8 h. ago Tories withdraw ‘mental health’ briefing about Suella Braverman after former Tory home secretary joins Reform – UK politics live

Her defection means there are now eight Reform MPs in the CommonsKeir Starmer was being interview by Beth Rigby from Sky News this morning when he defended the decision not to let Andy Burnham be a byelection candidate.After Starmer delivered his first answer (see 10.15am), Rigby asked him to what he would say to Labour MPs who think he is being “cowardly” and just blocking Burnham to avoid the risk of a leadership contest.Millions of people will be better off if we have the continuation of a Labour government in Wales, and if we’re able to win the government in Scotland and retain and win councils across England.When I came into politics in 2015, the first thing I did was support Andy Burnham’s leadership campaign. The first team I worked in was for Andy Burnham. And in the job he’s doing now, he and I work closely together ..So there’s no question of me and Andy not working very well together. He’s doing an excellent job.The battle of our times is the battle between patriotic, Lab...

Society

10 h. ago Labour says Farage ‘stuffing his party full of failed Tories’ after Suella Braverman joins Reform – UK politics live

Her defection comes shortly after Robert Jenrick joined Nigel Farage’s party, meaning there are now eight Reform MPs in the CommonsKeir Starmer was being interview by Beth Rigby from Sky News this morning when he defended the decision not to let Andy Burnham be a byelection candidate.After Starmer delivered his first answer (see 10.15am), Rigby asked him to what he would say to Labour MPs who think he is being “cowardly” and just blocking Burnham to avoid the risk of a leadership contest.Millions of people will be better off if we have the continuation of a Labour government in Wales, and if we’re able to win the government in Scotland and retain and win councils across England.When I came into politics in 2015, the first thing I did was support Andy Burnham’s leadership campaign. The first team I worked in was for Andy Burnham. And in the job he’s doing now, he and I work closely together ..So there’s no question of me and Andy not working very well together. He’s doing an excellen...

Politics

12 h. ago ‘I feel like I’ve come home’: former Tory home secretary Suella Braverman defects to Reform UK – UK politics live

Her defection comes shortly after Robert Jenrick joined Nigel Farage’s party, meaning there are now eight Reform MPs in the Commons.Keir Starmer was being interview by Beth Rigby from Sky News this morning when he defended the decision not to let Andy Burnham be a byelection candidate.After Starmer delivered his first answer (see 10.15am), Rigby asked him to what he would say to Labour MPs who think he is being “cowardly” and just blocking Burnham to avoid the risk of a leadership contest.Millions of people will be better off if we have the continuation of a Labour government in Wales, and if we’re able to win the government in Scotland and retain and win councils across England.When I came into politics in 2015, the first thing I did was support Andy Burnham’s leadership campaign. The first team I worked in was for Andy Burnham. And in the job he’s doing now, he and I work closely together ..So there’s no question of me and Andy not working very well together. He’s doing an excelle...

Society

13 h. ago Starmer brushes off claims blocking Burnham from byelection was ‘cowardly’ – UK politics live

PM praises Manchester mayor and urges Labour to unite to fight Reform Keir Starmer was being interview by Beth Rigby from Sky News this morning when he defended the decision not to let Andy Burnham be a byelection candidate.After Starmer delivered his first answer (see 10.15am), Rigby asked him to what he would say to Labour MPs who think he is being “cowardly” and just blocking Burnham to avoid the risk of a leadership contest.Millions of people will be better off if we have the continuation of a Labour government in Wales, and if we’re able to win the government in Scotland and retain and win councils across England.When I came into politics in 2015, the first thing I did was support Andy Burnham’s leadership campaign. The first team I worked in was for Andy Burnham. And in the job he’s doing now, he and I work closely together ..So there’s no question of me and Andy not working very well together. He’s doing an excellent job.The battle of our times is the battle between patriotic...

Politics

14 h. ago Households urged to apply for energy bill support worth £200 NOW ahead of scheme closing for good

HOUSEHOLDS are being urged to apply for energy bill support worth £200 ahead of a scheme closing for good. Hard-up families and individuals can get support via the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF). The scheme has been extended multiple times with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026. Each council in England has been allocated a share of the...

Economics

14 h. ago Starmer defends blocking Burnham from standing in byelection – UK politics live

PM says holding a mayoral election in Manchester would divert resources from local council, Scottish and Welsh campaigns for LabourKeir Starmer has defended the decision not to allow Andy Burnham to stand to be Labour’s candidate in the Gorton and Denton byelection. Starmer was on the 10-strong panel that took the near-unanimous decision to block Burnham yesterday, and, speaking to broadcasters today, he set out the same argument used by Douglas Alexander earlier. (See 8.51am.) Starmer said:We have really important elections already across England for local councils, very important elections in Wales for the government there and very important elections in Scotland for the Scottish government that will affect millions of people. And we’re out campaigning on the cost of living and they’re very important elections.We need all of our focus on those elections.There’s also a political point here. What does our constitution say as a democratic socialist party? “By the strength of our comm...

Politics

4 d. ago Rural areas face yearly council tax rises 'for the foreseeable future' under Labour's bid to bribe urban heartlands threatened by Reform UK

England's largest councils have raised the alarm as new analysis suggests they are set to receive just 2p in Government funding for every £1 of their costs over the next three years.

Events

4 d. ago Full list of 29 councils in England no longer holding local elections in 2026

These councils will soon be abolished under a new local government reorganisation programme

Politics

4 d. ago Labour accused of preventing 3.7 MILLION people from voting in May's local elections as government postpones polls in 29 areas to 'speed up' major council reorganisation

Minister Steve Reed confirmed that elections would be rolled over into 2027 to 'speed up' Labour's planned reorganisation of councils into one tier.

Politics

4 d. ago Are local elections in your area being cancelled or going ahead?

Ministers have announced polls for 29 town halls are being ditched, including nine in London’s commuter belt

Politics

4 d. ago Labour confirms it will POSTPONE May's local elections in 29 areas to 'speed up' major reorganisation of councils across England

The Government last month announced a total of 63 councils were being given the option to postpone elections until 2027, as they seek to deliver a shake-up to local government.

Politics

5 d. ago Zack Polanski: Tax wealth and cut inequality to make London a better city

EXCLUSIVE: Green Party leader hits out at Labour ‘attacks’ on him as parties gear up for the May local elections

Economics

6 d. ago Nigel Farage takes Keir Starmer to court to 'defend democracy' as Reform UK gets go

Nigel Farage's party said it was taking action to 'defend democracy' after more than a dozen councils asked to delay contests due on 7 May.

Events

6 d. ago 'We'll win boroughs in London,' says Nigel Farage as Reform targets string of councils in May local elections

Bexley, Bromley, Havering and Hillingdon are believed to be on his party’s radar for the looming town hall polls

Politics

7 d. ago Jenrick tells unhappy Tories wanting to follow him to Reform to hurry because party won't take 'Johnny

The former shadow justice secretary said Nigel Farage's party would not accept 'Johnny-come-latelies' after May's local elections, as the leader unveiled the newest defector to his ranks.

Politics

7 d. ago Exclusive: Labour facing 'fierce battles' to keep hold of at least 12 London boroughs in May local elections

Sir Keir Starmer’s party faces a ‘torrid time’ as it seeks to defend more than 1,150 seats ‘on five fronts’ against the Tories, Reform UK, Liberal Democrats, Greens and pro-Gaza independents, says leading pollster

Politics

9 d. ago GLEN OWEN: Will Ed Miliband back Andy Burnham's bid to topple Starmer in return for keys to the Exchequer?

GLEN OWEN: The Prime Minister is widely expected to face a challenge after May's local elections, which on current polling trends will prove disastrous for Labour.

Events

9 d. ago The UK councils that have requested delays to local elections for 2026

Check if your council has requested to delay May’s local elections

Politics

1 week ago Will Robert Jenrick’s defection to Reform convince wavering Tories to jump ship?

Nigel Farage’s warning that MPs have until May – the date of the English local elections – has prompted fears of more departures, write Kate Devlin and David Maddox

Politics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves desperately tries to shore up Keir Starmer amid rising Labour anger

The Chancellor moved to shore up Sir Keir's position in No10 amid rumours of a push by his own backbenchers to oust him if May's local elections go badly.

Politics