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The Guardian Politics7 Apr 2026

Commonwealth leaders vow to keep seeking reparations after Reform UK plan to halt visas

Politicians warn party’s pledge to ‘punish’ countries seeking justice for slavery will harm and isolate Britain Commonwealth politicians say they will not back down from seeking reparations as UK public figures, including a former Reform insider, warn the rightwing party’s pledge to “punish” countries seeking justice for slavery would harm and isolate Britain. This week, Reform UK said they would halt visas for nationals of countries formally demanding reparations from Britain if they took power

ImmigrationDefenceReform
The Guardian Politics7 Apr 2026

Can Starmer maintain ‘defensive strikes’ stance as Trump escalates threats on Iran?

Warnings that US could attack civilian infrastructure draws questions whether it is legally plausible for UK to still claim self-defence • Donald Trump says ‘a whole civilisation will die’ if Iran ignores demands In Downing Street, Keir Starmer has been at pains to emphasise that he will only authorise the use of UK bases by the US for “defensive” strikes on Iranian military targets. In the White House, Donald Trump has threatened to bomb civilian infrastructure – and said on Monday that he was

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics6 Apr 2026

Struggling families like mine don’t talk about the cost of living any more – now it’s the cost of survival | Ella Michalski

Trying to make ends meet is an impossible effort, and things are rapidly getting worse. It’s time the government listened to people like us Ella Michalski is part of Changing Realities, a project working with low-income families In times of war, it is right that we focus on the human suffering of those affected by military action. But its ripple effects have worsened an already dire set of living standards for families like mine, who simply cannot meet the rising costs of the most basic of ess

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics5 Apr 2026

NHS urges patients not to put off care as doctors in England prepare for strike

People encouraged to ‘come forward as normal’ when BMA members begin industrial action over pay on Tuesday The NHS is urging patients not to put off seeking the care they need when resident doctors press ahead with strike action from Tuesday, a stoppage that the health secretary has called “disappointing”. Tens of thousands of resident doctors in England are to stage a six-day strike after the government took a key part of its offer off the table. Continue reading...

DefenceHealthcare
The Guardian Politics5 Apr 2026

Starmer attacks Greens, saying vote for Labour rivals puts new workers’ rights at risk

PM also criticises business figures and opponents of changes, many of which come into force on Monday • Workers, pensioners and children: all better off. Ignore the critics – we really are standing up for working people Keir Starmer has used a raft of new workers rights that come into force on Monday to attack the Green party, saying a vote for Labour’s rivals puts such progress on sick pay, parental leave and zero-hours contracts at risk. The prime minister also took a swipe at business figure

DefenceEnvironmentHousing
The Guardian Politics3 Apr 2026

Relationship with Trump may be beyond repair, Keir Starmer told

PM gets widespread backing after president’s mocking impersonation takes US-UK relationship to new low Keir Starmer has been warned his relationship with Donald Trump may be beyond repair after the US president derided the prime minister for consulting his team about military decisions, in a mocking impersonation. In a new low for UK-US relations, Trump appeared to imitate Starmer in a weak voice during an Easter lunch speech at the White House and said the UK was “not our best” as an ally. Con

Defence
The Guardian Politics3 Apr 2026

The Guardian view on the US and Europe: the UK tried to be a bridge, but Trump likes to burn them | Editorial

The president’s outbursts on allies and Nato were further confirmation that Europe cannot wait to bolster security – and Britain must play its part “She had no more surprises for him; the unexpected in her behaviour was the only thing to expect,” Henry James wrote in his novel Daisy Miller. Leaders dealing with Donald Trump surely recognise the sentiment. James’s character was a young American out of her depth in Europe, falling victim to prejudices. Mr Trump is a real-world problem, and this ti

Defence
The Guardian Politics3 Apr 2026

It’s the silver lining from this terrible age of Donald Trump: he is pushing Britain closer to the EU | Gaby Hinsliff

Ten years after the Brexit vote, Trump’s disdain and insults are fuelling the belief that the UK should renew ties with Europe Going anywhere nice this summer? No, me neither, judging by the warning from the Ryanair boss, Michael O’Leary, that a global shortage of jet fuel caused by the Iran war may soon lead to cancelled flights. Suddenly a week in Cornwall looks a safer bet, though even that will be a stretch for some families as the cost of long car journeys heads through the roof. When the r

Defence
The Guardian Politics3 Apr 2026

Cost of living tsar urges Starmer to extend fuel duty cut in light of Iran war

Richard Walker says any planned September rate rise should be scrapped to reflect increase in petrol prices A cut to fuel duty should be extended to reflect the rise in petrol prices, the government’s cost of living champion has said. Richard Walker, executive chair of the supermarket chain Iceland, urged Keir Starmer not to raise the levy in September, in light of the conflict in the Middle East. Continue reading...

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics3 Apr 2026

Trump claims Starmer is weak as he mocks PM and UK aircraft carriers

Footage shows US president saying UK ‘should be our best’ ally and accusing PM of prevarication over sending ships • Middle East crisis – live updates Footage has emerged of Donald Trump mocking Keir Starmer by claiming the prime minister said he would have to consult his team before deciding whether to send UK aircraft carriers to the Middle East. In a new low for UK-US relations, Trump appeared to impersonate Starmer during an Easter lunch speech at the White House. Continue reading...

Defence
The Guardian Politics3 Apr 2026

What I learned from my first few weeks as a Green MP? Most politicians have no clue how tough things are out there | Hannah Spencer

With this escalating cost of living crisis, so many are really suffering – yet Labour lacks the imagination, boldness and will to do anything about it Six weeks ago, I was doing what I’ve always done – working as a plumber in people’s houses. I’d just completed a plastering qualification and was looking forward to putting it to good use. Now, I’m here in parliament, and to call it a culture shock would be an understatement. It’s easy to see why a lot of MPs don’t understand how hard things in th

PoliticsEconomyDefenceEnvironment
The Guardian Politics2 Apr 2026

Starmer must call energy summit akin to 2008 crisis response, Labour MP says

Former government adviser Polly Billington urges bigger steps to shield people in UK from effects of Iran war Middle East crisis – live updates Keir Starmer should convene a global energy summit of the same order as Gordon Brown’s response to the 2008 financial crisis and put Britain on a “war footing” to reduce its exposure to fossil fuels, a Labour MP and former government adviser has said. Polly Billington, who was an aide in Brown’s government, warned that economic pain was “hurtling down

EconomyDefence