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187 headlines found — Page 15 of 16

The Guardian Politics28 Feb 2026

Decision to allow UK exports to Armenian firm under review over Russian links

Cygnet Texkimp was approved to export machines to Rydena, but ministers examining deal after Guardian highlighted founders’ links to Kremlin military supply chain Ministers are reviewing a decision to allow a British company to export hi-tech equipment to Armenia after the Guardian uncovered links to the Russian military supply chain. Cygnet Texkimp, based in Cheshire, was weeks away from exporting two machines that produce carbon fibre “prepreg”, a lightweight material that can be used in a ran

DefenceEnvironment
The Guardian Politics28 Feb 2026

Starmer chairs Cobra meeting after strikes by US and Israel on Iran

Prime minister leads emergency committee to decide on UK’s response to latest fighting in Middle East US-Israeli attack on Iran – live updates US and Israel strikes on Iran: what we know so far Keir Starmer is chairing a meeting of the UK government’s Cobra emergency committee as Britain decides how to respond to the US-Israeli bombing of Iran, and Tehran’s retaliation against bases in the Gulf. The UK did not participate in the first wave of strikes early on Saturday but had deployed RAF Typ

Defence
The Guardian Politics28 Feb 2026

Keir Starmer’s response to the Gorton and Denton debacle should be a government that truly, finally, reflects him | Tom Baldwin

In the past he has been urged to follow strategies that don’t really match his core beliefs. That’s changing, as it must, because he knows the clock is ticking Tom Baldwin is the author of Keir Starmer, The Biography In a crowded and overheated bar towards the end of the evening a few months ago, I received some strange parenting advice from one of those “Labour strategist” types. We were discussing – maybe arguing – over the government’s position on Gaza. Eventually I asked if he could provid

DefenceHousing
The Guardian Politics27 Feb 2026

The Guardian view on Gorton and Denton: a warning shot across Labour’s bows | Editorial

Hannah Spencer’s win was more than protest. It signalled that Labour’s moral language and coalition are up for grabs in its safest terrain The Greens have every reason to celebrate their victory in the Gorton and Denton byelection. From a standing start in a Manchester constituency, Zack Polanski’s team tripled his party’s vote to capture a seat that had effectively voted Labour in every election but one since 1906 – the year Labour was born. Labour coming third behind Reform UK is not routine m

PoliticsDefenceEnvironmentReform
The Guardian Politics27 Feb 2026

Rachel Reeves ‘to give go-ahead’ for £1bn military helicopter deal

Report says chancellor to sign contract with Italy’s Leonardo, saving 3,000 manufacturing jobs at Yeovil factory Rachel Reeves is to approve a £1bn deal to build military helicopters in Yeovil, saving about 3,000 manufacturing jobs, according to reports. The chancellor is expected to sign a contract with Leonardo – the Italian owner of the former Westland factory in Yeovil, Somerset – to build the new battlefield helicopters, after months of speculation as to whether the historical site would su

Defence
The Guardian Politics27 Feb 2026

Labour leadership truce holds for now but clock is ticking for Starmer

Countdown to May has begun and dejected Labour MPs want to see in that time that PM is capable of change When Labour’s Scottish leader, Anas Sarwar, urged Keir Starmer to stand down two weeks ago, Starmer’s closest advisers presented him a choice: fight, flight or hand over his destiny to his party by calling a leadership contest. The prime minister chose the first option and his Downing Street team sprung into action to contain the threat. At the moment of greatest peril for Starmer, MPs peered

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics27 Feb 2026

Legal challenge over plan to use East Sussex army camp as asylum housing dismissed

Judge rules that Crowborough residents cannot challenge a decision before it has been formally made A residents’ group has lost its high court challenge against a Home Office decision to use an army training camp to house asylum seekers. Crowborough Shield, a group of concerned residents, launched a legal challenge after securing more than £100,000 for legal fees with crowdfunding, after a government announcement to use Crowborough army training camp as accommodation for asylum seekers. Continu

ImmigrationDefenceHousingCrime
The Guardian Politics27 Feb 2026

Dirty Business, The Lady, Mandelson’s arrest – are they truth, ‘faction’ or just more drama? | Simon Jenkins

The latest rush of docudramas seems to suggest that anyone in the public eye must expect a degree of intrusion. But where does that end? Was that really Peter Mandelson getting into a police car on Monday? Was it really the same Mandelson who had supposedly been about to flee to the British Virgin Islands, the man called “a traitor” to his country and the buddy of a sex trafficker of girls? Was he really to be questioned for nine hours by the police over “misconduct in public office”, an offence

DefenceCrime
The Guardian Politics26 Feb 2026

Why have efforts to bring in assisted dying law been thwarted?

How has legislation backed by MPs failed to clear the House of Lords? And what will happen now? The attempt to bring in new laws allowing assisted dying for terminally ill people with less than six months to live looks likely to fail. The legislation passed the House of Commons but it has struggled in the House of Lords, and campaigners in favour of the new law have accused peers of “sabotage”. Here is what has happened: Continue reading...

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics26 Feb 2026

UK social media ban for under-16s edges closer with Starmer expected to back it

Liz Kendall to launch consultation next week that will explore alternatives such as curbs on infinite scrolling Ministers will take another step towards banning social media for under-16s next week as they launch a consultation on the policy, with government insiders increasingly certain that Keir Starmer will back the idea. Liz Kendall, the technology secretary, will publish the terms of reference for the consultation, which is expected to explore options including an age limit and less hardlin

Defence
The Guardian Politics26 Feb 2026

Subsidies for Rolls-Royce might seem a bit rich, but they are inevitable

Every country supports its aerospace business, while keeping the production at home is vital. At least with Rolls, the UK is backing a winner Rolls-Royce, the engine-maker and defence firm that is spitting out so much cash it can shove £7bn to £9bn towards buying back shares over the next three years, would like UK taxpayers to find a few quid – reportedly up to £200m as a first slug – to help fund one its big bets. The company would “appreciate” financial support from the government to smooth w

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics26 Feb 2026

Sarwar gambles on break with Starmer as Holyrood race tightens

Scottish Labour leader hopes distancing himself from PM will shift focus to SNP’s record, but voters remain unconvinced UK politics live – latest updates “People look at Holyrood and think: ‘Lets give them all a bloody nose’,” says Alex, a betting shop manager. Speaking in a focus group of people who voted Labour at the 2024 general election, Alex captured the downbeat mood of a cohort bitterly disappointed with the Labour government’s early performance, frustrated by the record of the Scottis

PoliticsDefence