#labour
#labour

London politics

John Swinney suggests Labour would do a deal with the SNP in a hung parliament

SNP leader predicts Labour/SNP deal after next general election. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

2 weeks ago

Europe politics

When will the UK general election be?

Rishi Sunak initiated the general election campaign, aiming to secure the future, potentially holding the election in October or November. [ more ]

BBC News

London politics

Tories hit by big council losses in last pre-general election test

Conservatives faced significant losses in local elections prior to the general election. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

No general election in May, Tory minister confirms

Ruling out a May general election, Tory minister signals an autumn election.

Labour and Tories disagree on timing of early elections, with contrasting views on the possible election month. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Young climate activists aim to sway six Labour candidate selections

Young climate activists are discreetly trying to influence Labour's candidate selection process in six constituencies before the general election.

Green New Deal Rising (GNDR) aims to mobilize thousands of young activists to promote candidates in marginal seats.

GNDR has already trained 2,000 organizers and hopes to mobilize 10,000 core activists by the time of the election. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Labour cuts 28bn green investment pledge by half

Labour has cut its green investment plans by half in a move to bolster their chances at the general election.

The scale of the green prosperity plan has been reduced from 28bn a year to under 15bn, with only a third being new money. [ more ]

moregeneral-election

#conservatives

www.bbc.com

5 days ago

EU data protection

No-fault evictions bill now unlikely to pass

The Conservatives' promise to abolish no-fault evictions through the Renters (Reform) Bill will not be fulfilled before the election. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

1 week ago

Business

Jeremy Hunt accused of exaggerating Tories' economic record

Jeremy Hunt accused of exaggerating Conservatives' economic record and presenting dodgy dossier on Labour's spending plans. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

London politics

Conservatives crushed by worst local election result' in years

Conservatives facing worst local election results in 40 years. Labour makes significant gains in key battlegrounds. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

London politics

Triumphant Starmer already seems like the prime minister. Now his troubles really begin | Jonathan Freedland

Voters sending a clear message to Conservatives about their standing in local elections. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

London politics

Ben Houchen victory bucks anti-Tory trend as Labour wins three mayoral contests

The Conservatives retained the Tees Valley mayoralty with a reduced majority, while Labour won other contests in the East Midlands, North East, and North Yorkshire. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

London politics

England local and mayoral elections: results to look out for and when

Voters in England to pass judgment on Sunak's government in local elections. [ more ]

moreconservatives

#mayoral-election

BBC News

London politics

Liverpool region mayor tells government 'enough is enough'

The voters in Liverpool have made their voices heard in the mayoral election. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

1 month ago

London politics

It would be seismic to win in Sunak's backyard': is Labour about to paint England red?

Support for Labour's David Skaith in York's mayoral election despite strong political opinions. [ more ]

moremayoral-election

The Drum

1 month ago

Marketing

Will Labour's gravy train get the UK back to Cool Britannia?

Creative industries in the UK are hoping for increased funding post-election, potentially by aligning with marketing giants. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

1 month ago

UK news

Labour to use emergency powers to build new prisons to halt overcrowding crisis

Labour plans to use emergency powers to build new prisons to address overcrowding.

Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood criticizes the current state of jails as a 'national emergency' and emphasizes the urgency of building new prison places. [ more ]

#rachel-reeves

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

The Guardian view on Labour's economic plans: a response too small for the challenge the UK faces | Editorial

The speech by Rachel Reeves emphasized the need for a radical agenda to address economic, political, and climate crises.

There are concerns that Labour's response falls short in adequately tackling the challenges presented by the crises. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Rachel Reeves declares we won't cut multi-million pound bankers bonuses'

Labour will not reverse the decision to lift the cap on bankers' bonuses, facing backlash from the left-wing.

Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, wants to champion a thriving financial services industry in the UK. [ more ]

morerachel-reeves

www.theguardian.com

Artificial intelligence

Labour considers nudification' ban and cross-party pledge on AI deepfakes

Labour considering banning nudification tools in AI deepfakes

Policy paper suggests legal regulations for developers and web hosting companies to prevent harmful deepfakes [ more ]

#public-services

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Hunt says plan to scrap employee national insurance could take more than a decade'

Unfunded proposal to scrap employee national insurance could take over a decade

Dependent on sharp economic growth without cuts to public services [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

Artificial intelligence

Labour's Peter Kyle set for AI talks with tech giants during Washington visit

Labour's shadow technology secretary, Peter Kyle, is visiting the US to meet with tech giants and discuss artificial intelligence developments.

