UK Politics

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 moreCloseSir Keir Starmer‘s hopes of restoring the relationship between Britain and the European Union after Brexit have taken a knock after the collapse of key ally’s government– just hours after Donald Trump secured a second presidential term. Europe’s largest economy Germany is now reeling after the ruling coalition fell in the wake of Olaf Scholz’s decision to sack his finance minister.Sir Keir had developed a close working relation with the German chancellor since his election victory and just last week, the prime minister secured the first major success of his plans for a Brexit reset with a landmark defence deal between the two countries. A general election is now expected in Germany early next year, with the unpopular Mr Scholz widely expected to lose. The German government’s collapse came after Sir Keir was urged to step up his plans for a great reset in relations with Europe in the wake of Mr Trump’s election victory. Warning the result was a dark day for mankind, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said that stronger trade and defence cooperation across Europe would “help protect ourselves from the damage Trump will do” now the world’s largest economy and its most powerful military “will be led by a dangerous, destructive demagogue”.Peter Altmaier, former chief of staff to Angela Merkel, also told the BBC Today programme that UK/ French co-operation “will have to be reinforced and enhanced” in the wake of Trump’s election and the collapse of the Germany government. Sir Keir offered Mr Trump his “hearty” congratulations on his win in a telephone call late on Wednesday. Just hours earlier he had been forced to publicly support his foreign secretary David Lammy, who in the past called Mr Trump a “neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath”.Mr Lammy will remain in his post until the next election, Downing Street said on Wednesday just hours after Mr Trump’s victory was secured.The vote of confidence came after the prime minister was asked to apologise for his frontbencher’s attack in an article, written when he was a backbench MP in 2018. Sir Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had developed a close working relationship 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 moreCloseAn “ingenious approach” has boosted broadband for residents on a Scottish island, with water pipes being utilised for connections for the first time in the UK.Fibre cables have been installed in a second pipe in the drinking water network on Papa Westray – said to be the most remote island in Orkney.It means almost every business and resident on the island can receive speeds similar to those in other parts of Scotland.Scottish Government funding allowed contractor CloudNet to install the cabling in pipes, with the approach seen to be a more efficient and less disruptive alternative to conventional cable-laying methods.It was possible because the water system on the island is owned by the community, streamlining the process of gaining permission.Scottish business minister Richard Lochhead hailed the “ingenious approach” as a “less disruptive way of delivering faster connectivity to all on Papa Westray”.Business minister Richard Lochhead said the project ‘showcases engineering creativity at its best’. (Fraser Bremner/Scottish Daily Mail/PA)He said: “Scotland is famous the world over for its innovation. We are working with rural communities in the most imaginative ways possible to bring faster broadband to some of the hardest to reach parts of the country.“This project showcases engineering creativity at its best and makes it easier for residents to do business and access essential services such as health and education.“This will also help attract people to live and work on Papa Westray.”The project is part of the Scottish Government’s R100 programme to improve broadband speeds in remote and rural areas, and he said ministers are “helping deliver a fair, green and growing economy for all our regions”.CloudNet managing director Greg Whitton said: “CloudNet are proud to have delivered this Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme project to the most remote island in Orkney – Papa Westray – the first successful commercial project of its kind in the UK.“Due to the island topography, we used the water network to deliver fibre to the premises. This helped minimise excavations and excessive construction costs on the project to meet the programme needs.”The project also allowed for remote sensors to be placed in the pipes, providing a more hi-tech way to monitor water quality.Papa Westray Water Board supply engineer Ian Cursiter said: “Without this high speed connectivity, I wouldn’t be able to remotely monitor my farm or the water network for the island.“The real benefit in monitoring the water network for levels of usage, pressure and so on, is providing a much more efficient water system, which will ultimately be more environmentally friendly and cost effective to islanders.“I’ve lived on Papa Westray my whole life and I’m delighted to see connectivity that allows the islanders to access the same facilities as those on the mainland.” 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 moreCloseNobody would win a tit-for-tat trade war with the US when Donald Trump returns to power, Britain’s top international trade expert has warned.An escalating tariff war with the Americans under Mr Trump would create “a very challenging market for us here in the UK” and British firms are increasingly concerned about the former president’s return, Marco Forgione, director general of the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade, told The Independent.During the election campaign, the Republican promised to implement 10 to 20 per cent tariffs on all goods coming into the country, rising to 60 per cent for those from China.Keir Starmer has been warned ‘nobody would win’ from a trade war with the US 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 moreCloseSir Keir Starmer told Donald Trump he hopes the United Kingdom’s special relationship with the US continues to thrive for years to come.The Prime Minister raised defence and the Middle East with the president-elect amid hostilies from Trump’s campaign team which had previously described Labour as “far left”.But the leaders shared a “fond” phone call in the aftermath of Trump’s historic political comeback four years after leaving office.A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to president-elect Donald Trump this evening to congratulate him on his historic victory.“The Prime Minister offered his hearty congratulations and said he looked forward to working closely with president-elect Trump across all areas of the special relationship.“From defence and security to growth and prosperity, the relationship between the UK and US was incredibly strong and would continue to thrive for many years to come, the leaders agreed.“The Prime Minister also reflected on the situation in the Middle East and underscored the importance of regional stability.“The leaders fondly recalled their meeting in September, and president-elect Trump’s close connections and affinity to the United Kingdom and looked forward to working with one another.”Relations have reportedly been strained since foreign secretary David Lammy described Trump as a “neo-Nazi sociopath” when he was a backbench MP in 2018.But Mr Lammy has put in hard yards to rebuild relations with the Republicans and US hard right, even defending Trump’s incendiary comments on Nato.The phone call came as it emerged most British people were unhappy that Donald Trump has been elected as US president, according to a snap poll.The poll of 4,807 adults on Wednesday showed that reaction in Britain has been largely negative, YouGov said.Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the UK would make “strong representations” to president-elect Donald Trump about the need to protect free trade.Mr Trump has said he wants to increase tariffs on goods imported from around the world by 10%, rising to 60% on goods from China.At the Treasury Committee, Ms Reeves said: “We’re not just a passive actor in this.“It’s a trade relationship with the United States and we will make strong representations about the importance of free and open trade, not just between ourselves and the United States, but globally, 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 moreCloseSir Keir Starmer has defended his foreign secretary David Lammy, who in the past called Donald Trump a “neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath”.Mr Lammy will remain in his post until the next election, Downing Street said on Wednesday just hours after Mr Trump’s victory was secured.The vote of confidence came after the prime minister was asked to apologise for his frontbencher’s attack in an article written when he was a backbench MP in 2018.David Lammy has previously called Mr Trump a ‘KKK and neo-Nazi sympathiser’ 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 moreCloseSir Keir Starmer told Donald Trump he hopes the United Kingdom’s special relationship with the US continues to thrive for years to come.The Prime Minister raised defence and the Middle East with the president-elect amid hostilies from Trump’s campaign team which had previously described Labour as “far left”.But the leaders shared a “fond” phone call in the aftermath of Trump’s historic political comeback four years after leaving office.A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to president-elect Donald Trump this evening to congratulate him on his historic victory.“The Prime Minister offered his hearty congratulations and said he looked forward to working closely with president-elect Trump across all areas of the special relationship.“From defence and security to growth and prosperity, the relationship between the UK and US was incredibly strong and would continue to thrive for many years to come, the leaders agreed.“The Prime Minister also reflected on the situation in the Middle East and underscored the importance of regional stability.“The leaders fondly recalled their meeting in September, and president-elect Trump’s close connections and affinity to the United Kingdom and looked forward to working with one another.”Relations have reportedly been strained since foreign secretary David Lammy described Trump as a “neo-Nazi sociopath” when he was a backbench MP in 2018.But Mr Lammy has put in hard yards to rebuild relations with the Republicans and US hard right, even defending Trump’s incendiary comments on Nato.The phone call came as it emerged most British people were unhappy that Donald Trump has been elected as US president, according to a snap poll.The poll of 4,807 adults on Wednesday showed that reaction in Britain has been largely negative, YouGov said.Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the UK would make “strong representations” to president-elect Donald Trump about the need to protect free trade.Mr Trump has said he wants to increase tariffs on goods imported from around the world by 10%, rising to 60% on goods from China.At the Treasury Committee, Ms Reeves said: “We’re not just a passive actor in this.“It’s a trade relationship with the United States and we will make strong representations about the importance of free and open trade, not just between ourselves and the United States, but globally, 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 moreCloseSir Keir Starmer has ramped up the UK’s cooperation with Europe on migration, signing three new agreements to crack down on smuggling gangs. Saying a “major upgrade” on international co-operation is needed, the prime minister announced plans to sign three new agreements with Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo.The deals will increase intelligence sharing, expertise and co-operation in order to intercept criminal smuggling gangs, the government said.It comes ahead of the next meeting of the European Political Community, which will see the prime minister chair a meeting on migration on Thursday. The PM will meet with European leaders to urge “concerted action to reduce the number of deaths in the Channel as a result of dangerous and illegal small boats crossings”.He is also expected to say that all European countries bear a responsibility to “end the devastation caused by people smugglers and that lawful, international co-operation will be key to these efforts.”Almost 100,000 migrants transited through the Western Balkans last year, making it a key route. The European Political Community (EPC) is a forum which brings together 47 European countries to co-ordinate responses to shared challenges. The intervention follows Sir Keir’s speech to the Interpol Conference in Glasgow this week, where he called for organised immigration crime to be treated like terrorism.On Monday, the prime minister announced a £150m package of measures to tackle the small boat crisis, arguing that addressing the issue would be a “victory for humanity” that would help to save “countless lives”.International cooperation to tackle people smuggling networks will be a central feature of Thursday’s EPC meeting, Sir Keir said, warning that the UK cannot make progress on the issue on its own. “There is a criminal empire operating on our continent, exacting a horrendous human toll and undermining our national security.“Backed by our new Border Security Command, the UK will be at the heart of the efforts to end the scourge of organised immigration crime – but we cannot do it in isolation”, he said.“We need to go further and faster, alongside our international partners, and take the fight directly to the heart of these vile people smuggling networks. I will be making this the central feature of my discussions at the European Political Community meeting today.”Home secretary Yvette Cooper said cooperation with nations in the Western Balkans is “absolutely key to dismantling the criminal networks that orchestrate the exploitation of vulnerable people for financial gain”. She added: “Working more closely with Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo, we will share information and intelligence, and work across borders to map out what is happening and where, to break the business models of these unscrupulous gangs at source.“Through our intensified work, criminals will soon realise they have nowhere to hide.” 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 has rejected an alternative proposal to her inheritance tax raid on family farms which farmers across the UK have damned for being “cruel” and warned will spell the end of their sector.The chancellor was confronted over her plans by former Tory minister John Glen during a hearing of the Treasury select committee in parliament, as he warned that it will have “a profound impact” on the farming community.Mr Glen, whose Salisbury constituency has farming interests, suggested that if Ms Reeves had wanted to “target large wealthy people who buy vast tracks of land” to avoid tax, then she could have looked at business assets rollover relief.“If you had a higher threshold you would then save a large number of farms that just do not have the liquidity [to pay the new inheritance tax],” he said.Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves at the Treasury Committee (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) More