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Kemi Badenoch dismissed Tony Blair’s calls for Labour to pivot, calling the former PM’s influence over the party ‘irrelevant.’ The government is doubling down on its agenda despite internal and external pressure.
Independent councillor Jonathan Bacon ousted Liberal Democrat rival to reclaim council leadership a decade after resigning in protest over austerity. His return comes despite Reform UK’s sweeping gains on the island.
Liberal Democrats claim Hampshire’s Conservative leader secured re-election only after a behind-the-scenes deal with Reform UK. The accusation comes as Reform gains key scrutiny roles on the council, despite losing the popular vote.
Temperatures hit 34.8°C on Monday, shattering records, while Nicola Sturgeon faces fresh scrutiny over her ex-husband Peter Murrell’s embezzlement case. The political fallout intensifies as calls grow for transparency and accountability.
US President Donald Trump has ordered negotiators to avoid a hasty nuclear accord with Iran as internal GOP dissent grows. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage faces mounting demands to substantiate claims that Russian hackers exposed a £5m donation to his campaign. Domestic tensions escalate as Britain braces for a record-breaking holiday weekend heatwave.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage pledged a £5bn tax break to exempt overtime pay for workers earning under £75,000, framing it as a direct challenge to Labour. Meanwhile, Britain baked under record early-summer heat, with emergency services warning of health risks.
Reform UK calls for the abolition of income tax on overtime hours beyond a 40-hour workweek for employees earning under £75,000. The proposal aims to boost productivity and reward workers taking on extra shifts.
A Reform UK councillor who campaigned on reducing anti-social behaviour was convicted of assault four months before local elections. Emma Thompson, 32, attacked a patron at The Red Lion pub in Leeds on March 12, 2023, leaving the victim with a fractured wrist.
Reform UK now chairs seven Hampshire County Council committees after local elections boosted its presence. The party will oversee conduct, planning and audit functions as critics warn of oversight risks.
Net migration to the UK has halved from last year, falling to its lowest level since 2019 as 171,000 more people arrived than left. The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, mark a sharp departure from record highs and come as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood faces pressure over border policies.
Hampshire’s Conservative leader narrowly survives leadership vote as Reform UK abstains en masse and Liberal Democrats vow to challenge. Tensions rise as local government reshuffle looms in 2025.
Seven local authorities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight entered no-overall-control after May’s elections, triggering behind-the-scenes deals to secure stable leadership. Reform UK holds unexpected leverage in multiple councils, while traditional parties scramble to form alliances amid budget battles and public service pressure.
Michael Winstanley, a former Wigan council leader and mayor, has been chosen by the Conservatives to contest the Makerfield by-election on June 18. The poll follows Labour MP Josh Simons’ resignation to clear the path for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Labour accuses Reform UK’s Makerfield candidate of sharing controversial online content. The party demands an immediate investigation into alleged inflammatory posts that surfaced ahead of the upcoming by-election.
Reform UK’s claim that Nigel Farage used a TV fee to buy his £1.4 million London home is under fresh examination after discrepancies emerged in his financial disclosures. The scrutiny intensifies ahead of next month’s local elections.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham faces a steep climb to unseat Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with allies warning of a perilous path ahead. Reform UK’s surge in polls and renewed Brexit tensions have turned the Makerfield by-election into a high-stakes battleground.
Conservative leader Nick Adams-King secured re-election in Romsey Rural with 3,999 votes despite a tight race. The result defied early predictions of significant Conservative losses across Hampshire. The division saw a 50.8% turnout, with Liberal Democrats and Reform UK gaining ground.
Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham, frontrunners to replace Keir Starmer, confirm they would seek to rejoin the EU if elected, reigniting a divisive national debate. Reform UK warns of 'betrayal' to Brexit voters as the battle for Labour’s future intensifies.
Britain’s local elections delivered historic losses for the Conservatives and gains for Reform UK and Greens, signalling the end of two-party dominance. Hampshire County Council flipped for the first time in 30 years as voters embraced multi-party democracy.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is poised to launch a leadership bid against Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with allies predicting a by-election showdown by mid-June. Trump warns Starmer’s grip on power is slipping unless he fixes immigration and energy, while Reform UK vows to derail Burnham’s path back to Westminster.
George Madgwick’s rise as Reform UK’s Hampshire leader has sparked controversy over his past business dealings and provocative public statements. His appointment comes as Hampshire County Council remains hung, with Reform UK holding 20 seats and poised to influence the council’s future leadership.
A high-stakes by-election in Makerfield on November 7 could reshape Greater Manchester politics and bolster Andy Burnham’s push for the Labour leadership. With seats at stake and a prime minister’s future in play, the contest is drawing national attention.
Liberal Democrat Sally Yalden has secured Hampshire County Council’s Baddesley division with 3,127 votes, defeating Reform UK and Conservative rivals in Friday’s poll. Her victory marks a shift as Hampshire ends 30 years of Conservative control.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s grip on power weakens after Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigns and Labour MP Josh Simons quits his seat, paving the way for Andy Burnham to launch a leadership challenge. Reform UK vows to contest the upcoming by-election in Makersfield, intensifying the power struggle within Labour.