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 moreFormer deputy prime minister John Prescott has died at the age of 86 after battling Alzheimer’s, his family announced.The Labour veteran, who was a pivotal figure in Sir Tony Blair’s New Labour project, died peacefully in a care home surrounded by family. During a parliamentary career spanning 50 years, Lord Prescott served as deputy prime minister for a decade following the party’s landslide victory in 1997. While he was known for his fiery temperament, he played a crucial role in mediating the often fractious relationship between Sir Tony and then chancellor Gordon Brown.The former MP for Kingston upon Hull East, a seat which he held for four decades, made headlines in 2001 when he punched a protester who had thrown an egg at him during an election campaign in North Wales.John Prescott passed away after battling Alzheimer’s 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 moreThe defence secretary has announced emergency cuts to the UK military, including the Royal Navy’s two amphibious assault ships, a frigate and 31 helicopters.John Healey has blamed the disputed £22bn black hole left in the finances by the Tories. However, the Conservatives have warned that the cuts have come because Labour refuses to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence.Mr Healey told MPs that Labour had “a dire inheritance” from the Tories in defence so needed to scrap six “outdated” defence projects which will save £500m over the next five years.“We have begun to fix the foundations going forward,” he added. “For too long our soldiers, sailors and air staff have been stuck with using outdated equipment.”The emergency statement caught MPs by surprise on Wednesday and has left doubts over whether the UK could take back the Falklands if they were invaded again.The scrapping of HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion leaves the UK without any amphibious assault ships. In addition, the frigate HMS Northumberland is beyond economic repair and will be decommissioned along with two Wave-class tankers.Mr Healey said that HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion had been “superficially retired” by Tory ministers “but kept on the books at a cost of £9m a year”.Healey says difficult decisions have to be made 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 moreBritain’s railways are set to come back into public ownership after legislation to renationalise the train services was passed by members of the House of Lords.Sources in the government expressed surprise at the speed with which peers voted through the Passenger Rail Services (Public Ownership) Bill, but it now only needs Royal assent to go into law.The vote in the Lords means that Sir Keir Starmer’s government has achieved its first major public service reform since coming into office on 5 July.A proud Sir Keir tweeted: “We said we would create Great British Railways. We are. “It is also a major victory for the besieged transport secretary Louise Haigh, whose job prospects were being questioned recently after her comments about the hire and fire practices at P&O Ferries led to its owner DP World threatening to withdraw £1bn of investment.‘Passenger-in-chief’: transport Secretary Louise Haigh 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 moreNadine Dorries has used her latest book to continue her feud with Kemi Badenoch, with the former culture secretary claiming the newly appointed leader is both a bully and unfit to be prime minister.Written as this summer’s Conservative leadership race was unfolding, Ms Dorries quoted a number of unnamed party insiders who attacked Ms Badenoch’s credentials.However, a source close to the now Tory leader dismissed Downfall, which will be published on Thursday, as fiction. Ms Dorries resigned as an MP in August 2023 after launching a blistering attack on then prime minister Rishi Sunak. Former prime minister Boris Johnson and former culture secretary Nadine Dorries (Oli Scarff/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 moreThe defence secretary has announced emergency cuts to the UK military, including the Royal Navy’s two amphibious assault ships, a frigate and 31 helicopters.John Healey has blamed the disputed £22bn black hole left in the finances by the Tories. However, the Conservatives have warned that the cuts have come because Labour refuses to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence.Mr Healey told MPs that Labour had “a dire inheritance” from the Tories in defence so needed to scrap six “outdated” defence projects which will save £500m over the next five years.“We have begun to fix the foundations going forward,” he added. “For too long our soldiers, sailors and air staff have been stuck with using outdated equipment.”The emergency statement caught MPs by surprise on Wednesday and has left doubts over whether the UK could take back the Falklands if they were invaded again.The scrapping of HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion leaves the UK without any amphibious assault ships. In addition, the frigate HMS Northumberland is beyond economic repair and will be decommissioned along with two Wave-class tankers.Mr Healey said that HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion had been “superficially retired” by Tory ministers “but kept on the books at a cost of £9m a year”.Healey says difficult decisions have to be made 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 moreLeading artists have warned that “Brexit is hell” as a damning report revealed the damage of Britain’s departure from the EU on the UK’s music industry.As the number of artists saying Brexit has hit their income rose from 82 per cent to 87 per cent, UK-based songwriter Victoria Canal said “it is expensive logistically and puts pressure on all of us”.Producer Catherine Marks said the UK’s exit from the European bloc has negatively impacted recording budgets and caused increases in costs for British artists touring the EU.UK Music’s annual economic report said Brexit has been a “catastrophe” for the sector, with artists still seeing fewer invites to perform in the EU and swathes of red tape when playing on the continent.And, amid Sir Keir Starmer’s ongoing post-Brexit reset of relations with the EU, the industry body said: “A much more ambitious plan is needed to ensure the UK keeps pace with intensifying global competition.”UK Music said last year the hit to UK artists’ income was broadly comparable with 2022 but had worsened for average and lower earners.The report said: “Superstar artists such as Harry Styles, Elton John and Coldplay command attractive offers to play in the EU, and have the resources to manage the obstacles presented by Brexit.“However, this is often not the case for road crews and supporting musicians who can find themselves restricted by the 90-day limit, or music creators who are not household names.”The calls come weeks after a top soprano warned in The Independent that Britain risks losing its entire classical music industry due to post-Brexit red tape blocking UK artists from touring in the EU.Victoria Canal said Brexit ‘is hell’ for musicians More

Former Royal Navy flagships HMS Albion will be decommissioned as part of a series of money-saving cut 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 moreBritain’s tech secretary has escalated the government’s feud with Elon Musk, saying he has stopped scrolling X since it was bought by the billionaire.Peter Kyle said he no longer uses the social media app he used to “really enjoy”, and is even considering leaving the site.In September, The Independent revealed that Mr Kyle, the cabinet minister responsible for social media and information technology, had not even spoken to the X owner Mr Musk, although the two had in effect communicated through intermediaries.Peter Kyle’s comments will do little to rebuild bridges with Elon Musk, a key ally of Donald Trump More