The Guardian Politics

Cars burn in Belfast, bricks fly in Southampton – and the ubiquitous cry of ‘civil war’ goes up again | John Harris

For most, what we see in real life is mundane. But those who wish to fan the flames of anti-immigrant feeling share a different image onlineIt was the summer of 2024 when it all decisively started, with the horrific murders in Southport, countrywide violence and Elon Musk’s observation that a British civil war was somehow “inevitable”. A year later came a hot season of flags on lamp-posts, protests outside hotels used to accommodate asylum seekers, the ubiquitous use of the word “tinderbox” and

politics  43m ago

The Guardian Politics

Peter Kyle’s quest for UK’s first $1tn firm is honourable, but he is overselling state activism | Nils Pratley

Business secretary exaggerates role of the British Business Bank and the National Wealth Fund in nurturing firmsIs the business secretary, Peter Kyle, suffering from SpaceX fever? It must be something of that sort because his launch this week of a “concierge service” to allow fast-growing companies to navigate Whitehall bureaucracy came with an extraordinary pitch. The new service is “part of his [Kyle’s] quest to nurture the UK’s first trillion-dollar firm,” said the official announcement.One t

politics  2h ago

The Guardian Politics

Man to appear in court over Belfast knife attack as rioting described as ‘race-based pogrom’ by SDLP leader – UK politics live

30-year-old man to appear in court today charged with attempted murder, with Keir Starmer expected to face questions on the disorder during PMQsGood morning. Soon after becoming PM in 2024, Keir Starmer had to deal with a period of rioting in England, prompted by the Southport murders and mostly targeted at asylum seekers. Last night, in Northern Ireland, there were similar race riots, triggered by a knife attack involving a Sudanese suspect. Here is our overnight story about the rioting.And thi

politics  3h ago

The Guardian Politics

Nothing says stupidity like Reform's obsession with destroying British jobs | George Monbiot

The net zero economy is booming, so claims that prosperity depends on oil and gas are bunkum – unless you’re a Reform backer with fossil fuel interests, of courseReally? You want to destroy a million jobs? Vote Reform UK for mass unemployment: is that your pitch? Hammer these questions home whenever you meet a supporter of the party. Or, for that matter, a Conservative, as their party now takes an almost identical line.The figures are stark. They were compiled not by Just Stop Oil or the Green p

politics  5h ago

BBC Politics

Illegal mini-marts to shut for up to 12 months under law change prompted by BBC

Under current rules, shops breaking the law can only be closed for up to six months in England and Wales.

politics  7h ago

BBC Politics

Unions snub Farage's invite to join Reform UK

The party leader says his "door is open" but the Unite union says he is "no friend of the workers".

politics  18h ago

The Guardian Politics

The Guardian view on the care system: support for teens must go beyond reunions with old friends | Editorial

A new scheme to support care leavers’ relationships is welcome. But loneliness is one problem among manyIt might sound obvious that – as Benjamin Zephaniah wrote – “People will always need people / To make life appealing / And give life some meaning.” But the care system has not always behaved as though relationships are a condition of human flourishing. So it is good to see this simple yet crucial idea reflected in the latest announcement about support for care leavers in England. The broken co

politics  18h ago

The Guardian Politics

UK and allies impose sanctions on firms enabling West Bank settler violence

Labour backbenchers disappointed as new trade guidance over illegal settlements stops short of outright banThe UK in alliance with a group of other western powers including France and Norway has announced it is imposing sanctions on six firms and one individual involved in enabling and financing the recent upsurge in settler violence in the West Bank.However, the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, disappointed many of her own backbenchers by stopping short of banning trade, saying instead the gov

politics  18h ago

BBC Politics

Farage says Reform has contacted X 'at highest level' over fake AI ads

The fake ads feature the governor of the Bank of England - the Bank has urged people to report them.

politics  19h ago

The Guardian Politics

Can Badenoch’s culture war win back Reform supporters? – The Latest

Kemi Badenoch has vowed to reform the Equality Act in what is viewed as an attempt to win back support from Reform voters.The Conservative leader, who also served as equalities minister from 2020 to 2022, wants to scrap the public sector equality duty – a legal requirement that forces public institutions to actively consider how their decisions affect equality.Nosheen Iqbal speaks to community affairs correspondent Aamna Mohdin – watch on YouTube Continue reading...

politics  19h ago

BBC Politics

British firms to be favoured in defence spending

The defence secretary says he wants to take an "unashamedly pro-Britain" approach when awarding contracts.

politics  20h ago

The Guardian Politics

Zelenskyy: Putin is ‘playing games’ with Trump – podcast

The Ukrainian president says Vladimir Putin’s days are numbered. As the Russian president’s influence wanes and his war machine crumbles, Volodymyr Zelenskyy says it is important for Europe and the world to stick together. Pippa Crerar and Luke Harding speak with Zelenskyy on his most recent visit to London Continue reading...

politics  20h ago

BBC Politics

Hidden camera found in government building

The complex is shared by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and the Home Office.

politics  20h ago

BBC Politics

Iranian group could be labelled national threat under proposed new law

The government is introducing the National Security (State Threats) Bill which could become law within weeks.

politics  20h ago

The Guardian Politics

Why do the right’s Henry Nowak protests look like a party? Distasteful as it is, they’re having fun | Jonathan Liew

Booze, laughter and football chants: the British right are relishing in what they see as their George Floyd moment Continue reading...

politics  21h ago

BBC Politics

All in the Mind

Do we experience feelings about politics differently in the body to everyday emotions?

politics  1d ago

The Guardian Politics

Let this be a warning – if Europe worries about Trump, it has even more reason to fear JD Vance | Gaby Hinsliff

His toxic Henry Nowak intervention fits a pattern. Vance has hard-right views, a disdain for European society – and he may yet become presidentImmigration is falling in Britain. It’s falling so fast and so hard – net migration to the UK nearly halved between 2024 and 2025 – that before long we could conceivably be a shrinking population, with more people leaving the country than coming here. (And no, that’s not because of an exodus of bright young Britons fleeing overseas, though you wouldn’t bl

politics  1d ago

The Guardian Politics

Young people need money because our system is rigged. Here’s a way to give it to them | Polly Toynbee

One plan would see young workers offered early access to a slice of future pensions. It’s not perfect, but we need bold ideasWhile we wait with nail-biting anxiety for the voters of Makerfield to decide the fate of the country, the prospect of renewal at the top provides a fertile time for breeding ideas and confronting great problems. Alan Milburn’s searing analysis of the first generation ever to do worse financially than their parents did at their age opens the door to people with solutions t

politics  1d ago

BBC Politics

Legal equality duty for public services should be scrapped, says Badenoch

The Conservative leader will argue that the rules have become a "minefield that exposes almost every significant public decision to legal challenge".

politics  1d ago

The Guardian Politics

The Guardian view on children and the internet: rolling back big tech’s untrammelled power | Editorial

A belated change of policy on nude digital images of children must be part of a wider resetAmid the flurry of resignations by ministers who said they had lost confidence in Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, Jess Phillips’s attack on his record on tech regulation stood out. “Over a year ago I presented solutions, long worked on by brilliant civil servants, that would end the ability for children in the UK to take naked images of themselves,” she wrote. The postponement of an anno

politics  1d ago