Political news

• Tories Set For London Elections Drubbing As Labour's Popularity Soars

  21-02-2018 23:33
  The Tories are set for a hammering in the nation’s capital in May with voters in flagship London boroughs set to turn out for Labour.A new poll reveals that Labour could wrestle control of Westminster and Wandsworth council from the Tories in what would be huge blow to the party’s London power base.According to research conducted for the Mile End Institute at Queen Mary University of London, 54% of Londoners are planning to back Labour on May 3 – a figure that would give Jeremy
  
  Read more

• Mary Lou McDonald speaks to Laura Kuenssberg after meeting Theresa May

  21-02-2018 23:32 via bbc.co.uk
  BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg interviews Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald after she met Theresa May.
  
  Read more

• Brit Award 2018: Liam Gallagher Performs Tribute To Manchester Bombing Victims

  21-02-2018 23:25
  The Brit Awards has paid tribute to the victims of last year’s Manchester bombings with a poignant performance from Liam Gallagher. Bosses took time out of this year’s ceremony to remember the 22 victims who were killed when a terrorist detonated a bomb at an Ariana Grande concert last May. In what was the ceremony’s most emotional moment, Manchester-native Liam taking to the stage to perform Oasis classic ‘Live Forever’ in their memory. Liam had
  
  Read more

• Brit Awards 2018: Damon Albarn Slams Brexit In Chaotic Gorillaz Acceptance Speech

  21-02-2018 23:15
  Damon Albarn made this year’s Brits feel like the awards show’s golden years again, as he provided a couple of minutes of chaos during his acceptance speech.During Wednesday’s (21 February) ceremony, the Britpop singer took to the stage to accept the award for Best British Group prize on behalf of his project, Gorillaz, where it appeared he’d taken full advantage of the refreshments on offer.Following a video message from Gorillaz’s “lead singer” 2-D, Da
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• European Research Area should emerge post-Brexit, scientists say

  21-02-2018 23:05 via ft.com
  Wellcome Trust warns that UK will have to pay more to access programmes
  
  Read more

• Brit Awards 2018: Paloma Faith Berates Royal Blood For Not Supporting 'Time's Up' White Rose Protest

  21-02-2018 23:03
  All the way through awards season, famous guests on the red carpet have been showing their support for the ‘Time’s Up’ campaign, and the Brit Awards was no exception.On the Brits red carpet, attendees were seen posing for photographers while holding white roses, in solidarity with the victims of sexual harassment and abuse.However, Brits attendee Paloma Faith was clearly not happy that the support seemed to be coming from the women at the event.Before the ceremony got going, Pa
  
  Read more

• Brit Awards 2018: Little Mix's Reaction Is Priceless As Jack Whitehall Brings Up 'Jamaican Accent' Video

  21-02-2018 22:36
  Little Mix’s faces were a picture, when Jesy Nelson’s infamous “Jamaican accent” video was brought up during this year’s Brit Awards.As any self-respecting Little Mix fan will already be well familiar, the group went viral in 2014, when Jesy had a bit of trouble attempting a Jamaican accent during an “accent challenge” video interview.In the years since, Jesy has repeatedly attempted to set the record straight over the viral moment, and it didn&rsqu
  
  Read more

• Cheryl And Liam Payne Have Brit Awards Viewers Gagging As She Divulges Their 'Safe Word' Live On Air

  21-02-2018 22:23
  Cheryl Tweedy and Liam Payne have taken their oversharing to new depths in ways we were definitely not prepared for. That’s because Cheryl divulged their “safe word” in an eyebrow-raising (read: vomit-inducing) moment during Wednesday (21 February) night’s Brit Awards.  Jack Whitehall: What’s your safe word?
  Cheryl: Don’t Stop 🤣#BRITspic.twitter.com/wb75XndsFm— 1D Updates (@ladscheckups) February 21, 2018The pair were approached by
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Labour rejects ex-Czech agent's Corbyn claims as 'absurd'

  21-02-2018 21:54 via bbc.co.uk
  Jeremy Corbyn's spokesman denies he was an agent of the Czech regime in the 1980s after claims by former spy.
  
  Read more

• Government 'has no plan' for Northern Ireland - Sinn Féin

  21-02-2018 21:13 via bbc.co.uk
  Sinn Féin's president says 'doing nothing is not an option' after power-sharing talks broke down.
  
