Political news

• Hackers use tools stolen from NSA in worldwide cyber attack

  12-05-2017 23:30
  Ransomware known as WannaCry strikes organisations including the UK health service
  
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• Authorities scramble to tackle global cyber attack

  12-05-2017 23:30
  WannaCry ransomware strikes telecoms, banks, manufacturers and the UK health service
  
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• Patients Praise NHS Staff After Huge Cyber Security Attack

  12-05-2017 22:57
  
  NHS staff have been praised for their hard work as they continue to help patients during a huge cyber attack that has hit hospitals and GP surgeries across the country.
  The attack hit communications and computers, forcing doctors to use pen and paper and staff to communicate by hand-held radios.
  Many operations had to be cancelled as people’s records could not be accessed.
  Anthony Brett, 50, was about to have a stent put in his liver at St Bartholomew’s Hospital to treat his can
  
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• NHS Staff Remind Us How Hard They Work After Huge Cyber Security Attack

  12-05-2017 22:57
  
  The NHS staff have reminded everyone how hard they work as they carried on helping patients through a huge cyber attack that hit hospitals and GP surgeries.
  The attack knocked hit communications and computers, forcing doctors to use pen and paper and staff to communicate by hand-held radios.
  Many operations had to be cancelled as people’s records could not be accessed.
  Anthony Brett, 50, was about to have a stent put in his liver at St Bartholomew’s Hospital to treat his cancer
  
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• Hackers use NSA tools in UK health service cyber attack

  12-05-2017 21:13
  Ransomware known as ‘WannaCry’ strikes organisations across the world
  
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• Conservatives deny blocking Eurosceptics from standing in election

  12-05-2017 20:58
  Theresa May says party is selecting ‘best candidates’ after predecessor intervened
  
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• NHS was an easy target in global hacking attack

  12-05-2017 20:54
  Patients Association questions security of NHS IT and urges more investment in tech
  
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• Tom Watson: Labour determined to stop ‘Thatcher-style’ Tory landslide

  12-05-2017 20:27 via theguardian.com
  
  Deputy leader admits party has ‘mountain to climb’ but urges voters to back Labour to ensure Conservatives are held to accountTom Watson has urged voters to back their local Labour MP in order to avoid a “Margaret Thatcher-style” landslide that would make it difficult to hold the Conservatives to account.
  Labour’s deputy leader said the party had a “mountain to climb” over the four weeks until the general election and was lagging behind in the polls with
  
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• UK Election Countdown: Angel of the north

  12-05-2017 20:12
  27 days to go: the enemy fire commences
  
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• Labour policies drowned out by Corbyn memes | Letters

  12-05-2017 20:07 via theguardian.com
  
  Media academics, theologian Canon David Jennings, historian Kenneth O Morgan and others on the press coverage of the electionIt is unfortunate that the Guardian’s rejection both of Jeremy Corbyn as a viable leader and the party’s policies as “unlikely to win over Tory-leaning voters” (Editorial, 10 May) was published the day before the leaking of Labour’s draft manifesto. This contained a series of proposals on investing in public services, taxing the wealthiest and
  
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• The Election Outsider

  12-05-2017 18:44
  
  Josh Chaffin tours Britain for a deeper perspective on the UK’s election
  
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• Purity triumphs over pragmatism among Jeremy Corbyn supporters

  12-05-2017 18:41
  Repulsed by Blair’s legacy, many Labour members are inspired by Britain’s Bernie Sanders
  
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• Anti-Blair effect inspires fans of Britain’s Bernie Sanders

  12-05-2017 18:41
  Populist approach is reminiscent of election tactics in the US
  
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• General election 2017: Corbyn says task is to keep Britain safe

  12-05-2017 18:26 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Labour leader will have a minister for peace if he wins power but could back force as a "last resort".
  
