The Labour-linked lobbying firm boasting invite-only access to the UK Treasury
Arden Strategies have gained a reputation as a power player in the new U.K. regime.
House of Commons
BBC cancels primetime Boris Johnson interview after journalist gaffe
Corporation said the error made the program promoting Johnson’s book “untenable.”
Liz Truss isn’t ruling out a comeback
She’s probably not backing a candidate in the Tory leadership race, but Britain’s brief prime minister has some thoughts on the state of the country.
Meat is murder (if you accidentally mention it in a speech)
Keir Starmer’s sausages/hostages mix-up was a gaffe for the ages.
UK energy policy: 20 people to lobby at Conservative conference
LONDON — The Conservative Party “got trounced in the polls,” ex-Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho admitted earlier this month. After 14 years controlling Westminster’s levers of power, voters dumped the Tories unceremoniously from office overnight in July. And yet — the party is already regrouping, jumping on energy bills and cost-of-living as one basis for a […]
Ed Miliband is Britain’s minister for good vibes
Amid much Labour doom and gloom, the energy secretary appeared to be having the time of his life.
When UK party conferences go wrong
Despite the best efforts of party bigwigs, Britain’s annual gatherings of political animals frequently descend into chaos.
Nigel Farage is right: Britain’s Remainers are back
For the first time since the 2016 Brexit referendum, Britain’s pro-Europeans have the upper hand.
UK energy policy: 20 people to lobby at Labour conference
Who to look out for in Liverpool this weekend.
Liz Truss lettuce songs and jet ski stunts: Britain’s third party is living its best life
Jubilant Liberal Democrats are celebrating after years in the political wilderness — but can it last?
Trudeau digs in as his party ponders his ability to win
Whatever the prime minister is selling after almost nine years in power, Canadians are no longer buying.
The brave four who think they can save Britain’s terminal Tory party
Meet the leadership hopefuls vying to bring the U.K’s Conservatives back from the brink.
Grenfell Tower report: UK government was ‘complacent and dismissive’ before deadly blaze
Report slams ‘decades of failure’ in the run-up to the 2017 blaze that killed 72 people.
UK braces for damning report into 2017 Grenfell Tower blaze
Keir Starmer will address parliament as report on 2017 blaze that killed 72 — and exposed deep divisions in the U.K. capital — is published.
Cheer up, Keir! UK’s Starmer told to lighten up
Elected on a landslide two months ago, the new British PM ought to be on top of the world. Instead his glumness is beginning to grate.
UK suspends some arms sales to Israel
British review finds real risk weapons could be used in violation of international humanitarian law — but stops short of calling for blanket ban.
7 times UK politicians’ holidays were totally ruined
Keir Starmer’s just the latest prime minister to kill off his vacation plans.
Nigel Farage tries to have it both ways as Britain burns
The Reform UK leader has sought to distance himself from Tommy Robinson while also blaming the left for the unrest.
British MPs want to haul Elon Musk before parliament over riots
Musk has spent days beefing with politicians over the far-right unrest sweeping the UK.
Humiliated, Scotland’s independence warriors lick their wounds
The Tories may have been kicked out of government, but for the Scottish National Party, July’s U.K. election may prove terminal.
Tory leader race: The 6 hopefuls trying to save their party from the abyss
With just 121 Conservative MPs left, it’ll be an uphill struggle for these contenders to turn around the once-mighty British party’s fortunes.
Labour steals Tory playbook for financial blame game
Labour, with an eye on the next election, wants voters to hear that the public finances are worse than they thought — so blame the Tories for higher taxes.
The great Tory beauty pageant
The race to succeed Rishi Sunak as UK Conservative leader is heating up.
PMQs scorecard: Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak play nice
Keir Starmer faced awkward questions at PMQs — but not from Rishi Sunak.
Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron: New allies heading in different directions
A U.K. Foreign Office aide said the French president was pleased by how the Brits handled his brainchild summit.
Attack on Donald Trump strikes fear into European hearts
Fears of political violence are simmering just beneath the surface in Europe, too.
‘A massive relief and a change of mood’: how did Keir Starmer’s first week in power go?
