Labour declares war on farmers as Treasury sends ‘clear message’ following inheritance tax meeting - ‘Go away!’
Nigel Farage calls for an end to death taxes at a farmers protest
GB News
Labour has declared war on British farmers as Starmer's Government has sent off a clear message to the farming community.
The meeting between NFU boss Tom Bradshaw and Treasury minister James Murray to discuss potential alternatives to Rachel Reeves' current tax plans left the union representative with "boiling blood".
Bradshaw revealed that the minister started off the meeting by saying: "I'm meeting with you because you asked to meet."
The junior Labour minister told Bradshaw that the Government had only accepted to meeting so that they could inform MPs that they were communicating with the farming industry.
All of Bradshaw's proposals were dismissed as Labour informed Bradshaw that they were "sticking with" their original plan outlined by Reeves in October which left the nationwide farming community in disarray.
He added: "The message from Government was clear: go away."
In response, Victoria Atkins shadow Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Secretary said: "Contrary to the words that come out of Keir Starmer’s mouth, this is yet more confirmation that farmers are at the bottom of the list of Labour's priorities.
"The Government has been endlessly warned of the economic and emotional damage their Family Farm Tax is having across the countryside, but once again they've arrogantly ignored the warnings and stuck pig-headedly to their ideological dogma.
"Labour clearly don't care about rural communities. If they did, they would follow our pledge to axe their family farm tax."
Business Secretary accused of 'fabricating CV' after describing himself as a 'solicitor' despite never qualifying
Jonathan Reynolds had described himself on his website as a solicitor
PAThe Business Secretary has been accused of “fabricating his CV” after describing himself as a “solicitor” despite never qualifying.
Jonathan Reynolds had described himself on his website as a solicitor who worked in the Manchester branch of law firm Addleshaw Goddard before becoming an MP.
However, he never actually qualified, quitting his training contract to run for Parliament in 2010.
A spokesman for the Business Secretary told Guido that his reference to working as a solicitor was a mistake, and that he has tried to make it clear that he was only ever a trainee.
Liz Truss attacks 'deeply rotten' British state
Liz Truss and Darren Grimes at Arc 2025GB NewsFormer Prime Minister Liz Truss has launched a blistering attack on the British state, describing it as "deeply rotten" and warning of a "disastrous situation" facing the country.
Speaking to GB News at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) conference in east London, Truss claimed people are "being thrown in jail for Facebook posts" while serious crimes go unpunished.
The former PM insisted that whoever forms the Government in 2029 must "massively overhaul our country and overhaul the state".
Her comments come as reports suggest Reeves is planning significant spending cuts of up to 11 per cent in some Government departments.
SAS Veteran says 'Starmer is ripping us apart - there is not a chance I would bear arms for that man'
SAS veteran Matthew Hellyer has told GB News he would never go to battle for Britain while Sir Keir Starmer is in charge.
In the shocking admission, Hellyer said the PM is “ripping Britain apart” as speculation mounts over whether British troops will be deployed in Ukraine.
“I wouldn’t encourage any soldiers to go out there and pick weapons up until we get a legal framework in place that protects our servicemen and women doing their job”, he said.
Labour risks 'severely' damaging electric car progress if 2030 petrol and diesel ban is changed
Major UK electric vehicle targets could be "severely compromised" if Labour chooses to change a critical mandate, experts have warned.
It comes as the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate consultation ends today which looks at hearing from automakers about potential changes to the 2030 petrol and diesel car ban.
The date, which is five years earlier than the 2035 date introduced under the Conservative Government, would mean drivers and car manufacturers would be forced to commit to electric cars while the charging network continues to grow.
Experts have now warned that if the consultation leads to a change in the mandate, it could "severely compromise" the existing electric car charging network which secured £6billion in private investment commitments for charging infrastructure deployment.
Zia Yusuf brands Tories ‘incompetent and shambolic’ in scathing ARC rant
Yusuf said: “I love this Country and I care deeply about it. I want clean air to breath and a beautiful countryside. Net Zero does the exact opposite of this”
PAIn a conversation with Lord David Frost at the ARC conference this afternoon, Zia Yusuf called the Conservatives “cowardly, incompetent and shambolic.”
