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The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Legislation proposed to stop ‘lawfare’ targeting journalists and whistleblowers

Private members’ bills to crack down on use of Slapps are likely to attract cross-party support A coordinated push to protect whistleblowers, journalists and victims of sexual assault from being sued by those who wish to silence them has been launched in both houses of parliament. Two private members’ bills designed to crack down on strategic lawsuits against public participation, known as Slapps, have been introduced by Conservative members within 24 hours of each other, and are likely to attra

Politics
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Top teaching union backs Burnham as Labour’s best chance of beating Reform

Exclusive: NASUWT leader Matt Wrack also calls for more robust change from the government on education policy UK politics live – latest updates The leader of one of the country’s biggest teaching unions has backed Andy Burnham, saying he is Labour’s best chance for beating Reform in a general election. The general secretary of NASUWT, Matt Wrack, was speaking to the Guardian in the run-up to Thursday’s Makerfield byelection, in which the Greater Manchester mayor hopes to return to parliament a

PoliticsEducation
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

‘No friends to the oil and gas industry’: Aberdeen South, the byelection where one topic dominates

Peter Murrell affair may feature, but contest seen as straight fight between SNP and Tories over energy policy The contest for Aberdeen South, a constituency that spans urban social housing and detached homes with sculpted gardens, has been dominated by one topic: the future of North Sea oil and gas. The drama gripping the Labour party at Westminster and Andy Burham’s nascent leadership pitch in Makerfield barely affects this byelection, which also takes place on Thursday. The vote is touted as

PoliticsHousing
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Forced adoption survivors to get full apology from UK government, says Phillipson

Education secretary describes historical practice in England as a ‘shameful period’ in country’s history Downing Street is to make a full apology on behalf of the state to those affected by historic forced adoption in England, the education secretary has confirmed. Bridget Phillipson, giving evidence to MPs on the education select committee on Wednesday, described it as a “shameful period” in the country’s history. Continue reading...

PoliticsEducationReform
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Labour came to power with no big idea for relations with EU, says former top diplomat

Ivan Rogers, Britain’s EU ambassador from 2013 to 2017, says party’s ideas did not ‘remotely measure up’ to challenge UK politics live – latest updates Labour arrived in power with no big idea on the future relationship with the EU, a former British ambassador to Brussels has said. Ivan Rogers, Britain’s EU ambassador from 2013 to 2017, said Labour presented “a ragbag of issues” on the EU in its manifesto, which didn’t “remotely measure up to the challenge of the times” and would “make no meas

Politics
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Keir Starmer says he wants to offer Burnham ‘big role’ in government to avoid leadership contest – UK politics live

Former health secretary Wes Streeting also threatened to launch a leadership contest if the prime minister did not set out a timetable to step down Good morning. Keir Starmer is still in France for the G7 summit but – as Margaret Thatcher discovered on a trip to Paris in November 1990 – acting as a statesman on the world stage does not protect a PM from a leadership challenge at home and, on that front, there has been a small development overnight; Starmer is now being told explicitly he will fa

Politics
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Wes Streeting says he could launch leadership challenge next week

Former health secretary calls on Keir Starmer to step down to end ‘uncertainty and paralysis’ Wes Streeting has said he would be prepared to challenge Keir Starmer and spark a Labour leadership contest as early as next week. The former health secretary, who quit the cabinet last month, said “uncertainty and paralysis” would have to be ended and that he would give the prime minister at least the weekend to think about it. Continue reading...

Politics
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Reader Q&A: ask reporter Hannah Al-Othman anything about the Makerfield byelection

Tomorrow is Andy Burnham’s day of destiny as he seeks to return to parliament in a bid to become prime minister. Hannah Al-Othman has been part of our team covering this pivotal campaign. She’ll be online at 1pm BST to answer your questions Sign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussion Ahead of tomorrow’s byelection in Makerfield, the Guardian’s North of England correspondent Hannah Al-Othman will be here to answer your questions about anything from tactical voting to the loc

Politics
The Guardian Politics16 Jun 2026

The tide is turning on Thames Water: special administration looks best

It is still not totally clear what the government wants but the political mood seems to be shifting towards a decision Thames Water nationalisation moves closer as government objects to rescue deal At last, Emma Reynolds, the environment secretary, has opined on the future of Thames Water. So what’s it to be? A takeover by the company’s creditors? Special administration, which would allow anyone to pitch up with an offer while the state temporarily funds the company? Or even a quick flush to f

PoliticsDefenceEnvironment
The Guardian Politics16 Jun 2026

Trio of senior defence figures accuse Starmer of underfunding military

PM hit by three-pronged attack from ex-defence secretary, former defence minister and chief of defence staff UK politics live – latest updates Keir Starmer is leaving British troops underfunded and unable to carry out the operations he expects from them, according to scathing remarks delivered in parliament on Tuesday by three senior defence figures. The prime minister came under fire in separate interventions from his former defence secretary John Healey, the former defence minister Al Carns

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics16 Jun 2026

Labour MP bringing back assisted dying bill urges House of Lords to finish its job

Lauren Edwards dismisses party internal concerns and criticises ‘anti-democratic’ way bill was halted The Labour MP Lauren Edwards who will bring the assisted dying bill back to the Commons has said she will not be dissuaded by concerns about Labour divisions, saying MPs should allow the House of Lords to finish its work on the bill after it was blocked from a vote by peers. It also can be revealed that the Labour MP and disability rights campaigner Marie Tidball is to co-sponsor the bill, along

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics16 Jun 2026

Farage’s plan for equal pay legislation may cost female workers money, say unions

General secretary of TUC calls Reform proposal ‘a smokescreen for slashing women’s rights’ UK politics live – latest updates A law proposed by Nigel Farage to “strengthen women’s rights” could cost female workers money by removing equal pay for work of equal value, unions have said. A proposal, made by Reform UK days before the Makerfield byelection, to introduce a Women and Motherhood Protection Act that it says will restore equality before the law has been described as “shameless and decepti

PoliticsReform