12 h. ago Fresh blow for Keir Starmer as major firm rules out helping Labour introduce digital ID cards because 'they don't have public support'

Louis Mosley, the UK boss of Palantir Technologies, noted how Labour 's manifesto prior to last year's general election made no mention of such a scheme.

Politics

31 h. ago Baroness Mone accuses Chancellor of ‘inflammatory’ language in letter to PM

Rachel Reeves is reported to have joked that the Government had a vendetta against peer Lady Mone during a fringe event at Labour’s party conference.

Politics

38 h. ago Reform’s suggestions Starmer is inciting violence ‘offensive’, minister says

Home Office minister Mike Tapp also insisted that the Home Office would not be involved in any decision to cut Nigel Farage’s security.

Politics

38 h. ago Keir Starmer struggles to show he IS serious about tackling immigration as he arrives in Denmark

Keir Starmer is in the Danish capital - where the left-wing government has been openly creating a 'hostile environment' for new arrivals.

Politics

40 h. ago We spoke to the Oldham woman Keir Starmer mentioned in Labour conference speech

A woman in Oldham helped change the direction of Labour's approach to immigration - but now says she 'doesn't believe' them

Politics

46 h. ago Keir Starmer's attacks on Nigel Farage backfire: Labour plunges in polls as PM ramps up his war of words with Reform

Labour has seen a slump in support since Keir Starmer stepped up his personal abuse of Nigel Farage, a survey found yesterday.

Events

53 h. ago Andy Burnham would be blocked by Starmer from running for parliament, claims minister

The Greater Manchester mayor would need to become an MP if he wants to be Labour leader and prime minister

Politics

54 h. ago Forget Andy Burnham – these are the five people who could actually be the next prime minister

Political editor David Maddox looks at the five contenders who have emerged this week at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool as potential leadership candidates

Politics

58 h. ago Miliband vows to ban fracking, labels Reform ‘ideological extremists’ and tells Musk to ‘get the hell out of our politics’ – live

Environmental groups have welcomed the energy secretary’s fracking announcementAt the Labour conference Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, has just started his speech.Responding to the news that he will announce a total ban on fracking (see 9.19am), Asad Rehman, chief executive of Friends of the Earth, said:By providing a clear vision for our energy future based on helping people, not on ignoring the science, the energy secretary has sent an important message that the government is listening to communities.Fracking is and always has been unpopular, both with people facing it off locally and the wider public. The government must now translate its plans to ban fracking permanently into policy, alongside closing a loophole in planning law that still allows it to happen by the backdoor.Andy Burnham is doing a fantastic job as the mayor of Manchester. I actually worked closely with him. We’ve reset that relationship between Westminster and our mayors, and we’re working well together. So ...

Politics

59 h. ago Starmer suggests rethink on benefits for people with mental health illnesses

The Prime Minister said he was concerned that people on benefits in their 20s could end up in a life of welfare dependence.

Science

59 h. ago Ed Miliband vows to ban fracking and warns Reform would ‘trash our climate commitments’ – UK politics live

There is currently no permanent ban in law, just a temporary moratoriumAt the Labour conference Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, has just started his speech.Responding to the news that he will announce a total ban on fracking (see 9.19am), Asad Rehman, chief executive of Friends of the Earth, said:By providing a clear vision for our energy future based on helping people, not on ignoring the science, the energy secretary has sent an important message that the government is listening to communities.Fracking is and always has been unpopular, both with people facing it off locally and the wider public. The government must now translate its plans to ban fracking permanently into policy, alongside closing a loophole in planning law that still allows it to happen by the backdoor.Andy Burnham is doing a fantastic job as the mayor of Manchester. I actually worked closely with him. We’ve reset that relationship between Westminster and our mayors, and we’re working well together. So I’ve got...

Events

61 h. ago Ed Miliband to announce total ban on fracking – UK politics live

There is not currently a permanent ban in law, just a temporary moratoriumSome people have argued that it is a mistake for Keir Starmer and Labour to talk about Nigel Farage and Reform UK as much as they have. There is a case for saying that this just shores up the credibility of a party with only five MPs, and it switches the news agenda towards immigration and small boats (issues where Reform UK polls well) and away from “Labour issues” like health.And art of this argument is that, by calling the Reform UK migration policy racist, Labour is also making it easier for Farage to leverage grievance (which, as Starmer himself argued in his speech yesterday, is part of what lies behind Reform UK’s electoral support.I think it’s a mistake to pretend this isn’t the fight of our times.If it is the fight of our times, we’ve got to recognise that, and we’ve got to be in it. I think simply ignoring it is a mistake, a political mistake.No, not at all. There is a political fight that has to be ...

Politics

61 h. ago PM brands Channel crossings ‘Farage boats’ because Brexit has hampered returns – UK politics live

PM also says he does not believe Nigel Farage or Reform voters are racistHelena Horton is a Guardian environment reporter.Ed Miliband is due to take to the stage to deliver his speech today, and he is set to announce a “total ban” on fracking.I am about to announce something you have been calling for and campaigning on, which is to ban fracking for good. You called for it, I’m going to do it, thank you for your campaigning.What an amazing result for our environment, our local communities, and the thousands of committed people and groups right across the country who’ve spent years fighting for fracking to be banned for good – including the many who signed 38 Degrees supporter Geoff’s recent petition. Not long ago, it felt like fracking might make a comeback, with Reform UK pushing to put it back on the agenda. But thousands of us stood up, demanded a permanent ban, and made our voices impossible to ignore. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Sir Keir Starmer blasts 'snake oil merchant' Nigel Farage and digs out Andy Burnham

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has used his leadership speech at the Labour Party Conference to attack Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and claimed he 'doesn't like Britain'

Events

3 d. ago Starmer vows Labour will never surrender Britain to ‘enemy’ Farage in rousing party conference speech

Keir Starmer received a huge reception from the party faithful as he gave his most impassioned speech yet as leader

Politics

3 d. ago Keir Starmer finally comes out fighting to become the leader Labour wants

Emboldened by the ‘enemy’ Reform, this was Keir Starmer like we have never seen him before, writes political editor David Maddox

Politics

3 d. ago Seven things from the Labour Party conference you may have missed

After an action packed Labour Party conference, The Independent runs through seven things you may have missed

Politics

3 d. ago KEVIN MAGUIRE: 'Keir Starmer suddenly has fight in his belly with brutal two

Keir Starmer's Labour needs to climb out of that hole, closing the poll gap and overtaking a Farage and Reform who either have peaked too soon or could seize power

Politics

3 d. ago 'Keir Starmer has RATTLED his rivals but the biggest challenge is in 48 hours'

Keir Starmer's speech to the party faithful at the Labour conference went down a storm with flag-waving delegates - but will it see off his rivals for good?

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer argues for inclusive patrotism and accuses Farage of trying to divide Britain

Prime Minister Keir Starmer gas accused hard-right politician Nigel Farage of crossing “a moral line” with his anti-immigtration stance

Politics