  Read more

• Brit Awards 2018: Millie Bobby Brown, Kylie Minogue And Stormzy Led the Best Dressed On The Red Carpet

  21-02-2018 21:11
  Millie Bobby Brown never fails to impress us with her red carpet style, so it was no surprise to see her leading the best dressed at the 2018 Brit Awards.The ‘Stranger Things’ actor carried a white rose, in support of Time’s Up, along with many other attendees.Scroll down to see the most beautiful dresses and stand out suits from the Brit awards’ red carpet on Wednesday 21 February.Millie Bobby BrownMillie Bobby Brown chanelled flamenco vibes in a tier
  
  Read more

• UK explores blocking GKN takeover on national security grounds

  21-02-2018 21:07 via ft.com
  Defence secretary raises concerns over hostile £7bn Melrose bid
  
  Read more

• Brexit will knock 5% off wage growth, says Mark Carney

  21-02-2018 20:48
  BoE governor says workers were already suffering as pay failed to keep up with inflationThe Bank of England has warned that economic uncertainty caused by the Brexit vote will knock 5% off UK wage growth by the year end. Mark Carney, the bank’s governor, said British workers had already suffered a loss in earnings growth of 3.5% - compared with pre-referndum froecafter inflation is taken into account, and would see that loss swell to 5% by the end of the year as wages growth remained below
  
  Read more

• Brit Awards 2018: Ariana Grande Cancels Manchester Bombing Tribute Performance 'On Doctor's Orders'

  21-02-2018 20:42
  Ariana Grande has forced to pull out of a performance at this year’s Brit Awards, which would have paid tribute to the victims of the Manchester bombing last year, at the eleventh hour.The singer had been scheduled to appear as part of a tribute to the 22 people who lost their lives at one of her concerts at Manchester’s M.E.N. Arena in May 2017.However, she was forced to cancel at the last minute for health reasons.As reported by the BBC, the Brit Awards’ chief executive Geoff
  
  Read more

• Spying row: how Corbyn seized chance to take on the Sun

  21-02-2018 20:26
  Labour used to woo the rightwing press; the age of social media has changed all thatLabour felt it had little choice but to respond with increasing aggression this week to “hallucinogenic” stories about Jeremy Corbyn and cold war records kept about him by the Czech security service.That decision saw the party leader go on the offensive, accusing rightwing papers of being controlled by billionaire tax exiles, with the party repeating that it planned to hold a media ownership review if
  
  Read more

• UK defence minister announces new combat air strategy

  21-02-2018 20:20 via ft.com
  Plan to retain industrial expertise beyond Typhoon era answers manufacturer concerns
  
  Read more

• KFC Branches Still Closed As It's Revealed Warehouse At Centre Of Chaos Failed To Get Council Approval

  21-02-2018 20:08
  The new storage hub at the centre of KFC’s chicken delivery problems has not yet been granted the registration it legally requires to operate, the local council has confirmed.Rugby Borough Council said the cold storage facility used by DHL, which took over KFC deliveries last week, had been operating since February 14 and the council was hoping to issue conditional approval on Thursday.A council spokeswoman said: “There is no requirement for the DHL cold storage facility to be licens
  
  Read more

• Mary Lou McDonald attacks Theresa May over talks stalemate

  21-02-2018 20:03 via bbc.co.uk
  Mary Lou McDonald attacks Theresa May over talks stalemate
  
  Read more

• Brit Awards 2018 Looks We Love: Rita Ora Brought The Romance In Feathers

  21-02-2018 19:53
  We Love...Rita Ora in a white and fresh mint ombré ball gown by Ralph & Russo, which featured tiers and tiers of feathers, at the Brit Awards on Wednesday 21 February.Why It Works:Ora’s dress takes us back to Sarah Jessica Parker ’s Emmy outfit in 2000. Feathers soften even the most dramatic of silhouettes and add an element of romance.What’s more, it looks even better in motion:A post shared by RITA ORA (@ritaora) on Feb 21, 2018 at 9:53am PST Al
  
  Read more

• Brit Awards 2018: Cheryl And Liam Payne Put On United Front On Red Carpet Amid Split Rumours

  21-02-2018 19:35
  Cheryl Tweedy and Liam Payne have silenced rumours of a split, as they put on a united front on the Brit Awards red carpet.The couple have been at the centre of speculation their relationship was on the rocks over the past few days, after a tabloid report claimed they could part ways within weeks.However, the pair looked suitably loved up as they arrived at the ceremony on Wednesday (21 February) night. Cheryl and Liam held hands as they walked the red carpet, and were all smiles as th
  
  Read more

• UK's Brexit transition plans released

  21-02-2018 19:27 via bbc.co.uk
  Ministers reject claims its proposals mean the "status quo" transition phase could be "indefinite".
  
