Conservative councillors from around the country have told PoliticsHome that they have been offered senior council roles, or selection as parliamentary candidates, if they defect to Reform UK. In her story, Matilda Martin quotes several councillors who have been on the receiving end of these offers, and she also quotes John Cope, chair of the Conservative Councillors’ Association, who told her:
Councillors across the country have reported being approached with offers of funding, roles, and cabinet positions if they join Reform. The running joke is that more parliamentary seats have been promised than actually exist.
Reform UK told Martin that it was not paying anyone to defect, and that no one in the party could guarantee that someone would be selected as a Reform parliamentary candidate.
Adam Price, the Danish screenwriter who wrote Borgen, the drama about a Danish PM, has written an article for the Guardian about the Greenland crisis. This is what he says about Donald Trump’s comments about Nato allies.
It is bizarre how accustomed we have become to a US president who openly lies, distorts facts and is utterly ignorant about history. (Leaving aside that he confused Iceland with Greenland in his speech.) Trump claimed that Europeans alone benefit from Nato and said he doubted anyone would come to the aid of the US. Yet the only country that has ever called for help invoking Nato’s Article 5 is the US after 9/11. Europe immediately responded. Denmark, along with the UK and other Nato allies, sent troops to Afghanistan. Denmark lost more soldiers per head than any other country in the coalition apart from the US. How utterly insulting for the families, still mourning their dead, to hear the ingratitude of a US president so ignorant of their loss.
And here is the full article.
A reader BTL has been asking what Nigel Farage has been saying about Donald Trump’s Afghanistan comments. It is not often that readers are asking for more Farage but, since the question has been posed, Farage has decided to speak out this morning on his social media feed – about his record supporting businesses in Clacton. He has not said anything on that platform (or anywhere else, it appears) about the latest statement from his US friend.
Farage did criticise Trump on Wednesday, saying that the US president was being “not quite fair” when he said America had not got anything back from Nato. Farage said that countries like Britain and Denmark had lost the same number of troops per head of population as the US in the wars since 9/11. But Trump’s latest comment is markedly more offensive, and Farage has not yet addressed it.
The Conservative peer and diehard Brexiter Daniel Hannan has joined those criticising Donald Trump over his Afghanistan comments. He posted this on social media last night, and this a few hours ago.
Our problem now is not TDS; it’s TD.
TDS is Trump derangement syndrome, a term used by the rightwingers in the US to suggest that Trump’s critics are obsessive and wrong. Hannan seems to be saying the president really is deranged.
Shabana Mahmood to unveil plans drastically cut number of police forces in England and Wales
Major policing reforms expected to drastically cut the number of forces across England and Wales would be “complex to deliver” and risk separating police forces from communities they serve, a policing body has warned. PA Media says:
Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, is poised to unveil the largest overhaul of policing in decades on Monday, in an effort to tackle what government sources called “an epidemic of everyday offences”.
The changes will see the overall number of forces slashed from their current level of 43, and tasked with focusing on serious and organised crime along with complex investigations such as homicides.
At the lower level, each town, city and borough will be formed into a “local policing area” – with neighbourhood officers focused on local crime such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
Mahmood has previously said that the structure of 43 forces in England and Wales is “irrational”, and police chiefs have already called for radical reform of the set-up, backing a system with fewer, larger forces.
But reacting to the expected move, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) said the creation of regional forces would be expensive, time consuming and has the potential to “derail” the ambition of reforms.
PCCs Matthew Scott and Clare Moody said: “The public want neighbourhood policing. There is no evidence to suggest the public would welcome bigger forces and in terms of public accountability, it also risks creating a separation between police forces and the local communities they serve.
“It makes responding to local policing and crime needs more difficult and removes the link between local taxpayers and the police they increasingly directly fund through the policing precept.”
They added financial savings from creating larger force areas “could be outweighed by very significant set-up costs”.
Mahmood is understood to believe the current system, which sees each of the 43 forces pay for separate headquarters and administrative staff, wastes money that could be spent on fighting crime.
Sources said the reforms would save money by merging back-office functions, freeing up resources to be invested in more police officers.
The changes are also intended to even out differences in performance between police forces, with ministers believing smaller forces lack the resources to tackle major incidents.
