Political news

• NTAs 2018: Sir David Attenborough Delivers Speech Of The Night As He Accepts Impact Award For 'Blue Planet II'

  23-01-2018 23:21
  Sir David Attenborough delivered a rousing speech about the devastating effect of humans on our oceans as he accepted a National Television Award for ‘Blue Planet II’.The naturalist was on had to collect the gong, after the hit BBC documentary series was honoured with the Impact Award during Tuesday’s (23 January) ceremony.Sir David told of how he hoped the show had “helped stir the consciousness of people around the world” as he addressed the audience, who were ups
  
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• NTAs: Bradley Walsh Sneaks On Stage As 'This Morning' Triumphs Over 'The Chase'

  23-01-2018 22:59
  Bradley Walsh wasn’t going to let a little thing like not winning stand in the way of getting on stage at Tuesday’s (23 January) National Television Awards.The presenter may have lost out when ‘The Chase’ failed to triumph in the Daytime Show category, but as ‘This Morning’ was named winner, he spotted an opportunity.As the show’s team - which is pretty big, to be honest - made their way on stage, Bradley managed to sneak up with them.Sadly, or perhaps i
  
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• Phil Neville Deletes Twitter Account After Old Sexist Posts Emerge

  23-01-2018 22:41
  Just an hour after being appointed head coach of the England women’s football team, Phil Neville deleted his Twitter account as old sexist tweets were shared widely on social media.The former Manchester United player was on Tuesday confirmed as the Lionesses new boss, taking over as the long-term successor to Mark Sampson, who was sacked by the FA last year for “inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour” towards some of his players.Phil Neville has been appointed England women's
  
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• NTAs 2018: Ant McPartlin Emotional As He Picks Up 17th Consecutive Best Presenter Award After 'Tough' Year

  23-01-2018 22:41
  Ant McPartlin had a emotional moment as he and Declan Donnelly picked up the National Television Award for Best Presenter, following a “tough” 12-months. The Geordie host thanked fans for their support accepting the award on stage on Tuesday (23 January) night, after a year which saw him beat a painkiller addiction and split from wife Lisa Armstrong. It was the 17th consecutive year Ant and Dec had picked up the NTA for Best Presenter, and Ant admitted it had left him &ldqu
  
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• NTAs: 'Blue Planet' Producer Reveals How A Cameraman Saved The Baby Sperm Whale (But It Wasn't Easy)

  23-01-2018 22:32
  As ‘Blue Planet’ fans will know, the series doesn’t always have a happy ending, with nature taking its course and claiming the lives of many of the animals, birds and fish featured. But in the most recent series, it wasn’t nature that was causing the problems, as plastic waste dumped into the oceans by humans formed the focus of the episodes. One particularly memorable scene saw a sperm whale with a plastic bucket lodged in its jaw and Sir David Attenborough&rsq
  
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• Labour intervenes in council housing plan dispute

  23-01-2018 22:28 via theguardian.com
  National executive committee asks Haringey to rethink schemeLabour has taken the unprecedented decision to ask one of its London councils to rethink its controversial plans for a public-private housing scheme.The national executive committee (NEC) voted unanimously to call on Haringey council, led by Labour’s Claire Kober, to reconsider the plans to go into partnership with developer Lendlease to build 6,400 new homes in the borough. Continue reading...
  
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• Margaret Thatcher statue plan rejected by Westminster Council

  23-01-2018 22:13 via bbc.co.uk
  Westminster Council said it was too soon after the ex-PM's death and the statue could be vandalised.
  
