Supporters of liberal democracy and liberal parties including UK Liberal Democrats
Nigel Farage’s finances are under renewed scrutiny as MPs disclose payments from Direct Bullion and ongoing questions over gifts from a crypto investor. Reports show a substantial payout for promoting Direct Bullion, with broader inquiries into a £5m gift and potential related donations.
The Sunday Times reports that George Cottrell provided staffing, security and housing for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK operation before he became an MP, and Farage has not declared all benefits. UK parliamentary rules require registration of certain gifts; officials say nothing has breached the code because some support was personal and pre-dates his election. A standards investigation is already underway into a separate £5m donation.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has reworked the Defence Investment Plan to prioritise frontline equipment, high-speed boats and drone technology. The plan aims to equip troops faster while addressing funding gaps that sparked resignations amid negotiations with the Treasury. The plan is due to be published ahead of a NATO summit.
The government has introduced tougher controls on political donations, including a year-long cap for overseas donors after their return to the UK. It has also expanded checks on company donations and will require candidates to prove funding sources. The moves, part of a wider response to foreign interference concerns, are tied to amendments to the Representation of the People Bill.
The UK government has announced that existing guidance on mobile phone restrictions in schools will be made statutory. This move formalises policies most schools already enforce, aiming to strengthen child safeguarding legislation amid ongoing debates about technology's impact on young people. The legislation is part of broader child protection reforms.
A Westchester couple’s century-old house, with a coffin door and an underground tunnel, has inspired novelist Pokwatka’s new horror novel Accumulation. Unusual phenomena include a haunted doll, music from walls, and moving objects, yet the family remains grounded, continuing to live in the home.
Local and devolved votes held 7–8 May have produced major gains for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and for the Green Party while Labour has lost hundreds of council seats and control of key authorities. Scotland and Wales results are reshaping national parliaments; Keir Starmer has said he will stay in office and has taken responsibility for the losses.
Labour has lost control of several councils across England while Reform UK and the Greens gain ground; the results signal a reshaping of the political landscape ahead of any general election, with the SNP and Plaid Cymru also indicating shifts in power in Scotland and Wales.
Labour has suffered a major setback in local and devolved elections, with Reform UK and the Green Party making significant gains. The leadership question for Sir Keir Starmer is intensifying as MPs and voters express dissatisfaction with the pace of change and the government's direction. Welsh and Scottish results compound pressure on Labour's national strategy.
Protests linked to Delaney Hall have spurred action as a journalist reports gear theft by a local prosecutor’s sergeant. Authorities say the case underscores accountability expectations and ongoing facility tensions.
The Makerfield by-election has shifted the political calculus as Andy Burnham edges closer to Westminster, with market nerves and party insiders weighing how the leftward tilt could reshape Labour and challenge Keir Starmer. Immigraiton and economic policy sit at the center as Reform and Restore Britain struggle for traction.
The UK government is pressing ahead with online-safety plans for under-16s, amid US objections. The US embassy in London has urged targeted measures over broad bans, warning of compliance burdens for American firms. Ministers say a ban remains under consideration and that a decision will be announced soon.
The UK faces a surge in AI-generated deepfake content impersonating public figures, linked to online scams and misleading ads. Officials urge vigilance as regulators consider mandatory labeling.
Andy Burnham has ruled out financial compensation for Waspi women affected by the state pension age changes, but is open to other measures such as early concessionary travel. He is campaigning in Makerfield amid by-election pressure and faces scrutiny over past promises and Labour leadership ambitions.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Tewkesbury has been arrested on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. His whip and party membership have been suspended as Gloucestershire Police investigate. Thomas has served as an MP since 2024 and previously spent 23 years in the RAF.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage faces a parliamentary standards inquiry over a £5m donation from crypto magnate Christopher Harborne, with competing accounts of its purpose and use while questions over declaration persist.
A set of recent reports cover long Covid rehabilitation, a Parkinson’s diagnosis for Bruce Foxton of The Jam, and Lyme disease campaigning by a Scottish MSP. Also covered are ulcerative colitis coupled with PSC in a Birmingham mother and ongoing chronic illness advocacy in media.
Burnham has positioned himself as Labour’s leading candidate for prime minister, pledging to devolve power, extend local control, and rebalance the economy. He plans a No 10 North unit to oversee devolution and regional growth, while the party cautions about defence and fiscal rooms for manoeuvre as leadership unfolds.
The government has introduced an Immigration and Asylum Bill that will recover costs from asylum seekers with sufficient funds and create new safe routes funded by community groups, universities, and employers. The policy is controversial, drawing criticism from charities and opposition who warn it could deter refugees and overburden families.
The government is expanding use of former military sites to house asylum seekers, planning to accommodate about 3,750 people across Bicester, Barnham and Linton-on-Ouse, with extensions at Crowborough and Wethersfield. Local opposition persists in several communities as the plan unfolds.
The government is considering a one-off extension to licensing laws so pubs can stay open past midnight to show England’s 1am World Cup match with Mexico. Transport of information follows that earlier matches were allowed under extended hours, but Monday’s game falls outside current provisions. Officials say councils can approve Temporary Event Notices, though time is tight.