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• Pensions and Brexit drive Bank of England costs up 10%

  12-05-2017 18:16
  Central bank annual outgoing to hit £632m as it makes allowance for volatility
  
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• Five types of political leak and how to spot them

  12-05-2017 18:03
  
  The premature publication of Labour’s election manifesto is part of a long tradition
  
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• Theresa May Dominates Media Coverage In First Week Of 2017 General Election Campaign

  12-05-2017 17:35
  
  The Conservative Party’s decision to push Theresa May as the centre-piece of its election campaign appears to be paying off as the Prime Minister dominates the media coverage of the battle in its first week.
  An analysis by Loughborough University found that around a third of TV and press coverage featured the Tory leader, with Jeremy Corbyn the next most prominent figure, appearing in just over one-in-five items. 
  The university’s Centre for Research in Communication and Cultur
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn Explains Why He Can't Envisage Using Nuclear Weapons

  12-05-2017 17:08
  
  Jeremy Corbyn has signalled he can’t envisage ever using nuclear weapons because to do so would mean the world had already suffered a “cataclysmic failure”.
  The Labour leader said that nuclear warfare would mean “the indiscriminate killing of millions of people” and risk long-lasting radiation that would wipe out all life across much of the planet.
  In a keynote speech on defence and security at the Chatham House think tank, Corbyn stressed that his “first duty
  
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• WATCH: UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall Heckled On The Campaign Trail In Bolton

  12-05-2017 17:02
  
  UKIP’s Paul Nuttall didn’t get the warmest of welcomes out on the campaign trail on Friday.
  The Bootle-born party leader was heckled by a member of the public as he visited Little Lever in Bolton South East, where UKIP came second behind Labour in the 2015 general election.
  The unidentified man shouted an expletive at Nuttall as he got into a car in full view of reporters on a the rainy campaign visit.
  It comes just weeks after the party’s official campaign launch was disrupted
  
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• Brexit Britain will need to amend Good Friday Agreement, says Blair

  12-05-2017 16:53
  Former prime minister says language of agreement must be changed after Britain leaves EU
  
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• Donald Trump Tax Return Info Released But What Does 'With Few Exceptions' Mean?

  12-05-2017 16:35
  
  After months pf speculation, rumour and protests, information on Donald Trump’s tax returns has been released.
  Only nobody knows what it actually means.
  The Associated Press sent Twitter into speculative overdrive with a quote from the President’s lawyer...BREAKING: Trump lawyer: Tax returns from past 10 years show no "income of any type from Russian sources," with few exceptions.— The Associated Press (@AP) May 12, 2017
  Perhaps unsurprisingly, there were a few questions.I &hel
  
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• Week in Review: Whatever happened to swimming through vomit?

  12-05-2017 16:22
  
  The leaking of the Labour manifesto finally brought the election to life, but left questions about Labour's priorities
  
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• Britain’s Conservatives make a pitch for blue-collar workers

  12-05-2017 15:53
  Theresa May connects with Labour voters in symbolic seat of Birmingham Erdington
  
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• Death of '1.5m oldsters' could swing second Brexit vote, says Ian McEwan

  12-05-2017 15:42 via theguardian.com
  
  At Brexit conference in London, author says ‘angry old men’ are shaping UK’s future and by 2019 the mood could be differentThe novelist Ian McEwan has suggested that the death of many elderly Brexit voters over the next two years would help swing a second referendum in favour of Britain staying in Europe.
  “A gang of angry old men, irritable even in victory, are shaping the future of the country against the inclinations of its youth,” McEwan told a conference of rema
  
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• Workaday May can break political boundaries

  12-05-2017 15:03
  Pragmatic and reliable prime minister can steal votes and seats from Labour
  
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• Provincial normality gives May the power to break down barriers

  12-05-2017 15:03
  Pragmatic and reliable, the prime minister can steal votes from the Labour party
  
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• Donald Trump Suggests He Wiretapped James Comey And Threatens End Of Press Briefings

  12-05-2017 15:03
  
  Donald Trump has threatened to put an end to press briefings and suggested he wiretapped recently-fired FBI Director, James Comey.
  In a series of tweets which, even for him are pretty out there, he took aim once again at the “fake media” for the reporting around the bombshell sacking earlier this week.For those still clinging to the Trump Train, it's not too late to get off. Tracks missing ahead. https://t.co/9DUynmsuMl— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) May 12, 2017
  The outburst
  
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• General election 2017: Guy Ritchie does not recognise May or Corbyn

  12-05-2017 14:49 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The film director did not seem to recognise the two most likely contenders for PM after the election.
  
