeli politicians, including premier Benjamin Netanyahu, while on a “private holiday”.Andy Gregory5 November 2024 14:481730816987More than 1,500 foreign criminals deported since July, justice secretary saysMore than 1,500 foreign criminals have been deported since the election, justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said. During a questioning in the House of Commons, Ms Mahmood said she agreed with the public’s view that there are “too many” foreign nationals in the UK.More foreign criminals have been deported since the election than when Robert Jenrick – who was today appointed shadow justice secretary – was immigration minister.Ms Mahmood told the house: “We are on track to remove more foreign offenders this year than in previous years. In fact, over the same period when the previous government was in office and in fact the shadow justice secretary was himself the immigration officer, the number was around 1,300.“We have now returned 1,500 foreign offenders, and of course, utilising all of the prisoner transfer agreements at our disposal, and are actively trying to negotiate more so that we can continue to speed up removals from our country.”Alex Croft5 November 2024 14:291730815807Robert Jenrick suffers brutal putdown in first outing as shadow justice secretaryMr Jenrick said that, since July’s general election, “the only group this Labour government’s popularity has increased with is criminals”.Read the full report by our political correspondent Archie Mitchell: Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent5 November 2024 14:101730814670Government ‘preparing for all eventualities’ this winterThe government has drawn up plans to ensure the UK is “domestically as resilient as we possibly can be” this winter, Downing Street said.Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said the government is “preparing for all eventualities” as winter looms.This includes the impact of extreme weather and impacts on the NHS, the spokesman added.It is likely to be a colder and wetter winter than usual in the UK, with a La Nina cooling weather phenomenon expected to kick in at the end of the year.At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, net zero secretary Ed Miliband noted warnings that future flooding could impact 600,000 people in the UK as a result of climate change.The cabinet briefing on winter preparations was led by chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden, who said that the devastating flooding in Spain is a “reminder of the impact that, for example, extreme weather can have on local communities”.The Prime Minister’s spokesman added: “The link was made to the fact that climate change can result in extreme weather events. We have obviously seen these very devastating scenes in Spain.”Alex Croft5 November 2024 13:511730813374Labour urged to consider restoring Tory cuts to legal aidThe government is looking to improve access to early legal advice and support, justice minister Heidi Alexander has said.This came in response to Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed, who called on the government to look at “restoring legal aid to pre-2012 levels for all areas of civil law, to ensure that justice is made available to all”.She added: “Will she commit to reviewing the bureaucracy of the Legal Aid Agency, which doesn’t support the needs and capacity of small firms?”Ms Alexander replied: “We are looking to how we can improve access to early legal advice and support, but she will also appreciate the very challenging financial outlook that we are grappling with.“I will raise the administrative issues in relation to Legal Aid Agency with the chief executive there.”Andy Gregory5 November 2024 13:291730812294Who is the new shadow chancellor?Mel Stride, the second to be knocked out of the Tory leadership race after Priti Patel, has bagged himself one of the most important shadow cabinet jobs, our lobby team reports. The MP for Central Devon made a name for himself as the mouthpiece for Rishi Sunak’s election campaign, being wheeled out on the broadcast round on an almost weekly basis. He was a loyal ally of Mr Sunak, having served as his work and pensions secretary throughout his time in office. Before that, he did a brief stint as leader of the House of Commons from May to July 2019, and served as financial secretary to the Treasury and paymaster general from 2017 to 2019.Andy Gregory5 November 2024 13:111730811154Jenrick told Tories created just 500 new prison places in 14 yearsRobert Jenrick has been reminded that the Conservatives left the country with fewer than 500 extra prison places after 14 years in power, as he sought to press the new government on plans to increase capacity.During a back and forth in the Commons, the new shadow justice secretary said: “The last Conservative government built more prison places than any prior Labour government in living memory, but we clearly need to go further. “What funding has the Lord Chancellor secured to build prisons over and above those that were secured by the previous government? And does she agree with her other junior minister, that fewer people should be sent to prison?”Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones replied: “Again, I think [Mr Jenrick] forgets who was in power for the last 14 years and who failed to build any prison places. “Just 500 extra prison places were built under his government’s watch. This government has achieved a record £1.2bn in prison building amount of allocation from the Budget and we will be going further, we are the party of law and order.”Andy Gregory5 November 2024 12:521730810074Who makes up Kemi Badenoch’s newly appointed shadow cabinet?Kemi Badenoch has appointed a cross-party shadow cabinet in a bid to reunite the Conservatives after a fractious leadership campaign.Our Westminster team has more details here: Andy Gregory5 November 2024 12:341730808934Jenrick told to ‘have a bit of humility’ in first Commons clash as shadow justice secretaryRobert Jenrick has used his first Commons appearance as shadow justice secretary to suggest that Labour should apologise to the victims of domestic abusers and sex offenders who have reoffended after being released early from prison.But Labour justice minister Alex Davies-Jones hit back: “He seems to have a very short memory and I believe it is is he who should be apologising to the country as a whole on behalf of his government’s woeful, absolute misabuse of our justice system and our prisons. “Under the previous government’s [early release scheme] there was zero exemptions that could protect the public. This government put in serious exemptions to prevent sex offenders being released onto our streets … and I believe [Mr Jenrick] should maybe have a bit of humility.”Mr Jenrick replied that there were exemptions in the Tory scheme, which saw more than 13,000 people – a quarter of them convicted of violent crimes – freed early between October and July, but said: “The key thing is we need to get on and build more prisons.”Andy Gregory5 November 2024 12:151730807914Labour MP reveals he was mugged while returning to London flatLabour MP Chris Webb has revealed that he was mugged in London, with his attackers stealing his phone.The new MP for Blackpool South said: “Last night, as I was returning to my flat in London, I was attacked and mugged by a group of individuals.