Politics

Richard Tice has been challenged for appearing to cast doubt on court documents that detailed how one of the party’s MPs was jailed for repeatedly kicking his girlfriend. The Reform UK deputy leader defended James McMurdock, who was jailed 18 years ago for repeatedly kicking his girlfriend, saying the UK is a “Christian nation” that

The globe-trotting prime minister has hit back at his critics – and cosied up to Donald Trump like never before. After claims by opponents that he spends too much time abroad, Sir Keir Starmer has insisted his travels are in the UK’s interests. Tax rises will be ‘catastrophic’ – politics latest A reminder: in just

Pyrotechnics, fireworks, balloons – Reform UK’s conference was unlike any other. Back in September, Nigel Farage’s party used its annual gathering to underscore its message that it offers something different.  Throughout Birmingham’s NEC, screens flashed up images of the party’s leader. When it was time for Mr Farage’s speech, delegates flocked to hear him speak.

Bereaved families and MPs are urging the government to take tougher steps to protect younger teenagers from “horrific” content on social media.  The Australian government’s decision to legislate for a smartphone ban for under 16s has reignited the debate in the UK about further restrictions, and a Labour MP is hoping to get government support

Sir Keir Starmer’s first five months in office have hardly been smooth sailing – so it’s perhaps not surprising the government is already planning something of a relaunch. From cutting pensioners’ winter fuel allowance to charging farmers inheritance tax, Labour argue they were forced into choppy waters thanks to a £22bn budgetary black hole below

Labour is set to publish its plan to tackle migration next week – as the number of people who have crossed the Channel under Sir Keir Starmer is understood to have hit a new milestone. In the early hours of this morning, Sky News understands two small boats were picked up in the Channel with

Sir Keir Starmer is set to reveal his Labour’s “plan for change” as he looks to draw a line under a tough first five months in office amid public anger over budget proposals. The prime minister will set out milestones in key policy areas to achieve the targets laid out in the manifesto. Sir Keir

Sir Keir Starmer is set to reveal his Labour’s “plan for change” as he looks to draw a line under a tough first five months in office amid public anger over budget proposals. The prime minister will set out milestones in key policy areas to achieve the targets laid out in the manifesto. Sir Keir

I have watched hundreds of hours of parliamentary debates in my long time covering Westminster and I can honestly say that the five hours of discussion I witnessed in the Commons on Friday were some of the most memorable, moving and humane exchanges I have ever seen.  Because this bear pit of a debating chamber

The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the Information Commissioner’s Office after the names of the alleged victims of the Westminster honeytrap scandal were revealed to each other. The force has said it apologises “sincerely for any distress” after an email was “sent in error”. According to reports, the Met sent an email to all

👉 Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app 👈 As well as this week’s usual episode, Beth, Ruth and Harriet decompress after a busy Friday in Westminster. The assisted dying bill, which could allow adults with just six months left to live to request medical assistance to end their lives, has

Dame Prue Leith believes her son would have a “different attitude” towards assisted dying had he watched his uncle or father die – as she did. The broadcaster, best known for The Great British Bake Off, urged members to “vote for change” as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is set to be

The Home Office spent a record £5.38bn over the last year on asylum – more than a third higher than the previous year. Figures released on Thursday showed spending on asylum rose by £1.43bn in the 2023/24 financial year to £5.38bn – 36% higher than in 2022/24 when £3.95bn was spent. The latest figure, covering

Hundreds of migrants living in the UK are facing agonising delays in finding out if they can stay, despite some having British children. Most immigrants in the UK have to apply to extend their stay every 30 months – before qualifying to remain indefinitely after either five or 10 years – paying thousands of pounds

“Just the man I want to talk to!” We are out in Dover with Mike Tapp, the first elected Labour MP here for 20 years. “When are you going to do something about these boats?” constituent Carol puts down her shopping to ask him. Politics latest: Starmer rejects calls for election Image: Dover MP Mike

The controversial assisted dying bill has just been approved by MPs in a truly historic vote in the Commons. The bill, which would make it legal for over-18s who are terminally ill to be given medical assistance to end their own life, passed its second reading – the first parliamentary hurdle it must go through

A landmark bill to ban the younger generation from ever smoking has cleared its first hurdle in the House of Commons. The legislation, backed by 415 to 47, means anyone born after 1 January 2009 will be prevented from buying tobacco if it ultimately becomes law. Before then, the bill must go through further parliamentary

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin says his party has made “a policy decision” not to enter coalition government with Sinn Fein after Ireland’s general election. Current polling shows the three largest parties – Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein – in a three-way tie. In the third of our leader interviews ahead of Friday’s

Council services such as leisure centres and waste collection could suffer due to the cost of social care if the government goes ahead with plans to scrap district councils in favour of “super councils”, local government sources have claimed. They told Sky News the government is considering getting rid of district councils, which are responsible

Jobcentre reform will be at the centre of the Labour government’s plans to “get Britain working again”. Tackling the increasing number of people out of work and relying on the state for income has become a major priority of the state, with welfare costs taking up a sizeable portion of government spending. According to the