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• NTAs 2018: 'Gogglebox' Stars Dedicate Win To Late Co-Star Leon Bernicoff

  23-01-2018 22:12
  Late ‘Gogglebox’ star Leon Bernicoff was remembered as the show picked up an National Television Award on Tuesday (23 January) night.His co-stars Izzy and Ellie Warner dedicated the win to him, after the Channel 4 show picked up Best Factual Entertainment Show at the ceremony,“This is just absolutely amazing, it’s such a fabulous opportunity to be here. A massive thank you to everybody who’s voted. We really appreciate it,” Ellie said.Honouring Leon, Izzy adde
  
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• NTAs 2018: Suranne Jones' 50:50 Pin Sends The BBC, ITV And Channel 4 A Strong Message

  23-01-2018 22:11
  Suranne Jones made a powerful fashion statement at the 2018 National Television Awards.After the triumph of the ‘Time’s Up’ all black dress code at the Golden Globes we feared we may have seen the last of feminist fashion statements on the red carpet. But thankfully, that is not the case.The ‘Doctor Foster’ star proudly pointed to a pin on her lapel that read: Equal representation for actresses 50:50.ERA 50:50 is a grass roots campaign that has been a
  
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• Ed Miliband Accuses Rupert Murdoch Of 'Blackmail' Over Sky Bid

  23-01-2018 22:00
  Ed Miliband has accused Rupert Murdoch of “blackmail” over a threat to close Sky News if his bid to take over Sky failed, after the competition watchdog warned the bid would give the media mogul too much power.The ex-Labour leader, who has been a strident critic of Murdoch since the phone hacking scandal, dismissed claims that the broadcaster’s loss-making news arm would be shuttered.He was speaking after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) provisionally found giving Mu
  
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• NTAs Pay Tribute To Bruce Forsyth With Award Presented By His Wife, Wilnelia

  23-01-2018 21:48
  The National Television Awards paid tribute to Sir Bruce Forsyth on Tuesday (23 January) night, with a special award presented by his Wilnelia.Wilnelia, who lost her husband in August last year, was met with a round of applause as she made her way on stage, before presenting the accolade with the help of Dermot O’Leary. “I wish I wouldn’t have to be standing here this evening, in front of all of you,” she said. “But I’m so proud and honoured that this spe
  
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• MPs block ex-expenses chief Sir Ian Kennedy's new job

  23-01-2018 21:19 via bbc.co.uk
  Sir Ian Kennedy's Commons critics are called "petty" by one MP as they block his appointment.
  
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• NTAs 2018: Maya Jama And Catherine Tyldesley Led The Best Dressed On The Red Carpet

  23-01-2018 21:15
  Maya Jama ensured her dress made an impact on the  2018 National Television Awards’ red carpet by calling on the services of a bridal designer.The presenter’s delicately embellished gown was created by Gbemi Okunlola, whose AloNuko fashion label specialises in wedding dresses that will keep all eyes on the bride.But Jama had some stiff competition for attention, as Catherine Tyldesley and Lilah Parsons brought an astrological theme to the proceedings and Vick
  
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• NTAs 2018: Piers Morgan Makes An Understated Entrance As He 'Replaces' Host Dermot O'Leary In Opening Skit

  23-01-2018 21:14
  Viewers of the National Television Awards nearly witnessed a very different show on Tuesday (23 January) night, as Piers Morgan was drafted in to replace host Dermot O’Leary.The ‘Good Morning Britain’ presenter was lowered in from the ceiling after Dermot ‘lost his voice’ at the top of the show.Luckily though, it was part of the ceremony’s opening skit, which saw Dermot rushed to the hospital featured in ’24 Hours In A&E’.After being admitted d
  
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• Westminster council rejects Margaret Thatcher statue plans

  23-01-2018 21:09 via theguardian.com
  Proposals thrown out partly due to fears protesters were likely to target the memorialCouncillors have rejected a proposal for a statue of Margaret Thatcher on Parliament Square in central London.Westminster council turned down a plan last July for a bronze likeness of the former prime minister, measuring one-and-a-half times lifesize and dressed in state robes. The applicants wanted the statue to be looking towards parliament, but it was rejected, partly due to fears about possible vandalism. I
  