  Read more

• Diane Abbott Accidentally Doubles Number Of Border Guards Promised By Labour

  21-02-2018 19:01
  Diane Abbott has inadvertently doubled the number of border guards promised by Labour if it gets into power.The shadow home secretary used a speech at King’s College, London to talk about her party’s position on immigration and asylum, promising “a thousand more border guards than the Tories”.But Labour’s 2017 manifesto set out plans for just 500 new recruits - half the number promised in a pre-election campaign pledge - which it is understood is still party policy.
  
  Read more

• Brit Awards 2018 Looks We Love: Dua Lipa In The Pink

  21-02-2018 18:52
  We love...Dua Lipa in acres of pink frills, posing up a storm on the Brit Awards red carpet at London’s O2 Arena on Wednesday 21 February.Why It Works:Red carpet looks should be all about opulence. How often do you get an opportunity to dress up a pink cloud? And if you ever do get the opportunity you should embrace it wholeheartedly as Lipa has.Also Seen On:Pink dominated the Brits red carpet with many celebs opting for pink takes on the latest trends. Host Maya Jama went for a shimmering
  
  Read more

• UK heads for clash with EU on Brexit transition

  21-02-2018 18:50 via ft.com
  Proposals contain no end date but officials insist they will set one
  
  Read more

• UK needs to provide 'more clarity' about Brexit plans, Dutch PM tells May – as it happened

  21-02-2018 18:49
  Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn at PMQsPMQs - Snap verdictPMQs - Verdict from the Twitter commentariatAfternoon summary 5.49pm GMT We were not contemplating bringing in an Irish language act and I could not be clearer in relation to that. If you look at the so-called draft agreement that is only one of a number of documents that were circulated and put out and about, and I think the important thing is that we now
  
  Read more

• BBC's Andrew Neil challenges minister to defend Corbyn spy 'smears' – video

  21-02-2018 18:43
  Andrew Neil grills the Brexit minister Steve Baker over his fellow Conservative MPs' comments about Jeremy Corbyn being connected to a communist spy.  Neil says the security minister Ben Wallace has compared the Labour leader to Kim Philby, a cold war double agent , and that the defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, has accused Corbyn of betraying his country. He repeatedly asks Baker if he agrees with his colleagues Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Man Deemed 'Threat To National Security' Because Of His Tax Return, Says MP

  21-02-2018 18:28
  A marketing executive was deemed a “threat to national security” by the Home Office because his tax return was wrong, an MP told the Commons.The Government’s treatment of Glasgow science graduate Ali Baig was “hostile and heartless”, SNP MP Alison Thewliss said, after raising his case during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.Vetting and compliance officer Baig, originally from Pakistan, has lived and worked in the UK since 2006 but could be deported
  
  Read more

• Prohibition Has Failed – We Need A Radical New Drug Policy

  21-02-2018 18:22
  Our approach to drugs is broken. Not only does it not work, it directly causes suffering that could otherwise be avoided.Yesterday in the Commons, an Urgent Question was raised concerning the tragic case of Alfie Dingley, a six-year old boy who suffers with severe epilepsy. He has been treated with medicinal cannabis in the Netherlands, which reduces the frequency of seizures, but does not have access to the same treatment here in the UK.These draconian drug laws have also been put to the test i
  
  Read more

• Mount Brexit threatens to blow as May calls cabinet to Chequers

  21-02-2018 18:21
  The recent increase in seismic activity suggests a major eruption could be imminentTectonic plates are grinding ominously underneath a 16th-century manor house in Buckinghamshire. As Theresa May locks her cabinet away at Chequers on Thursday to agree an escape plan, the sharp uptick in seismic activity suggests Mount Brexit may be about to blow.
  Every day brings a new tremor. First it was David Davis warning of “Mad Max dystopia” if colleagues light a bonfire of EU red tape. Then the
  
  Read more

• It's the new-look prime minister's questions: no questions, no answers | John Crace

  21-02-2018 18:14
  With their lacklustre exchanges, Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May are like a couple too bored to rowThere’s been a very good reason why Jeremy Corbyn has chosen to avoid Brexit for the past few months at prime minister’s questions. One person with no clear views on Brexit asking another person with no clear views on Brexit to offer some clarity on Brexit is not the most enlightening way to pass 15 minutes of anyone’s time.It’s still not entirely obvious if the Labour leader
  
  Read more

• Foster hopeful of budget 'within weeks'

  21-02-2018 18:04 via bbc.co.uk
  DUP leader Arlene Foster meets the PM and says she is hopeful a budget will be in place 'within weeks'.
  