Speaking about Net Zero, Lord Frost branded it “socialism”, saying: “Net Zero gave new lease of life to socialism. Net Zero is socialism by other means and fundamentally left wing course of action.”
Yusuf said: “I love this Country and I care deeply about it. I want clean air to breath and a beautiful countryside. Net Zero does the exact opposite of this.”
The pair agreed that there is “no climate crisis,” with Lord Forst acknowledging that there is a “slow increase in global temperatures”, but saying “it’s nothing we can’t cope with.”
“It’s a policy problem,” he added.
Yusuf replied: “I agree there is no climate crisis. On balance of probability, there is some impact from human behaviour on carbon emissions but the U.K. is on less than one per cent. We can use the power of capitalism to bring carbon emissions to zero.”
John Healy pledged Britain's 'biggest shake up in 50 years' amid major defence reform
The defence secretary has announced the "biggest shake up of UK defence for over 50 years" in a speech this morning as he unveiled his major plans for reform.
He announced that he would create a new command structure in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as well as halt the Tories' old defence reforms from 2012.
His announcement has come while discussions continue on the state of the MoD and the UK's ability to contribute to a peacekeeping force in a plan for Ukraine - backed by Britain, France and Sweden.
'Throwing farmers to the wolves!' Lib Dems condemn Labour's 'cruel tax' amid
The Liberal Democrats have hit out at Labour's "cruel tax" following the meeting between the union boss and junior minister
PA
The Liberal Democrats have said that Labour is "throwing to the wolves" following the meeting between union boss Tom Bradshaw and junior minister James Murray.
Liberal Democrat Environment and Rural Affairs spokesman Tim Farron said: "This Government is throwing farmers to the wolves, completely disregarding the importance of farming communities to our economy and environment.
"Their family farm tax could be the final nail in the coffin for many communities struggling to cope."
Lady Chief Justice 'deeply troubled' by heated PMQs exchange over immigration tribunal decision
The Lady Chief Justice - the head of the judiciary for England and Wales - is "deeply troubled" by last week's heated exchange between Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch
Parliament; GETTY
The Lady Chief Justice - the head of the judiciary for England and Wales - is "deeply troubled" by last week's heated exchange between Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch in the Commons.
Baroness Carr said today that she was “deeply troubled to learn of the exchanges" during PMQs over a tribunal decision on immigration, as she declared that both politicians' statements were "unacceptable".
Last week, Kemi Badenoch slammed Keir Starmer in the Commons after it was revealed that a Palestinian family was granted the right to stay in the UK under a Ukrainian refugee scheme.
Reform leader declares that Britain must undergo 'big cultural changes' to return 'sense of optimism'
Nigel Farage has insisted that it is time for Britain to undergo a number of cultural changes to return the nation's sense of optimism.
Speaking at the ARC conference in London this morning, he said: "We have dis-incentivised young people in the country.
"There needs to be very big cultural changes and we need to get that sense of optimism back into the country."
Nigel Farage denies splitting conservative vote as he claims Tory party are 'not on the right'
Nigel Farage has hit back at the Conservatives, accusing Kemi Badenoch's party of being "not on the right"
PA
Nigel Farage has hit back at the Conservatives, accusing Kemi Badenoch's party of being "not on the right".
It comes after the Opposition leader told the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference yesterday took a swipe at the Reform UK leader, saying "strong men have lots of words but no plan. They promise everything and deliver nothing.
"Opening his discussion with Canadian author Jordan Peterson earlier today at the ExCel Centre, the Clacton MP told the conference: "The right is not split in the UK because the Tories are not on the right."
Reform tops national poll in latest devastating blow to Starmer
Reform has topped yet another national poll
YouGov
Reform has topped a national poll in the latest devastating blow to Starmer's popularity, becoming the only major political party to make a gain over the past week.
The political pollsters at YouGov found that support for Reform had jumped by an extra point - leaving the party two per cent ahead of Labour and six per cent ahead of the Tories.
The Liberal Democrats, the Greens and the SNP took 14 per cent, nine per cent and three per cent respectively.
Reform is the only party across those surveyed that has increased their support since YouGov's poll the previous week.