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• Theresa May Creates 'Fake News' Unit To Combat 'Disinformation' From Rival States

  23-01-2018 21:05
  The British Government is to create a new unit to counter disinformation and “fake news” pushed by foreign powers, a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May has said.May has previously accused Russia of meddling in elections and its state media of planting fake stories and photo-shopped images in an attempt to undermine western institutions.Russia denies interfering in foreign elections, including the 2016 Brexit referendum, and the US presidential race in the same year.The Prime Mi
  
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• NTAs 2018: Ant And Dec Miss The Start Of The Awards Thanks To London Traffic

  23-01-2018 20:58
  It happens every year, but it seems some celebs just can’t seem to learn this lesson: there’s seriously bad traffic in London.This year’s main culprits were Ant and Dec, who missed the start of the National Television Awards on Tuesday (23 January) night, after getting stuck en route to London’s O2.The duo took to Twitter to explain why they hadn’t arrived yet, promising that they were tuning in any way: 
  Ooh the #NTAs have started and we’re in a tra
  
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• Defence minister wins more time to avoid spending cuts

  23-01-2018 20:43 via ft.com
  Security capability review split into two but £20bn funding gap remains
  
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• Ministers rebuke Boris Johnson over NHS funding demands

  23-01-2018 20:40 via theguardian.com
  Cabinet colleagues argue foreign secretary is playing into Labour’s hands and stress need for trustBoris Johnson has been accused by senior Conservative colleagues of playing into the hands of political opponents during a tetchy cabinet session that also brought a rebuke from Theresa May.The prime minister and almost all of her senior ministers took it in turns to stress the importance of keeping the high-level discussions confidential after being irritated by a series of pre-briefed news
  
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• NTAs 2018: London Traffic Leaves Stars Fearing They'll Miss Awards

  23-01-2018 20:29
  Rush hour London traffic left some stars fearing they would miss the National Television Awards on Tuesday (23 January) night. The likes of Scarlett Moffatt, Gemma Collins and ‘Coronation Street’ cast members were delayed for the event after getting gridlocked en route. Former ‘Gogglebox’ star Scarlett tweeted she could still see the hotel she was staying in, despite having been in her car for over an hour. Can still see my hotel and I’ve been in the
  
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• The hurdles Rupert Murdoch faces in final jump for Sky

  23-01-2018 20:25 via ft.com
  Regulator’s blocking move raises questions for Disney deal
  
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• Labour NEC intervenes in Haringey development row

  23-01-2018 20:23 via bbc.co.uk
  The ruling body calls for a halt to a controversial development that has split the local party.
  
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• Steve Bell on Boris Johnson's briefing about the NHS – cartoon

  23-01-2018 20:16 via theguardian.com
  Continue reading...
  
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• MPs Block Ex-IPSA Chief Sir Ian Kennedy From New Watchdog Post As 'Revenge' For Expenses Crackdown

  23-01-2018 20:14
  MPs have been accused of “petty” conduct after blocking a new taxpayer-funded job for former IPSA chief Sir Ian Kennedy.Labour and Tory backbenchers teamed up to stop Kennedy’s appointment to the Electoral Commission board, weeks after HuffPost revealed they planned to exact “revenge” for his crackdown in the wake of Parliament’s expenses scandal.Kennedy, who led the drive to reform the system after the 2009 MPs’ expenses affair, had been recommended as
  
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• Windsor councillors leave Tory group over homelessness row

  23-01-2018 20:12 via theguardian.com
  Two quit in protest after Conservative leader Simon Dudley survives confidence voteTwo councillors from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead have quit the local authority’s Conservative party group in protest after the council leader demanded the area to be cleared of homeless people before the royal wedding in May. Simon Dudley, the council’s Conservative leader, was widely criticised for asking to Thames Valley police to take action against “aggressive begging and inti
  
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• Universities strike looms as unions reject pensions offer

  23-01-2018 20:04 via ft.com
  Fourteen days of action planned after talks break up without agreement
  
