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Tories deny purge as Lord Barwell hits back after losing party whip

Former minister says decision suggests ‘intolerance of criticism’ but source says it was for problems with conduct The Conservatives have denied they are purging prominent centrists after Gavin Barwell lost the whip in the wake of warnings from Kemi Badenoch that supporters of policies such as targets for net zero were no longer welcome in the party. Lord Barwell, who was an MP and minister before becoming Theresa May’s chief of staff, said he was saddened at the decision and that Badenoch riske

David Lammy’s proposed cohabitation law would be bad for couples – and worse for some women | Ruth Deech

The government’s worthy attempt to give cohabiting partners marriage-like rights fails to protect women who have chosen financial independence Andy Burnham will walk into No 10 on 20 July to a bulging in-tray of policies, proposals – and problems. One he may be less aware of is a ticking political timebomb launched by David Lammy in his role as justice secretary, which could affect millions of people who have chosen not to marry. Under Lammy’s proposal, couples who have lived together for three

'At Last the IRGC is Banned, but the Iran Threat Remains'

Banning the IRGC is a historic moment, but we must go further, writes Labour MP Mark Sewards.

UK Cyber Defence Could Be Curtailed Over Environmental Concerns After ICJ Opinion

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued an advisory opinion on climate change and (for some reason) military cyber operations. Apparently they’re linked… The opinion states that countries must give greater weight to environmental concerns when conducting cyber warfare. As one analyst puts it: “With respect to cyber operations, many such operations might have…

Defiant Nicola Sturgeon sparks fury by blocking her secret police files

Aamer Anwar, Nicola Sturgeon's lawyer, said neither the written statement nor the 'no comment' police interview she gave following her arrest in 2023 would be made public.

YOUGOV: Labour Support Drops as Burnham Secures Leadership

The latest from YouGov: REF 24% ▼1 CON 19% ▼2 LAB 19% ▼1 GRN 15% ▲2 LIBDEM 13% ▲1 Last night Burnham officially secured the backing of 349 Labour MPs, and will become Prime Minister in six days. As Tony Blair warned at a summer reception yesterday, “don’t expect to be loved”…

<a href='https://news.sky.com/story/politics-latest-burnham-starmer-labour-tories-badenoch-farage-12593360?postid=12052203#liveblog-body'>Home secretary to change law to allow her to deport grooming gang leader but warns 'no guarantee'</a>

Lawyers to investigate claims of GB power grid cover-up over blackout risk

Operator brings in independent legal firm to look into whistleblower allegations relating to June heatwave Great Britain’s grid operator has brought in independent investigators to look into accusations that its staff were involved in a cover-up over the power system being at a greater risk of blackouts during the heatwave. The government-owned energy system operator will face the scrutiny of an external legal firm after a whistleblower claimed that control room staff were warned against leaving

Keir Starmer announces that UK will join EU's defence loan scheme for Ukraine

The move is part of the outgoing Prime Minister's Brexit reset

‘Coalition of the willing’ to build shared European anti-ballistic programme

Ukraine and nine other countries including UK issue joint statement as leaders meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris Ukraine and nine other countries including the UK, Germany and France are to build a shared protection programme for Europe against ballistic missiles, using Kyiv’s experience in fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion for more than four years. “Our goal is to build a shared ballistic missile defence capability for Europe,” the 10 nations said in a statement on Monday as leaders met the

Labour Wars: One Week to B-Day

Guido members get exclusive access to Labour Wars, the inside track on what’s really happening at the top of government. Fawkes Friends and Premium Plotters also receive priority tickets to all our events, like our recent debate, Is Britain Broken, featuring Zia Yusuf, Fraser Nelson, and David Frost. Click here to become a member today… Andy…

JP Morgan boss pressed by US senator about contact with Jeffrey Epstein

Elizabeth Warren asks Jamie Dimon if he was advised to ‘mildly threaten’ UK chancellor over tax on bankers’ bonuses A leading Democratic senator has written to the boss of JP Morgan to request clarification on the bank’s contact with the child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the senate banking committee, wrote to Jamie Dimon last week to ask if he took advice from Epstein while lobbying against a UK tax on banker bonuses, in a letter published by the committee