UK MOD Crown HMS Glasgow is the first Type 26 frigate to be built for the Royal Navy The UK and Norway have signed a defence pact that will see them operate a combined fleet to hunt Russian submarines in the North Atlantic. The deal is designed to protect undersea cables – which British officials … Read more
Henry ZeffmanChief Political Correspondent EPA It was the moment which, perhaps more than any, entrenched Sir Keir Starmer’s position as a future leader of the Labour Party. Defying his leader, Jeremy Corbyn, as well as the autocue, the then shadow Brexit secretary sent the 2018 Labour conference into raptures when he called for a second … Read more
Pleasance Theatre Jeremy Corbyn at curtain call on 22 November 2025 Pantomimes and politics: Both thrive on performance, exaggeration and audience participation. In pantomimes, the audience boos the villain and cheers the hero; in parliament, political leaders are cast in these roles with MPs jeering. It’s a comparison Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn understands. “Panto … Read more
Reform UK has received a record £9m donation from crypto currency investor and aviation entrepreneur Christopher Harborne, new figures from the Electoral Commission show. It is the largest ever single donation by a living person to a British political party. Mr Harborne, who is British but lives in Thailand, has previously given large sums to … Read more
An investigation has been launched by Reform UK into the social media activity of Staffordshire County Council’s leader after it was alleged he made racist comments online. Activist group Hope Not Hate claimed to have found racist posts on an account on X allegedly linked to Ian Cooper, including one about foreign secretary David Lammy … Read more
Paris GourtsoyannisBBC Scotland Westminster Correspondent PA Media Sir Keir Starmer will visit Scotland this week – but will not be on the election trail next year Politically, when someone on your own side is comparing you to dog mess, you know something has gone wrong – especially when they’re doing it to try and be … Read more
The government is set to postpone elections for newly created mayors in some parts of Southern England. Local government sources say two out of four areas expected to vote in May 2026 – Essex and the combined counties of Norfolk and Suffolk – will now do so at a later date. Opposition parties are calling … Read more
Josh MartinBusiness reporter Reuters EV levies, tourist taxes, pension changes and income tax policy were announced in the Budget on 26 November, but were reported by media beforehand Chancellor Rachel Reeves is backing an inquiry into pre-Budget leaks from the Treasury which knocked business and consumer confidence and moved markets. The chief secretary to the … Read more
Getty Images The Home Office wants more police forces to feel confident in using facial recognition technology Facial recognition technology could be used more often by UK police forces, according to new plans announced by the Home Office. Policing and crime minister Sarah Jones said a widespread rollout of the equipment could mark “the biggest … Read more
A leaked policy note commissioned by Sir Keir Starmer’s office in 2023 – when Labour was in opposition – said legalising assisted dying for those with a terminal diagnosis would be “popular” with the public and warned it would not be “politically viable” to “do nothing on the issue”. Opponents of assisted dying have suggested … Read more