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• We need a reality check: facts and figures alone won’t stop Brexit | Nicky Hawkins

  23-01-2018 20:00 via theguardian.com
  Stats and studies are not enough. Progressives must realise that voters are won over by narratives, not numbersWith the Brexit debate still raging and a stream of bewildering news emanating from the Trump administration, progressives on both sides of the Atlantic are floundering, struggling to make sense of a world that was unthinkable just a couple of years ago.Their failure to win over hearts and minds has been critical in shaping events in the last few years. Progressive campaigning efforts l
  
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• Que sera, sera, Hunt's Brexit complacency strikes fear into committee | John Crace

  23-01-2018 19:59 via theguardian.com
  If the government got a deal, all would be well for the NHS. If not, something would turn up“I’m Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary.” Hunt said by way of introduction. Before pausing and correcting himself. “I’m Jeremy Hunt, the health and social care secretary.”It was an easy mistake to make. Since Christmas, several cabinet ministers have been more interested in doing any job other than the one the prime minister wanted them to do – and it’s been
  
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• No big ideas will be coming from Theresa May – and her Tory enemies know it | Anne Perkins

  23-01-2018 19:52 via theguardian.com
  MPs pretend they’re trying to help the stricken prime minister, but in truth they are preparing the wicket to bowl her outTheresa May’s unique quality as a politician is her capacity to endure. It is an unusual attribute, this soldiering-on thing. Modern politicians are like Icarus, bench-tested against the zillion-degree temperature of public opinion almost before they have found their way to their office. But May does not fit the mould of the modern politician. She has been an MP f
  
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• NTAs 2018: Holly Willoughby Sends Fans Into Meltdown With Her Dress From A Sustainable Designer

  23-01-2018 19:48
  For the 2018 National Television Awards, Holly Willoughby chose a beautifully ethereal, blue and yellow dress from a designer who who has a focus on sustainable fashion.Willoughby shared a photo of her outfit ahead of her red carpet appearance at London’s O2 Arena on Tuesday 23 January and revealed she is wearing diamonds by Boodles, Charlotte Olympia shoes and a dress by Elizabetta Franci, - an Italian designer who has pledged to use no fur or feathers i
  
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• Ministers Drop Power To Weaken Anti-Money Laundering Laws After Brexit In Face Of Lords Defeat

  23-01-2018 19:31
  Ministers are set to abandon plans to hand themselves the power to water down anti-money laundering laws after Brexit, in order to avoid another defeat in the House of Lords.The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill has its third reading on Wednesday and the government has tabled amendments it hopes will placate its critics.The legislation is designed to ensure the UK complies with its international anti-money laundering obligations after it leaves the EU.But peers have warned it gives minist
  
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• Sky News is worth saving – it's why it's central to a deal

  23-01-2018 19:29 via theguardian.com
  Murdoch will see regulator’s qualified ‘no’ as a fudge. If he sells Sky News, a deal is back onSadly for Ed Miliband, who has fought a tenacious campaign, he was wrong to say a regulator has finally said no to the Murdochs. The Competition & Markets Authority formal no to 21st Century Fox’s full takeover of Sky was a qualified rejection. The takeover body proceeded to set out a list of possible remedies that may lead to a yes when the culture secretary, Matt Hancock,
  
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• The Guardian view on NHS funding: no platform for Boris Johnson | Editorial

  23-01-2018 19:27 via theguardian.com
  The foreign secretary may be grandstanding, but there is a need for more money, invested in making healthcare sustainableThe foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, has been parading in the headlines for a week now, mostly on matters that are no part of his departmental brief. In the 24 hours before today’s cabinet meeting, he and his allies were briefing that he would demand an extra £5bn a year for the NHS. It did not go to plan: slapped down by the prime minister, afterwards it was sugg
  
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• The Guardian view on Murdoch’s Sky bid: just say no | Editorial