Kyle plans to use the talks to explore the potential for AI to improve public services, such as speeding up cancer scans and creating personalized lesson plans for children. [ more ]

morepublic-services

#transparency

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Home Office dumps online all sacked borders chief inspector's reports

Routine checks of asylum decisions sacrificed for productivity

Delay in publishing reports raises concerns about transparency [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

Artificial intelligence

Labour would force AI firms to share their technology's test data

Labour plans to replace voluntary testing agreements with AI firms with a statutory regime which would require companies to share test data with officials.

Labour calls for greater transparency from AI firms and wants them to be more open about their research and development activities.

The current voluntary testing agreement for AI models was struck by Rishi Sunak and includes leading AI firms like Google, OpenAI, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta. [ more ]

moretransparency

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Ex-Post Office chair says he was told to delay compensation until after election

Labour demands answers after former Post Office chairman's revelation

Government denies accusations of stalling compensations for subpostmasters [ more ]

#by-election

BBC News

UK politics

Labour wins Kingswood by-election

Labour wins Kingswood by-election with a swing of 16.4%

Damien Egan pledges to give the constituency its 'future back' [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Moment Labour win Wellingborough by-election: People desperately want change'

Labour candidate Gen Kitchen wins Wellingborough by-election with second-largest swing from Tory to Labour since World War II.

Kitchen said the win shows people are fed up and want change. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Labour's self-sabotage leaves Rochdale byelection up for grabs

Labour's own candidate in the Rochdale by-election, Azhar Ali, has sabotaged what should have been a safe Labour seat and made a George Galloway victory more likely.

Labour has withdrawn its support for Ali and he will not be allowed to sit as a Labour MP even if he wins the election. [ more ]

moreby-election

#damien-egan

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Watch Labour's Damien Egan win Kingswood by-election: Tories sucked hope out of UK'

Labour's Damien Egan wins Kingswood by-election, overturning Conservative majority of 11,000.

Egan promises to show that politics can be different and make a difference. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Kingswood byelection: Labour overturns big Tory majority to win

Labour has won the byelection in the South Gloucestershire constituency of Kingswood, overturning an 11,000-plus Tory majority.

Labour's Damien Egan won with a majority of 2,501 votes and a swing in the share of the vote of 16.4 percentage points. [ more ]

moredamien-egan

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Azhar Ali case demonstrates difficulty of selecting suitable politicians

The case of Azhar Ali highlights the difficulty of vetting political party candidates who may have controversial past comments.

Labour is facing pressure to overhaul its vetting process to avoid damaging its relations with the Jewish community. [ more ]

#antisemitism

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Shutters down at Rochdale Labour HQ as defunct leaflets arrive by post

Labour has withdrawn from the byelection in Rochdale after an antisemitism scandal involving their candidate.

Although Labour has withdrawn, their candidate, Azhar Ali, will still appear on the ballot and may even win as an independent MP. [ more ]

BBC News

UK politics

Azhar Ali: Labour defends standing by Rochdale by-election candidate

Labour defends candidate despite controversial remarks

Conservatives call for suspension of candidate [ more ]

moreantisemitism

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Rochdale byelection controversy what happens next

Labour has withdrawn its support for Azhar Ali, its candidate for the Rochdale byelection, over controversial remarks he made about Israel and the 7 October attack.

Labour cannot replace Ali as the deadline for candidate withdrawal has already passed. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

The ultimate protest against Labour': George Galloway's bid to win Rochdale

Ali Dar, assistant manager of Rochdale Chunky Chicken, is supporting George Galloway in the byelection due to Keir Starmer's refusal to back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Galloway has been campaigning hard in the Milkstone and Deeplish ward, where a majority of residents are Muslim, and has a strong online presence. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Labour's reduced home insulation plans simply not enough'

Labour's slashing of proposed spending on home insulation will leave millions of people on low incomes in cold, damp homes and could prevent the UK meeting its legally binding carbon targets.

