Politics

Calls for a meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have been snubbed by No 10, the leader of Plaid Cymru has told Sky News. Rhun ap Iorwerth, who has served as leader of the Welsh nationalist party since June 2023, is looking likely to become Wales’s first minister next May, but when he asked…

For decades he was the dissident backbencher, then unlikely Labour leader. She was a firebrand left-wing Labour MP with a huge online presence. To the left – on paper – it looked like the perfect combination. Coupled with the support of four other independent MPs, it held the blueprints of a credible party. But ever…

British nationals may face longer waits at border control when visiting a number of EU countries thanks to a new digital system that is being introduced this weekend. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be gradually rolled out across Europe over six months from Sunday 12 October. It will see the manual stamping of passports scrapped…

Nigel Farage has said Sir Tony Blair would not be his choice to lead an interim government in Gaza, but understands Donald Trump’s logic in choosing the former Labour prime minister. The Reform leader said “as long as it’s not Keir Starmer” heading up a transitional Gaza authority, he is happy. He said the Gaza…

👉 Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app 👈 The Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch gave one of her best speeches this week – is it enough to save her, or is it delaying the inevitable? Fresh from the conference in Manchester, Beth gives Ruth and Harriet the inside track on…

Sir Keir Starmer has denied any ministers were involved in the collapse of the trial of alleged Chinese spies. Christopher Cash, 30, a former parliamentary researcher, and teacher Christopher Berry, 33, were accused of spying for China, but weeks before their trial was due to begin, it was dropped. Berry, of Witney, Oxfordshire, and Cash,…

A new report has warned of a “clear decline in trust” in the Scottish government since devolution, with less than half of respondents saying it acts in the country’s best interests. The Scottish Social Attitudes survey, published by the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen) on Thursday, found 47% of Scots trust the Scottish government…

There’s no question that Kemi Badenoch’s on the ropes after a low-energy first year as leader that has seen the Conservative Party slide backwards by pretty much every metric. But on Wednesday, the embattled leader came out swinging with a show-stopping pledge to scrap stamp duty, which left the hall delirious. “I thought you’d like…

A former sex worker has told a Holyrood committee that Scotland needs to “put the not for sale sign out” and pass new laws on prostitution. Diane Martin was giving evidence to the Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday to support proposals put forward by Alba MSP Ash Regan which, if passed, could see those convicted…

Sir Keir Starmer has said the government will not relax visa rules for India, as he embarks upon a two-day trade trip to Mumbai. The prime minister touched down this morning with dozens of Britain’s most prominent business people, including bosses from BA, Barclays, Standard Chartered, BT and Rolls-Royce. Follow updates in the Politics Hub…