Starmer tells Jim Ratcliffe to apologise for saying UK ‘colonised’ by immigrants PM calls comments by Man United co-owner, who also hit out at people on benefits, ‘offensive and wrong’ The Guardian - UK · Feb 11
Billionaire Jim Ratcliffe apologises for 'choice of language' after saying UK has been 'colonised by immigrants' Manchester United co-owner says he is ‘sorry that my choice of language has offended some people’ - but insisted it is important to raise the issue of immigration Evening Standard · Feb 11
Starmer calls for apology from Man Utd co-owner Jim Ratcliffe after claiming UK ‘colonised’ by immigrants Founder of chemicals giant Ineos, which received £120m in UK aid last year, said immigration is ‘costing too much’ The Independent UK · Feb 11
Nigel Farage heckled at launch of Reform Jewish group Jewish activists interrupt speech at synagogue and accuse party of paving way for persecution of other minorities The Guardian - UK · Feb 11
Pubs are for everyone. Don’t let Reform make them the political property of the boorish hard right Farage and Anderson’s sums aren’t the only thing that doesn’t add up about their plan to save the great British pub, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew The Guardian - UK · Feb 11
The rise of vice-signalling: how hatred poisoned politics Over the last 10 years, the terms of political debate have changed completely – and week by week they seem to get worse The Guardian - UK · Feb 11
Wednesday briefing: Why the debate over working from home says more about inequality than productivity In today’s newsletter: Hybrid working has quietly settled into Britain’s post-pandemic landscape but the real story lies in who gets flexibility and who never did The Guardian - UK · Feb 11
"How would anyone feel when one is the principal songwriter in the band and along comes this upstart and spoils everything?" What happens when your bass player accidentally writes your first big hit Making Plans for Nigel established XTC as the intelligent arm of the post-punk movement – and it's still being directed at current Nigels Louder · Feb 11
Asylum seeker guilty of raping 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, was found guilty of rape and two counts of sexual assault, having admitted a further rape charge before his trial The Independent UK · Feb 10
Afghan asylum seeker convicted of abducting and repeatedly raping 12-year-old Ahmad Mulakhil’s attack on the child led to protests in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and claims of a cover-up of his immigration status. Evening Standard · Feb 10
Keir Starmer, you have two choices now – sort your warring party out or call an election The country just can’t afford another three and half years of this dysfunctional soap opera, says Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey The Guardian - UK · Feb 9
Reform on ‘general election war footing’, Farage says and calls for PM to resign Nigel Farage said the party will be ready for a general election and said the local elections in May will be ‘crucial’. Evening Standard · Feb 9
Wetherspoon founder urges sector to back Reform’s pub tax overhaul Sir Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, said the proposed changes would help the sector move towards ‘tax parity with supermarkets’. Evening Standard · Feb 9
Starmer fights for survival as chief of staff quits over Mandelson scandal Morgan McSweeney quits as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff over the Peter Mandelson–Epstein scandal, leaving the British prime minister fighting for his political survival. Euronews · Feb 9
The Guardian - UK · Feb 9 Monday briefing: The Welsh were Labour’s most loyal voters, but even their support is in doubt In today’s newsletter: With public services under strain and voters drifting from traditional parties, the Senedd contest in May might end up causing an unprecedented reshaping of Welsh politics
The Guardian - UK · Feb 8 Morgan McSweeney’s fall offers a new beginning. Starmer and his cabinet had better grab it If he and his philosophy were to blame for the government’s ills, now it can change tack. There can be no more excuses, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
The Guardian - UK · Feb 8 Mandelson revelations show need for tougher UK constraints to resist rule of the rich Labour must protect democracy and learn lessons from Jeffrey Epstein’s efforts to influence government policy
The Guardian - UK · Feb 8 ‘A pollster’s nightmare’: stakes are high in three-way fight for Gorton and Denton Labour faces a battle to hold on to its 13,000 majority, with the Greens the bookies’ favourite and Reform hoping to gain from split vote on left
The Independent UK · Feb 8 Palestine Action latest: Labour MPs hit out at Starmer’s ‘draconian’ ban after High Court rules it unlawful The Metropolitan Police said it will no longer arrest protesters despite proscription remaining in place
The Independent UK · Feb 7 Starmer’s deputy warns Mandelson scandal will impact crucial by-election Lucy Powell tells The Independent the Gorton and Denton by-election represents ‘a line in the sand’, as MPs fear it has become a referendum on Starmer in the wake of the Mandelson scandal
The Independent UK · Feb 7 ‘It’s over for Starmer. The only questions are when, how, and how painful’ IN FOCUS: Keir Starmer’s premiership has lurched between crises, but his handling of the Mandelson scandal could prove to be fatal. Kate Devlin and David Maddox hear from Labour MPs who are furious about this week’s events, and fearful for the future
The Independent UK · Feb 7 A surprise candidate to replace Starmer could neutralise Farage’s voter appeal NEWS ANALYSIS: With the prime minister rumoured to be ‘in a dark place’ and considering quitting over the Mandelson scandal, political editor David Maddox looks at the possible replacements, including a rapidly emerging surprise contender
Evening Standard · Feb 7 Gorton and Denton by-election is choice between hope and hate, Greens say Leader Zack Polanski said it was a race between the Greens and Reform UK.
The Independent UK · Feb 7 Labour peer sent memo to Starmer chief of staff McSweeney warning against Mandelson appointment Lord Maurice Glasman sent the warning after attending a party hosted by Nigel Farage in Washington DC ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration
The Guardian - UK · Feb 7 Reform-run Kent council accused of fabricating £40m net zero savings Exclusive: Disclosures show figures cited by council leader rested on unfunded ideas listed briefly in budget papers