'Complete and utter nonsense!' Nigel Farage blasts Labour's net zero agenda
PA
Speaking at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference this morning, the leader of Reform UK blasted Labour's net zero agenda - insisting that it ought to be all about "common sense".
"Net zero is complete and utter nonsense," he slammed.
"The one thing that drives me potty is being told carbon dioxide is a pollutant. I'm an environmentalist in the old school sense. It needs to be all about common sense."
Germany REJECTS Keir Starmer's Ukraine peace plan as Scholz slams 'completely premature' troops pledge
Germany has rejected Keir Starmer's peace plan for Britain to deploy troops to Ukraine to support any proposed peacekeeping deal
PA/REUTERS/GETTY
Germany has rejected Keir Starmer's peace plan for Britain to deploy troops to Ukraine to support any proposed peacekeeping deal.
The Prime Minister had declared that the UK should take centre stage in post-war security guarantees for Ukraine - which would involve putting British troops "in harm's way" to police a potential ceasefire.
In response, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz slammed the proposal as "completely premature" and "highly inappropriate", admitting that he was "a little irritated" after yesterday's meeting of Europe's leaders in Paris yesterday.
Scholz left the meeting early as rifts between national leaders became evident over the future of a "European army" to maintain the peace.
While Britain, France and Sweden favoured the idea of supporting Ukraine with a peacekeeping force, Germany, Poland and Spain were seemingly reluctant towards the strategy.
"It is completely premature and the completely wrong time to be having this discussion now. I am even a little irritated by these debates," Scholz told reporters.
He explained that such negotiations on troops' deployment were being conducted "over the heads of Ukrainians about the outcome of peace talks that haven't even started".
He added: "This is highly inappropriate, to put it bluntly and honestly – we don’t even know what the outcome will be."
Rachel Reeves warned £12bn tax rise 'most likely path' to meet Starmer’s defence spending pledge
Rachel Reeves faces a tough choice between £12billion in tax rises or significant spending cuts to meet Sir Keir Starmer's defence spending pledge, economists have warned.
The Resolution Foundation says the party would need to find £6billion a year by the end of the decade to boost defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP.
Reeves must now navigate between breaking her promise of no new taxes or imposing significant cuts to unprotected Whitehall departments such as transport and housing.
Healey prepares to discuss 'priorities to reform UK defence'
Healey prepares to discuss 'priorities to reform UK defence'
PA
Defence Secretary John Healey is preparing to outline his "priorities for reforming UK defence" in an event in London this morning.
The Labour minister is set to talk about how his department will "ensure it stays ahead of the UK's adversaries and deliver maximum value for taxpayers".
Keir Starmer is currently facing significant pressure to raise defence spending to at least 2.5 per cent of GDP to keep the British military afloat.
Badenoch slams ECHR for allowing foreign criminals to dodge deportation - 'The public are enraged!'
Badenoch slams ECHR for allowing foreign criminals to dodge deportation - 'The public are enraged!'
PA
Kemi Badenoch has said the immigration case on chicken nuggets has illustrated how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is being weaponised to dodge deportation.
Addressing the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference yesterday, she called the ECHR one of the "loopholes in liberalism".
Her speech followed a number of cases where illegal migrants or foreign criminals "exploited" such laws to stay in the UK or put off their eventual deportation - including a case of an Albanian criminal who was not deported as his son did not like foreign chicken nuggets.
In London, Badenoch said: "The current system is being exploited. The public are enraged at the perception that the UK has become a haven for foreign criminals.
"The most extraordinary example is how the European Convention on Human Rights, designed to stop the persecution of individuals by the state, is now weaponised by those who wish to erode our national identity and border security."
Ukraine peacekeeping force would be greater than that of Afghan war, ex Tory minister warns
A European peacekeeping force in Ukraine would be a larger commitment than the Afghanistan war, an ex-Tory minister has warned.
Former Defence Secretary Sir Gavin Williamson has added that such a promise from the PM could even risk direct conflict - although he admitted that Britain must take on a leadership role.
Williamson said: "It is right that Britain takes a leadership role, but there has to be a reality check in that it is going to be incredibly expensive, not just in equipment but also in personnel."
He told The i: "What we are talking about is a significant commitment that will actually be more significant than even the Afghan war, because in the Afghan war you were not dealing with a peer enemy."
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