40 minutes ago Populists will hate it but Starmer's willingness to work with Tory is hugely welcome

Cross-party working is vital, particularly on issues that last longer than the five-year election cycle

Politics

40 minutes ago The play that changed my life: Jim Broadbent on Ken Campbell’s electrifying epic Illuminatus!

In the 70s, Campbell’s sprawling sci-fi odyssey was a huge education and a hysterical adventure for an eclectic bunch of actorsA teacher at Lamda had recommended early on that I might be suited to Ken Campbell’s way of working. I didn’t have the nerve to do anything about it. Eventually I did call and he said: “Oh, this is remarkable because I’m just about to do the most remarkable play yet done on Planet World! Read these books and come and have a chat.” So I did.The Illuminatus! Trilogy [by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson] is a sort of science fiction piece, drawing together an awful lot of the then current conspiracy theories. It’s a huge thing that spreads over lots of different stories and characters. Continue reading...

Politics

40 minutes ago Battered but bizarrely upbeat: why even utter defeat hasn’t shaken the Tory party’s confidence | Andy Beckett

The Conservatives believe that they uniquely represent British values – so what need is there to admit the UK is changing? Why exactly are the Conservatives so upbeat, barely three months after their worst-ever election defeat? At their party conference, in their leadership contest and in the Tory press, the mood has been unexpectedly positive, even unrepentant, with relatively few recriminations and little deep reflection. During the conference, I lost count of how often people told me the party would be back in power within a few years.There are some straightforward explanations: Labour’s troubles trying to run the country; Tory relief that they have been given a break from that difficult task; the displacement activity of the leadership contest; and the fact that the grind of opposit...

Politics

40 minutes ago Manchester United XI vs Fenerbahce: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Europa League

Red Devils meet Jose Mourinho once again

Sport

41 minutes ago Man shares hidden detail on UK coins – and people are only just realising it

A man shared an interesting fact about UK coins on social media, leaving thousands of Instagram users stunned as many admitted they had no idea about the hidden detail

Politics

1 hour ago US presidential election briefing: Harris courts Republicans with Liz Cheney as Trump says he was ‘saved’ by God

Kamala Harris toured swing-states with the Republican, while Donald Trump appeared with faith leaders with 15 days to go until the presidential electionDon’t miss important US election news. Get our free app and sign up for election alerts Continue reading...

Politics

2 hours ago Highland hotel stunned as two men with same name book same venue and date for marriage proposals

Woodlands Glencoe played host to two men named Daniel Kelly proposing to their soulmates on the same day.

Politics

4 hours ago NADINE DORRIES: The next Tory leader needs two things: an ability to heal the party and the force of personality to take on Starmer. Only Robert Jenrick can deliver on both

The Tories have again clambered onto the merry-go-round of a leadership election. On November 2, Jenrick or Badenoch will become the fourth person to lead our party in just over two years.

Politics

4 hours ago Lidia Thorpe shrugs off Dutton’s call to resign, saying she’s looking for ‘justice’ not re

Independent senator, who made international headlines for heckling King Charles about Indigenous injustices, says people should ‘get used to truth-telling’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIndependent senator Lidia Thorpe has shrugged off calls from conservative opponents to resign from parliament after interrupting a reception for King Charles, defiantly responding, “I’m not looking to be re-elected – I’m looking to get justice for my people.”Speaking on Radio National, Thorpe said: “I will be there for another three years, everybody. So, you know, get used to truth-telling.” Continue reading...

Politics