1 hour ago Robert Jenrick sacked by Kemi Badenoch over ‘clear evidence he was plotting to defect’ – UK politics live

‘I have sacked Robert Jenrick from the shadow cabinet, removed the whip and suspended his party membership with immediate effect,’ Tory leader saysFull report: Badenoch sacks JenrickNigel Farage, speaking at his press conference in Scotland, has said that “of course” he has had conversations with Robert Jenrick, who was sacked by Kemi Badenoch this morning for planning to defect.UPDATE: Farage said:I have had conversations with a number of very senior conservatives over the course of the last week, the last month. A lot of them realise that for all the talk on 8 May the Conservative Party will cease to be a national party. They will be obliterated in Scotland, Wales, the red wall councils.As far as Mr Jenrick is concerned, of course I have talked to Robert Jenrick. Was I on the verge of signing him up? No. But we have had conversations.This morning I removed the Conservative whip from Robert Jenrick after dismissing him from the shadow cabinet.I was very sorry to be presented with c...

Politics

2 h. ago Voting in Uganda’s general election delayed by technical and logistical issues

Some polling stations have no ballot papers and some machines to check ID are not working, local reports sayVoting in Uganda’s general election has been delayed in many parts of the country because of technical and logistical issues, against the backdrop of an internet shutdown and crackdown on the opposition.Some polling stations in the capital, Kampala, and the eastern city of Jinja remained closed nearly two hours after voting was supposed to start on Thursday. According to local reports, in some instance ballot papers had not been delivered and biometric machines used to check voters’ identities were not working. Anxious crowds at polling stations spoke of their concerns about the delay. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago More than 20 England council elections likely to be delayed until 2027

Third of councils affected by overhaul from two-tier to unitary authorities ask for postponementUK politics live – latest updatesAbout a third of eligible councils in England have asked to postpone their elections in May, saying they are unable to deliver them effectively during an overhaul of local government.The requested postponements have sparked unrest and fierce criticism in some councils, with police being called to a council meeting in Redditch this week after insults were traded and members of the public decried a delay as “arrogant”. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Churchill’s desk and rare artwork among items donated to UK cultural institutions

Items worth £59.7m allocated to museums, galleries, libraries and archives as part of Arts Council England schemeWinston Churchill and Benjamin Disraeli’s desk, a painting by Vanessa Bell and a rare artwork by Edgar Degas are among the items of cultural importance saved for the nation this year.The items, worth a total of £59.7m, will be allocated to museums, galleries, libraries and archives around the UK as part of Art Council England’s cultural gifts and acceptance in lieu schemes. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Nigel Farage in legal bid to block election delays that risk turning Britain into a 'banana republic' where FIVE MILLION people will lose their vote

Ministers announced last month that they were inviting councils in areas undergoing local government reorganisation to postpone their elections.

Politics

45 h. ago Family homes worth £1.5m could yet be hit by Rachel Reeves' 'mansion tax' as officials promise to ensure new levy will raise as much as possible

At her Budget in November, the Chancellor announced a 'high-value council tax surcharge' in England on homes above £2million from April 2028.

Society

1 week ago Electric buses: Sadiq Khan warned of delays getting diesel vehicles off the road

Electric buses: Sadiq Khan warned of delays getting diesel vehicles off the road  London Evening Standard

Events

1 week ago End of the line for diesel fumes at London St Pancras as new trains arrive

East Midlands Railway will switch to bi-mode Aurora fleet to cut emissions and noise but elsewhere electrification is delayedRailway fossil fuels once helped to turn King’s Cross and St Pancras into a seamy, smoke-choked area of London. Now, in the two grandly redeveloped stations with their swanky plazas, even a dropped paper ticket would look out of place.One last corner of St Pancras station is polluted by the fug of diesel trains – but not for much longer. East Midlands Railway, which runs services to cities including Derby and Sheffield, will fire up its diesel units in London for the final time by the end of 2026. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Eurostar slowly resumes but passengers face more cancellations and delays

Passengers told to expect knock-on impacts after power supply problem and broken down train halted services on TuesdayRail traffic through the Channel tunnel slowly resumed on Wednesday with more cancellations and delays after an electricity failure on Tuesday stranded thousands of passengers and trapped some for a night in a powerless train.Two London-Paris trains were cancelled and most trips were delayed in both directions as Eurostar warned of “knock-on impacts” on New Year’s Eve. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Named and shamed, England's worst councils for dealing with fly

Using statistics extracted from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), our map shows the rate at which every council in England hands out fines and pursues prosecutions.

Economics

3 w. ago Don't deprive voters in London commuter belt from taking part in local elections, Starmer warned by watchdog

Elections in nine areas, including Essex, Surrey, Hampshire and East and West Sussex, have already been delayed by 12 months until next year

Events

3 w. ago Lib Dems say delaying local elections could breach voters' human rights ... but can't promise councils they control won't do it

The party has written to Mary-Ann Stephenson, the chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, arguing that Labour's much criticised move is unlawful.

Politics

3 w. ago Elections watchdog condemns Starmer's delays to council votes amid fury at desperate Labour bid to dodge bloodbath

The Electoral Commission has taken the rare step of rebuking the government after 63 local authorities were invited to postpone contests from May.

Politics

3 w. ago Fury as millions of voters face elections being delayed for another year as government plans hit setback

Ministers have written to 63 councils scheduled to hold elections in May 2026

Politics

3 w. ago Is YOUR council going to delay elections again? Sussex and Thurrock among 63 areas where votes might not happen in May as Starmer tries to stop Reform surge

Local authorities in East and West Sussex are among those backing pushing back votes from May to 2027, while Thurrock is also considering the move.

Politics

3 w. ago Fury as millions of voters could see elections delayed for another year as government plans hit setback

Ministers have written to 63 councils scheduled to hold elections in May 2026

Politics

3 w. ago Local elections face further delays as councils struggle to reorganise in time

Opposition parties say Labour is ‘scared of voters’ but government says merging authorities have voiced concernsLocal elections could be delayed again as merging councils lack the capacity for reorganisation, the government has announced, triggering claims from opposition parties that Labour is “scared of the voters”.Sixty-three council areas could opt to postpone elections until 2027 after some were already delayed until May 2026 as two-tier authorities are being combined into single unitary councils. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Nigel Farage fumes at 'banana republic' Britain as Labour prepares to delay local council elections AGAIN until 2027

Ministers said they were asking 63 local authorities across England whether they want to postpone contests scheduled for May next year until 2027.

Politics