2 h. ago China has set a bear trap for Keir Starmer – and our naive PM is walking straight into it | Simon Tisdall

The conviction of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong is another hostile act. How can Britain ignore Beijing’s provocations and human rights abuses?The UK pushed hard to secure the release of Jimmy Lai, the newspaper publisher and British citizen who was a leading light in Hong Kong’s brutally suppressed pro-democracy movement. So, too, did press freedom and human rights campaigners. But the Beijing-appointed high court judges in the former colony convicted him anyway, finding Lai guilty last week on fake charges of trying to “destabilise” the Chinese Communist party (CCP). For Xi Jinping, China’s dictator-emperor, there is no greater crime.Protesting to China’s ambassador, the UK’s foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, condemned the trial as “politically motivated”. She’s right, of course – but her angry words will make no difference. Beijing’s contempt for Britain’s views is as painfully obvious as the UK’s weakness and indecision in the face of Chinese hubris. The breaking of its solemn promise t...

Politics

20 h. ago It’s the Stephen Collins Christmas cartoon challenge. Can you spot 20 people who made headlines in 2025?

Who’s propping up the bar with quizmaster Keir Starmer? Answers below (no cheating now!)Click here for a larger version of the puzzleSpotted all the famous faces? See how you did 1 Sydney Sweeney’s on the bar there, in her denims. Does this mean she is a eugenicist? No, it doesn’t. Are you OK? Continue reading...

Politics

22 h. ago PM urged to extradite Andrew Tate to UK as he travels to Dubai for boxing match

Sir Keir Starmer is facing pressure to use Tate’s journey to Dubai as the impetus to extradite him to the UK.

Politics

28 h. ago Keir Starmer welfare chief says getting young people off benefits is the “cause of our times”

EXCLUSIVE: Pat McFadden spoke exclusively to the Record about the UK Government's drive to help young people into work.

Politics

40 h. ago Labour is accused of covering up Chinese hack of Foreign Office records amid scandal over Beijing spies and Keir Starmer's controversial China visit

The Government was accused today of covering up a Chinese hack of the Foreign Office in the midst of the Beijing spy scandal and Sir Keir Starmer's upcoming visit to China.

Politics

46 h. ago Don't do it, Andy! Rachel Reeves pleads with Burnham to serve full term as Manchester mayor amid talk of a plot to oust Keir Starmer

The Chancellor used a media interview to suggest the former Labour cabinet minister should serve out a full term running the city until 2028.

Events

48 h. ago Finally, Labour is finding its nerve and getting Britain’s bad Brexit deal undone | Polly Toynbee

Rejoining Erasmus should just be a first step – as the economic evidence piles up, the need for closer ties with Europe could not be clearerMonth by month, Labour is bringing us closer to Europe. This week, the UK announced it is rejoining the Erasmus+ youth exchange programme. This will open the door beyond the many young people who attend university – its remit includes FE students, apprentices, and youth and school groups. A whoop of excitement greeted the announcement, with opportunities for those involved in education, training, culture and sport, and a commitment to maximise take-up by disadvantaged young people. Widening experience, encouraging adventure: Erasmus+ may help cure Britain’s monolingual handicap and the catastrophic decline in language courses. Last year in the UK, less than 3% of A-levels were in languages.This all eludes Europhobes such as Andrew Neil, who posted on X that “extra taxes now being inflicted on working people will be used to finance some ‘study’ i...

Economics

56 h. ago Firms could set own contactless card limits under changes planned by regulator

The Financial Conduct Authority’s rule changes will take effect from March 19.

Politics

57 h. ago Tories and Reform accuse Labour of 'running scared' of voters after Keir Starmer's ministers open door for 63 councils to scrap next May's elections

Labour's move would rob more than 10million people of a vote in May. And with half the councils involved run by Labour, it could limit the party's losses and boost Sir Keir's chances of survival.

Politics

58 h. ago Keir Starmer recalls toughest day as PM which ‘broke my heart’

Sir Keir Starmer has revealed his worst day as prime minister, describing it as “so hard”.

Politics

61 h. ago Keir Starmer appoints career diplomat Christian Turner as US ambassador

Turner, appointed ambassador to UN in May, now replaces Peter Mandelson who was sacked over Epstein linksKeir Starmer has appointed the career diplomat Christian Turner as the UK’s ambassador to Washington, replacing Peter Mandelson who was sacked over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.Turner, who was appointed ambassador to the UN in May, had previously been political director at the Foreign Office and had brokered a close relationship with the new Labour administration before taking up his UN role in New York. Continue reading...

Politics

62 h. ago Keir Starmer names his pick to replace Peter Mandelson as UK's Trump whisperer

Top diplomat Dr Christian Turner will replace Lord Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to Washington, after the Labour peer was sacked over revelations about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein

Politics

62 h. ago Starmer to appoint career diplomat to replace Mandelson as US ambassador

Sir Keir Starmer has chosen veteran diplomat Christian Turner as Lord Mandelson’s successor as Britain’s ambassador to the US.

Politics

62 h. ago Keir Starmer’s callous answers on farm tax show why his government is failing

The Prime Minister’s response on being told farmers with terminal illnesses were considering end their lives early to avoid Labour’s new inheritance tax on farms showed a startling lack of empathy

Politics

63 h. ago Streeting ‘wants to end dispute with resident doctors’ with talks in new year

Resident doctors in England have entered the second day of strike action due to a bitter dispute with the Government over jobs and pay.

Politics

66 h. ago Starmer facing new rebellion as dozens of Labour MPs sign letter against scrapping jury trials

After the welfare rebellion before the summer, Sir Keir Starmer has a new challenge to his authority on court reform

Politics

67 h. ago Loose Women star grills Sir Keir Starmer over violence against women in 'scared' admission

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced questions over his promises in new plans to halve violence against women and girls

Events

67 h. ago Starmer says he would 'call out' Donald Trump if he heard him brand a woman 'piggy' after president's jibe at reporter

Keir Starmer delivered a gentle rebuke to the US president during an appearance on ITV's Loose Women this afternoon.

Politics

67 h. ago Keir Starmer faces ITV's Loose Women grilling on Trump's 'quiet piggy' reporter insult

Appearing on ITV's Loose Women, the PM told presenter Myleene Klass he 'would call it out' when asked about the US President''s language onboard Air Force One

Politics

68 h. ago Keir Starmer 'planning King's Speech immediately after local elections bloodbath' as he struggles to fend off leadership challenge

Keir Starmer is believed to be lining up the State Opening of Parliament for May 12 or 13 - less than a week from the polls.

Politics