British politician and lawyer, Prime Minister since 2024
The Green Party has adopted a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism and has made it party policy. Leader Zack Polanski has said he will not overturn the motion but wants to amend it at the next allowable opportunity in 2028. The vote has prompted internal splits, an equality watchdog inquiry and condemnation from other parties and Jewish groups.
Sarah Helm’s post praising Palestine Action is being assessed by the Metropolitan Police after publishers linked to Sally Rooney’s UK sales faced backlash. Authorities have said the post did not meet the criminal threshold and no further action will be taken; Palestine Action remains proscribed in law.
The government has signalled that a third Heathrow runway remains central to plans for growth, while ministers study responses to a public consultation. Heathrow’s owners say expansion would boost the economy and create jobs, but critics warn of climate risks and local disruption as planning hurdles loom.
President Donald Trump has negotiated for large shipments of Russian diesel to enter global markets and has pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian refineries. European officials and some U.S. senators have warned the move will strengthen Moscow’s war effort; Zelenskyy has publicly accused Trump of betrayal and sought additional air‑defence deliveries.
The UK has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine during Zelenskyy’s visit to London. Ministers are accelerating deliveries of British-made LMMs and pushing for a global LNG ban on Russian exports, while outlining further sanctions. The day’s schedule includes Zelenskyy’s meetings at Downing Street and a parliamentary debate.
Israel has ordered the closure of the UK consulate in East Jerusalem after Britain announced sanctions on settlement goods and firms. London has said the building will remain a UK Mission and has warned it may expel Israeli diplomats if Israel forces the consulate to close. Talks and a quiet UK security adviser visit have not resolved the dispute ahead of Thursday's deadline.
The ONS has reported that public sector net borrowing reached £18.3bn in August, above City and OBR forecasts, leaving year‑to‑date borrowing at £77.3bn — £8.1bn higher than the Office for Budget Responsibility expected. Higher inflation and rising debt interest have pushed interest payments to record August levels and narrowed Chancellor John Healey’s fiscal headroom before the 28 October Budget.
Five British men have been detained near RAF Fairford after reports of three suspicious vans. Police have bail conditions on the suspects, and investigators are examining possible links to Iran and other foreign actors. Iran denies involvement as the investigation continues.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that the state pension will keep its annual rise until April 2030, but from 2030 will no longer automatically rise with yearly average earnings. The government says the change will free savings to help fund a National Care Service; analysts say initial savings will be small and political opposition is already forming.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Brexit has "done more harm than good" and has launched a review of Britain’s relationship with the EU. He has promised to set out options around the next UK‑EU summit, including joining the single market or customs union or even full membership, and faced immediate criticism from right‑wing opponents.
MI5 has published an Espionage Alert saying the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) has funded projects involving more than 100 UK-based academics and has very strong ties to China’s Ministry of State Security. Security minister Dan Jarvis has written to university leaders telling them to end relationships with CGTRI; continuing ties could expose staff to prosecution under the National Security Act.
The Green Party is facing intense internal and external pressure after members vote to define Zionism as racism. Four of the party’s five MPs opposed the motion, which has triggered sanctions calls, scrutiny from rivals, and questions about the party’s future leadership and governance. The controversy is unfolding ahead of crucial by-elections.
Syngenta has announced a consultation on closing its Grangemouth site by 2027, risking 377 jobs. Scottish and UK governments are under renewed pressure as officials seek to protect the plant and deploy National Wealth Fund money promised in 2024. Unions demand decisive action while industry leaders warn the site remains uncompetitive.
Labour has won the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. Sagal Abdi‑Wali has taken 45% (12,292 votes) to Green leader Zack Polanski’s 33% (8,928). The result has intensified scrutiny of Polanski after the Green conference motion equating Zionism with racism and his absence from that vote; he has said he will remain party leader.
Conservative leaders have pledged to abolish the so-called 0,000 childcare cliff edge, extending free childcare to higher earners and promising to fund the move by cutting other spending. The policy is framed as pro-work and pro-growth, with officials arguing it would remove disincentives to work and boost economic activity. The plan follows earlier proposals to reform taxation and stamp duty.
The Green Party has passed a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism and endorsing a Palestinian state. The vote has drawn condemnation from Israel and Jewish groups, while triggering internal divisions and prompting debates about the party’s future direction.
