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The Guardian Politics19 Mar 2026

Nigel Farage condemned over call to ban public prayer for Muslims in the UK

Reform party leader criticised for making comments after event held in London’s Trafalgar Square this week Muslim leaders have condemned Nigel Farage’s call to ban public prayer by Muslims in the UK as bigoted and warned of a “growing tide of hate” after the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, questioned whether the events fitted “within the norms of British culture”. Farage was speaking at the launch of Reform UK’s manifesto for the forthcoming Scottish parliament elections when he made the rem

PoliticsDefenceReform
The Guardian Politics19 Mar 2026

Do the Conservatives have a problem with Muslims? – podcast

At the launch of the Conservative local elections campaign on Thursday, Peter Walker asked Kemi Badenoch about her shadow justice secretary’s claim that Muslims praying in Trafalgar square was an ‘act of domination’. Her answer did not clarify the party’s position. Peter discusses with Lexy Topping the problems this kind of culture war may bring the Conservatives. Plus, are Sadiq Khan’s comments on the EU and Angela Rayner’s return to the spotlight a new headache for Keir Starmer? Continue read

PoliticsDefenceReform
The Guardian Politics19 Mar 2026

Some of the world’s poorest countries to lose UK aid due to 56% budget cut

UK’s bilateral aid to Africa, which funds programmes such as schools and clinics, to be cut by almost £900m by 2028-29 Some of the world’s poorest countries will lose out on UK aid which funds programmes such as schools and clinics due to budget cuts set out by the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper. The UK’s bilateral aid to Africa will be cut by almost £900m by 2028-29 – a 56% cut – part of more than £6bn in cuts which must be delivered to fund an increase in defence spending. Continue reading.

EconomyDefenceEducation
The Guardian Politics19 Mar 2026

Spending more on defence and less on aid does not mean walking away from our values and responsibilities – here’s why | Yvette Cooper

As conflict escalates around the globe responding to security threats is a cost we must bear, but a Labour government will always find the means to stand up against disease and hunger Yvetter Cooper is secretary of state for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs In my lifetime, there has never been a period when the scale of global instability and insecurity – and the impact here in the UK – has been so great. Regional conflict is gripping the Middle East; the Iranian regime is trying

Defence
The Guardian Politics19 Mar 2026

Farage called Welsh people ‘foreign speakers’ in paid-for video message

Reform UK leader’s remarks in Cameo clip risk damaging party’s ambitions in upcoming Welsh elections Farage videos reveal support for rioter, neo-Nazi event and far-right slogans Nigel Farage described Welsh people as “foreign speakers” in a paid-for personalised video message that could prove awkward for Reform UK in forthcoming elections in the country. Farage made the remarks in a video he was paid to make on Cameo, a personalised video platform, to celebrate a wedding. Continue reading...

PoliticsDefenceReform
The Guardian Politics19 Mar 2026

UK to cut climate aid to developing countries by 14% to £2bn a year in ‘refocus’

Move will put national security and lives overseas at risk, critics say, as overall UK aid budget is slashed to 0.3% of gross national income Climate aid to developing countries from the UK will be cut by about 14% to roughly £2bn a year under government plans, in a move critics said would put national security and lives overseas at risk. The move follows bitter rows with the Treasury, which wanted deeper cuts owing to pressure on spending resulting from the war in Iran. Continue reading...

EconomyDefenceEnvironment
The Guardian Politics19 Mar 2026

Charlotte Nichols MP on her rape trial ordeal – podcast

MP for Warrington North shares her experience as a complainant in a rape trial where the man she accused was acquitted Standing up in parliament last week, Charlotte Nichols MP waived her right to anonymity as a complainant of sexual offences. “I care profoundly about rape victims facing intolerable delays for their day in court,” she said, in a debate about jury trials. Continue reading...

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The Guardian Politics19 Mar 2026

Ban corporate donations to UK political parties to protect elections, says thinktank

CenTax warns bill under debate in parliament has ‘easily exploitable’ loopholes and will not prevent foreign interference Political donations by companies should be banned to protect UK elections from foreign interference, a thinktank has warned. In the first big overhaul of election funding in 26 years, ministers have pledged to “keep British democracy safe” by closing a loophole that allows individuals not eligible to vote in Britain to donate to political parties through UK-registered compani

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The Guardian Politics19 Mar 2026

UK to double steel tariffs to 50% to save plants from collapse

Business secretary announces new ‘steel safeguards’ during visit to Tata’s Port Talbot plant The UK is to double tariffs on Chinese and other foreign steel in a bid to save its remaining plants from collapse. The new “steel safeguards” came weeks after bosses at Tata Steel in south Wales warned the government they had just two months to be saved. Continue reading...

Defence
The Guardian Politics18 Mar 2026

Stonehenge tunnel plan officially scrapped after years of protests

Campaigners have been fighting proposals to build traffic tunnel under the world heritage site since 1994 A controversial plan to build a tunnel under the Stonehenge site has been officially cancelled after millions were spent on the doomed project. Campaigners have been fighting proposals to dig a tunnel for cars under the location of the world heritage site since the idea was first proposed in 1994. Continue reading...

Defence
The Guardian Politics18 Mar 2026

UK says it remains in talks over escorting ships through strait of Hormuz

Officials say military planners liaising with US Central Command but situation remains too dangerous for anything to happen soon Middle East crisis – live updates Britain has said it remains involved in discussions with the US and European allies over escorting merchant shipping through the strait of Hormuz but the situation remains too dangerous for it to happen soon. Iran is still considered to pose a threat and to have a wide range of weapons available – from cruise missiles to sea drones –

Defence
The Guardian Politics18 Mar 2026

As Trump shows lack of direction on Iran, even Badenoch distances herself

Steady UK opposition to the war and the US president’s insults mean MPs are finding it easier to point out the obvious When is a U-turn definitely a U-turn? To the consternation of politicians through the ages, this is rarely something within their control, but decided instead by the herd. And thus it is with Kemi Badnoch over Iran and Donald Trump. The Conservative leader would very much like it to be known that she had not changed her stance on the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, or on the US pres

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