English singer and songwriter, British cultural icon
Labour has moved into a polling lead amid a flurry of policy announcements by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, along with investigations surrounding Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Multiple polls show Labour ahead or tied with Reform, with regional gains in Greater Manchester. The mix of cost-of-living measures and waivers is shaping voter sentiment as byelections unfold.
Nigel Farage has triggered a by-election in Clacton after stepping down. Major parties are not fielding candidates amid questions over a £5m gift and possible standards investigations. Count Binface is a notable independent contender as voter turnout and polling shape the race.
Nigel Farage’s by-election campaign in Clacton continues with Count Binface drawing attention as a satirical challenger amid a field of 34 candidates. Main parties have declined to contest, citing a media circus and a parliamentary standards inquiry into Farage’s undisclosed £5 million gift. The race is shaping up as a barometer for Brexit-era politics.
Count Binface is challenging Nigel Farage in Clacton with a high-profile media presence and satirical pledges, amid a field of nearly three dozen candidates. Farage resigned to trigger the by-election; major parties boycott, citing a political stunt. The race also spotlights Binface’s creator, Jon Harvey, and his long-running spoof political career.
Nigel Farage has won the Clacton by-election with 22,239 votes after resigning in July; Count Binface has taken a record 9,455 votes (26.9%), the best-ever result for a novelty candidate. Major parties boycotted the contest and a parliamentary investigation into a a35m gift to Farage has resumed.
Barry Mitchell, Queen’s second bassist during the band’s formative period in 1970–1971, has died. Mitchell played 13 gigs before leaving the group and later reflected that he wasn’t enthusiastic about their music at the time. He subsequently played with Tiger and left a legacy celebrated by fans and fellow musicians.
A slate of Edinburgh fringe reviews from The Guardian and The Scotsman highlights a blend of inventive theatre and stand-up, from clowning with political edge to dog-centric humor and workplace parodies. Reviews praise daring concepts, energetic performances, and social commentary, while noting uneven pacing in some pieces.
Glastonbury organisers have announced next year’s line-up progress, with three headliners confirmed and Madonna ruled out. Rumours point to Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and Oasis as contenders for 2027, with bookies’ odds reflecting growing certainty around major acts while other names circulate.
The Jay-Z 30 tour has brought a masterclass in live hip‑hop, with a 50,000‑strong London crowd. The show features Idris Elba’s opening, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean joining for Fugees classics, and Git the atmosphere buzzing with a catalog that spans three decades. Beyonce marks her birthday with a spotlight and fireworks as the star hits two stadium dates.
Oasis has revealed a 2027 tour spanning the UK, Europe and the US, with 11 Manchester shows, five Celtic Park dates in Glasgow, and four at Knebworth. Richard Ashcroft will headline all dates. The tour follows their 2025 reunion and weeks of teaser posts and a drone reveal in Manchester.
Oasis has announced a new set of tour dates including Manchester, Glasgow and Celtic Park, with fixed prices and a structured ticketing process after a previous controversy over pricing. Registrations are open for official sale windows to ensure fair access.
Reform UK's Welsh leadership has faced fresh upheaval as Dan Thomas has stood down after a police arrest; Helen Jenner is interim leader, with a deputy; Sarah Cooper-Lesadd defects to Plaid Cymru, dramatically reshaping the Senedd opposition balance.
U2 has announced Carnaval de Luz, their 16th studio album, to be released on 13 November. The album features Dolly Parton on the final track Torn, described as a tender country duet. The Edge and Bono describe the project as a messy, provocative collection; the album includes collaborations with Martin Garrix and Ryan Tedder. Parton’s involvement marks her final vocal performance. The band previously released two EPs this year and has toured extensively.