Britain’s new PM and his team are genuinely excited to have seized the reins of power in Westminster – but are under no illusion about the size of the task aheadWhen the new British prime minister, Keir Starmer, invited Wes Streeting into Downing Stree…
Nigel Farage will not be allowed to repeat his EU parliament rudeness as an MP
Reform UK leader made his reputation in 2010 speech calling former Belgian PM Herman Van Rompuy a ‘damp rag’It was the speech that made Nigel Farage’s reputation: inflammatory, insulting and riddled with distortions. Speaking on the floor of the Europe…
Starmer praises Abbott and hails diverse Commons in first speech to parliament as PM – UK politics live
Parliament the most diverse by race and gender the country has ever seen, says Starmer, with the largest cohort of LGBT+ MPs in the worldDowning Street has released a full version of what Keir Starmer said in his opening remarks to the metro mayors at…
Nigel Farage claims in first Commons speech that John Bercow tried to ‘overturn’ Brexit – video
Nigel Farage was met with jeers as he delivered his first speech in the House of Commons. The Reform UK leader told the re-elected speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, that he was better than ‘the little man that was there before you’, referring to John Bercow. He …
6 things UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants to fix in his first month
Britain’s new leader already has an overflowing in-tray.
How Britain voted: Charts and maps
We analyze the results which radically changed the UK’s electoral map.
Why a disillusioned, angry Britain voted for change
A tour of Britain’s provincial towns reveals a restless nation with no love for its political class.
Sinn Féin dominates Northern Ireland with unionists in post-Brexit shambles
Irish republican party completes hat trick of first-place elections finishes.
UK general election: Labour’s historic victory over the Conservatives reshapes political landscape
Labour won over 400 seats in the House of Commons, ending 14 years of Conservative government. Labour leader Keir Starmer is set to succeed Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street. In a surprise move, Nigel Farage’s far-right Reform UK party entered Westminster.
Labour’s election victory is weaker than you think
Conservative annihilation may not be the most consequential outcome of the 2024 U.K. general election.
Nigel Farage elected to UK parliament — on his eighth attempt
The Reform UK leader said he was now gunning for Labour.
Labour obliterate Tories with historic election win — exit poll
Keir Starmer on course to be most powerful British prime minister since Tony Blair.
Watch the UK election like a pro
It’s set to be the most consequential British general election for a generation. POLITICO takes you through what to watch out for and exactly when to tune in.
UK election: Tories set to suffer total annihilation, final mega polls predict
Keir Starmer’s Labour will romp to victory, according to pollster YouGov.
UK election: Top 5 biggest landslides since 1900
History and polling suggest Labour Leader Keir Starmer could set a new record on July 4.
Gaza is still the hottest election issue in these parts of Britain
Labour Leader Keir Starmer faces intense pressure in heartland constituencies over his equivocation about war in the Middle East.
An American’s guide to the 2024 UK election
We can’t give you a felon and an old guy on July 4 — but we do have a gambling scandal. And Nigel Farage.
Farewell Rishi Sunak
Britain’s prime minister is destined to failure. Does he even know why?
Calais’ Jungle is gone, but the migrants keep coming
French and British efforts to stop small boats have done little to prevent migrants from crossing the Channel.
The next king of Scotland
Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar is following in the footsteps of his legendary political father.
Boris Johnson says Farage ‘parroting Putin’s lies’ on Ukraine
Two leading Brexiteers throw around words like ‘liar’ and ‘nauseating’ after Farage says EU provoked Ukraine war.
The crisis Britain’s politicians are too scared to discuss
Voters may want social care to be on the ballot at the UK general election but no one seems to be listening.
Britain’s getting more corrupt. Will kicking the Tories out help?
Labour is talking a good game on cleaning up Westminster as an election looms — but the U.K. has a long history of opposition parties promising the earth.
UK Conservative Party braces for brutal civil war
A fight for the soul of the Tories is about to break out between centrists and those on the right.
We read Nigel Farage’s manifesto so you don’t have to
The key eyebrow-raising pledges in the Reform UK ‘contract’ with the public.
How Nigel Farage blew up the UK election
Britain’s top Brexiteer has made it his life’s work to torment the Conservative Party. This time he could reduce it to rubble.
Nigel Farage has cup thrown at him on UK election trail
Police arrest man on suspicion of public order offenses after the incident.
The death of the UK Conservative Party
Britain’s “natural party of government” is facing a defeat so dramatic it may not survive.