  Read more

• No 10 says Brexit transition period will not be open-ended

  21-02-2018 17:52
  Rebuttal follows leaked Whitehall paper revealing UK is challenging EU’s 21-month limit
  Downing Street has insisted there will be a firm end-date to the Brexit transition period, after a leaked document revealed the British government is challenging the EU’s 21-month limit and proposing that the UK stays in the single market and customs union as long as is necessary.The government moved to avoid inflaming tensions with its pro-Brexit backbenchers, by dismissing the idea that a transi
  
  Read more

• Five Things Every Stay At Home Dad Is Sick Of Hearing

  21-02-2018 17:49
  Oh dear! The world, it would seem, isn’t quite ready for the concept of stay at home dads.Many people I’ve met are totally shocked by the concept; holding the notion in the type of contempt usually reserved for door-to-door sales people and those who’ve decided to give up deodorant.As a SAHD, I’m beginning to feel like a Betamax owner in a VHS world – ask your mum. To be fair, I do try to be quite ‘zen’ about the stupidity I encounter daily from members
  
  Read more

• Bias At The Baftas: The Stats Behind Diversity

  21-02-2018 17:48
  Denzel Washington is one of the most celebrated actors to have ever come out of Hollywood. He has won practically every award worth winning: two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, one Screen Actors Guild Awards, and one Tony. He’s even been nominated for a Grammy.Despite all of this success, however, Washington has never been nominated, let alone won, a BAFTA. Whilst his exclusion by the British Academy is surprising, it is unfortunately, according to analysis Jo Kandola and I have carri
  
  Read more

• Oxfam Must Be Allowed To Make Amends And Continue Its Amazing Work

  21-02-2018 17:45
  Let me start this piece by explicitly stating my abhorrence of the actions of the former Oxfam employees in Haiti in 2011 and Chad from 2006. What they did was inexcusable, Oxfam didn’t manage the situation as well as it should have, and the charity has violated the trust of its other employees, volunteers, and supporters. In writing this piece, in no way am I condoning the behaviour.That said, with the constant stream of coverage around the scandal over the past week, I cannot help but be
  
  Read more

• Oxfam Must Be Allowed Make Amends And Continue Its Amazing Work

  21-02-2018 17:45
  Let me start this piece by explicitly stating my abhorrence of the actions of the former Oxfam employees in Haiti in 2011 and Chad from 2006. What they did was inexcusable, Oxfam didn’t manage the situation as well as it should have, and the charity has violated the trust of its other employees, volunteers, and supporters. In writing this piece, in no way am I condoning the behaviour.That said, with the constant stream of coverage around the scandal over the past week, I cannot help but be
  
  Read more

• Syria's Suffering Should Haunt Us All

  21-02-2018 17:42
  Nothing churns the stomach more than seeing Syria on the news. You wonder how bad it is this time, the casualties, the graphic, gory images. And then you wonder if there will be a reaction beyond the obligatory outpour of empathy and sadness. It’s unlikely.At the time of writing this, Eastern Ghouta is under heavy siege, one of the last rebel instalments as Bashar Assad’s air force indiscriminately lays waste to beleaguered enclave east of the capital. Again the pictures of pale corp
  
  Read more

• It Has Never Been More Important For Students To Support Striking Staff

  21-02-2018 17:42
  If you’re a student in the UK, you’ve likely heard that UCU, the union that represents many staff on university campuses, are striking, but you might not be familiar with exactly why, or why you should get involved.UCU are striking over proposed changes to their pensions (proposed by Universities UK) which would scrap defined pensions benefits, tacking their final amount instead to the fortunes of the stock market- UCU estimates that this could leave the average lecturer’s pens
  
  Read more

• Economist Derides 'Mad Max' Analysis That Claims Brexit Will Be Good For Britain