The Federation of Master Builders criticized Labour's scaling back of low-carbon policies, stating that the new plans would barely scratch the surface of the need for insulation and would miss opportunities for energy savings and economic growth. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

The Guardian view on Labour's green retreat: wrong, wrong, wrong | Editorial

Global warming has exceeded 1.5C above preindustrial levels for an entire year, showcasing the urgency of the climate crisis.

Labour's decision to retreat from its climate commitments, citing economic concerns, is met with disappointment and outrage. [ more ]

#government

BBC News

UK politics

Starmer confirms end of Labour's 28bn green policy plan

Labour drops flagship spending commitment for climate change and green jobs

Labour leader blames government for inability to reach £28bn figure

Revised plan only slows down in warm homes commitment [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Dorries pledges to hand back nearly 17,000 golden goodbye' given in error

Nadine Dorries pledges to pay back over £16,000 she was mistakenly given as an exit payout after being sacked as culture secretary.

Other politicians, including Peter Bone, Baroness Stedman-Scott, and Sir David Evennett, have also received incorrect severance pay due to age eligibility.

Labour has promised to reform ministerial severance pay rules if they win the next election. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Inflation rises unexpectedly in December in first jump in 10 months

Inflation rose to 4% in December, higher than expected

Labour and Liberal Democrats criticize government's handling of the economy [ more ]

moregovernment

#rishi-sunak

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Penny Mordaunt takes aim at Sunak over trans row

Penny Mordaunt criticizes Rishi Sunak for making a trans joke while the mother of a murdered transgender teenager was visiting parliament.

Mordaunt calls on the prime minister to reflect on his remarks, threatening to overshadow Conservative efforts to support Sunak. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Sunak faces backlash after trans joke' in front of Brianna Ghey's mother - updates

Rishi Sunak made a transgender joke during PMQs while the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey was in the gallery.

Number 10 declined to apologize for Sunak's language, calling it a legitimate criticism of Labour. [ more ]

BBC News

UK politics

Chancellor denies Rishi Sunak made trans joke

Jeremy Hunt defends Rishi Sunak by saying transphobic remarks were taken out of context

Labour criticized for inconsistent stance on key issues [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

As Sunak gets busy sinking the Tory ship, Labour must continue to steer a steady course | Polly Toynbee

Labour is observing as Rishi Sunak falls into traps by prioritizing fiscal rectitude and traditional Tory negatives

Labour should focus on neutralizing their own negatives and letting the Tories make mistakes [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Rishi Sunak indicates he will not call election until second half of 2024

Rishi Sunak indicates he will not call a general election until the second half of 2024.

Sunak wants to focus on managing the economy, cutting taxes, and tackling illegal migration before the election. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Sunak engulfed by row over asylum statistics as 100,000 migrants still in backlog

Rishi Sunak claimed to have cleared the asylum backlog, but nearly 100,000 cases are still waiting for a decision.

The Home Office data contradicts Sunak's claim, showing a total of 98,599 asylum claims in the system. [ more ]

morerishi-sunak

#nhs

www.theguardian.com

Artificial intelligence

AI doctors and chatbot nurses? Labour must show the future of the NHS isn't so dystopian | Jeni Tennison

Labour hopes to use AI to rescue the NHS, but tech-utopian visions could reshape relationships with doctors and undermine NHS principles.

Both Labour and the Tory government see potential in AI to improve healthcare, but it is not a magic bullet for the NHS crisis. [ more ]

BBC News

UK politics

Labour vows to tackle 'NHS waste' if it wins next election

Labour vows to tackle NHS waste if it wins the next election

Savings could be made by improving communication with patients and cutting management consultants

Labour insists performance can be improved through tackling ill health sooner, more locally-delivered services, and better use of new technologies. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Labour's Wes Streeting claims wasteful' NHS using winter crises as excuse for cash

Labour's shadow health secretary accuses NHS of using winter crises as an excuse to ask for more money.