The government has reversed Keir Starmer-era plans to curb jury trials for cases likely to yield sentences under three years, amid a backlog crisis that implicates victims and defendants. Justice Secretary Alex Norris says the change responds to strong public concern, maintaining some judge-only powers for complex cases while expanding magistrates’ scope in less serious matters.
The Green Party conference has adopted a motion declaring Zionism to be racism and calling for a single democratic Palestinian state. Several MPs oppose it, including four of five Green MPs, while Israel condemns the motion and bans the party leader from entering the country. The debate exposes tensions between grassroots members and elected officials and raises questions about the party’s governance.
The Green Party at its Brighton convention has passed a motion calling Zionism a form of racism and backing a single democratic Palestinian state in historic Palestine with equal rights for all. The vote was 1,022 to 813, prompting condemnation from Jewish groups and Israel’s government.
The Conservatives have announced Britannia Shield, a 10bn plan to build an integrated radar, control and interceptor missile system to defend Britain from drones and missiles. The package, funded to reach 3% of GDP by 2030, is pitched as a major upgrade to UK air defence. Labour criticises the plan as underfunding and a repeat of past hollowed-out forces.
Cornell University has described the past week as one of its most difficult, following allegations of sexual assault by fraternity members in 2024. The university supports an independent review of its handling, backs Gov. Hochul’s push to change New York’s intoxication-law loophole, and seeks greater transparency while engaging students and alumni on Greek-life accountability.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to abolish inheritance tax on family homes and allow an additional £1 million tax-free pass-through for couples, if the party wins power. She frames the next election as a battleground for the nation’s future economics, stressing tax cuts, spending restraint and growth.
British Prime Minister has expressed openness to Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) during talks with German Chancellor Merz in Berlin. The GCAP group, currently comprising the UK, Italy and Japan, may welcome Canada as an observer. Leaders discuss security ties, hybrid threats, and Ukraine support, with a Kensington Treaty ratification also on the agenda.
Labour has retained Sir Keir Starmer’s former seat in Holborn and St Pancras with Sagal Abdi-Wali winning 45% of the vote. Zack Polanski’s Green bid finished second at about 33% with turnout near 39%. The result signals Labour’s continued appeal to urban, diverse voters while raising questions for the Greens about leadership and strategy after their conference motion equating Zionism with racism.
The Green Party conference has adopted a controversial motion declaring Zionism as racism while backing a single democratic Palestinian state. The move has drawn condemnation from the European Greens and sparked resignations and internal criticism within the Green Party of England and Wales. The European Greens distance themselves, reaffirming support for a two-state framework.
Demonstrations across London and European cities commemorate three years since Gaza’s crisis began. Protesters call for an immediate arms embargo on Israel and stronger sanctions, while police enforce a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime amid counter-demonstrations. The protests come as sanctions and international pressure continue to shape the political response to the conflict.
Streeting has reaffirmed UK support for Ukraine’s leadership while noting U.S. President Trump’s diesel arrangement with Russia has complicated Western unity on sanctions. UK ministers are stressing deterrence and sustained defence spending as midterm pressures mount for allies.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is inviting Scotland’s government to collaborate on deeper devolution and regional empowerment as the SNP gathers in Aberdeen. He argues Holyrood is too centralised and wants a model where local areas drive growth, while the SNP remains focused on a second independence referendum by 2031. The talks include plans for localised employment support and closer EU links.
The BBC and Guardian report that the UK government is weighing an increase to the bank surcharge ahead of the 28 October budget. Ministers are considering reversing Hunt’s cuts and possibly returning the surcharge to 8%, which would raise billions in tax revenue while banks warn on competitiveness. Trade unions press for a larger levy amid record profits in the sector.
Sally Rooney’s UK publisher has halted supply of her books in Britain following the government’s proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. The ban makes membership or support for the group punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Rooney has said she will use proceeds to support the group. Booksellers scramble as stock and distribution become uncertain, while critics decry censorship and stress the need to maintain free expression.
Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali has won a defamation case against GB News’ Alex Armstrong and Bernadette Spofforth. The High Court has ordered apologies and substantial damages after posts accusing him of taking part in the 2024 Harehills riots harmed his reputation. Ali says the case highlights how social media smears target public figures who assist communities in crisis.