8 h. ago Labour councillor who once cited Barack Obama as a role model and championed gay rights becomes party's first direct defector to Reform in England with blast at Keir Starmer

Councillor Mason Humberstone said Labour was 'lost' and had forgotten about 'ordinary, hardworking people' as he crossed the floor on Stevenage Borough Council.

Politics

10 h. ago Why I’m hosting a concert for Palestine at Wembley Arena | Brian Eno

I hope tonight’s gig will have the same galvanising effect as the 1988 Nelson Mandela concert – and give people courage to speak out about GazaIn the summer of 1988 the music festival producer Tony Hollingsworth organised a concert at Wembley Stadium in London to celebrate the 70th birthday of Nelson Mandela. He offered the BBC the rights to broadcast it live, but the corporation was nervous. Mandela had been in jail since 1962 and, to the extent that he was a well-known figure, he had been branded a “terrorist”. Hollingsworth met BBC executive Alan Yentob, who was wavering. “Alan,” Tony said, “you’ve got to bite the bullet.” Eventually Yentob agreed, replying: “I’ll give you five hours. If the bill improves, I’ll increase the time.”Conservative MPs were soon organising a parliamentary motion, deploring the BBC’s editorial decision. Opponents of Mandela’s African National Congress (ANC) were right to be worried about the concert. The event was broadcast to a global audience of 600 m...

Politics

11 h. ago Labour councillor, 28, is charged with blackmail after 'unsolicited messages sent to MPs and parliamentary workers'

Oliver Steadman, 28, has been charged with one count of blackmail and five counts of improper use of a public electronic communications network.

Politics

6 d. ago Today is the best day in the Parliamentary year as MPs finally agree about one thing

MPs from across the political spectrum brought their pets in for the Westminster Dog of the Year show - the best day in the Parliamentary calendar

Politics

9 d. ago Keir Starmer addresses MPs for first time since Angela Rayner resigned

Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed MPs at a Parliamentary Labour Party meeting after a tough last week saw Angela Rayner quit as deputy PM and deputy Labour leader

Politics

9 d. ago Labour MPs must gain 80 nominations by Thursday to stand for deputy leader

Potential candidates need backing of at least 20% of parliamentary party, as Shabana Mahmood rules herself outLabour MPs hoping to replace Angela Rayner as the party’s deputy leader have until Thursday afternoon to gather the 80 MPs’ nominations they will need to stand, with the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, ruling herself out of the race.Mahmood is the latest mooted hopeful to decide not to run, with Jess Phillips and Lisa Nandy also opting out. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Councillor who quit Labour joins rival polirical party in town hall

'Sir Keir Starmer's party has changed beyond all recognition'

Politics

1 week ago Former Labour councillor sexually assaulted woman at wife’s leaving party in London’s Square Mile

The woman was left ‘feeling dirty and worthless’ after the incident at an upmarket cocktail bar near Liverpool Street Station

Events

2 w. ago West Lothian Christmas lights event cancelled after storms push up insurance costs

West Lothian Council’s executive approved the cancellation of the Starry Nights festive lights event at Beecraigs Country Park in Linlithgow and sparked an angry confrontation between the local SNP and Labour councillor in the town.

Events

2 w. ago South London councillor resigns from Labour over ‘bullying and racism’

Martin Abrams, a Lambeth councillor for Streatham St Leonard’s ward since 2022, announced his resignation on social media

Events

2 w. ago Never mind the flag bans, where are the policies? Assessing 100 days of Reform

Some are happy to see new faces in the chambers but many are frustrated with a lack of improvements on the ground since party’s sweeping victories“This motion is bizarre to say the least,” said a bemused Doncaster Labour councillor as Reform proposed that the council fly no flags apart from the union flag from its buildings.It would not just mean no Pride flag on Pride Day, a debate heard. It would mean no white rose flag on Yorkshire Day, no Rovers flag celebrating the football team winning the league, no St George’s flag marking England’s Lionesses’ Euros triumph, and no green flags celebrating municipal park management achievements in the city’s green spaces. The motion was “a waste of time and a waste of resources”, one councillor said. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Veteran Labour councillor quits party claiming he has been 'thrown under a bus' after blowing the whistle on WhatsApp group containing racist, sexist and homophobic 'jokes'

Vincent Ricci, 67, was suspended by Labour for being a member of the so-called Trigger Me Timbers group, featuring key Labour figures in the North-West.

Politics

3 w. ago Veteran Labour councillor quits party claiming he has been 'thrown under a bus' after blowing the whistle on WhatsApp group containing racist, sexist and homophobic 'jokes'

Vincent Ricci, 67, was suspended by Labour for being a member of the so-called Trigger Me Timbers group, featuring key Labour figures in the North-West.

Politics

3 w. ago Complaints over Falkirk HMO numbers as council demands report

Labour councillor Alan Nimmo raised the issue following complaints from Grangemouth residents

Politics

4 w. ago Former Scottish Labour Fife councillor joins Reform where her values ‘are most aligned’

Two councillors in Fife have now switched to Nigel Farage’s Reform party.

Politics

4 w. ago Reform UK announces latest councillor in Scotland is daughter of former Labour MP

Reform's newest recruit is the daughter of the late John MacDougall, an ally of Gordon Brown who served as Labour MP for Glenrothes until his death in 2008.

Politics

4 w. ago Labour councillor who sexually abused vulnerable schoolgirl in his office learns his fate

David Graham, who was said to be a senior figure in the Scottish Labour party, groomed and sexually abused a vulnerable teenager over a six-month period in 2023

Events