32 m. ago Starmer loyalist Bridget Phillipson surges into pole position in Labour deputy leader race after she woos unions by vowing workers' rights overhaul WON'T be watered down

The Education Secretary, an ally of Sir Keir Starmer, has so far secured the backing of 44 Labour MPs in the battle to become the party's number two.

Politics

87 m. ago Historic white horse landmark is altered so it features a St George's Cross as 'Operation Raise the Colours' continues across the UK

The famous Westbury White Horse, which has been carved into Wiltshire hillside for 350 years, has had two lengths of red fabric pinned to it in a statement which apes the recent flag-flying trend.

Events

1 hour ago Teenage girls among four accused of murdering man after ‘crack cocaine row’

Eymaiyah Bradshaw-McKoy, Mia Campos-Jorge, Jaidee Bingham and Harry Gittins are on trial charged with murdering Anthony Marks.

Events

2 h. ago Phillipson the frontrunner as six female Labour MPs enter deputy leader race

Alison McGovern and Paula Barker latest to join contest, as well as Emily Thornberry, Lucy Powell and Bell Ribeiro-AddyWho is in the running for deputy leader?UK politics live – latest updatesBridget Phillipson has thrown her hat in the ring for the Labour deputy leadership contest, becoming the early favourite to win as she is most likely to meet the threshold of MP nominations.While Labour party members, many of whom are to the left of Keir Starmer’s leadership, could be suspicious of the education secretary’s role as a serving cabinet minister, she is likely to be seen by MPs as No 10’s de facto candidate and so will secure much of the “payroll” vote. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Thomas Skinner grabs reporter's phone and storms out of Strictly launch in furious row

The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner was left fuming when he realised he was being recorded during a Strictly Come Dancing press conference

Events

2 h. ago No 10 warns against ‘further escalation’ after Israel strikes Hamas in Qatar

It comes ahead of a visit to the UK by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Events

3 h. ago Israeli president Herzog to meet Starmer as calls grow for tougher UK action

British government concludes Gaza offensive has not met criteria for genocide

Politics

3 h. ago Starmer loyalist Bridget Phillipson woos unions in Labour deputy leader battle vowing workers' rights overhaul WON'T be watered down

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed she is running to replace Angela Rayner and 'unite our great party'.

Politics

3 h. ago Starmer now one of the West’s most unpopular leaders – even ranking lower than Trump

Keir Starmer is more unpopular than most Western leaders, including Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni, as a new poll shows the prime minister’s approval rating hitting a record low

Politics

4 h. ago Cabinet minister Phillipson one of six contenders for Labour deputy leadership

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is the most senior figure going for the vacant role.

Politics

4 h. ago Starmer backs Mandelson after US ambassador calls Jeffrey Epstein his ‘best pal’

Sir Keir Starmer has given Peter Mandelson his full backing after it emerged the British ambassador to the US had described notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein as his “best pal”.

Politics

4 h. ago Israeli President 'must answer' war crimes allegations ahead of Keir Starmer meeting

The Health Secretary Wes Streeting said Israeli President Isaac Herzog must explain how he believes the Israeli government can achieve its aim in Gaza 'without genocide'

Politics

4 h. ago Risk of Labour war over deputy leader race as first poll reveals frontrunner

The short deputy leader contest has led some to accuse the party leadership of orchestrating a ‘stitch-up’, while candidate Bell Ribeiro-Addy described it as ‘unfair’

Events

4 h. ago 'Our real hero': Mum of plumber, who was shoved aside by Tommy Fury at Great North Run finish line, jumps into his running row

The mum of a runner barged out of the way by reality star Tommy Fury during the Great North Run has insisted her son is the 'real hero'.

Politics

5 h. ago Starmer now one of the West’s more unpopular leaders – even ranking lower than Trump

Sir Keir Starmer is more unpopular than most Western leaders, including Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni, as a new poll shows the prime minister’s approval rating hitting a record low

Politics

5 h. ago John Swinney holds breakfast talks with ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson embroiled in Jeffrey Epstein row

An SNP minister has fuelled speculation the First Minister could hold talks with US President Donald Trump.

Politics

5 h. ago No, that wasn’t Angela Rayner dancing and rapping: you’ll need to understand AI slopaganda | Marcus Beard

Be aware that the qualms about using AI imagery and deepfakes in politics are breaking down. It will soon just be part of the political language we all useThis week, an AI-generated rap featuring Angela Rayner racked up millions of views and tens of thousands of reactions on Facebook. Wearing a gold chain, Adidas tracksuit and handling suspiciously blurry-looking banknotes, it is obvious to most viewers that it is the product of generative AI. The creators, the Crewkerne Gazette, who run satire pages on Facebook and YouTube, have made a series of parody songs – all AI-generated – featuring other notable figures such as Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage and King Charles. With attention from millions of social media users, and even the national press, they are now pushing to get the song to the top spot in the UK Top 40.You can’t blame them. Low-effort, inflammatory, part-satire, part-commentary “AI slopaganda” has been flooding social media for months now. It has proved to be an effective w...

Politics

6 h. ago Experienced estate agent wins £21,000 after suing bosses over desk he thought did not reflect his seniority

Nicholas Walker, 53, quit Robsons Estate Agents in Herfs, over the desk position row, which saw his boss raging 'he could not believe a 'f***ing 53-year-old man' was 'making a fuss' over a table.

Economics

6 h. ago Lucy Powell to stand for Labour deputy leadership after reshuffle sacking – UK politics live

Former leader of the Commons joins Emily Thornberry, Bridget Phillipson and Bell Ribeiro-Addy in raceKemi Badenoch has just delivered a speech offering to help Labour with legislationg for welfare cuts. I will post key points soon.She is now taking questions. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago ’Bigger than a bow’: Women’s Rugby World Cup organisers take aim at online hate

Wales’s Georgia Evans sent abuse over appearance‘In our sport you can be who you want to be’Women’s Rugby World Cup organisers have said there is no room for online hate in the game after Wales back-row Georgia Evans was sent abuse for wearing a bow in her hair.Yvonne Nolan, the competition director of England 2025, also hailed the sport’s community response after Evans released a statement last week saying she had been labelled “childish” for her regular gameday look and told it was not one “of a rugby player”. Continue reading...

Politics