#uk-politics

#uk-politics

From 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.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer fired the country's U.S. ambassador Peter Mandelson on Thursday after documents published by Congress exposed his friendship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein after the disgraced financier's 2008 criminal case. The Foreign Office confirmed on Thursday morning that the prime minister had ordered Mandelson's removal in light of the additional information in emails offering support to Epstein as he faced charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.

Former Conservative minister Nadine Dorries has defected to Reform UK. Speaking to the Daily Mail, the ex-MP for Mid-Bedfordshire said: "The Tory Party is dead. Its members now need to think the unthinkable and look to the future." Dorries served as culture secretary and as a health minister under Boris Johnson, of whom she was a close ally. She is the latest in a string of defections from the Conservatives to Reform UK, including former Welsh Secretary David Jones and ex-Tory Chairman Sir Jake Berry.

From 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.

Former Columbia University president Minouche Shafik has been appointed chief economic adviser to British prime minister Keir Starmer, the Associated Press reported. An economist by training, Shafik served as president of the London School of Economics before she was tapped to lead Columbia in 2023. She also previously held leadership positions at the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England.

Before what is likely to be a tumultuous autumn for the government, he created two new roles with Darren Jones put in charge of day-to-day delivery and Minouche Shafik appointed the prime minister's chief economic adviser. Downing Street sources said the changes showed Starmer recognised his operation needed more economic heft to challenge Treasury thinking and avoid damaging pitfalls such as those over winter fuel payments and welfare cuts.

As well as York-Smith, who previously coordinated fiscal events at the Treasury and is well liked by colleagues across Whitehall, Starmer has pinched Reeves's No 2, Darren Jones, to be his own chief secretary a previously nonexistent job. The former Bank of England deputy governor Minouche Shafik, a well-respected economist, will be Starmer's economic adviser. Economists and former government advisers welcomed the reshuffle, suggesting it was high time for Starmer to take more interest in the direction of economic policy.

From 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.

Over August, I married my wonderful partner, Jeevun Sandher!

There is no honour like an invitation from the King, and not to accept his invitation goes against all of our instincts. But I fear we could have a situation where Donald Trump comes to our country, is honoured with a lavish dinner at one of our finest palaces, yet no one reminds him that he has the power to stop the horrifying starvation and death in Gaza and get the hostages released.

"they will be picked up by the border force or our volunteers at the RNLI when the border force can't cope". "And now what happens is the French give them all life jackets and when they're picked up by the border force, the border force give the life jackets back to the French so they can re-use them on the next journey," Farage added.

You've got to be where the electorate are, Evans told the Guardian. This is one of the biggest apps that is used across the country and across the word. I think it's right to be there, to be talking to people. And from a party political point of view, if you're crowded out and you're not speaking to people, that space will get filled. Hearing 20% of someone versus nothing from someone else is huge.

LONDON Opponents and supporters of migrants faced off in angry confrontations at demonstrations held around Britain over the holiday weekend as the government scrambled to deal with fallout from a court order that will force a hotel in a London suburb to evict asylum-seekers. The ruling has created a headache for the government, which has struggled to curb unauthorized migration and fulfill its responsibility to accommodate those seeking refuge.

Politicians have begun making statements about refugees and migrants that were once considered unacceptable, shifting the language surrounding asylum into more aggressive, polarizing terms.

The letter calls for Parliament to be recalled as well as urgent diplomatic intervention and an end to arms sales to Israel.

Mahmood believes that being British involves a responsibility as well as a right, feeling discontent towards those who violate the laws of the country.

The term 'tinderbox' has evolved into political shorthand for describing any situation supposedly on the brink of explosion, reflecting a growing narrative of social breakdown.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) is set to intensify pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, threatening to compel a parliamentary vote on recognition of Palestinian statehood by the UK.