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187 headlines found — Page 10 of 16

The Guardian Politics6 Mar 2026

Digested week: it’s been a rough year – so thank you to our politicians for giving me plenty to write about

I’ve lost count of the number of sketches I wrote from the chemo ward as Jill went through the hell of cancer treatment It’s been a while since I last wrote the digested week. Last May, my wife was diagnosed with cancer and life has been a struggle ever since. Jill’s story is hers to tell, but here are some of my initial thoughts on finding myself a primary carer on the cancer frontline (it’s always been me who’s needed looking after up till now). From that first consultation, when the doctor to

Defence
The Guardian Politics6 Mar 2026

RAF jets could legally strike Iran’s missile bases, says David Lammy - UK politics live

Deputy prime minister says while jets currently only shooting down missiles, there is legal basis for them to do more Middle East crisis – live updates Hello and welcome to the UK politics blog. Royal Air Force jets could legally strike Iranian missile sites being used to attack British interests in the Middle East, David Lammy has said this morning. It is entirely legal to protect our people and protect our staff, and therefore all operational capability is available to us in those circumstan

PoliticsDefenceHousing
The Guardian Politics5 Mar 2026

Has Starmer been too weak on Iran? – podcast

The UK prime minister has defended his stance on the war in the Middle East amid growing pressure from Cyprus, Bahrain and the UAE. John Harris, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss whether he has shown strength or weakness. Plus: the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has announced her controversial asylum plans Continue reading...

ImmigrationDefence
The Guardian Politics5 Mar 2026

Defence secretary accuses MPs of deliberately undermining UK’s relationship with Trump

John Healey says its ‘unpatriotic’ for opposition politicians to turn the US against Starmer US-Israel war on Iran – live updates The defence secretary John Healey accused opposition politicians of deliberately undermining the UK’s relationship with Donald Trump, saying it was “unpatriotic” for MPs to seek to turn the US against Keir Starmer. Healey, speaking to the Guardian at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which was hit by a drone strike over the weekend, said he had been shocked at the way politi

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics5 Mar 2026

Kemi is wrong about everything. Which is almost an achievement in itself | John Crace

The Tory leader’s appearance on the Today programme was sheer madness – and comedy gold Cast your mind forward 10 years or so. Long after Kemi Badenoch has been sacked as Tory party leader without even getting to contest an election. Long after she has been fired from a sinecure in an HR firm for falling out with all her colleagues. Long after she was dismissed from a Tory thinktank for being unable to think. Long after she was forced to take early retirement. You might think Kemi’s name would b

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics5 Mar 2026

Sirens over RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus are stark reminder of its proximity to war

UK defence minister visits base on high alert after drone strike as civilian personnel, families and villagers seek safety Middle East crisis – live updates The siren that warned a ballistic missile launched from Iran might be heading towards RAF Akrotiri sounded just as the defence secretary, John Healey, had sat down in a secure room on the base, preparing for the day’s Cobra meeting with the prime minister and cabinet. It was the second time the alert had been sounded that day, a sound that

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics5 Mar 2026

‘Best way forward’ for Iran would be negotiated settlement, says Starmer

PM defends decision not to join initial strikes by US and Israel and says UK is doing ‘everything we can’ to de-escalate situation UK politics live – latest updates Middle East crisis – live updates Keir Starmer has said the Iran conflict engulfing the Middle East could continue “for some time” as he urged Donald Trump that the “best way forward” longer term was a negotiated settlement with Tehran. The prime minister said the UK was doing “everything we can” to de-escalate the situation, a cl

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics5 Mar 2026

Transparency fears over plan to redact 2,000 staff names on Commons register

Exclusive: Standards committee proposal aims to improve staff safety but critics say it will further reduce public trust UK politics live – latest updates MPs are planning to redact the names of 2,000 parliamentary staff from an official register that has been in place for decades, in a move that experts say will reduce transparency around lobbying by passholders. The proposal has been put forward by the House of Commons standards committee after evidence sessions held in private with staff un

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics5 Mar 2026

The Covid-19 inquiry is sounding a clear warning. If it’s not heeded, yet more lives will be lost | Ben Connah

It’s not a question of if, but when, another pandemic hits Britain. We owe it to all those who suffered to make sure mistakes are not repeated What makes the independent inquiry set up to examine the UK’s response to, and the impact of, the Covid-19 pandemic unlike any other in British history is that we are not examining something that affected one specific group of people. The chair, Heather Hallett, and her team have investigated a virus that swept the land and affected every single person in

Defence
The Guardian Politics5 Mar 2026

Ministers discuss ways to offset energy price surges caused by Iran war

Government’s claim to have lowered bills in jeopardy as households face £160 rise caused by soaring oil and gas prices Ministers are discussing the possibility of intervening to protect the public against soaring household energy bills if the Middle East conflict drags on. Oil and gas prices have surged since Donald Trump started his bombing campaign against Iran, which has hit back by closing off a crucial shipping route through the strait of Hormuz, and attacking energy infrastructure. Contin

Defence
The Guardian Politics5 Mar 2026

Nissan ‘says Sunderland plant could close’ if UK excluded from Made in Europe rules

Reports of carmaker’s warning come as lobby group says EU proposals could damage £70bn cross-channel trade Business live – latest updates The Japanese carmaker Nissan has reportedly said it could be forced to close its plant in Sunderland if the UK is not fully included in new “Made in Europe” manufacturing rules proposed by the EU. The UK car industry trade representative group also said it was “gravely concerned” about the proposals, which it said could damage the £70bn annual cross-channel

Defence
The Guardian Politics5 Mar 2026

Crypto investor based in Thailand donates further £3m to Reform

Christopher Harborne’s gift is latest to party’s election war chest and comes amid calls for political donations to be capped UK politics live – latest updates Christopher Harborne has donated another £3m to Reform UK on top of his record £9m last summer. Nigel Farage’s party, which has been topping the polls for more than a year, brought in a huge £5.5m in the last quarter of 2025. It also included a £200,000 donation from JC Bamford Excavators – traditionally a Conservative donor – which als

PoliticsDefenceReform