“Luckily, I have no injuries and I am ok. Unfortunately, they just took my phone so I’m without one for the foreseeable future.”Thanking the Metropolitan Police “for their swift response and support”, Mr Webb said: “The officers who assisted me went above and beyond. They are a remarkable credit to the force.”Labour’s Chris Webb was elected as an MP at the Blackpool South by-election in May, and was re-elected at the general election More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseRobert Jenrick has suffered an embarrassing putdown in his first Commons outing as shadow justice secretary.Hours after his appointment was confirmed by new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, the hardline right-winger sought to attack Labour’s record in government from the despatch box.In his first intervention in his new post, Mr Jenrick lashed out at the party’s early release scheme for prisoners to free up space in the overcrowded estate.Mr Jenrick said that, since July’s general election, “the only group this Labour government’s popularity has increased with is criminals”.Robert Jenrick was left reeling after his first outing as shadow justice secretary More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseKemi Badenoch has appointed a cross-party shadow cabinet in a bid to reunite the Conservatives after a fractious leadership campaign.The newly-elected party leader unveiled her top team on Tuesday morning ahead of its first meeting. The top jobs were split between One Nation moderates, Boris Johnson-backing right-wingers and those who backed Ms Badenoch’s leadership bid.Kemi Badenoch has appointed her defeated leadership rival Robert Jenrick to the shadow justice brief More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseThey say God loves a trier and Chris Philp, the former minister for policing, is one Tory who can never be accused of failing to put in a shift, frequently appearing in the media to dutifully defend the latest party line on the issue of the day.The reward for his unwavering loyalty may now have arrived, as he takes a leadership role in Kemi Badenoch’s new cabinet, after being appointed as shadow home secretary. While the MP for Croydon South is not afraid to get his hands dirty, evidenced by his loyal defences of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss in the darkest hours of their respective premierships, some critics have suggested he does not share the communication skills and political nous displayed by some of his front bench colleagues.Alas, the former Home Office minister was left blushing again in April during an appearance on the BBC. There were audible gasps – and a very confused-looking shadow health secretary – when Mr Philp asked whether Rwanda and Congo were different countries, following what sounded like a relatively straight forward question from a Question Time audience member.The gaffe was not Mr Philp’s first and unlikely to be his last, given the ambitious politician’s propensity to get out on the airwaves and put his shoulder behind the government wheel.Chris Philp on Question Time More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseRachel Reeves’inheritance tax raid will hit three quarters of food produced by British farmers, industry chiefs have warned, as the government battles a growing backlash over its extension of death tax. Under plans announced in the Budget, inheritance tax will be charged at 20 per cent on farms worth more than £1m, although the chancellor has said that in some cases the threshold could in practice be about £3m.The move has triggered backlash from farming and rural communities and led to a dispute over the number of businesses that would be affected.While the government has insisted that only a minority of farmers will be impacted, Tom Bradshaw, chief executive of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), said around “75 per cent of the total farmed area” would be subject to the extended death tax. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said it is not ‘affordable’ to keep the current system of inheritance tax (Jordan Pettitt/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseUniversity tuition fees will increase in England for the first time in eight years as part of a major overhaul of the higher education system, education secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced.The announcement appears to set Labour on course for a clash with one of their biggest voter bases, students. It follows other groups losing out with 10 million pensioners hit by the removal of the winter fuel payment and wages being hit by the hike in national insurance.Tuition fees have been frozen at £9,250 since 2017 but will now rise in line with the Retail Price Index inflation from September 2025. Matching them to the current rate of inflation at 2.7 per cent would mean they increase to around £9,500.In her announcement, Ms Phillipson said that the changes represented “a new relationship with universities” and warned that the sector will need to make changes as part of the package.“We are determined to maintain the sustainability of our university sector not just for now but for years ahead,” she said.The education secretary gave a statement to the House of Commons on Monday More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseKemi Badenoch is set to make a highly controversial choice in one of the most senior jobs in her shadow cabinet with Dame Priti Patel set to be unveiled as shadow foreign secretary.However, sources close to the new Tory leader have told The Independent that she has “no concerns” over Dame Priti being previously sacked as a cabinet minister for unauthorised meetings in Israel.Dame Priti was sacked in November 2017 as international development secretary by Theresa May when it emerged she had held unauthorised meetings in Israel. Patel served in both Theresa May and Boris Johnson’s cabinet More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseNew analysis suggests that the 50 per cent rise in a single bus ticket from £2 to £3 is the equivalent of a 1p income tax hike for working people who rely on public transport to get to work.The figures published by the Lib Dems appear to be a direct challenge to chancellor Rachel Reeves’s claims that she was protecting “working people” in her Budget last week.The claims are the latest stage in an ongoing row over who working people are after Labour refused to provide a clear definition of the term but applied it to freezing the main taxes of income tax, VAT and national insurance.The Lib Dems are calling for the 50 per cent increase to be reversed and say their analysis shows that the average commuter who takes the bus every working day of the week would face an extra £448 bill because of the change made by the government.Transport secretary Louise Haigh More