A government source pointed to Wiltshire police, which needed support from 40 other forces to respond to the Salisbury poisonings in 2018, as well as vast differences in charge rates for some offences.
They said: “Under this new structure, all forces – regardless of where they are – will have the tools and resources they need to fight serious crime. Where you live will no longer determine the outcomes you get from your force.”
But the changes will take time to come into effect, with the mergers only expected to be completed by the end of the next parliament in the mid-2030s.
No 10 says Trump was 'wrong to diminish role' played by British troops in Afghanistan
Downing Street has said that Donald Trump was “wrong” to downplay the role played by British troops in Afghanistan.
Asked about the comments at this morning’s lobby briefing, the PM’s spokesperson said:
The president was wrong to diminish the role of Nato troops, including British forces, in Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks on the US.
Article 5 of the Nato treaty was invoked for the first time and British forces served alongside American and other allied troops in sustained combat operations.
457 British service personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan and many more were wounded. Many hundreds suffered life-changing injuries from their service alongside the US and our allies in Afghanistan.
Their sacrifice and that of other Nato forces was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally.
We are incredibly proud of our armed forces and their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
But the spokesperson did not back calls for the president to apologise and, asked if Keir Starmer would be raising this with Trump when they next speak (as Stephen Kinnock suggested this morning – see 8.56am), the spokesperson just said that details of any calls would be set out in the normal way.
And there seem to be no plans to haul in the US ambassador, as the Liberal Democrats are proposing. (See 11.28am.)
Donald Trump’s latest comments outraging British public opinion are a problem for Nigel Farage. Farage has spent the last 10 years boasting about his friendship with Trump, the two leaders are ideologically aligned and Reform UK has made clear that, in some respects at least, it would model itself on what the Trump administration has done if it formed a government.
But being associated with Trump is a problem. According to a report by Bethany Dawson for Politico about the findings from a focus group in Stevenage featuring women who are considering switching from Labour to Reform UK, “concern about Farage’s relationship with Donald Trump is rife”. Dawson says:
Wider polling by More in Common, the think tank which organized the focus group held on Monday night, found 25 percent of women see Farage’s support for Trump as the top reason not to vote Reform. That compared to 21 percent of the men surveyed between Jan. 10 and 13.
US ambassador should be summoned for reprimand over Trump's comments, Lib Dems say
The US ambassador should be summoned to the Foreign Office for a reprimand over Donald Trump’s comments, the Liberal Democrats are saying. James MacCleary, the Lib Dem defence spokesperson, said:
Trump’s lies about the British soldiers who laid down their lives in Afghanistan are disgraceful. The president shows his true colours in denigrating the best of us - those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Keir Starmer must summon the US ambassador over this insult to our brave troops.
Defence secretary John Healey delivers implicit rebuke to Trump, saying more than 450 British 'heroes' died in Afghanistan
John Healey, the defence secretary, has posted a message on social media that amounts to an implicit rebuke to Donald Trump over his comments about the contribution made by Nato allies in Afghanistan. Healey said:
NATO’s Article 5 has only been triggered once. The UK and NATO allies answered the US call. And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan.
Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.
By comparison with some of the comments made by other parliamentarians today, this is very mild. But in government circles (almost regardless of which party is in power) there is always a strong reluctance to disagree with the US government in public.
Letting Labour HQ rig candidate selection in Manchester byelection would be 'disaster', says Red Wall MPs' leader
The Labour MP Jo White has also said this morning that Labour HQ should not block Andy Burnham from being a byelection candidate in Gorton and Denton. (See 11.05am.) White is MP for Bassetlaw and leads the Red Wall caucus in parliament, which represents Labour MPs who won seats in the north and the Midlands that were traditionally Labour but that turned Tory in 2019, after Brexit. White said:
Let the North decide who their Labour candidate should be for the Gorton and Denton by election. A London stitch up will be a disaster for Labour.
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Unison leader urges Starmer not to block Burnham from being byelection candidate, saying 'control-freakery' harms party
Keir Starmer’s allies have launched a “Stop Andy Burnham” campaign to prevent the Labour mayor from returning to parliament after the resignation of a Manchester MP triggered a byelection, Pippa Crerar, Jessica Elgot and Josh Halliday report in their overnight story.
