38 h. ago UK politics live: Minister denies Starmer’s ‘island of strangers’ comment is anti

Labour MP Nadia Whittome condemns Starmer’s speech as ‘shameful and dangerous’

Politics

1 week ago Voices: John Rentoul answers your questions on Reform’s rise – and how Labour and the Tories can respond to Farage

In a live Q&A, The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul fielded readers’ questions on the rise of Reform, Farage’s prospects, and how Labour and the Tories can respond to the new political threat

Politics

2 w. ago Tories 'face losing 500 councillors' in local elections next week as Kemi Badenoch dismisses Robert Jenrick's hint at 'coalition' with Reform

Lord Robert Hayward, a Conservative peer and top pollster, said he expects the Tories to lose between 475 to 525 councillors at next Thursday's elections.

Politics

2 w. ago Kemi Badenoch urged to 'rein in' former Tory leader rival Robert Jenrick after he 'calls for a coalition with Farage's Reform'

Mr Jenrick was secretly recorded telling Conservative students that 'one way or another' centre-Right voters had to be united to ensure Keir Starmer does not 'sail through the middle' again.

Politics

2 w. ago Kemi Badenoch vows 'no electoral pact' with Nigel Farage's Reform UK after Tory Robert Jenrick discusses 'coalition' at the next general election

The leader's spokesman dismissed talk of a link-up at the national level after Jenrick suggested action would be needed to prevent the 'nightmare scenario' of Keir Starmer winning in 2029.

Politics

2 w. ago Badenoch declines to criticise Jenrick over Reform coalition comments – UK politics live

Spokesperson for Tory leader says she agrees with colleague that ‘we need to bring centre-right voters together’Rosie Duffield, the independent MP who left Labour after the election in part because she felt her gender critical views made her unwelcome in the party (although her resignation letter focused on welfare issues), has claimed that Keir Starmer no longer arguing a trans woman is a woman shows he is a “manager rather than a leader”.Speaking on LBC, Duffield said:It’s just another sign of the prime minister’s lack of leadership skills. I’m bound to say that, he’s a manager rather than a leader. He responds and reacts rather than leads from the front, and this is what we’re seeing again from him.Nigel Farage is peddling a dangerous fantasy by claiming the UK can be self-sufficient in gas.After sixty years of drilling, the truth is the UK has already burned most of its gas. That’s down to geology, not politics, and no amount of hot air from Farage will change that. Continue rea...

Politics

2 w. ago Tories urged to ‘come clean’ on Reform after Jenrick ‘coalition’ comments

In an audio recording obtained by Sky News, the shadow justice secretary said that he wants the ‘fight’ against Labour to be ‘united’.

Politics

2 w. ago Robert Jenrick vows to 'bring coalition together' of Reform and Tories in latest sign of tensions over whether to do a deal with Nigel Farage

Mr Jenrick was recorded telling Conservative students 'I'm determined to ... bring this coalition together and make sure we unite as a nation as well.'

Economics