The Guardian Politics

The Guardian view on Nigel Farage’s crypto cash: accountability is not a conspiracy | Editorial

Reform UK presents itself as the people’s voice while opaque digital wealth flows around it. That makes transparency a democratic necessityTwice now, the Guardian’s questions about Reform UK’s finances appear to have been pre-empted by stories friendly to the party. This paper revealed in April that Nigel Farage received £5m from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne – but an interview with Reform UK’s leader, claiming he needed the cash “for security”, was published hours earlier in the T

politics  Jul 9, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham apologises for Labour's initial response to Gaza war

Burnham, along other with Labour figures, had called for a ceasefire by late October 2023 - putting him at odds with Sir Keir Starmer.

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

What a week for Daddy Nige and his dysfunctional Reform family

From Posh George Cottrell to Honest Bob Jenrick and disciple-in-chief Dicky Tice, Farage really does know how to pick ’emWe need to talk about Nigel. Again. Not so much about the £5m gift from a Thai crypto billionaire or the freebies he accepted from a convicted fraudster who called him Daddy. Nor the fact that he never thought to declare his good fortune on parliament’s register of members’ interests.There again, he was only a professional politician and the principal shareholder in Reform UK

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Ben Jennings on Nigel Farage’s byelection announcement – cartoon

Continue reading...

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Andy Burnham apologises for Labour’s stance on Gaza – podcast

Andy Burnham has apologised for Labour’s slow response in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. In an exclusive interview with Pippa Crerar, he says that more pressure should be put on the Israeli government, including a ban on trade in goods with illegal settlements. Burnham also says that there is increasing evidence that war crimes appear to have been committed, but that international courts must determine this, not politicians. Plus Pippa and Kiran discuss the fallout from Nigel Farage’s shock re

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Fraudster Cottrell was introduced as Farage’s chief of staff, says ex-Reform candidate

Questions grow over close ally’s role in 2024 election in which he held no official positionUK politics live – latest updatesGeorge Cottrell was routinely introduced as Nigel Farage’s chief of staff before the 2024 election despite denials that he had any official role, according to a Reform candidate who stood aside for the party leader.Others who have been closely involved in the party have also claimed Cottrell arranged for the Land Rovers that ferried Reform’s newly elected MPs to parliament

politics  Jul 9, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham planning for No 10 for at least a year, key ally says

The former transport secretary says Burnham's time away from Westminster does not mean he is "unprepared" for government.

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Five pressing questions for Reform UK about its finances

Questions swirl about origins of gifts, loans and donations as even party supporters wonder if it can weather the stormUK politics live – latest updatesWhy is Farage quitting as an MP, only to stand again?Scrutiny is mounting on Reform UK’s finances.On Tuesday, amid an investigation by parliamentary standards into an undisclosed £5m gift, Nigel Farage announced he would resign and trigger a byelection in his constituency of Clacton-on-Sea. Continue reading...

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Andy Burnham urged to scrap income tax and NI in radical fiscal overhaul

Economists including Jim O’Neill write an open letter calling for a single levy to replace six major taxesProminent economists including Andy Burnham ally Jim O’Neill, are urging him to pursue radical tax and spending reform, to “unlock the gridlock that plagues the country”.O’Neill joins Jonathan Portes, economics professor at Kings College London, and Danny Sriskandarajah, chief executive of the New Economics Foundation, in calling for bold action in an open letter. Continue reading...

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Invest in Britain or I’ll force you to, minister tells pension funds

Business secretary Peter Kyle says asset managers should feel a patriotic duty to make the UK a successBusiness live – latest updatesThe business secretary, Peter Kyle, has warned UK pension funds to “get off their high horses” and invest in Britain or be forced to do so by law.Expressing frustration at the level of investment in British companies after years of government initiatives, Kyle said the UK’s biggest asset managers “should feel a patriotic duty in making Britain a success”. Continue

politics  Jul 9, 2026

BBC Politics

Ken Skates likely to become Welsh Labour leader as party brings contest forward

Skates has been interim leader since Eluned Morgan quit in the wake of Labour's Senedd election defeat.

politics  Jul 9, 2026

BBC Politics

Farage's by-election in Clacton officially confirmed

Reform's Lee Anderson has moved the writ in the Commons, with the by-election likely to happen on 13 August.

politics  Jul 9, 2026

BBC Politics

Restore Britain leader describes Dunblane tragedy as 'one murder'

Rupert Lowe criticised the ban of handguns in the UK, saying it was "because there was a murder in Dunblane".

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Reform activists urged to switch focus from Manchester to Farage’s Clacton contest

Exclusive: Party hoped to mount serious challenge in mayoral race but attention has been diverted to EssexUK politics live – latest updatesReform UK activists have been urged to divert from the Greater Manchester mayoral byelection to support Nigel Farage’s “fake” contest 250 miles away in Clacton.A WhatsApp message shared with party members in northwest England said: “The message could not be more clear. We now need all of our fantastic activists, branch officers and councillors to come and hel

politics  Jul 9, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham on course for No 10 as Labour nominations open

The former mayor of Greater Manchester is unopposed in the race to replace Sir Keir Starmer.

politics  Jul 9, 2026

BBC Politics

How a rise in ADHD benefits claims is adding to welfare spending challenge

More than 100,000 people with ADHD as their main condition receive Pip, latest figures show, an increase of 40% since Labour came to power.

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Burnham calls for ‘more open’ public debate about defence spending – UK politics live

Next Labour leader, who is set to be elected unopposed, sets out foreign policy principles largely in line with StarmerBurnham promises he will not use party discipline to stifle debateGood morning. Andy Burnham is due to become Labour leader a week tomorrow and, as nominations open for a leadership election that will not happen because Burnham is set to be elected unopposed, we are learning a bit more about how he intends to lead his party and his country.Yesterday, in a letter to Labour MPs, B

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Britain’s dysfunctional dynamic: the public wants change, but those in power always tell them it’s not possible | Andy Beckett

Whenever major reform is proposed the media, big business and Westminster quickly conclude it’s too expensive and disruptive. This doesn’t bode well for Andy BurnhamIn an old, often anxious and conservative country, the perception of risk is a potent political weapon. If a policy or a project for reforming the UK seems too risky, or can be made to seem so by its opponents, then it can usually be quickly killed off. It can be added to the pile of possible futures that never occurred.In politics a

politics  Jul 9, 2026

BBC Politics

MPs seek veto over political ambassadors after Mandelson row

A Foreign Affairs Committee report said the process taken in the appointment of Lord Mandelson "was being made up as it went along".

politics  Jul 9, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Nigel Farage v Count Binface - podcast

Political correspondent Ben Quinn talks about the forthcoming byelection in Clacton after all Reform’s serious rivals declined to take partOn Tuesday, after months of scandal about his finances, Nigel Farage tried to take back the initiative. He was resigning as an MP, he explained, to trigger a byelection in his Clacton seat – giving “the people” a chance back him against “the establishment”.But, as the Guardian political correspondent Ben Quinn explains, things may not have gone quite to plan.

politics  Jul 9, 2026