In a good analysis, Jess explains why, if Burnham does decide that he wants to return to the Commons as MP for Gorton and Denton in Manchester, he faces a colossal challenge.
But, if Starmer does try to use procedural mechanisms to stop Burnham being a candidate, he faces a significant backlash from within his party.
This morning Andrea Egan, the new, leftwing general secretary of Unison, one of the two most dominant unions in the Labour party, posted this on social media.
I’m sure all trade unionists expect a democratic process for Gorton & Denton in which local party members decide who they want to represent them. We’ve seen enough control-freakery in the Labour Party and it has done our movement nothing but harm.
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Defence minister Al Carns calls Trump's claims about Nato's record in Afghanistan 'utterly ridiculous'
Al Carns, the former Royal Marines officer who is now a defence minister, has posted a video response to Donald Trump’s comments about the record of British and other allied forces in Afghanistan. (See 8.56am.) Without mentioning the president by name, Carns says that his comments are “utterly ridiculous”.
Tracking some comments made that Nato troops stayed a little off the front lines in Afghanistan and that the US has never necessarily needed us.
Well, it’s a real shame to hear that. The only time Nato’s ever enacted article 5 was after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, and the world rallied to the support of the US.
Our agencies, our forces, our politicians, we all stood together shoulder to shoulder and responded.
On Afghanistan, frankly, it’s utterly ridiculous. Many courageous and honourable service personnel from many nations fought on the front lines. Many fought way beyond it. I served five tours in Afghanistan, many alongside my American colleagues. We shed blood, sweat and tears together. And not everybody came home.
These are bonds, I think, forged in fire, protecting us, our shared interests, but actually protecting democracy overall.
I suggest whoever believes these comments, come have a whisky with me, my colleagues, their families and importantly, the families of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for both of our nations.
Carns ended with two military sayings.
Now, some advice for anyone who may be listening. There are two great sayings worth remembering. Number one, there’s only one worse things than working with allies; that is working without them. And when you do, always remember: never above, never below, always side by side.
The UK served on the frontline in Afghanistan and often way beyond it! pic.twitter.com/rC3oejqvQa
— Al Carns (@AlistairCarns) January 23, 2026
Although the whisky invitation seems addressed to the president, it won’t appeal to him. Trump doesn’t drink.
Back to Trump, and this is from the Labour MP Calvin Bailey.
My Air Medal, awarded for service with the US Air Force Special Operations Command in Afghanistan, is a permanent reminder of the enduring UK–US relationship, and of how NATO answered the call when the United States invoked Article 5 in its moment of need.
The 457 British and 43 Danish service personnel who died are a testament to European commitment and sacrifice in defence of NATO and transatlantic security.
Lest we forget.
Rural and coastal areas of England to get more cancer doctors
Stephen Kinnock, the health minister, was giving morning to promote an announcement about cancer care. As Denis Campbell reports, hospitals in rural and coastal parts of England will get more cancer doctors to help tackle stark inequalities that mean people in some areas are far more likely to die from the disease.
There is more comment on this in the Department of Health and Social Care’s news release.
Badenoch says Trump's comment about record of Nato allies in Afghanistan 'flat-out nonsense'
Kemi Badenoch has joined those condemning Donald Trump’s comment about the record of Nato allies in Afghanistan. Within the last few minutes she posted this on social media.
Trump saying NATO allies “weren’t on the front line” in Afghanistan is flat-out nonsense. British, Canadian, and NATO troops fought and died alongside the US for 20 years.
This is a fact, not opinion. Their sacrifice deserves respect not denigration.
'Makes my flesh creep and my stomach turn' - Simon Hoare MP on Trump
And here are two Conservative MPs on Donald Trump’s comments about the record of Nato allies in Afghanistan.
From Simon Hoare, chair of the Commons public administration and constitutional affairs committee
Frankly Trump makes my flesh creep and my stomach turn. Where are his advisors? Where is his nurse? Where is his sense of shame?
From Ben Spencer, a shadow science minister
The US president has gone from insulting and threatening NATO allies to insulting and demeaning the brave men and women of our armed forces.
457 British service personnel died in Afghanistan, with UK troops having served alongside US troops and those from over 50 coalition nations. We will always remember them.
In a country renowned for its respect for service men and women, it is astounding and shameful that the US President to show such contempt for the service of others.
