3 h. ago Macron and Starmer talk Trump, boats and Ukraine – but Brexit is the ghost at the banquet | Rafael Behr

The prime minister has repaired broken relations with France, but Britain still looks perilously isolated in a world of shifting alliancesGilded carriages and royal banquets are not essential tools of modern diplomacy, but nor are they obsolete. In a digital age, when intergovernmental business could easily be conducted online, the analogue grandeur of a state visit feels potent as a bestowal of favour.This week Emmanuel Macron is the beneficiary. In September it will be Donald Trump. The sequence is not meant to indicate preference. Both relationships are special, say officials. There are enough champagne receptions and sleepovers at Windsor Castle to go around.Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnistOne year of Labour, with Pippa Crerar, Rafael Behr and more On 9 July, join Pippa Crerar, Raf Behr, Frances O’Grady and Salma Shah as they look back at one year of the Labour government, its current policies and plans for the next four years Continue reading...

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4 h. ago Scottish Labour MP to vote against welfare reforms despite Keir Starmer climbdown

EXCLUSIVE: Brian Leishman warned the UK Government is "still proposing enormous cuts" to welfare.

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7 h. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Ten minutes in, Macron's accent was becoming a touch 'Allo 'Allo. By the end we were in Inspector Clouseau territory

Quel sac de vent. Macron gave a long, sticky speech to parliament in which he waggled his hips at the front row's Sir Keir Starmer - 'deer Keer!' - and ticked us off about 'deeply regrettable' Brexit.

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8 h. ago Wes Streeting warns doctors ‘the public will not forgive you’ as NHS strike chaos looms

NHS would face major disruption over industrial action, threatening to put Sir Keir Starmer's plans for health service at risk

Events

9 h. ago Starmer and Macron to meet at No 10 amid push for French help on small boats

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived on Tuesday for the first state visit by an EU head of state since Brexit.

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9 h. ago Talks to finalise US steel tariff exemption ongoing as deadline due to pass

President Donald Trump has said he plans to start implementing tariffs on the US’s trade partners on July 9.

Events

9 h. ago First neighbourhood health services to be rolled out from September

The initiative is part of the Government’s 10-year health plan, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last week.

Politics

14 h. ago Sport minister rejects calls to consult on alcohol ban in football stands

Stephanie Peacock said moves to reverse the ban, which has been in place since 1985, do not fall within the scope of the Football Governance Bill.

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14 h. ago Kneecap fans at Glasgow gig rally around trio after festival slot cancelled

The three members of Kneecap arrived at the O2 Academy in Glasgow on Tuesday evening.

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14 h. ago Emmanuel Macron promises ‘tangible results’ on illegal migration in state visit speech to UK Parliament

The French President addressed MPs and peers ahead of talks on the small boats crisis with Sir Keir Starmer

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14 h. ago Macron promises ‘tangible results’ on migration in speech to Parliament

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed MPs and peers during his state visit to the UK.

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15 h. ago France's Macron says he and 'dear Keir' Starmer WILL tackle small boats as president admits illegal immigration is a 'burden' for both UK and France

In an historic address to Westminster politicians the French president said that illegal immigration was a 'burden' on both countries.

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17 h. ago Bayeux tapestry to return to Britain for first time in 900 years

Tapestry to go on display in British Museum next year, with treasures from Sutton Hoo lent to France in exchangeThe Bayeux tapestry will return to the UK for the first time in more than 900 years as part of a landmark loan agreement by Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron.The 70-metre embroidered cloth depicts the 1066 Norman invasion and Battle of Hastings, in which William the Conquerer took the English throne from Harold Godwinson and become the first Norman king of England. Continue reading...

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18 h. ago EDF investment hailed as ‘vote of confidence in UK’, despite reduced stake

French state-owned electricity company EDF said it had agreed in principle to invest £1.1 billion in the power plant on the Suffolk coastline.

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19 h. ago Macron says state visit to UK ‘significant for Europe’ as he meets royals – Europe live

State visit will involve events with pageantry but is also scheduled to include an Anglo-French summit and other meetings with Keir StarmerDanish prime minister Mette Frederiksen is now giving a major speech in the European parliament, outlining Denmark’s priorities for the EU as it takes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.Opening, she warns that “Europe is facing the greatest challenges since the 1940s,” as she lists a growing lists of urgent issues, with Russia’s aggression on Ukraine, migration, the Middle East, trade, and terrorism.“The threats may be many, and they are indeed serious, but I have trust in Europe.Trust that we can move our continent forward, build a more secure Europe, a greener and more competitive Europe, a new Europe of tomorrow with possibilities and welfare for our citizens, but only if we remember what we are capable of, what our societies are built upon, and who we really are as Europeans.” Continue reading...

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20 h. ago Le snub? Reform complains after French president Macron says non to a meeting with Nigel Farage during state visit to Britain

The French president will hold talks with Sir Keir Starmer, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey while he is in the UK for three days.

Politics

21 h. ago Watch live: Macron’s state visit to UK begins with royal welcome

Watch live as Emmanuel Macron begins a state visit to the UK on Tuesday, 8 July, with the French president set to meet Sir Keir Starmer and King Charles III as part of his three-day trip.

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23 h. ago Labour billionaire backer John Caudwell ‘nervous’ about Starmer after winter fuel ‘fiasco’

Phones 4u founderraised concerns about Labour after switching allegiance from Conservatives last year

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23 h. ago UK government backs French police immobilising small boats, minister says

Heidi Alexander says new tactics are ‘welcome’ and would prevent people leaving French shores to cross ChannelUK politics live – latest updatesFrench police slashing the boats of people smugglers was not “pleasant” but the right tactics, a UK cabinet minister has said, saying the government welcomed the new tactics from the authorities.It comes as Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron are expected to announce new plans for French police to do more to block small boats crossing the Channel when the French president arrives for his state visit in London this week. Continue reading...

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25 h. ago Billionaire Labour backer John Caudwell says he's 'increasingly nervous' about Starmer

John Caudwell has warned that a wealth tax would be ‘very destructive’ to growth

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