9 h. ago Suella, Jacob, even Liz? Inside Reform’s unofficial plan to bag a Tory big beast

Officially, the party says there is no mission to court Conservative defectors, but insiders suggest otherwise, and warn against the dangers of doing soAt last year’s GB News Christmas party, Suella Braverman was the centre of attention. The former home secretary is popular in rightwing media circles, but it wasn’t her straight-talking brand of conservatism that was topic of the evening, rather it was the growing whispers about what some thought was her imminent defection to Reform UK.“It was like a panto – everyone saying: ‘Oh yes you will’, and her saying: ‘Oh no, I won’t’,” says one Reform party guest. “We all thought she was just biding her time until the right moment.” Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Nigel Farage 'set to snub Liz Truss' if she tries to jump ship to Reform UK

Nigel Farage is set to snub any attempt by Liz 'The Lettuce' Truss if she tries to jump ship from the Tories and join the ranks of his Reform UK party, political sources say.

Politics

8 d. ago Reform warns it wouldn't take Liz Truss or Suella Braverman if they decided to leave the Tories amid concerns they would damage the party's image

One well-placed insider claimed Mrs Braverman was 'not a team player', adding: 'Her record shows she is just too disruptive.'

Events

8 d. ago Reform warns it wouldn't take Liz Truss or Suella Braverman if they decided to leave the Tories amid concerns they would damage the party's image

One well-placed insider claimed Mrs Braverman was 'not a team player', adding: 'Her record shows she is just too disruptive.'

Events

1 week ago Former leading Tory Sir Jake Berry joins Nigel Farage’s Reform UK

Sir Jake, who served as Tory chairman in Liz Truss’ short-lived government, said the Conservatives have ‘lost their way’.

Politics

1 week ago Leading former Tory Sir Jake Berry joins Nigel Farage’s Reform UK

Sir Jake, who served as Tory chairman in Liz Truss’ short-lived government, said his former party had “lost their way” as he left the Conservatives.

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: There is one clear winner in the welfare debate and it isn’t Liz Kendall

The work and pensions secretary was made to defend her beleaguered benefits bill without either the prime minister or chancellor – which made for a poor show indeed, says Donald Macintyre

Politics

2 w. ago 'Dickensian' benefit cuts slammed by leading Labour rebel as Starmer faces biggest revolt of his premiership

Ministers hope that the PM’s partial U-turn will be enough to win over sufficient Labour rebels to pass the Government’s welfare changes when MPs vote on Tuesday

Politics

2 w. ago Commons showdown on benefit reforms underway as Starmer faces biggest revolt by Labour MPs of his premiership

Ministers hope that the PM’s partial U-turn will be enough to win over sufficient Labour rebels to pass the Government’s welfare changes when MPs vote on Tuesday

Politics

2 w. ago New Blue Badge and concession travel card update for people on PIP

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed changes to the proposed welfare reform Bill on Monday.

Transport

2 w. ago Starmer’s authority under fire as Labour MPs threaten biggest revolt yet in crunch vote on benefit reforms

Ministers hope that the PM’s partial U-turn will be enough to win over sufficient Labour rebels to pass the Government’s welfare changes when MPs vote on Tuesday

Events

2 w. ago Keir Starmer still faces biggest rebellion of premiership over welfare reforms despite concessions

Ministers hopeful PM’s partial U-turn enough to win over sufficient Labour rebels to pass Government’s welfare changes when MPs vote on Tuesday

Politics

2 w. ago The sound of silence for Liz Kendall was a big problem for Starmer beyond welfare reform

Labour MPs refusing to show approval for the changes to the welfare reform bill shows a change of mood on the backbenches, observes David Maddox

Politics

3 w. ago Minister defends Liz Kendall’s handling of welfare reform brief despite major rebellion before vote – UK politics live

Pat McFadden insists welfare reform change vote will go ahead as planned but says party will ‘engage with’ rebelsLabour MPs launch major rebellion to stop welfare billA senior minister in the UK government has said the country is “not starting from zero” when it comes to raising defence spending to 5% of GDP.Speaking on the BBC, Pat McFadden said one of the earliest actions of his party, which came to power of 2024, was to increase defence expenditure to 2.5% of GDP over the next couple of years.She has been central to the development of these reforms.She has argued for them, not as a difficult choice, but as the right choice, because she believes in a welfare state that should be there for people. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Liz Kendall says welfare reforms will create ‘a better future’

The Work and Pensions Secretary’s appearance at a Parliamentary Labour Party meeting came amid warnings from MPs about her welfare reforms’ impact.

Politics