We have to question the strength of any relationship, special or otherwise, with someone who could treat their sacrifice with such disrespect.
From Ben Obese-Jecty, a former soldier
I served in Afghanistan. I saw first hand the sacrifices made by British soldiers I served alongside in Sangin where we suffered horrific casualties, as did the US Marines the following year.
I don’t believe US military personnel share the view of President Trump; his words do them a disservice as our closest military allies. I
It’s sad to see our nation’s sacrifice, and that of our NATO partners, held so cheaply by the President of the United States.
'Beneath contempt and beyond offensive' - Sorcha Eastwood MP on Trump
This is from Sorcha Eastwood, the Alliance MP for LaganValley in Northern Ireland, on Trump’s latest comments.
Any elected rep in Northern Ireland or the rest of the UK that continues to champion Trump and claims to care about the UK after his shameful and disgusting remarks about our military service needs to do one. Over 400 UK service personnel lost their lives in recent times in Afghanistan. Many more lost limbs, eyesight, mental wellbeing. You don’t get to write-off those lives, that service and those families Trump. Absolutely beneath contempt and beyond offensive.
This is what Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, said about Donald Trump in a social media post last night.
457 British troops lost their lives in Afghanistan.
Trump avoided military service 5 times.
How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed.
Doug Beattie, a former leader of the Ulster Unionist party, an MLA (member of the legislative assembly in Northern Ireland) and a former soldier, has said that Donald Trump is “unhinged”. Referring to Trump’s comments about Nato and Afghanisation, he said:
Trump really is an unhinged individual.
457 UK military personnel KIA in Afghan.
Over 2,200 injured, of which over 620 seriously.
They fought with courage and dedication and Trump cannot be allowed to trample on their memory
Trump’s claims about Nato in Afghanistan ‘disappointing and wrong’, minister says
Good morning. Donald Trump enjoys causing offence but the problem with having a reputation for being outrageous and provocative is that, as people get used to your outrages, you have to go further and further to continue to get a response. We are seeing an example of that this morning.
In his meandering ramble at Davos (a cavalcade of falsehoods, as explained by CNN here), Trump repeated a criticism of Nato he has made before, saying: “What we have gotten out of Nato is nothing, except to protect Europe from the Soviet Union and now Russia.” This was so wrong that even Nigel Farage felt impelled to speak out and say so.
But yesterday, in what could be seen as a retort to the point Farage made, Trump doubled down.
Trump told Fox News that he was not sure Nato allies would be there for the US “if we ever needed them”. He went on:
We’ve never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them.
They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan … and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.
Even in an age where outrageous comments are pumped out by social media all the time, this hit a new low; in almost every country in the world, dishonouring soldiers who have died in conflict crosses a line.
As Jamie Grierson reports, British politicians have been lining up to criticise the president.
And even ministers seem to have been given licence to speak out. For the last year, Keir Starmer and his team have avoided criticising Trump in public over almost everything. But Stephen Kinnock, the health minister who was doing a media round for the government this morning, did feel confident speaking out – even if he did not really channel the outrage many Britons will feel. Kinnock told Sky News:
President Trump’s comments are deeply disappointing, there is no other way to say that. I don’t know really why he said them. I don’t think there’s any basis for him to make those comments.
Kinnock explained:
Many, many British soldiers and many soldiers from other European Nato allies gave their lives in support of American missions, American-led missions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq …
I think anybody who seeks to criticise what they have done and the sacrifices that they make is plainly wrong. I think the reaction to President Trump’s comments are very clear from right across the political spectrum, and I think the British public feels very strongly about the need to defend our armed forces and to support them in the incredibly important work that they do in the dangerous and turbulent world in which we live.
Starmer himself has not commented yet, but Kinnock said he expected the PM would raise this with Trump directly. “He will, I’m sure, be raising this issue with the president,” Kinnock told LBC.
Here is the agenda for the day.
10am: Peers resume their debate on the assisted dying bill. As Jessica Elgot reports, the bill supporters think filibustering by opponents of the bill mean the legislation has almost no chance of passing before the end of this parliamentary session.
Morning: Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, is on a visit in Essex. Separately, Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, is on a visit in Surrey.
11.30am: Downing Street holds a lobby briefing.
Early afternoon: Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, holds a press conference about the hospital infections scandal.
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