  21-02-2018 17:40
  A new report claiming that damning Brexit forecasts are flawed is itself based on a series of errors, a leading economist has said.A group called Economists For Free Trade (EFFT) released a document on Wednesday aimed at countering the gloomy outlook of Government reports leaked last month that suggested even the most optimistic Brexit scenario would lead to a two percent reduction in economic growth.Armed with “a bit of detective work” and some “more positive assumptions&rdquo
  
  Read more

• Jeremy Corbyn Was In Derbyshire On The Day Czech Spy Claimed They Met In House Of Commons, His Diary Shows

  21-02-2018 17:27
  Jeremy Corbyn was at a socialist conference in Derbyshire at the exact time he was alleged to have been meeting a Czech spy in the House of Commons, his office has revealed.The Labour leader’s spokesman said his records proved that he was 150 miles away in Chesterfield at 4pm on October 24, 1987 – the date when a former Communist agent alleged he’d met him in London.That day was also a Saturday, when the Commons wasn’t open. And, in a further move to undermine the claim,
  
  Read more

• Tories face heavy losses in London polls, survey finds

  21-02-2018 17:20 via ft.com
  Labour expected to take 3 flagship boroughs from Conservatives in May contest
  
  Read more

• Jennifer Lawrence Slams ‘Sexist And Ridiculous’ Criticism Of Her Photocall Outfit Choice

  21-02-2018 17:15
  Jennifer Lawrence has spoken out, after hitting headlines for wearing a Versace gown at a London photocall, while the male actors alongside her sported coats and scarves.The Oscar-winning actress is in town to promote ‘Red Sparrow’, and was joined at the Corinthia Hotel by her co-stars Francis Lawrence, Matthias Schoenaerts, Joel Edgerton and Jeremy Irons. Soon after the pictures were published online, a number of Twitter users pointed out that while Jennifer was wearing a revealing
  
  Read more

• Post-Brexit transition will end on 'fixed date', ministers say

  21-02-2018 17:14 via bbc.co.uk
  Ministers reject claims the "status quo" transition could be "indefinite".
  
  Read more

• Samia Shahid Death: How A Bradford Beautician Fell Victim To A Suspected 'Honour Killing'

  21-02-2018 17:13
  In July 2016, Bradford beauty therapist Samia Shahid flew to Pakistan to visit her family, amid the news that her beloved father was gravely ill. Six days later, the apparently healthy 28-year-old was found dead.Shahid had been living in Dubai with her second husband Syed Mukhtar Kazam, who was informed by her family that his wife had suffered a heart attack. However, Kazam strongly suspected his wife had fallen victim to a so-called honour killing.  The couple had been married just two yea
  
  Read more

• Brexit Transition Period Could Be Longer Than Two Years, Leaked Document Reveals

  21-02-2018 17:12
  Theresa May is set for another showdown with Tory backbenchers after it emerged the UK could be tied to EU rules for more than two years after Brexit.The Prime Minister announced in September that a post-Brexit “implementation period” would last “around two years” from March 2019, during which the UK would follow the rules of the Single Market and customs union but have no say in them.But a draft negotiation proposal – leaked to Bloomberg – shows the Governmen
  
  Read more

• Anti-Brexit bus 'banned' from parking in Oxford

  21-02-2018 17:08 via bbc.co.uk
  Oxfordshire Council Council says it cannot permit "political advertising" on the highway.
  
  Read more

• Stormont 'could be down for five years', says Eastwood

  21-02-2018 17:07 via bbc.co.uk
  Colum Eastwood tells MPS that nationalists are "moving away" from the idea of devolved government.
  
  Read more

• High Court rules UK air pollution plan is ‘unlawful’

  21-02-2018 16:58 via ft.com
  Government says it will take a firmer line in 45 local authorities where pollution levels breached
  
  Read more

• Diane Abbott Is Right - We Need A Fair, Humane Immigration System

  21-02-2018 16:53
  On Wednesday morning the Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott MP, set out a vision for an immigration system which is based on the values fairness, compassion, and evidence. She pointed out that there is no reason that an immigration system can not at the same time support jobs, boost the economy, and treat everyone involved, not least migrants themselves, with dignity and respect.We represent coalitions of campaigners, migrants, faith leaders and civil society organisations who have been calling
  
  Read more

• NFU elects first female president

  21-02-2018 16:50 via bbc.co.uk
  Minette Batters becomes the first woman to lead the National Farmer's Union in its 110-year history.
  
  Read more

Follow @political_UKnws on Twitter!