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• How will Emmanuel Macron treat Theresa May over Brexit?

  12-05-2017 14:43
  The impact France’s new president will have has provoked intense debate in Britain
  
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• BBC Question Time: Tory MP Ben Wallace Heckled For Claim About UK Economy

  12-05-2017 14:32
  
  Last night a Tory MP drew what could possibly be the loudest heckle ever heard on BBC Question Time after he claimed the Conservatives had a strong economic record.
  Ben Wallace, Minister of State for Security, was responding to an animated audience member who questioned those who deemed Labour’s leaked manifesto as too left-wing by comparing to Germany’s current political situation.
  Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Party (CDU) has historically backed a social market economy
  
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• Lib Dems Pledge To Legalise Cannabis To 'Protect' Young People

  12-05-2017 14:19
  
  The Lib Dems have today pledged to legalise cannabis in an attempt to deal with the mental and physical health impacts of the drug.
  Tim Farron’s party will include in its general election manifesto a promise to introduce a “legal, regulated market” for cannabis.
  The party said this would “take back control” from criminal gangs and protect young people.Julian Huppert, the former Lib Dem MP who is hoping to recapture his old Cambridge seat on June 8, said cannabis wa
  
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• Brexit Briefing: EU Keep Pushing My Love Over The Borderline

  12-05-2017 13:36
  
  All you need to know from the world of Brexit this week.You can sign up for this briefing by clicking here, and you’ll receive it straight to your inbox every week.
  If you like what you read, make sure you subscribe to our Commons People podcast here for even more analysis about what goes on in Westminster.Agreement On Citizens’ Rights Could Be Trickier Than People Think The European Commission’s Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier embarked on a mini-tour of the EU
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn's Leaked Manifesto Policies Get Thumbs Up From Voters In Latest Poll

  12-05-2017 13:09
  
  Labour’s radical policy platform it is expected to stand on in the General Election is overwhelmingly supported by voters, a new poll has revealed. 
  Hiking tax for the wealthiest and industry re-nationalisation were among the pledges in Labour’s leaked draft manifesto - but are also backed by the public, the ComRes poll for The Mirror found. Do you support or oppose re-nationalising...
  ENERGY INDUSTRYSupport - 49%
  Oppose 24% THE RAILWAYWSSupport - 52%
  Oppose 22% 
  
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• Election buzzwords

  12-05-2017 12:51 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A look behind some of the words that are making an impact in the general election campaign this week.
  
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• Inheritance Tax Crackdown Left Out Of Labour Manifesto Amid Fears For London Seats

  12-05-2017 12:16
  
  Radical plans to change inheritance tax have been left out of Labour’s manifesto amid warnings from London MPs that the move would cost them key seats in the capital.
  A proposal to ‘soak the rich’ by slashing the tax-free allowance for family homes, and other ideas for lowering the threshold at which the ‘death tax’ is paid, have been mooted within the party in recent weeks.
  But the policy was missing from the Labour manifesto and was not added at the final ‘
  
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• BBC Question Time Edinburgh Man's Speech On Jeremy Corbyn And National Debt Goes Down A Treat

  12-05-2017 12:13
  
  A young chap in the Question Time audience received a rapturous round of applause for his speech on why Jeremy Corbyn’s vision for Britain can work.
  Comparing the UK’s current national debt to that of the post-war period he asserted there was no reason Labour’s policies could work today when compared to what the party achieved in the 50s. 
  (An expert’s view on this theory can be found below).Here's this week's full #bbcqt panel. Join us on Thursday at 10.45pm on BBC
  
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• Conservatives eye post-death taxes to fund social care

  12-05-2017 12:02
  Nick Timothy draws up prospectus aimed at appealing to working families
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn backs away from nuclear question

  12-05-2017 11:28
  Former Stop the War chairman refuses to say if he would ever sanction nuclear strike
  
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• Nick Robinson In Row With Labour's Barry Gardiner Over The Sun's Front Page