Wes Streeting vows to bring back a family doctor system and implement wide-ranging reforms. [ more ]

morenhs

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Labour urges ministers to close glaring loopholes' in knife crime plans

Labour proposes criminal sanctions for online platforms selling illegal knives

Labour calls for tech executives to be held liable for illegal weapons sold on their platforms [ more ]

BBC News

UK politics

Guide dogs: Government plans to stop businesses refusing access

The charity Disability Rights UK criticizes the DAP proposals for being light on action and big on talking.

Labour sets out its own plans to tackle inequality, including extending equal pay rights to ethnic minority workers and disabled people. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

Education

Free school meals cut obesity and help reading skills' in England, study finds

A new study found that providing free school meals for all primary school children in England reduces obesity and boosts reading skills.

Levels of obesity were reduced by 7% to 11% among reception children in the four London boroughs that have already adopted the policy.

Making free school meals universal increased their take-up by those who had already been entitled to them, possibly because it changed school culture and the stigma around having them. [ more ]

#tax-cuts

BBC News

UK politics

Laura Kuenssberg: When will politicians make their minds up on key plans?

Conservatives considering tax cuts have changed their tune and are now hesitant due to tight finances.

Labour is reconsidering their pledge to invest in green projects after dismissing it as nonsense. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Martin Lewis writes to Jeremy Hunt with four demands for spring Budget

Martin Lewis has written to the chancellor urging him to fix financial penalties that are affecting millions of people across the country.

The penalties include child benefits rules, ISA scheme punishments for first-time buyers, above inflation phone and broadcast price hikes, and real terms cuts to student living loans. [ more ]

moretax-cuts

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Christina Rees readmitted to Labour after apology over bullying claims

Labour has readmitted MP Christina Rees after she apologized for bullying her staff.

Rees had already been barred from selection as the Labour candidate for the next election. [ more ]

#corporation-tax

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Keir Starmer swipes at Jeremy Corbyn during Labour business blitz

Keir Starmer criticized Jeremy Corbyn and praised business leaders at a conference.

Labour has announced policies to align with business, including capping corporation tax at 25% and not reinstating the cap on bankers' bonuses. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Labour government will cap corporation tax for five years, says Rachel Reeves

Labour will cap corporation tax at 25% during the next parliament.

The cap may be further reduced if the UK's competitiveness is at risk. [ more ]

morecorporation-tax

BBC News

UK politics

Reeves quizzed on bankers bonus U-turn

Labour dropped opposition to lifting cap on bankers' bonuses

Rachel Reeves says stability is needed for businesses [ more ]

#tories

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

What is Labour's 28bn green plan and could it be shelved?

Labour's proposed green prosperity plan would commit 28bn a year to kickstart the UK's transition to a low-carbon economy.

The plan includes boosting renewable energy, insulating homes, improving transport infrastructure, fostering low-carbon industries, and helping fossil fuel-reliant industries transition to net zero.

The 28bn figure has been criticized by the Tories, who claim it would require higher taxes, but economists argue that it can be funded without raising taxes and seen as an investment. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Tory minister mocked for claiming Labour has no plan' over HS2

Conservative rail minister Huw Merriman claimed that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has no plan for high-speed rail.

During a live interview, Sky News presenter Kay Burley mocked Mr Merriman by showing him a montage of Tory MPs claiming Labour has no plan. [ more ]

moretories

#wes-streeting

PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news

LGBT

Labour's Wes Streeting backs separate hospital wards for trans patients

Wes Streeting, Labour's shadow health secretary, expressed support for treating trans people in separate wards in hospitals.

Streeting believes that separating trans people into single-sex wards would protect the 'integrity' of those spaces. [ more ]

www.standard.co.uk

London

Pro-Palestinian activist to run against Wes Streeting in election for Ilford North

Leanne Mohamad, a pro-Palestinian activist, has been chosen as an independent parliamentary candidate for Ilford North, challenging Wes Streeting of Labour.

Mohamad's selection complicates Streeting's attempt to retain his seat amidst criticism of Labour's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. [ more ]

morewes-streeting

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Labour vows to cut financial red tape' and unashamedly champion' UK sector

Labour pledges to champion UK's financial services sector and cut down on regulations.

