Labour ‘want next London mayor to be a woman’ with Dawn Butler among list of potential suggestions to replace Sadiq Khan

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Farage snubbed as Starmer set to announce new UK ambassador to the US

Lord Mandelson has been picked as the UK's new ambassador to the United States in a blow to Nigel Farage.

The former business secretary and effective deputy prime minister under Gordon Brown is set to take over from Dame Karen Pierce.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Starmer DEFENDS Labour's triple hit to British business as PM grilled by senior MPs

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a grilling at the hands of senior MPs in the Liaison Committee - his first-ever appearance in front of the 31 select committee chairs as Prime Minister.

The PM is being probed on Labour's promises for growth, the economy, public services, plan for change, global affairs, security and more - and has already defended his party's least popular business reforms.

Labour's Liam Byrne asked Starmer whether the party's triple-hit of National Insurance contribution hikes, minimum wage increases and workers' rights reforms was the "world's best idea" - to which he rolled out a string of party messages in reply.

"The first thing I would say is this. The inheritance was appalling, the economy was broken and there was a £22billion black hole when we did the audit of the books.

"The Chancellor and I had to take a decision," he said. "Do we pretend that is not there... or do we fix the foundations? I felt very strongly that we should fix the foundations and do the difficult stuff first."

Greens join Reform UK in demanding water companies to be nationalised

The Green Party has joined Reform UK in calling for water companies to be brought back into public ownership after Ofwat announced planned water bill rises over the next five years.

Party co-leader and Waveney Valley MP Adrian Ramsay said: "England has one of the only fully privatised water networks in the world, and we are all paying a high price for this.

“Privatisation has resulted in £80bn being leaked out to shareholders in dividends since 1990 and some water companies paying out more in dividends than they’ve made in profit. This shortfall has been made up through borrowing, leaving companies in serious debt.

“Meanwhile, water companies were responsible for releasing raw sewage for 3.6m hours last year, double the amount recorded the year before. Yet despite this record of public failure and private reward, water companies have pressed Ofwat to allow eye-watering rises in water bills so they can give even larger returns to private investors.

"The way to end this model of failure and ensure money is invested in improving the quality of services provided, infrastructure improvements, and protecting our environment is to bring water back into public ownership.”

Labour vows to strengthen donation rules after Musk floats bankrolling Reform UK

Downing Street has vowed to protect democracy from threats of foreign interference amid reports that Elon Musk has been preparing to make a large donation to Reform UK.

It comes as party leader Nigel Farage suggested talks were underway with Musk about a potential donation to the party.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Starmer stays coy on Trump as he vows he's 'alive to the danger of tariffs'

Sir Keir Starmer has warned Donald Trump against imposing tariffs on UK goods once he becomes President.

The Prime Minister told the Liaison Committee that he was "alive to the danger of tariffs", adding that he was "not a fan".

Labour MP Liam Byrne had the PM how he would talk Trump away from imposing tariffs on Britain.

Starmer said: "I am not going to speculate as to what he is going to do. It won't come as any surprise to you that I am not a fan of tariffs and therefore we have to make sure that we avoid tariffs.

"We have got very good trade with the US, as we have got very good trade with other countries around the world.

"I want to improve on that... As you will know, I had a meeting with President Trump in September in New York - I have had a number of phone calls since, including one yesterday."

Asked if they had discussed tariffs over the phone, he said: "I won't go into the details of what we discussed, but am I alive to the danger of tariffs? Yes of course. I am against tariffs. But I am not going to speculate as to what the incoming President might do."

Outrage as Steve Reed tells Britain's farmers: 'We know you're in it for the money'

Environment Secretary Steve Reed has said farmers are "in it for the money" in Labour's latest assault on rural Britain.

Speaking in the Commons as he fielded questions on the party's family farm tax raids, Reed told MPs: "The Shadow Secretary of State, as well as the former Prime Minister, keep telling farmers they’re not in it for the money.

"We know that they are."

"They're businesses that need to make a profit, and our new deal for farmers, including increasing supply chain fairness is intended to make farms profitable and successful for the future, in a way that they were not under the previous Government," he added.

That came after former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said farmers were "genuinely devastated by the Government's family farm tax" - and before Reed's Shadow counterpart Victoria Atkins labelled him "heartless".

Reed had accused Atkins of "weaponising a personal tragedy" to make a political point.

She had told the Commons: "In recent weeks, a farmer took himself off to a remote part of his farm and killed himself.

"The message he left his family, who wish to remain anonymous, is that he did this because he feared becoming a financial burden to his family because of changes to inheritance tax."

This is the "human cost" of Labour's inheritance tax raids, Atkins said.

Reed replied: "I send my heartfelt sympathies to that family but I think it is irresponsible in the extreme to seek to weaponise a personal tragedy of that kind in this way."

Atkins hit back in her follow-up question, telling him: "How heartless and also how extraordinary that the Secretary of State is more discomforted by being presented with the facts of the consequences of his policy than the reality of what this policy ensures."

New twist in Tulip Siddiq investigation as Bangladeshi allegations labelled 'politically motivated'

The Bangladeshi investigation into Labour's Tulip Siddiq has taken a fresh twist after the country's allegations have been branded "politically motivated".

A source close to Siddiq told the BBC that the embezzlement allegations were "trumped up charges", "completely politically motivated" and designed to damage her aunt - ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Siddiq has "denied any involvement in the claims" accusing her of involvement in embezzlement, Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said earlier.

The investigation is based on a series of allegations made by Bobby Hajjaj, an outspoken political opponent of Hasina.

'It's a betrayal!' Starmer faces mass Labour mutiny as 100 MPs plot revolt over Waspi snub

Sir Keir Starmer has been left bracing for a mass Labour mutiny after his Labour Government ruled out spending £10billion compensating Waspi women.

Up to 100 Labour MPs could vote against this week’s announcement after the Prime Minister denied MPs a vote on the issue and told the Commons that taxpayers could not afford the eye-watering compensation costs.

The Liberal Democrats have reportedly been mobilising to press Starmer to hold a vote on the matter and could even look to hold either a backbench debate or opposition day motion to force the Prime Minister to confront dissent from his own backbenchers.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Sadiq Khan faces Reform UK ribbing over London's mobile phone theft epidemic - 'They can't all be in Louise Haigh's drawer!'

Sadiq Khan has been subjected to a ribbing at the hands of Reform UK in his last Mayor's Question Time of 2024.

Asking the Mayor about London's phone theft epidemic at City Hall, the party's London Assembly member Alex Wilson said: "52,000 phones can't all be in the bottom of Louise Haigh's desk drawer!"

Haigh, the disgraced ex-Transport Secretary, had resigned in late November after admitting she falsely told police her own phone had been stolen in 2013.

Starmer places confidence in Bangladesh-investigated MP Tulip Siddiq

Sir Keir Starmer has confidence in Tulip Siddiq, the minister who has been named in a Bangladeshi anti-corruption probe, Downing Street has indicated.

Siddiq has "denied any involvement in the claims" accusing her of involvement in embezzlement, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said - and will continue to maintain her responsibility as a minister overseeing UK anti-corruption efforts.

Pressed on whether there was any conflict of interest in Siddiq's involvement in a 2013 Bangladeshi deal with Russia over a nuclear power plant and her ministerial role, the spokesman said: "I can't speak to events that happened prior to a minister's time in Government."

He added that there was a "very clear declaration process" for ministers - which had been followed.

Siddiq is understood to not have been formally contacted by the relevant Bangladeshi authorities.

Bank of England HOLDS interest rate at 4.75 per cent

The Bank of England has decided to keep the base rate at 4.75 per cent in todays Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.

The decision follows the UK inflation figures yesterday which showed an increase in November for the second month in a row.

Six members of the MPC preferred to keep the base rate at 4.75 per cent, while three voted for a 0.25 percentage point reduction.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Starmer accused of reigniting 'Brexit wars' as PM poised to 'bend the knee' to Brussels - 'Outrageous!'

Sir Keir Starmer is gearing up to "bend the knee" to Brussels and reignite the "Brexit wars", Kemi Badenoch has warned.

Yesterday, the Tory leader claimed that the Prime Minister "is about to give away our hard-won Brexit freedoms", while Labour "are punching the British people in the face".

But now, she has poured scorn on the Prime Minister's upcoming talks with EU bigwigs as part of his "relations reset".

Badenoch told The Sun: "Now Keir Starmer is preparing to bend the knee to Brussels. When Labour negotiate, the UK loses. I won't let them get away with it."

She also tore into Starmer for "voting against getting Brexit done at every opportunity" - and issued a dire warning over Britain's independence under a "reset" relationship, too.

"His new deal will give up Britain's independence and allow foreign judges to make our laws again - trying to hide the catastrophic effects of his new taxes and regulations," she said.

"Four years ago I said Labour 'always take the knee'. Inflation-busting pay rises to unions. Paying to give up the Chagos Islands.

"Now Keir Starmer is preparing to bend the knee to Brussels."

Steve Reed branded 'heartless' after accusing Tories of 'weaponising personal tragedy' of farmer suicide

Environment Secretary Steve Reed has been branded "heartless" by Shadow counterpart Victoria Atkins after accusing her of "weaponising a personal tragedy" to make a political point.

Atkins had told the Commons: "In recent weeks, a farmer took himself off to a remote part of his farm and killed himself.

"The message he left his family, who wish to remain anonymous, is that he did this because he feared becoming a financial burden to his family because of changes to inheritance tax."

