British Politics

Jeremy Corbyn has acknowledged anti-Semitism complaints in Labour were not “exaggerated” just weeks after being suspended for saying they were in a move to have the party reinstate him. The former Labour leader had the whip withdrawn and was suspended from the party over his response to a damning Equality and Human Rights Commission which found that […]

With reports of a Brexit deal “days away” and the UK’s chief negotiator claiming there could be an agreement with the European Union in the next week, all eyes turn to parliament to find out how it might vote. David Frost is reported to have told the prime minister there would be a “possible landing zone” […]

Robert Jenrick has suggested that “changes in government” – alluding the resignation of Dominic Cummings -are behind the end of the 201-day boycott of Good Morning Britain (GMB). In a veiled swipe at Dominic Cummings, Jenrick, the minister for housing and communities, said that changes within Downing Street “over the last few days” meant ministers were […]

Sky News presenter Kay Burley had the perfect response to communities secretary Robert Jenrick when he issued a warning about the impact of Scottish independence on the economy.  The minister was dispatched to the television studios to defend Boris Johnson’s remarks criticising devolution. Jenrick said those not focusing on the priorities of the people during the […]

Britain’s chief Brexit negotiator has told Boris Johnson that a trade deal with the EU could be ready as early as next week. Lord David Frost is reported to have told the prime minister there would be a “possible landing zone” for an agreement as soon as next Tuesday, the Sun has revealed. The latest round […]

A new poll has found that support for Brexit is at an all-time low, as the transition period nears the end. YouGov found that the number of people who think the Brexit decision was the “right” one has dropped by three points since the start of the month to just 38% of the nation. By comparison, those […]

What the world craves now is some slightly more ‘precedented’ politics, says MITCH BENN. I don’t know about you, but I could really use some boredom right now. It’s pretty exhausting living in ‘unprecedented’ times, isn’t it? Every day something else unprecedented befalls us, whether it’s an unprecedented pandemic, an unprecedented level of chaos in the response […]

The UK has scrambled to buy US firm’s Moderna jab after early data showed it was almost 95% effective in protecting against Covid-19. Britain chose not to buy the vaccine because it did not believe the company would do a deal “with anyone outside the US”, and had concerns about a lack of dependable European […]

The foreign aid budget could reportedly be cut temporarily after the UK’s public finances took a hit dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, despite foreign secretary Dominic Raab insisting the government was “absolutely” committed to the 0.7% target. The Times reported plans had been drawn up to pare back the commitment to spend at least 0.7% of […]

Boris Johnson has “never been more committed” to his work, his spokesperson has insisted, after the resignation of two of his top officials. Number 10 insist Dominic Cummings and the prime minister’s top spin doctor Lee Cain will continue to work on specific projects until the middle of December but have left No 10 following […]

A Labour MP has accused Jacob Rees-Mogg of “gaslighting” both MPs and the country with his responses over arrangements for the virtual parliament in the Commons. Up to 50 MPs can attend the Commons chamber due to social distancing requirements, while Zoom contributions are currently allowed for questions sessions, urgent questions and ministerial statements. The […]

A former Tory minister has challenged claims Boris Johnson will be ‘different’ without Dominic Cummings.  Stephen Dorrell, who served as a health secretary under John Major’s government, said it was unlikely that the prime minister would change tact now that his most senior and controversial adviser has resigned. Speaking with the LBC’s Nick Ferrari, the former cabinet […]

Having finally had a minister appear on Good Morning Britain for the first time in more than 200 days, presenter Piers Morgan launched a tirade at health secretary Matt Hancock for his handling of coronavirus. Morgan played back a clip of the MP in the House of Commons where he downplayed the impact of coronavirus as it arrived […]

Britain’s decision to leave the EU has seriously undermined the peace efforts in Europe, a former Tory politician has claimed. Lord Michael Heseltine, a former Tory deputy prime minister under John Major, said he was saddened by his country’s decision to vote for Brexit. Speaking with Sky News’ Kay Burley on the prospect of a no-deal […]

The UK has called for the European Union to show more “realism” in the negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal as time runs out for a deal to be reached. The comments come as the EU’s chief negotiator and his British counterpart Lord David Frost are continuing negotiations with just over six weeks to go […]

The grandson of Winston Churchill has criticised his former boss over his choice of ministers to serve in cabinet. Former Tory MP Nichola Soames is no stranger to criticism of Boris Johnson and in his latest media appearance criticised his “mediocre” cabinet for being chosen for their views on Brexit. He said:  “When this government was […]

Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson has insisted that Number 10 observes social-distancing rules, despite all attendees of a recent meeting between the prime minister and MPs having to self-isolate. They said: “Social distancing was observed at the meeting. It is also the case that Number 10 is a Covid-secure workplace. “We take every possible step to […]

Boris Johnson will launch a “charm offensive” aimed at Tory MPs after being warned he faced a concerted backbench effort to undermine his leadership.  Johnson will this week seek to mend ties with disgruntled Tory backbenchers who have threatened to undermine his position as prime minister now that Dominic Cummings has left Downing Street. In a bid […]

Caroline Lucas has topped a list of powerful women. The Green Party MP took first place in the Woman’s Hour Power List, marking positive contributions women make to the environment and sustainability. Lucas is followed by environmental lawyer Farhana Yamin, described by judges as a “powerhouse for climate justice”. Clean air campaigner Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, whose […]

Boris Johnson will miss a second Downing Street press conference on Monday as Matt Hancock covers for the prime minister as he self-isolates. Downing Street had previously decided to hold press conferences on Monday and Thursday evenings until December 2. Last Thursday’s briefing was reportedly due to be cancelled last week following the resignation of […]

Dominic Cummings’ departure marks the “beginning of the end” for Boris Johnson, an ally of the prime minister has warned. According to the Mail on Sunday, supporters of Johnson now fear that the former senior aide will lead to a “guerilla operation” from Cummings causing Brexiteers to destabilise the prime minister to make the way for […]

A lobbyist who secretly advised a health minister for six months was given unfettered access to private coronavirus meetings and later leaked sensitive information to clients. George Pascoe-Watson, who chairs the PR firm Portland Communications, advised Lord Bethell on Test and Trace strategy while still a Westminster lobbyist, a Sunday Times investigation has revealed. Portland Communications represents pharmaceutical companies, weapons […]

The head of a Brexiteer think tank says a Vote Leave mastermind leaving Downing Street “makes post-Brexit Britain more likely to be very similar to a Britain inside the EU, and possibly worse”. Ben Harris-Quinney, chairman of the Bow Group, said that without Boris Johnson’s senior adviser Dominic Cummings the government will see more “adherence […]

A health minister has been criticised for telling people to “eat less” and “move more” to protect themselves from Covid-19. Nadine Dorries tweeted a Mail Online story from a former medical tsar who claims that the obesity crisis led to Britain having the highest death coronavirus toll in Europe. She wrote: “No doubt that there is a […]

Matt Hancock has told Piers Morgan he was not able to appear on Good Morning Britain (GMB) because of a ‘busy diary’. The health secretary is the first Conservative MP to appear on GMB following a 201-day boycott which ended with over the weekend. Ministers have shunned the show without an official explanation. When confronted, Hancock explained ministers […]

A news presenter has been left “surprised” after health secretary Matt Hancock insisted he had “absolutely nothing to say” about the behaviour of outgoing US president Donald Trump. Hancock said there was a “close relationship” with Joe Biden He said: “The prime minister was the first European leader that the president-elect called, and we have […]

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has insisted he does not want the top job in government, saying that he “struggles enough” in the current job. In an interview with Lad Bible he denied he wanted to replace Boris Johnson. “Definitely not. I have enough of a struggle just trying to do the job that I have and keep my […]

Boris Johnson could miss Prime Minister’s Questions this week as he continues to self-isolate. Health secretary Matt Hancock said that he did not know what would happen for this week’s PMQs session. “I don’t know what will happen with PMQs and I know the parliamentary authorities are working on it,” he told Times Radio. “Actually […]

Boris Johnson is self-isolating after coming into contact with a Tory MP who tested positive for Covid-19, Downing Street has said. The prime minister is “well” and does not have any symptoms of the virus, according to a spokesman for Number 10. “The prime minister has today been notified by NHS Test and Trace that […]

The resignation of Boris Johnson’s senior adviser Dominic Cummings will have no impact on crucial Brexit negotiations, environment secretary George Eustice said. After days of turmoil in Number 10, which saw the exit of the prime minister’s right-hand man Cummings and Johnson’s director of communications Lee Cain, Eustice insisted talks with the EU on a future trade […]

The UK’s chief Brexit negotiator has said that a trade deal with the EU may not succeed but he is still hopeful of a resolution as the talks go down to the wire this week. Ahead of renewed negotiations as the clock ticks down to Britain exiting the EU withdrawal transition period at the end […]

The fallout of Dominic Cummings’ departure from government continues, with a newspaper claiming the aide said Johnson was “indecisive” and that Michael Gove was left to provide clarity on decisions. Cummings left his role after a power struggle that has rocked the administration, amid claims he had briefed against Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie […]