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1707 headlines found — Page 8 of 143

The Guardian Politics7 Aug 2026

As a Tory, I say things are looking up. Farage is fading, and the looming threat to No 10 is called Kemi | Simon Hart

My party has seen difficult times – but with a few canny moves the leader is finally cutting through, and there are clear signs of recovery Something is afoot. The bookies can feel it. “Badenoch overtakes Farage as favourite to be next prime minister,” was the word from betting website William Hill this week. Let me tell you what is happening. This is a challenging political time. Even today, there is controversy for Kemi Badenoch to deal with. But as a Conservative it seems to me that in the pa

PoliticsReform
The Guardian Politics6 Aug 2026

Why has Kemi Badenoch given a former neo-Nazi an advisory role? – The Latest

Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi activist, has been offered a role as an adviser to the Conservative party by Kemi Badenoch after he withdrew as a Tory candidate for next year’s local elections. The role will reportedly be focused on how young men become radicalised. Bonehill-Paine was convicted of harassing a Jewish MP and has previously described himself as a ‘nationalist, fascist, theorist and supporter of white rights’. He says he has carried out counter-extremism work since he was r

Politics
The Guardian Politics6 Aug 2026

Burnham ‘personally intervened’ over possible early prison release of grooming gang perpetrators

Government ‘urgently’ identifying men convicted in historic cases who could be freed in scheme loophole UK politics live – latest updates Andy Burnham’s government is “urgently” identifying any grooming gang perpetrators who may still be eligible for early prison release after concerns were raised about a potential loophole in the system. The prime minister has “personally intervened” after men convicted of assaulting children in Bradford were expected to be freed from prison early despite a p

PoliticsCrime
The Guardian Politics6 Aug 2026

Reform to unveil controversial plan to fine firms and jail bosses who employ illegal workers – UK politics live

Reform say employers would be held responsible even if they were unaware of the worker’s immigration status Hello and welcome to the UK politics live blog. Reform UK says it will fine firms 10% of their global revenues and imprison bosses who employ illegal migrant workers under the party’s latest plans to bring down immigration. Under a Reform government, Britain will have the harshest penalties in the world for employing illegal migrants. Bosses of companies employing illegal migrants will be

PoliticsImmigrationDefenceReformCrimeRestoreRemigration
The Guardian Politics6 Aug 2026

Healey urged to be bold on borrowing in first test of Burnham’s growth pledge

Some want the chancellor to exploit newly flexible fiscal rules – others want a more creative approach, such as borrowing from markets With just 12 weeks to go until his first budget, new chancellor John Healey is seeking ways to ramp up public investment, without busting the Treasury’s fiscal rules – and some economists are urging him to be bold. As he settles into No 11 Downing Street, the former defence secretary’s most immediate challenges concern day-to-day government spending. Continue re

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics6 Aug 2026

Council wants pubs in London’s Soho and West End to ban standing

Sadiq Khan criticises Westminster council’s ‘anti-growth policies’ after it recommends stopping ‘vertical drinking’ Waiting at the bar and trying to catch the bartender’s eye so you can order a pint, before going to stand with your friends and have a catchup, has been how British people have experienced going to the pub for centuries. But Westminster council has been accused of trying to put a stop to it. The council, which has jurisdiction over one of the busiest nightlife districts in Europe –

Politics
The Guardian Politics5 Aug 2026

The Guardian view on the Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch: purging moderation is not 'common sense' | Editorial

A row over a local council candidate reveals a deeper problem with the Tory leader’s diagnosis of her party’s electoral predicament Kemi Badenoch has been clear about the qualifying criteria for prospective Conservative MPs. They must be “serious people who understand common sense,” she has said. The situation in local government is different, as demonstrated by Mrs Badenoch’s ill-judged support for a former neo-Nazi, selected to stand as a councillor in Somerset next year. Joshua Bonehill-Paine

PoliticsHousing
The Guardian Politics5 Aug 2026

Former neo-Nazi activist withdraws as Conservative election candidate

Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who was convicted of harassing Jewish MP, says Badenoch has offered him advisory role instead • UK politics live – latest updates A former neo-Nazi activist who was convicted of harassing a Jewish MP has withdrawn as a Conservative election candidate after his selection prompted an outcry from Jewish groups and others. Joshua Bonehill-Paine said on Wednesday he had withdrawn from next year’s local elections, and that Kemi Badenoch had instead offered him a role as an advis

Politics
The Guardian Politics5 Aug 2026

Badenoch defends decision to allow man jailed for antisemitism to stand as councillor

Tory leader praises Joshua Bonehill-Paine’s ‘contrition’ but says she has higher thresholds for MP candidates Kemi Badenoch has defended her party’s decision to allow a former neo-Nazi who was jailed for subjecting a prominent Labour politician to antisemitic abuse to stand as a councillor. Badenoch said her party was not giving Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who is standing for election in Somerset, a “national platform”. Continue reading...

Politics
The Guardian Politics5 Aug 2026

Justice minister defends early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers amid possible legal challenge – UK politics live

Jake Richard acknowledges ‘unimaginable pain’ of Harper’s family but says government faces an ‘unenviable position’ The Thames Valley chief constable has said he is “receiving legal advice” and would “certainly consider” joining the Police Federation’s legal action over the possible release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers. Asked if he would join the case, Jason Hogg told the BBC’s Today programme on Wednesday: This is something I certainly would consider. But like I said, I urge the government now

PoliticsReformCrime
The Guardian Politics4 Aug 2026

The Guardian view on Burnham and the devolved nations: a test for the new politics in Westminster | Editorial

The prime minister has unveiled his plans for English devolution. The picture in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is much less clear After early statements of intent on homelessness and social care, Andy Burnham capped his opening two weeks in office by addressing what one might call the English question. Plans for greater fiscal devolution to England’s mayoral authorities, unveiled last week, are part of what is perhaps the primary raison d’etre of Mr Burnham’s government: the need to reba

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics4 Aug 2026

Ex-MP urges Tories to drop candidate jailed for campaign of antisemitic abuse against her

Luciana Berger says Joshua Bonehill-Paine should have no role in public life because of ‘his racism and his view of women’ A former MP has urged the Tory leader to drop an election candidate who was previously jailed for a campaign of antisemitic abuse against her. Kemi Badenoch on Tuesday defended the Conservative party’s selection of Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi, insisting she believes in “second chances”. Continue reading...

Politics