  23-01-2018 19:26 via theguardian.com
  The Competition and Markets Authority is right to press pause on Rupert Murdoch’s bid for full control of Sky. But the deal should not be allowed full stopThe right decision on good grounds is welcome, even when it could have been made on better ones. That is the case with the competition regulator’s provisional block on Rupert Murdoch’s bid for full control of Sky. Karen Bradley, then culture secretary, said the deal gave rise to “non-fanciful concerns” about the c
  
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• Jeremy Hunt Appears To Hint Government Net Migration Target May Be Scrapped

  23-01-2018 19:00
  Jeremy Hunt has appeared to hint the government may scrap or scale back its net migration target to help the NHS cope post-Brexit.Quizzed by members of the health select committee on Tuesday about the potential impact of reduced numbers of European workers on the health service, Hunt said he had spoken directly with home secretary Amber Rudd and was confident its needs would be met.“I don’t want to talk about how this would feed into the overall numbers, but I do want to reassure the
  
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• NTAs 2018: Scarlett Moffatt Channeled The Dancing Emoji In Her Off-The-Shoulder Red Dress

  23-01-2018 18:59
  Scarlett Moffatt  looked to her phone for style inspiration when picking her dress for the National Television Awards (NTAs).The presenter shared a photo of her outfit before she arrived on the red carpet at London’s O2 Arena on Tuesday 23 January.“Feeling happy and like the dancing emoji 💃🏽💃🏽,” she wrote, before thanking Red Carpet Ready Lincoln for kitting her out in her beautiful dress.And Moffatt was in good company as two
  
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• NTAs 2018: Scarlett Moffatt Channelled The Dancing Emoji In Her Off-The-Shoulder Red Dress

  23-01-2018 18:55
  Scarlett Moffatt  looked to her phone for style inspiration when picking her dress for the National Television Awards (NTAs).The presenter shared a photo of her outfit before she arrived on the red carpet at London’s O2 Arena on Tuesday 23 January.“Feeling happy and like the dancing emoji ,” she wrote, before thanking Red Carpet Ready Lincoln for kitting her out in her beautiful dress. A post shared by Scarlett Moffatt (@scarlett_moffatt) on Jan 23, 201
  
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• John Worboys: Police 'Investigate Fresh Allegation Of Sexual Assault'

  23-01-2018 18:50
  The Metropolitan Police is investigating a fresh allegation of historical sexual assault made this month against black cab rapist John Worboys, it is understood.The news comes as the 60-year-old serial attacker is due for imminent release which has caused outrage from his victims and campaigners.The Government mooted it would launch a judicial review of the Parole Board’s decision to release Worboys after nine years in prison, which prompted anger from victims and questions around why not
  
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• Boris Johnson faces backlash on demand for NHS Brexit dividend

  23-01-2018 18:40 via ft.com
  Tory MPs accuse foreign secretary of ‘transparent leadership bid’
  
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• Boris Johnson faces backlash for demanding NHS Brexit dividend

  23-01-2018 18:40 via ft.com
  Foreign secretary accused of using health service strains for Tory leadership bid
  
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• Government announces anti-fake news unit

  23-01-2018 18:36 via bbc.co.uk
  Downing Street says a new unit will counter "disinformation by state actors and others".
  
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• Labour's Ruling NEC Votes To 'Pause' Haringey Council's Controversial Housing Plan

  23-01-2018 18:30
  Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) has voted to ask Haringey Council to halt its controversial public-private housing plan, a party source has told HuffPost.The unprecedented move follows a bitter battle in the London borough after local activists deselected Labour councillors who backed the so-called Haringey Development Vehicle (HDV).The project, which is opposed by trade unions and many local party members, intended to transfer large tracts of public land to a 50-50 part
  
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• 'Vasectomies For Unemployed Parents' Tory MP Says He Stands By 'Broad Point' In An Apology Video

  23-01-2018 18:26
  A Tory MP who remarked “vasectomies are free” in an online rant about “unemployed wasters” says he stands by his “broad point” about the benefit system.Ben Bradley, the 28-year-old who was handed the job of reaching out to young people by Theresa May earlier this month, has posted a video on Facebook apologising for the “immature” language he used in blog posts in 2012.He also wrote: “If you can’t afford them, stop having them! Vas
  
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• Brexit transition may not be finalised until after March, Hunt tells MPs - Politics live

  23-01-2018 18:21 via theguardian.com
  Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happenJohnson reprimanded as May rejects call for urgent NHS spending boostDowning Street lobby briefing on cabinetLunchtime summaryAfternoon summary 5.21pm GMT The broad issue that I was trying to address was that there are a lot of people, particularly in places like Mansfield, who work very hard and have to make very difficult decisions financially about whether they can afford to have kids. And I found that people find it fru
  
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• Testing Women For Gene Mutations Is Great But How Will They Be Supported When The Results Come Through?

  23-01-2018 18:12
  It has long been known that a small proportion of cancer cases occur in women (and small numbers of men) who carry a mutated gene. This gene mutation, such as BRCA2, raises their risk of developing a number of cancers.Currently, someone who suspects they have a gene mutation must demonstrate a strong family history of such cancers; say, numerous close family cases at a young age.   Once this family link is confirmed on paper, there follows a process of counselling alongside the lengthy
  
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• Labour's Ruling NEC Votes To Stop Haringey Council's Controversial Housing Plan

  23-01-2018 18:11
  Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) has voted to ask Haringey Council to halt its controversial public-private housing plan, a party source has told HuffPost.The unprecedented move follows a bitter battle in the London borough after local activists deselected Labour councillors who backed the so-called Haringey Development Vehicle (HDV).The project, which is opposed by trade unions and many local party members, intended to transfer large tracts of public land to a 50-50 part
  
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• New national security unit set up to tackle fake news in UK

  23-01-2018 18:10 via theguardian.com
  Downing Street says body will combat disinformation as part of review into modernising defenceThe government is to set up a dedicated national security unit to tackle fake news and disinformation, Downing Street has said as part of a wider announcement about a review of defence capabilities.The changes will also see the creation a defence-specific assessment, to be separated from the wider and national security capability review (NSCR), the prime minister’s spokesman said. Continue reading
  
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• Straws Save Lives Like Mine – Don’t Ban Them!

  23-01-2018 18:09
  We’ve heard lots over the past few days about what damage “throwaway plastics” are doing to our environment and delicate ecosystem.Already, disabled people have been speaking out, expressing how much of this plastic is making our lives accessible, with no viable alternative available.Now, I’m the first to admit that, as a society, we go through far too many straws. The way in which they are made is damaging, and they’re not often recycled. The simple fact is, the av
  
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• Anger as Labour selects one BME candidate in marginal seats

  23-01-2018 18:09 via theguardian.com
  Campaigners say all-women shortlists have pushed out black and minority ethnic candidatesBlack and ethnic minority Labour MPs have expressed concern after a Guardian analysis revealed Labour has picked just one ethnic minority candidate in 28 of the most marginal seats where candidates have been selected to fight the next general election.Labour MP David Lammy, who recently led a review into diverse representation, said the figures were “disappointing” and that Labour had to improve.
  
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• Ukip faces 'reform or die' moment, warns Nigel Farage

  23-01-2018 18:06 via theguardian.com
  Party losing up to 1,000 paying members a month, insiders sayUkip faces a “reform or die” moment, Nigel Farage has warned, as insiders say the party is losing up to 1,000 paying members a month amid the continuing chaos over Henry Bolton’s future, placing severe strain on its finances.Farage stopped short of explicitly backing the beleaguered Bolton in his efforts to remain leader and reform Ukip’s internal structures on Tuesday but argued that it was a long overdue fight
  
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