This is the "human cost" of Labour's inheritance tax hikes, Atkins said.

Reed replied: "I send my heartfelt sympathies to that family but I think it is irresponsible in the extreme to seek to weaponise a personal tragedy of that kind in this way.

"Where there is mental ill health then there needs to be support for that, and this Government is investing in it.

"She knows from the last year for which data is available that the vast majority of claimants will pay absolutely nothing following the changes to APR (agricultural property relief)."

Atkins hit back in her follow-up question, telling him: "How heartless and also how extraordinary that the Secretary of State is more discomforted by being presented with the facts of the consequences of his policy than the reality of what this policy ensures."

Farage promises to 'sweep away Establishment stooges' after Labour told to clamp down on donations amid Musk rumours

Nigel Farage has vowed to "sweep away" "Establishment stooges" after the Electoral Commission urged Labour to strengthen rules on foreign political donations to Britain.

With rumours of an Elon Musk splurge on Reform UK still looming, Labour and the Tories are "terrified", Farage said.

Writing on social media this morning, he said: "Once again the Electoral Commission prove themselves to be Establishment stooges.

"Both Labour and the Tories are now terrified of Reform and Elon Musk.

"Never mind peerages for donations or the millions given to them by foreign businessman via UK companies in the past.

"This old order needs to be swept away."

Labour battles Reform UK for allies across the Atlantic as Starmer's top aide meets team Trump

Sir Keir Starmer's top aide Morgan McSweeney travelled to Florida to meet Donald Trump's transition team, The Sun revealed late last night.

Alongside the Downing Street chief of staff, National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell - overseeing the surrender of the Chagos Islands - made the trans-Atlantic trip, before Nigel Farage and Nick Candy met the President-elect's top allies on Monday.

The duo met with Trump's own incoming chief of staff Suzy Wiles at his transition HQ last week before heading to Washington DC to meet Mike Walz, his incoming National Security Adviser.

The No10 pair discussed Donald Trump's plan for peace in Ukraine, the threat of China and the conflict in the Middle East.

A source said the talks had "warmth about the UK, and commitment to maintaining strong working relationships".

'INSANITY!' Jenrick fumes as migrant drug boss allowed to STAY in Britain

Robert Jenrick has voiced his fury after a migrant drug baron was granted permission to stay in Britain despite having been convicted of his party in a major heroin supply plot.

The 70-year-old Turkish drug baron, who was jailed for 16 years over the plot, won his right to remain in Britain on human rights grounds after successfully arguing that returning to Turkey would violate his right to family life.

And now, the Shadow Justice Secretary has said: "The latest insanity. How can anyone defend this?"

Labour MP risks being targeted by Bangladeshi government in 'spurious' embezzlement investigation

Labour's Tulip Siddiq risks being targeted by the Bangladeshi government in a embezzlement investigation, according to local media reports.

Siddiq, the Hampstead and Highgate MP, is the niece of recently-ousted Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina - and faces allegations of helping to illegally siphon off £5.2billion which had been ring-fenced for infrastructure projects in the south Asian state.

Bangladesh's anti-corruption commission is said to have told local news outlets on Tuesday that it had opened an investigation into the allegations - but Labour sources have cast them down, despite the risk of a diplomatic row if authorities follow through.

The Telegraph reports that Labour Party insiders labelled the allegations "spurious claims" and said Siddiq had not been contacted over the matter.

'The public have a right to be angry' as water bills surge, Steve Reed says

The British public "have a right to be angry" amid a surge in water bills, Environment Secretary Steve Reed has said.

The average bill will rise by a total of £157 - or 36 per cent - over the next five years, according to regulator Ofwat.

A senior Ofwat director said the hike was "needed to safeguard the health of our rivers, our seas and our waterways, to improve the resilience of our water supplies... and to get companies to really raise their game on their day-to-day performance."

But Reed vowed: "The public are right to be angry after they have been left to pay the price of Conservative failure.

“This Labour Government will ringfence money earmarked for investment so it can never be diverted for bonuses and shareholder payouts. We will clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good."

Health Secretary claims pensioners will be 'BETTER OFF' this winter after Labour axe £300 pensioner perk

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has claimed that pensioners will be "better off" this winter - despite Labour's slashing of the winter fuel allowance.

Asked if the Department of Health and Social Care had done an impact assessment into potential deaths, Streeting said: "Because of the choices that the Chancellor has made, particularly on protecting the state pension through the triple lock - even taking into account the decisions she's taken on winter fuel allowance - pensioners will still be better off this winter than they were last winter, and will be better off next winter further still.

"ne of the reasons it gives me confidence to stand by that assertion is she has protected winter fuel allowance for the poorest pensioners and put in place financial support, which I think will make a real difference."

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