27 m. ago Diane Abbott’s Labour suspension must be resolved ‘as swiftly as possible’, says minister – UK politics live

Treasury minister James Murray said Abbott’s claim that ‘this Labour leadership wants me out’ was ‘absolutely not the case’Good morning and welcome to our coverage of UK politics. We’re now in recess but we’ll still be bringing you all the news from across the country including continued reaction to the suspension of Diane Abbott.This morning, a minister has denied the veteran MP’s assertion that “it is obvious this Labour leadership wants me out”.That’s absolutely not the case.What’s happened is Diane has made some comments which come on the back of previous comments which she made and for which she apologised some time ago.The details of more than 100 Britons, including spies and special forces personnel, were included in a massive data leak that resulted in thousands of Afghans being secretly relocated to the UK.The voting age will be lowered to 16 across the UK by the next general election in a major change of the democratic system.Labour significantly outspent the Conservatives...

Politics

42 m. ago ‘Not true’ that Labour wants Diane Abbott out, minister says

Exchequer secretary to the Treasury James Murray said it was ‘absolutely not the case’ that Number 10 had wanted Ms Abbott to out of the party.

Politics

74 m. ago Minehead school bus crash: One child dead and several hurt after coach flips onto roof on way back from zoo trip

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was being ‘kept up to date’ on the tragic incident

Events

2 h. ago One child dead after coach crashes on way back from school trip

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was being ‘kept up to date’ on the incident.

Events

7 h. ago Keir Starmer's reset deal means we'll pay millions to the EU all over again

The Prime Minister was last night accused of handing a blank cheque to Brussels as part of his controversial post- Brexit agreement.

Economics

8 h. ago Prime Minister to be ‘kept up to date’ after child dies in school coach crash

The road where the accident happened will stay shut overnight.

Events

11 h. ago Governments have the right to expect MPs to support their decisions

Editorial: If anything, given the sheer size of the rebellion on social security – 130 of his own MPs threatening to defeat a government bill – Keir Starmer has been too lenient

Politics

11 h. ago Child dies in Minehead bus crash as Keir Starmer and MP Rachel Gilmour pay tribute

The multi-academy trust said in an earlier statement: "We are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities following an incident this afternoon"

Events

14 h. ago Merz calls for UK, Germany and France to align on migration and defence

German chancellor’s proposal for strategic axis comes as London and Berlin sign first treaty since second world warThe German chancellor has called for a strategic axis between London, Paris and Berlin to tackle illegal migration and deepen defence cooperation, despite declaring that he “deeply deplores” Brexit.Friedrich Merz appeared alongside Keir Starmer at a press conference in Stevenage after the signing of the Kensington treaty, the first formal pact between the UK and Germany since the second world war. The agreement, signed at the V&A Museum and followed by a meeting at Downing Street, sets out plans for closer cooperation on migration, defence, trade and education, including a framework for school exchanges.A mutual assistance clause on national security, including shared recognition that Russia poses “the most significant and direct threat” to both countries.Joint procurement and development of defence technologies including Typhoon jets, Boxer vehicles and long-range ...

Politics

14 h. ago Count us out! Teenagers given the power to vote by Starmer say 16 and 17

Sir Keir Starmer today unveiled plans to 'modernise our democracy' by lowering England's voting age from 18 to 16 to bring national elections in line with those held in Scotland and Wales

Politics

14 h. ago Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is Government's highest paid special adviser, figures show

Morgan McSweeney is paid between £155,000 and £159,999, according to data released by the Cabinet Office

Politics

15 h. ago Ben Jennings on Keir Starmer’s decision to suspend four Labour MPs – cartoon

Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago Starmer hits back at ‘rattled’ accusation over Labour MP suspensions

Sir Keir Starmer rejected comparisons to Sir Tony Blair when grilled over the suspension of Labour MPs due to their opposition of welfare cuts.

Events

15 h. ago Merz says he ‘deplores deeply’ UK’s decision to leave EU after signing UK

UK PM and German chancellor answered media questions after signing first treaty between two countries since second world warWhile Rushanara Ali is answering the urgent question in the Commons, Keir Starmer is speaking at the event where he is announcing a “civil society covenant”.There is a live feed here.Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket or an alcoholic drink, marry or go to war, or even stand in the elections they’re voting? It isn’t the government’s position on the age of maturity just hopelessly confused? Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago What happened the last time a Labour government opted to lower the voting age?

There are parallels between the political conditions which faced Harold Wilson and Sir Keir Starmer’s current challenges.

Politics

16 h. ago Starmer praises German plans to ‘strengthen’ laws to tackle small boats

Speaking on a visit to an Airbus plant in Stevenage, Sir Keir welcomed German commitments to tackling people-smuggling gangs.

Politics

16 h. ago Keir Starmer says he will not be ‘deflected’ from plans by repeat rebel MPs

The Prime Minister said he had to deal with people who repeatedly break the whip.

Politics

16 h. ago Starmer says coalition of willing plan for peacekeeping force for Ukraine includes troops on ground – UK politics live

UK PM and German chancellor answered media questions after signing first treaty between two countries since second world warWhile Rushanara Ali is answering the urgent question in the Commons, Keir Starmer is speaking at the event where he is announcing a “civil society covenant”.There is a live feed here.Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket or an alcoholic drink, marry or go to war, or even stand in the elections they’re voting? It isn’t the government’s position on the age of maturity just hopelessly confused? Continue reading...

Politics

16 h. ago Labour infighting rages as Starmer warns his troops they MUST obey orders after suspending whip from four 'kn**head' MPs in wake of welfare meltdown

Keir Starmer has moved to suspend the whip from four MPs, and fired three more from trade envoy roles, in the wake of the humiliating welfare revolt.

Events

17 h. ago Keir Starmer says deal with Germany on tackling Channel boat gangs is 'clear sign we mean business' as he hosts Chancellor Merz (but crackdown was already announced last year)

Keir Starmer said the countries were sending a 'clear sign we mean business' as he and Friedrich Merz signed the first bilateral treaty since the Second World War.

Economics