  12-05-2017 11:03
  
  Nick Robinson has been forced to defend reading out newspaper headlines on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, after a shadow cabinet minister attacked him for doing so.
  The presenter, a former BBC Political Editor, was challenged by Barry Gardiner for mentioning The Sun’s headline in this morning’s paper review.
  The tabloid splashed on “Crash, bang, wallies!” - it’s own take on the Labour manifesto leak yesterday.Robinson read out the headline, along wi
  
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• Watch: The Greens Turn To Satire To Continue Their Line In Quirky Election Ads

  12-05-2017 11:01
  
  Two general elections, a referendum and a huge selection of local elections in just two years have made it difficult for political parties to keep their campaign broadcasts interesting.
  But the Green Party appears to have carved out a niche for itself with consistently different, humourous election adverts the internet seems to love.
  For 2017, the party has plumped for a satirical approach, with a spoof advert for a political boardgame. It takes a swipe at both the Tories and Labour, as well as
  
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• BBC Question Time Accused Of Bias And 'Tory Plant' After Opening From Conservative Councillor

  12-05-2017 10:17
  
  The BBC’s Question Time programme has once again been accused of bias and giving airtime to a “Tory plant” after a Scottish Conservative councillor was allowed to make the opening of the show about Labour’s leaked manifesto taking Britain “back to the nightmare that was the 70s”. Sitting Conservative councillor in #bbcqt audience asked questions- and was asked to comment on panel responses. Really, @bbcquestiontime? pic.twitter.com/Zu3cs0TJkL—
  
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• The Waugh Zone May 12. 2017

  12-05-2017 10:07
  
  The five things you need to know on Friday, May 12…
  1) ARMS AND THE MAN
  Today Jeremy Corbyn uses a speech at Chatham House to declare “I am not a pacifist”. But he adds the key rider that military action should only take place “under international law and as a genuine last resort”.And it’s those two qualifications, as well as his long record, that for many Labour working class voters turns this whole issue into a set of ‘when did you last beat your wife
  
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• Hi kids! It's work for the dole with Ian the Climate Denialist Potato! | First Dog on the Moon

  12-05-2017 09:41 via theguardian.com
  
  We need to find the most drug-addled place in Australia. Where will the sewers lead us? Sign up here to get an email whenever First Dog cartoons are published
  Get all your needs met at the First Dog shop if what you need is First Dog merchandise and printsContinue reading...
  
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• Tories eye death tax to fund social care

  12-05-2017 06:00
  Nick Timothy draws up prospectus aimed at appealing to working families
  
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• General election 2017: Jeremy Corbyn says 'I'm not a pacifist'

  12-05-2017 05:33 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The Labour leader will say he accepts military action is sometimes needed "as a last resort".
  
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• Bury North Lib Dem candidate says 'vote Labour instead'

  12-05-2017 01:05 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Richard Baum wants people to vote Labour in a bid to defeat the Conservative candidate in Bury North.
  
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• Could Brexit lead way to a united Ireland?

  12-05-2017 01:03 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The BBC’s Fergal Keane travels from Belfast to Cork to understand what effect Brexit is having on the future of the island.
  
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• Lib Dems Pledge Extra 'Daddy Month’ Of Paid Leave For New Fathers

  12-05-2017 01:01
  
  Fathers of newborn babies should be given an extra month of paid parental leave to encourage them to bond with their children, the Lib Dems have said.
  The plans announced by Tim Farron’s party today, are aimed at greater sharing of parental responsibilities between men and women.
  Jo Swinson, the former Lib Dem minister who introduced the original Shared Parental Leave in the Coalition Government, saimore needed to be done to encourage fathers to take leave to “bond with their child
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn To Say He Is 'Not A Pacifist' As Tories Target Labour Leader On Defence

  12-05-2017 01:01
  
  Jeremy Corbyn today will move to try and neutralise Tory accusations that he is weak on defence by saying he is “not a pacifist” and would be prepared to use military force should be elected prime minister.
  Conservative defence secretary Michael Fallon yesterday said Corbyn was “dangerous” as he was “essentially a pacifist”.
  And ahead of Corbyn’s speech, the Conservatives said the Labour leader liked to have “tea with terrorists”.
  The T
  
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• General election 2017: May targets Labour's 'deserted' voters

  12-05-2017 00:23 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The prime minister heads to north-east England in a bid to "reach out" to Labour's traditional voters.
  
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