Labour plans to close a tax loophole benefiting private equity executives. [ more ]

BBC News

UK politics

General election 2024 poll tracker: How do the parties compare?

Labour is currently in a commanding position in the polls for the upcoming UK general election.

In previous elections, the governing party has managed to close the gap with the main opposition party or even reverse it. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Labour backs idea of teaching children about white privilege

Labour supports teaching children about white privilege

Shadow minister emphasizes the importance of asking difficult questions about the nation's history [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Unions tell Starmer of members' anger over Gaza ceasefire position

Union leaders are unhappy with Keir Starmer's position on Gaza and believe it alienates working people.

Unions also urged Starmer not to backtrack on his climate pledges, showing their desire to influence Labour's policy process. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Labour considers non-dom tax plan that would raise 1bn less than initial pledge

Labour's plans to scrap non-dom tax breaks would raise about a billion pounds less than previously claimed.

Labour is considering a four-year grace period for those with non-dom status before they pay full UK tax. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

EU data protection

No immediate plans for further Yemen strikes, says UK armed forces minister

UK defence minister says no immediate plans for more attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen

Labour broadly supports the operation but calls for a Commons statement and details of the legal position [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

Education

Labour vows to tackle school absences and broken relationship' with families

Labour vows to tackle pupil absences and child mental health to reset the relationship between schools and families.

Labour's plans include more mental health counsellors for secondary schools and universal free breakfast clubs for primary school pupils. [ more ]

#uk-polit

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Forget Labour's tax bombshell'. It's Tory policy that needs a watchful eye | Larry Elliott

Conservatives are focusing on portraying Labour leader Keir Starmer as untrustworthy and high tax-and-spend.

Despite a recent cut in national insurance, voters are aware that the cost of living is still challenging. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Tories only winning among certain age group, polls show

The Tories are only supported by over-65-year-olds ahead of an upcoming general election.

Labour leads in the polls with voters below the age of 65 and in every region. [ more ]

moreuk-polit

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Labour election win would lift downtrodden UK, Keir Starmer to say

Keir Starmer hopes to inject optimism into the election campaign and improve the mood of the country with a Labour win.

Labour will focus on changing the country through public service rather than eye-catching policies.

Starmer will ask the British people to believe in this kind of politics again. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Labour is the party of sound defence and hatred of tyranny. Now it must show that in Ukraine | Brian Brivati

The world is currently experiencing a second age of dictators, with despots acting with increasing impunity.

Labour should be the leading voice in European politics highlighting the axis of dictatorships threatening the free world. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announces date for 2024 Spring Budget

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced the date for the 2024 spring Budget, as the Conservatives scramble to appease voters with tax cuts ahead of the upcoming general election.

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Labour warned against dancing to Tory tune' by offshoring asylum claims

Labour has been warned that processing asylum claims offshore could harm refugees and amount to dancing to the Tory tune on immigration, as it declined to rule out adopting such a policy.

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Keir Starmer tells Labour frontbench to ready policies for spring election

Keir Starmer has ordered his frontbench team to finalise their manifesto policies within weeks as Labour moves on to a campaign footing before what officials believe will be a spring election.

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Labour reportedly considering offshoring asylum seekers' claims

Labour is reportedly considering a scheme that would see asylum seekers' claims processed elsewhere.

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Michelle Mone should not return to the Lords after PPE scandal, minister says

Tory minister calls for Michelle Mone to not return to House of Lords following PPE contract scandal

Pressure mounts on government as Labour calls for Michael Gove to answer questions [ more ]

#Labour

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Conservatives raised three times as much as Labour in the most recent quarter

The Conservatives raised three times as much as Labour in the last quarter, boosted by a 10m donation from John Sainsbury.

Labour managed to raise 3.1m in the third quarter of this year, taking total donations to 15m for 2023. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

Europe politics

I've got news for those who say Brexit is a disaster: it isn't. That's why rejoining is just a pipe dream | Larry Elliott

Brexit debate is unlikely to be reopened in Westminster

UK economy has not become a 'basket case' since Brexit [ more ]

www.theguardian.com