Mandelson Files add insult to injury, but the patient was already beyond saving June 2, 2026 The deluge of emails, Whatsapp messages and hand-written notes released yesterday cover the full range of political and diplomatic life, from the absurd to the poignant; from rows over a gift for Donald Trump to soul-searching over Keir Starmer’s failures, it’s all there in black and white. What’s clear at a glance is quite how [...]
Sadiq Khan: London tech boom can weather ‘dizzying’ AI risks June 1, 2026 Sadiq Khan has insisted London is “busy writing” the future of AI despite the “dizzying” risks posed by the technology, as fresh figures show the capital has reclaimed its position as Europe’s leading tech hub. The Mayor of London said AI presents both “impacts and opportunities”, but argued the capital was well placed to benefit [...]
Brits back Blair’s growth calls – yet are squeamish over welfare cuts June 1, 2026 Most Britons back Tony Blair’s demands to prioritise cheaper energy over net zero and support the private sector to boost growth, yet are squeamish over slashing disability payments and reforming the triple lock pension, polling has shown. Following up on Tony Blair’s rallying call for potential Labour leadership contenders to focus on growth, City AM/Freshwater [...]
Labour sheds union member support to Reform, poll shows June 1, 2026 Trade union members are split between supporting Labour and Reform UK, a poll has found, reflecting the breakdown of Britain’s traditional voting patterns. A poll by JL Partners has suggested that support for the two parties from union members is tied at 28 per cent, with Labour dropping 20 percentage points in support since the [...]
NATO military chief presses UK to accelerate defence pledges May 31, 2026 Nato’s military chief has urged Britain and other allies to speed up the delivery of their defence pledges. Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Nato’s military committee chair, said he is “frustrated” by the UK and its allies’ commitments to spend on defence which he said do not stand if there is no equipment to show for [...]
Ministers back SNP probe as Sturgeon refuses to apologise for Murrell May 31, 2026 Two top government ministers have backed an inquiry into the SNP after its former chief executive Peter Murrell admitted to embezzling over £400,000 from the party. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg that there “should definitely be an inquiry because trust in politics has been fundamentally undermined by the [...]
Key Mandelson file withheld by Cabinet May 31, 2026 The Cabinet Office will not release a key document linking to Peter Mandelson’s vetting following police warnings that it could derail the ongoing investigation into the disgraced peer. Government officials will not release the summary document, complied by the UK Security Vetting Agency (UKSV), following advice from Scotland Yard that it could jeopordise prosecuting Mandelson [...]
Streeting suggests North Sea drilling and NI cuts in latest pitch May 31, 2026 Former health secretary Wes Streeting has suggested cutting national insurance and issuing new North Sea oil drilling licenses as he continues to make his leadership pitch. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Streeting set out a series of policies ahead of a potential leadership contest expected within the coming months in Westminster, including drilling [...]
‘Defining moment’: UK’s largest train operator enters public ownership May 31, 2026 Ministers have hailed the nationalisation of the of the largest train franchise as a ‘defining moment’ as the government pushes forward with nationalising the railway. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander hailed the nationalisation of Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), with its services accounting for one in six train journeys in the UK. Its four brands, Southern, Thameslink, [...]
Trump yet to make ‘final determination’ on Iran war despite discussions May 30, 2026 US president Donald Trump is yet to make his ‘final determination’ on the war in Iran, despite holding a meeting with advisers on Friday to reach a decision on extending the ceasefire. Trump is yet to decide whether to move forward with a deal to extend the Iran ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, [...]