Nigel Farage pelted with a milkshake on UK election trail
Brexiteer tells POLITICO there’s always a ‘risk of violence’ on campaign walkabouts as woman arrested.
Rishi Sunak’s snap election sparks chaos and anger
Rage mounts against PM as blindsided Conservative MPs and activists fear Sunak has scored an own goal.
Advice to Britain’s Tories: Enjoy defeat as best you can
As the UK Conservative Party faces an electoral wipe-out similar to the one it experienced in 1997, history offers some key lessons.
UK election: The great battle for Labour Party jobs
Too many ministers: Keir Starmer faces having to disappoint some of his top team if he makes it into government.
Why Nigel Farage bottled it — again
Britain’s leading Brexiteer has boosted the Tories by ducking out of the general election.
Nigel Farage won’t stand in UK election because Trump is higher priority
Brexiteer says he wants to help with the grassroots campaign’ in the forthcoming American election, UK vote be damned.
PMQs scorecard: Westminster goes nuts as Sunak grins about election date
Prime minister refuses to rule out snap poll — as Tory MP Craig Mackinlay is applauded for remarkable Commons return.
Infected blood: UK apologizes for decades-long healthcare scandal
A public inquiry found that the infected blood scandal could have largely been avoided
Infected blood: UK reckons with its worst health scandal
Patients given contaminated blood by the National Health Service decades ago are braced for a damning report Monday on the state’s conduct.
Tory Natalie Elphicke’s defection sparks backlash from Labour women
Female Labour MPs said they were uncomfortable with Dover MP’s switch after controversy over sex offenses trial of her ex-husband.
UK boots out Russian diplomat, brands him a spy
The U.K. government is expelling Russia’s defense attaché and tightening diplomatic visa rules.
Tory MP Natalie Elphicke in shock defection to Labour
Elphicke is the second Conservative MP to cross the floor in two weeks.
Suspected China hack hits UK’s defense ministry
Defense Secretary Grant Shapps will brief the House of Commons Tuesday afternoon.
UK local elections: How to watch like a pro
From declaration times to the top TV pundits, POLITICO has the true nerds covered in the crucial local fights.
UK Conservatives try to win City of London’s heart with swipe at finance watchdog
Labour wants to ‘champion’ Britain’s financial sector — but doesn’t want to be seen as undermining independent regulators.
Rishi Sunak the ‘devoted Swiftie’ … and 9 other times UK politicos ruined music
From Taylor Swift to Skepta, artists have long had to contend with cringe politicians pretending to like them.
Britain moves to a war footing — but where should the extra money go?
Updating our defense posture isn’t just about increasing conventional combat mass. The full spectrum of warfare — including cyber, space, gray zone, training and the ability to rapidly replenish stockpiles — must all be factored in.
The Week … the local elections might throw up a surprise
Two of Westminster’s best-connected journalists, Sky News’s Sam Coates and Politico’s Jack Blanchard, guide you through their top predictions for the next seven days in British politics. The local and mayoral elections are trundling towards us, with Westminster set for the fallout. But don’t expect Rishi Sunak to name the date of the general election […]
Chain-smoking Juncker made Theresa May ‘croak’, Brexit book reveals
New book says the former UK PM was too polite to complain about Juncker’s habit.
Suspended Tory MP accused of misusing campaign funds to pay ‘bad people’
Mark Menzies — who ‘strongly’ disputes allegation — joins a growing list of Tories now sitting as independents in the House of Commons.
Wednesday briefing: Stalled aid, soldier shortages and dwindling weapons as Ukraine hangs on
In today’s newsletter: As the crisis in the Middle East shifts resources away from the Russian invasion, Zelenskiy is calling for more money, weapons and attention• Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning.As soon as Iran launch…
Britain’s Conservatives just agreed the world’s toughest smoking ban. Tory MPs hate it
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to stub out cigarettes for future generations — but a chunk of his own MPs are railing against it.
Europe argues — and prays — for a measured response from Israel
The U.K. and France are joining forces to call on Israel to show restraint.
The Guardian view on Gibraltar: a deal with the EU is long overdue | Editorial
Belated progress is being made towards a formal trade and border deal for the British overseas territory, in which 96% voted remainThese are difficult, despairing days on the Conservative backbenches. Almost certainly a dreadful set of local election r…
Boris Johnson evokes cigar-chomping Winston Churchill in swipe at ‘mad’ UK smoking ban
The former British prime minister used a speech in Canada to attack the policies of his successor, Rishi Sunak.
Westminster honey trap scandal ‘extremely troubling,’ says minister
Tory MP William Wragg — who will retain the Conservative whip — admitted leaking colleagues’ numbers to a person with ‘compromising things’ on him.
After Jeffrey Donaldson’s bombshell exit, what next for Northern Ireland’s DUP?
As party reels, new leader Gavin Robinson faces a U.K. election that could cost him his seat.
Westminster ‘honey trap’ scandal: Tory MP admits leaking numbers
William Wragg says he was manipulated into giving information on colleagues to a man he encountered on the Grindr dating app.
UK urged to stop selling weapons to Israel after killing of aid workers
The deaths of three British aid workers in Gaza prompted calls to halt exports.
Naked photos sent in WhatsApp ‘phishing’ attacks on UK MPs and staff
At least six men working in the UK Parliament received unsolicited messages — and the exchanges quickly turned sexual.
Rishi Sunak laughs off Liz Truss’ claim the ‘deep state’ killed her premiership
Truss reckons left-wingers embedded in the ‘administrative state’ ended her time as British prime minister.
UK accuses China of cyberattacks on British democracy
Britain rolls out sanctions and summons Chinese ambassador as it points finger at ‘Chinese state-affiliated actors.’
Chinese cyberattacks won’t silence us, say British lawmakers
Members of parliament hit out at Beijing as British government prepares to link it to string of cyberattacks.
Labour called on to quash snooping bank bill
SNEAK PEEK — Labour peer criticizes own party’s efforts on DWP snooping bill. — Hunt and Martin Lewis at odds over budget leaks. — Insurers finally extend flammable cladding home cover. Happy Thursday! We’re all so close to the end of the week but there are still plenty of financial services goodies to get through […]
Counting frozen Russian funds
SNEAK PEEK — Former Tory leader criticizes slow movement of Russian asset seizure. — SCOOP: City minister talks up U.K. financial services’ role in digital innovation. — Banks push back against new government snooping bill. Happy Wednesday! We’re half way through the working week and oodles has already happened in the happy land of financial […]
Meet the new Dominic Cummings preparing to take over Whitehall
UK Labour chief of staff Sue Gray looks set to become the latest all-powerful aide to dominate British politics.
City vs government in Russian freeze to seize debate
SNEAK PEEK — U.K. government scared of seizing Russian assets, MP says. — Treasury talks tough on fraud with new rules for banks. — City minister summons banks to chat growth. Good morning readers! Absolute ripper of a newsletter today, if we do say so ourselves. Read on to get the latest on why an […]
One year on from Silicon Valley Bank collapse
SNEAK PEEK ― Silicon Valley Bank collapsed a year ago: what’s changed? ― Ministers gather for U.K. Global Fraud Summit. ― Labour assembles crack team to advise on National Wealth Fund. Happy Monday! Welcome to another week of financial services news and views. To kick off the week we have an amazingly insightful review into […]
Theresa May: The Brexit prime minister who should have been great
Westminster says farewell to Britain’s second female premier brought down by her party’s civil war over Europe.
Theresa May won’t stand in next UK election
The former PM cited her increasing workload as her reason for quitting as the Maidenhead MP.
Tories pray for a miracle after a lackluster budget
A May general election now seems unlikely as Conservatives pin their hopes on an autumn tax surprise.
UK Budget 2024: Jeremy Hunt set to announce tax cuts — live updates
Follow every twist and turn as Britain’s chancellor rolls the pre-election dice.
Make Rochdale great again: Britain’s new pro-Gaza MP George Galloway channels Trump
Galloway’s return to the House of Commons comes after his victory in the Rochdale by-election.
UK’s Rishi Sunak warns against ‘poison’ of extremism in rare Downing Street speech
British prime minister gets out the lectern after divisive Rochdale by-election and chaotic scenes in the House of Commons.
George Galloway: Britain’s newest MP is a pro-Gaza, anti-NATO firebrand
Galloway was kicked out of Tony Blair’s Labour in the 2000s — but he’s heading back to the UK parliament on a pro-Palestinian ticket.
UK Tories take on cats and almond milk, the two biggest scourges facing the world
At last, someone is standing up for the cat abductors!