55 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

56 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

57 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

58 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 'Trumpian behaviour': Owen Jones banned from Labour Conference

The left-wing commentator had his pass to the event in Liverpool revoked on ‘safeguarding’ grounds

Politics

3 d. ago Labour conference live: Starmer says Farage ‘doesn’t like Britain’ as he ramps up attack on Reform

The prime minister has said Britain stands at a ‘fork in the road’ between decency and division

Events

3 d. ago Labour Party Conference 2025: Keir Starmer takes swipe at Nigel Farage as he warns of battle for 'soul' of divided Britain

The Prime Minister says Nigel Farage ‘doesn’t believe in Britain’ and takes aim at ‘politics of grievance’

Events

3 d. ago Labour conference live: Starmer says Farage ‘doesn’t believe in Britain’ as he ramps up attack on Reform

The prime minister has said Britain stands at a ‘fork in the road’ between decency and division

Events

3 d. ago Labour conference live: Starmer to launch fresh attack on ‘divisive’ Farage in keynote speech

Health secretary says Reform UK leader a ‘con artist’ who cannot be trusted with public’s health

Events

3 d. ago Labour conference live: Streeting brands Nigel Farage a ‘snake oil salesman’ in attack over Reform’s NHS plans

Health secretary says Reform UK leader a ‘con artist’ who cannot be trusted with public’s health

Economics

3 d. ago Labour conference live: Farage may ‘do away with NHS’, Streeting warns doctors after strike threats

The prime minister is also expected to use his annual address to expand his attacks on Reform UK

Events

3 d. ago Labour conference live: Public can’t trust Farage with the NHS, Streeting warns before Starmer unveils reforms

The prime minister is expected to use his annual address to expand his attacks on Reform UK

Events

3 d. ago Starmer to ramp up attack on Farage and Reform in pivotal Labour party conference speech: Live updates

The prime minister is expected to use his annual address to expand his attacks on Reform UK

Society

3 d. ago Now we know what patriotism means to Shabana Mahmood – can she harness that to unite rather than divide us? | Gaby Hinsliff

The home secretary’s immigration plan is framed in punitive terms. But at least she is wrestling the debate back towards integration and belongingIn Twickenham, at the weekend, the crowd was a sea of red and white.England’s colours were everywhere – plastered on sweatshirts and painted over faces, fluttering from flags – and the mood was unmistakably joyful. For this was of course the Women’s Rugby World Cup final, not some ominous “raise the colours” rally: a chance to remember that the St George’s cross doesn’t belong to people who daub it on roundabouts to frighten the neighbours, that there is still a kind of Englishness that inspires hope, not fear. Rugby’s Red Roses, like football’s Lionesses and Gareth Southgate’s young male England squad before them, embody a consciously inclusive form of patriotism: a message that their victories are for everyone, male or female, black or white, gay or straight.Gaby Hinsliff is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Labour conference live: Burnham backs Starmer as he dampens leadership bid rumours

Manchester mayor suggests speculation has stemmed from ‘overwritten’ and ‘inaccurate’ reporting

Politics

4 d. ago Labour members back Burnham over Starmer in new leadership poll by large majority: Live updates

Polling comes amid increasing speculation over Manchester mayor’s Westminster ambitions

Politics

4 d. ago Home secretary Mahmood vows to do ‘whatever it takes’ to stop small boat crossings: Live updates

Shabana Mahmood says she will send migrants home ‘who have no right to be here’

Society

4 d. ago Andy Burnham urges Labour to ‘call out’ Brexit failures after Reeves’ jibe at mayor: Live updates

The Greater Manchester mayor, however, said there was no prospect of the rejoining the EU ‘any time soon’

Events

4 d. ago Andy Burnham calls for UK to rejoin EU within his lifetime and rejects claim he is fiscally irresponsible – UK politics live

Mayor of Greater Manchester says he would have to be ‘wrenched’ out of city and says he wants UK to rejoin EUIn her Today interview Rachel Reeves was asked about a FT report saying she will urge business leaders to highlight the risks of a Reform UK government in her speech later.The FT say Reeves will tell the Labour conference.Who is standing up for Britain’s stability. A Labour government that is resolute in cutting interest rates and borrowing or a Reform party that cheered on Liz Truss’ mini-budget?Who is standing up for Britain’s businesses? A Labour government that is forging a closer relationship with our nearest trading partners or a Reform party that talks Britain down and is hungry to cut us off from the world? Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Andy Burnham says Labour leadership is too ‘factional’ – UK politics live

Mayor of Greater Manchester says he cannot recall anyone having the whip withdrawn for disagreements over policy in Blair and Brown erasIn her Today interview Rachel Reeves was asked about a FT report saying she will urge business leaders to highlight the risks of a Reform UK government in her speech later.The FT say Reeves will tell the Labour conference.Who is standing up for Britain’s stability. A Labour government that is resolute in cutting interest rates and borrowing or a Reform party that cheered on Liz Truss’ mini-budget?Who is standing up for Britain’s businesses? A Labour government that is forging a closer relationship with our nearest trading partners or a Reform party that talks Britain down and is hungry to cut us off from the world? Continue reading...

Politics