2 h. ago Trump live: President’s unprecedented budget proposal alarms some key Republicans

Despite steep cuts to non-defense discretionary spending, huge military parade still being planned for president’s birthday in June

Politics

4 h. ago Local election results live: Reform wins spate of councils as Farage gloats that Tories are ‘finished’

Reform snatched a dramatic victory in the Runcorn by-election, beating Labour by six votes

Politics

4 h. ago Local elections 2025: Live results map for every council and mayoral race

The local election results are being declared as councils tally up votes

Politics

5 h. ago Trump live: President’s unprecedented budget proposal slashes $163 billion in federal spending

Despite steep cuts to non-defense discretionary spending, huge military parade still being planned for president’s birthday in June

Economics

6 h. ago Trump repeats legally dubious threat to ‘take away’ Harvard’s tax

Federal law prohibits president from directing or influencing the IRS to investigate or audit an organizationUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump said again on Friday that he would be “taking away” Harvard’s tax-exempt status as a non-profit in a legally questionable move that escalates his ongoing feud with the elite university.“We are going to be taking away Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status. It’s what they deserve!” Trump wrote on Truth Social in a more direct message than a post in April when he said “perhaps” the college should lose its tax-exempt status. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Trump unveils 2026 budget blueprint that includes deep cuts to non

Proposed budget would raise defense spending by 13% and homeland security spending by nearly 65% compared to 2025 levelsThe seeds were sown for yesterday’s ousting of Mike Waltz as national security adviser long before “Signalgate”, notes Politco.The outlet reports that his approach to the job was unpopular and Waltz was seen as too cocky. One person close to the White House said:He’s a staff, but he was acting like a principal.Waltz has been on thin ice for a while. [Signalgate] made the ice thinner but at the same time may actually save him for now because they don’t want to give [Jeffrey] Goldberg a scalp. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago Trump live: White House proposes huge federal cuts but still plans massive parade for president’s birthday

President Trump also closed a major shipping loophole that allowed Americans to purchase cheap goods from China without paying tariffs

Politics

7 h. ago English local elections live: Farage says ‘it’s the beginning of the end of the Conservative party’ after sweeping Reform triumphs

Starmer acknowledges ‘disappointing’ results as Badenoch says it was ‘always going to be a very difficult set of elections’Local elections: full mayoral and council resultsStarmer under fire from Labour MPs after Runcorn lossIs Farage’s quest to rid Reform of ‘amateurism’ paying off?Reform UK has won three of the first five wards declared at Northumberland County Council, with Labour and the Conservatives picking up one each, PA reports.There are 67 seats on the council, with the Conservatives defending 33, Labour 18, the Liberal Democrats four and Greens two, while there were 10 independent councillors. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. 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

8 h. ago Local election results live: Reform wins spate of councils as Farage declares ‘beginning of the end’ for Tories

Farage declares Reform ‘main opposition party’ after taking seven councils after by-election and mayoral wins

Politics

8 h. ago English local elections live: Starmer and Badenoch downbeat as Reform continues success with council victories

PM acknowledges ‘disappointing’ results as Tory leader says it was ‘always going to be a very difficult set of elections’Local elections: full mayoral and council resultsStarmer under fire from Labour MPs after Runcorn lossIs Farage’s quest to rid Reform of ‘amateurism’ paying off?Reform UK has won three of the first five wards declared at Northumberland County Council, with Labour and the Conservatives picking up one each, PA reports.There are 67 seats on the council, with the Conservatives defending 33, Labour 18, the Liberal Democrats four and Greens two, while there were 10 independent councillors. Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Local election results live: Farage’s Reform snatches councils from Tories after beating Labour in Runcorn

Farage declares Reform ‘main opposition party’ after taking first councils after by-election and mayoral wins

Politics

9 h. ago English local elections live: Starmer and Badenoch downbeat as Reform say they are main opposition after byelection victory

PM acknowledges ‘disappointing’ results as Tory leader says it was ‘always going to be a very difficult set of elections’Local elections: full mayoral and council resultsStarmer under fire from Labour MPs after Runcorn lossIs Farage’s quest to rid Reform of ‘amateurism’ paying off?Reform UK has won three of the first five wards declared at Northumberland County Council, with Labour and the Conservatives picking up one each, PA reports.There are 67 seats on the council, with the Conservatives defending 33, Labour 18, the Liberal Democrats four and Greens two, while there were 10 independent councillors. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago English local elections live: Starmer admits results ‘disappointing’ as Reform say they are main opposition after byelection victory

PM says he will go ‘further and faster’ on change after Labour lose Runcorn byelection by six votesLocal elections: full mayoral and council resultsReform win Runcorn with just six votes in blow to LabourIs Farage’s quest to rid Reform of ‘amateurism’ paying off?Reform UK has won three of the first five wards declared at Northumberland County Council, with Labour and the Conservatives picking up one each, PA reports.There are 67 seats on the council, with the Conservatives defending 33, Labour 18, the Liberal Democrats four and Greens two, while there were 10 independent councillors. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Keir Starmer admits disappointment as Nigel Farage hails bombshell by

‘Reform are in business. They are a major challenge,’ says polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice

Events

11 h. ago English local elections: Starmer admits results ‘disappointing’ as Reform say they are main opposition after byelection victory – live

PM says he will go ‘further and faster’ on change after Labour lose Runcorn byelection by six votesLocal elections 2025: full mayoral and council results for EnglandReform win Runcorn with just six votes in blow to LabourIs Farage’s quest to rid Reform of ‘amateurism’ paying off?Reform UK has won three of the first five wards declared at Northumberland County Council, with Labour and the Conservatives picking up one each, PA reports.There are 67 seats on the council, with the Conservatives defending 33, Labour 18, the Liberal Democrats four and Greens two, while there were 10 independent councillors. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Trump orders funding cut for public broadcasters NPR and PBS in fresh attack on media – US politics live

President accuses radio and TV channel of bias and pulls taxpayer fundingFormer national security adviser John Bolton has called on defense secretary Pete Hegseth to step down, citing concerns for his personal safety.Speaking on CNN, Bolton – who also served as US ambassador to the United Nations under President George W Bush – was asked whether Hegseth should remain in his position. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago What is Reform UK and what does it stand for as party wins Runcorn by

Right-wing party takes seat with huge swing away from Labour, claiming the Government has lost the trust of the people

Politics

13 h. ago Trump live: Waltz in fresh Signal controversy after ousting from national security adviser role

President Trump also closed a major shipping loophole that allowed Americans to purchase cheap goods from China without paying tariffs

Politics

14 h. ago Local election results live: Farage’s Reform snatch Runcorn from Labour while Tories’ vote collapses

Farage overturns Labour majority of nearly 15,000 votes in Runcorn and Helsby, as the Tories suffer in the mayoral and local council elections

Politics