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295 headlines found — Page 12 of 25

The Guardian Politics30 Apr 2026

Where does Starmer’s leadership stand – and who are his potential challengers?

With prime minister on shaky ground, we take a look at who could take a run at the Labour leadership As the May elections creep closer, the leadership speculation at Westminster grows more intense. Is Keir Starmer safe and, if so, for how long? When will Angela Rayner’s tax affairs be resolved, and will she return to the cabinet? Who has Andy Burnham done a deal with to get back to Westminster, and would MPs support him if he did? Why has Wes Streeting gone so quiet? To the frustration of many –

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics30 Apr 2026

Spectator owner’s son calls for mine-laden ‘floating wall’ to stop Channel crossings

Winston Marshall, former member of Mumford & Sons, says those crossing are ‘economic migrants’ not refugees The son of the Spectator owner, Paul Marshall, has said Britain should construct a mine-laden “floating wall” as a radical measure to stop Channel crossings. Winston Marshall, a former member of the band Mumford & Sons who is now establishing himself as a rightwing online influencer, said that while the idea “might sound ridiculous”, it should be explored because previous attempts to stop

EconomyImmigrationRestoreRemigration
The Guardian Politics30 Apr 2026

Why Bank kept interest rates on hold despite message for UK to brace itself for Trumpflation

The reasons are hardly comforting, pointing to the weakness of a battered economy in the face of this latest crisis Business live – latest updates Bank warns ‘higher inflation unavoidable’ after leaving interest rates on hold The message to the UK’s crisis-weary households from the Bank of England is: brace yourself for Trumpflation – and the higher interest rates it may yet take to rein it in. Reading the Bank’s quarterly monetary policy report, it is not difficult to understand the fury Rac

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics30 Apr 2026

Could Lib Dems become the biggest party in English local government?

With voter loyalty a distant memory, the Lib Dems’ cost of living policies and criticism of Trump could gain them ground It has been an election buildup dominated by the rise of Reform UK and the Greens, and the contrasting woes of Labour and the Tories. But there is a chance that on 8 May the Liberal Democrats, largely ignored in recent weeks, could wake up as the biggest party in English local government. This is just one of several paradoxes for the party’s leader, Ed Davey, and his team. T

PoliticsEconomyEnvironmentReform
The Guardian Politics30 Apr 2026

Could Starmer bring back Rayner to steady ship – and would she get onboard?

Former deputy PM has walked a line between loyalty and interventionism since resigning last September It is nearly eight months since Angela Rayner quit the cabinet because of her tax arrangements, but some might argue her influence on the government has not gone away. And soon she might return, whether as Keir Starmer’s saviour or, perhaps, his usurper. There is increasing speculation that the prime minister could carry out a small-scale reshuffle, primarily to bring back Rayner, his former dep

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics30 Apr 2026

Why is Britain’s economy so stuck? It’s the tension between what voters want and what the bond markets allow | Larry Elliott

There is no such thing as the Bond Dealers party, but there might as well be – the people who trade in UK debt exert a stranglehold over our politics The days of two-party politics are over. When voters go to the polls in England next week, they will have five main contenders to choose from. In Scotland and Wales, the nationalists make it a six-strong race. This fragmentation reflects the deep discontent with Labour and the Conservatives. One thing in common between the Greens and Reform UK is t

PoliticsEconomyEnvironmentReform
The Guardian Politics29 Apr 2026

Rachel Reeves’s plan to mandate how pension funds invest was always a mistake | Nils Pratley

You can understand the motivation – more UK investment by UK funds means faster UK growth – but fiduciary duty trumps all A simple principle lies at the heart of pension investment: the pension manager must invest in the best interest of the client. UK ministers have often wished UK funds would show more home bias by channelling more pensioners’ cash towards domestic assets in the interests of economic growth, but the fundamental rule of the game has always been understood. You don’t mess with t

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics29 Apr 2026

Reform’s Scottish leader called ‘tone deaf’ after boasting about his houses, cars and yachts

SNP leader John Swinney suggests Malcolm Offord and other leaders should publish tax returns before 7 May UK politics live – latest updates The leader of Reform UK in Scotland, Malcolm Offord, has been dismissed as “tone deaf” and “entitled” after he boasted in a televised election debate about the number of cars, houses and boats he owned. Responding to the row on Wednesday morning, the SNP leader, John Swinney, proposed that all party leaders should publish their tax returns before the elect

PoliticsEconomyReform
The Guardian Politics29 Apr 2026

Rachel Reeves’s tax shake-up: time to plan ahead, from Isas to self-assessment

The chancellor’s changes will come into force in April 2027, affecting everyone from savers to landlords and sole traders. Experts say to act now Millions of people will be affected by a range of savings, investment and tax changes that take effect in just under a year’s time. “April 2027 may feel some way off, but when it comes to financial planning, a year is not a long time,” says Jason Hollands at the wealth management firm Evelyn Partners. Continue reading...

PoliticsEconomyHousing
The Guardian Politics28 Apr 2026

No 10 dismisses Reeves’s reported plan for freeze on private rents

Downing Street says focus to remains on cutting bills, backing renters and lowering energy prices Downing Street has dismissed a freeze on private sector rents even as Rachel Reeves left the door open to the idea, after the Guardian revealed the chancellor has been considering it as an option to cut the cost of living. A No 10 spokesperson said on Tuesday freezing private sector rents was “not the approach we will be taking” after sources told the Guardian it was Reeves’s preferred solution for

PoliticsEconomyHousing
The Guardian Politics28 Apr 2026

Rachel Reeves’s fiscal rules buffer should be ‘significantly larger’, say peers

Lord committee says chancellor and recent predecessors have allowed themselves too little room for manoeuvre Business live – latest updates Rachel Reeves should aim to run a “significantly larger” buffer against her fiscal rules, according to a report from a House of Lords committee that says the UK’s public debt is on an unsustainable trajectory. The chancellor raised taxes at last year’s budget in order to more than double the “headroom”, or buffer, against her fiscal rules to £22bn – some o

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics27 Apr 2026

Mandelson and McSweeney: a partnership forged on winning and crushing the Labour left

Former chief of staff who helped bring Mandelson out of Labour shadows for Washington post to be questioned by MPs on vetting process Like many Labour stories, Peter Mandelson’s and Morgan McSweeney’s both start at Lambeth council. Mandelson was in his mid-20s. It was 1979, and he was a new councillor under the leadership of “Red” Ted Knight. He came to despise the local party, describing the Lambeth Labour party’s leadership as “contributing very little to the economic development of south Lond

PoliticsEconomy