The Latest Breaking News from Nigel Farage

A magnitude-6 earthquake in eastern Afghanistan kills 800+, injures thousands, and leaves the Taliban appealing for international aid amid US hesitation.

Reform UK would benefit and the Conservatives hurtle into oblivion. Only a more centrist party can pull us back from the brink, says former Conservative minister Justine Greening

MPs are voting to get rid of first past the post in mayoral elections. Doing the same at a national level would be an antidote to Reform UK, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

Sir Keir Starmer spoke to the BBC about his desire to grip the small boats crisis, as Yvette Cooper is set to unveil reforms to border security.

COMMENT: After a summer of spiralling migrant numbers and protests outside asylum hotels, the home secretary has returned to the Commons with tougher new restrictions – but Labour looks like it’s playing catch-up to Reform, says Emily Sheffield

COMMENT: The revelation that Elizabeth II wanted the United Kingdom to stay in the European Union – despite a particularly lurid tabloid headline during the Brexit referendum campaign to the contrary – will come as little surprise to those who knew Her Majesty, says Harry Mount

The entire frontbench seemed to be asleep on the beach while the Reform leader made hay with his anti-migrant bile, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan

In today’s newsletter: Nigel Farage ploughed ahead in the polls over recess, and Keir Starmer is now under pressure to define what his party stands for

The facts and the numbers are irrelevant: Donald Trump and Nigel Farage just find new excuses and increase the toxicity, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik