News

Original reporting and the latest political headlines from across the UK.

Our Articles

Mainstream Headlines

8686 headlines found — Page 166 of 724

The Guardian Politics25 May 2026

‘Social media should be treated like tobacco’: Streeting calls for under-16s ban on certain platforms

Former health secretary’s intervention comes as government closes consultation on age limits for social media platforms Social media companies should be treated like the tobacco industry, Wes Streeting has argued, as he called for a ban on under-16s accessing certain platforms. Speaking publicly about the prospect of a ban for the first time since he left government, the former health secretary said one was needed because large technology companies were trying to dodge regulations. Continue rea

The Guardian Politics25 May 2026

Rachel Reeves tells ministers to ‘buy British’ in four key industries

Exclusive: Chancellor pushes for procurement of ships, steel, energy and AI to prioritise Britishness as well as cost Rachel Reeves has instructed cabinet colleagues to award government contracts in four critical industries directly to British companies, making clear her irritation that ministers have been sending too much government business abroad. In a letter seen by the Guardian, the chancellor tells every cabinet minister in charge of a spending department to “buy British” wherever possible

PoliticsDefence
Express Politics25 May 2026

Labour’s failures on immigration and housing are two sides of the same problem

Labour has failed to build enough homes, and to control the border. Chris Philp MP argues they are two sides of the same problem.

ImmigrationHousing
The Guardian Politics25 May 2026

The Guardian view on lenient sentences for rape: teenage survivors deserve more from the justice system | Editorial

Rehabilitation of young offenders is vital. But victims should not leave court wondering why they bothered The decision to review the sentences of two teenage boys convicted of raping two girls, aged 15 and 14, in separate incidents in November 2024 and January 2025, and a third boy who took part in the second rape, is correct. A knife was used to threaten the second victim, and the attacks were filmed with footage later uploaded to social media. Given the severity of the crimes, and the fact th

ReformCrime
Express Politics25 May 2026

Former SNP chief Peter Murrell splashed embezzled £400k on GTA V and £70 toilet seats

SNP's Peter Murrell has pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,000 of party funds on luxury purchases, including a £1,200 space telescope and a designer bread bin.

Express Politics25 May 2026

Reform councils blasted over £16million spent on diary managers and PAs

A former Civil Servant has blasted Reform UK-led councils for spending millions on hiring diary managers, despite pledging to axe waste.

Reform
Express Politics25 May 2026

‘I have a brain tumour at 20 and I'm scared — MPs must back assisted dying’

EXCLUSIVE: Noah Herniman, 20, has an inoperable brain tumour.

Politics
The Guardian Politics25 May 2026

Oppressing women is how authoritarianism begins. So listen to what Reform is saying | Zoe Williams

We saw it when Russia jailed members of Pussy Riot, and again when the US overturned Roe v Wade: misogyny is a powerful political weapon. Let’s focus on fighting it, not ‘understanding’ it In preparation for interviewing Pussy Riot’s Maria “Masha” Alyokhina at the Charleston festival, I was reading her new memoir, Political Girl. I thought I remembered the group’s origin story pretty well – in 2012, they performed their anthem, Punk Prayer (Virgin Mary Banish Putin), and two band members were im

Politics
The Guardian Politics25 May 2026

Nigel Farage’s Russian hack claim ‘without any merit’, former NCSC chief says

Ciaran Martin says Reform UK leader’s allegation over Guardian report on £5m gift ‘entirely unsubstantiated’ Nigel Farage’s claim that a Russian hack was behind a Guardian report on the £5m gift he received from a crypto billionaire has been described as “without any merit” by a former head of the National Cyber Security Centre. Ciaran Martin, founding chief executive of the agency, which is part of GCHQ, said Farage’s allegation, if true, would have major implications for UK policy towards Russ

DefenceReform
The Guardian Politics25 May 2026

Here is Andy Burnham’s route to save Labour: a new manifesto, a new election and electoral reform | Polly Toynbee

Proportional representation can rescue Britain’s warped politics. It could stop Nigel Farage arriving at No 10 with less than 30% of the vote Here comes the prospect of redemption, a second chance for Labour to start over. A victory for Andy Burnham in the Makerfield byelection not only opens the door to No 10; a leadership contest also allows him and Wes Streeting to finally stretch their wings. Ideas currently firmly chained up in a Downing Street dungeon could be freed. Land value tax? Wealth

PoliticsEconomyDefenceReformHousing
The Guardian Politics25 May 2026

Labour has never had a female leader because ‘it’s a bit sexist’, says Jess Phillips

However, former minister tells Hay festival ‘the idea that a woman leads and it makes it better for women is not one I’ve recognised in this country’ The Labour MP Jess Phillips has described her party as “sexist” for having no permanent female leaders in its history. Asked at the Hay literary festival why Labour has never had a female leader, Phillips responded that “like all institutions, it’s a bit sexist innit”. She added that “every institution that every single person in this room works fo