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The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

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

DefenceEnvironment
The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

Johnson government wasted ‘vast’ sums on PPE, Covid inquiry finds

Chair criticises use of ‘VIP lane’ to prioritise PPE contracts for companies with Tory connections in damning report Boris Johnson’s Conservative government wasted public money on a “vast” scale with flawed buying of personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic, an official inquiry has concluded. The Covid-19 inquiry chair, Heather Hallett, also criticised the then government’s controversial “VIP lane”, which gave high priority for PPE contracts to companies with political conne

Politics
The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

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

PoliticsDefenceReform
The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

It’s the hope that kills you – so fingers crossed for Andy Burnham | Zoe Williams

World Cup victory for England next week could raise expectations the likely new prime minister can’t live up to Andy Burnham yesterday got himself clear of the magic number – the 323 Labour MPs who had to support him to make any leadership challenge mathematically impossible. Half a week had gone by in limbo, his endorsements standing at 322, everyone knowing he was the next prime minister, nobody able to call it anything more than “likely”. What were those last MPs waiting for? Maybe they were

Politics
The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

Nigel Farage turned down taxpayer-funded security including bodyguard, car and driver last year – UK politics live

The head of Reform UK refused the security, which was a similar level to that received by the leader of the opposition, because he considered it inadequate Continue reading...

PoliticsEconomyReform
The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

Robert Jenrick criticises government for not offering Nigel Farage earlier security meeting

Reform’s Treasury spokesperson said talks over party leader’s protection only happening ‘as a result’ of Ann Widdecombe’s death UK politics live – latest updates Robert Jenrick has criticised the government for not offering Nigel Farage a security meeting earlier, saying it has only happened “as a result” of the death of Ann Widdecombe. The Reform UK Treasury spokesperson claimed ministers had chosen not to give Farage the security “that he needed”, and had only agreed to arrange a meeting wit

PoliticsEconomyReform
The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

‘We are dying little by little here’: asylum seekers at mercy of Home Office hotel closures

Legal challenges launched over accommodation ‘adequacy’ as UK government closes more asylum hotels Huda and her two children aged 10 and 12 had been living in two rooms in a London hotel for six months when they were told with just a few days’ notice they would be moved. The 41-year-old engineering graduate from Tunisia fled death threats from extended family and is waiting for an asylum application to be processed. The Home Office had decided that Staycity, the hotel the family was staying in,

ImmigrationReform
The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

Burnham has a chance to overhaul Pip. Here's what a truly progressive system could look like | Frances Ryan

Last week’s Timms report shows how disability is still vilified. But some pragmatic fixes would help both claimants and the economy “Broken Britain” has become the favourite narrative of the right in recent months. The playbook goes like this: politicians and pundits alike exploit genuine concerns about squeezed services and living standards to propagate a sense of division and despair. Meanwhile, the parts of the state that actually need radical change are then either ignored or misrepresented,

Economy
The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

North Sea oil industry urges Burnham to approve new drilling in UK waters

Lobby appeals to prospective PM’s reindustrialisation agenda as it pushes for Rosebank and Jackdaw approval The UK’s North Sea oil industry has made a last-ditch attempt to curry favour with the Labour government by appealing to Andy Burnham’s reindustrialisation agenda just days before he is expected to become Britain’s next prime minister. Industry lobbyists have written to more than 400 Labour MPs to call on the government’s new leaders to allow more oil and gas drilling in UK waters to suppo

Politics
The Guardian Politics13 Jul 2026

UK children will be one of unhealthiest generations in decades, doctors say

Analysis of 12 indicators including asthma, obesity and vaccination finds child health is ‘national embarrassment’ Children in the UK will grow up to be one of the unhealthiest generations in decades, with child health outcomes having declined or stalled completely across all areas, a group of leading paediatricians has said. Reduced vaccination rates alongside rising hospital admissions for asthma and mental health disorders are all contributing factors to the UK’s record on children’s health,

Healthcare
The Guardian Politics13 Jul 2026

Andy Burnham backs controversial asylum bill amid Labour dissent

Prime minister-in-waiting votes for plans to tighten appeals system as 14 Labour MPs oppose measures Andy Burnham has backed the government’s controversial asylum changes, voting for legislation that has divided Labour MPs over plans to tighten the immigration system and reshape the appeals process. The prime minister-in-waiting and Labour MP for Makerfield supported the immigration and asylum bill at its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday evening, despite a rebellion by 14 Labour

PoliticsImmigration
The Guardian Politics13 Jul 2026

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

Defence