A major global-right, centre-right party name used worldwide
Alberta has voted to remain a province of Canada in a non‑binding ballot held on 19 October, with broadcasters projecting more than 76% support for staying after early counts. Prime Minister Mark Carney has praised the result; separatist leaders have vowed their movement will continue and may press political change within the United Conservative Party.
The question of whether Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum has resurfaced as Prime Minister and MI5 warn of ongoing influence operations. Burnham has claimed a clear answer exists, sparking backlash and a renewed focus on online disinformation in the UK political process.
The Troubles legacy bill has returned to the Commons for scrutiny as government amendments spark debate among victims’ families, veterans and lawmakers. The Attorney General’s consent for serious prosecutions is among changes, with critics warning of potential bias and delays. Debates will continue as the bill moves toward the Lords.
England’s prime minister is accelerating talks on a national care service with cross‑party support, aiming to fund reforms from existing budgets. Baroness Casey’s review will inform the plan, with a focus on pay for care workers and integration with the NHS. Officials say there will be no immediate tax rises as talks proceed.
The government has announced changes to the early release scheme as prisons run at or near capacity. Ministers are facing pressure from victims’ families and some officials who warn that releases must be controlled. Probation services are under strain, with thousands awaiting oversight and potential strike action looming as the plan to adjust releases advances.
Nigel Farage has secured a by-election victory in Clacton with 22,239 votes (63.34%), defeating Count Binface as major parties boycotted the race. Turnout was 44.37%. The result follows Farage’s resignation in July, with an investigation into a £5m undeclared gift continuing.
Nigel Farage has won the Clacton by-election, receiving 62.8% of the vote amid a crowded field. He did not attend the count, citing a claimed threat, while opponents say the by-election is a distraction from ongoing scrutiny over finances and investigations. Count Binface is his main rival in a notable second place.
Nigel Farage has reclaimed Clacton with about 62.8% of the vote, defeating Count Binface as major parties boycott. He will return as MP, though scrutiny over a £5m donation and sleaze allegations continues; Farage has not attended the count, citing a credible threat and disruption concerns. The by-election cost taxpayers around £250,000.
Disability Rights UK's Kamran Mallick says funding through the Access to Work scheme has been cut for a driver/support worker after a July call. The scheme funds practical support for disabled workers. The NAO finds processing times have surged to 109 days by late 2025, with more applications in 2024/25 and rising spend. Ministers deny policy changes while campaigners say generosity is being trimmed.
A government-wide crackdown on illegal waste dumping is expanding, with new powers to seize assets, higher fines, and regional enforcement to tackle organised waste crime that has blighted communities across England. The effort follows a BBC investigation identifying several supersites and a rising tide of waste crimes.
The government has expanded the early-release scheme to exclude those convicted of unlawful killing, manslaughter, and other serious offences. Prime Minister Burnham says hundreds will remain in prison as the system is reformed, with extra space created by deporting foreign offenders and ending certain indefinite sentences. A review will publish this autumn as Parliament returns.
The UK has moved away from hotels for asylum seekers, shifting them into private housing and HMOs as numbers in hotels fall sharply. Officials say the backdrop is a broader push to restore control at the border and reduce the asylum backlog, while critics warn about conditions and local disruption.
The Conservative leader has reshuffled her shadow cabinet ahead of Parliament’s return, appointing Andrew Griffith as shadow chancellor and Claire Coutinho as shadow business secretary. Tom Tugendhat and Priti Patel shift roles; James Cleverly steps aside to pursue a London mayoral bid. The changes aim to strengthen the party’s economic team while inviting scrutiny over credibility.
Big changes to England and Wales’ criminal justice system are moving forward as overcrowding drives policy decisions. Government plans to accelerate prison construction and expand early release schemes have been revised after public backlash and safety concerns. Officials are also deporting foreign prisoners and reviewing IPP sentences to free up space, with new measures to monitor released prisoners.
Andy Burnham has unveiled a long-term plan to recover the economy, restore public confidence and tighten control over essential services. He has pledged to fund defence commitments, cut household bills and reframe public ownership, while signalling a shift toward problem-solving governance.
Ministers have received final consultations on the Rosebank oil and Jackdaw gas fields and are preparing a decision that will balance jobs and energy security against climate concerns. Labour figures, industry groups and environmental campaigners are pressing ministers from different angles as the regulator and Energy Secretary complete their reviews.
Geese’s Getting Killed signals a robust, contemporary rock moment. The band’s new work reflects global tensions and is doing so with force, while the political scene around Reform UK persists in a wary climate.
Tim Speers and Sean Middlebrough are on trial over a planned Palestine Action protest at Lord Bamford’s Daylesford Estate in 2022. Police found spray paint, glue and a red boiler suit. Speers denies intending to damage property and says he abandoned the plan due to heavy security as the case continues.
PISA 2025 data show England and some UK nations performing well in science, with Reading and Maths trailing in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. England leads in science; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland trail in reading and maths. A global trend shows declines in reading proficiency, linked to digital distraction and shifting reading habits.
Prime Minister Burnham has pledged to fully fund the Defence Investment Plan and to meet NATO commitments by 2035, while promising stronger public control over energy and water utilities as the cost-of-living crisis intensifies. He also unveils a 10-year plan to boost living standards and address energy costs.
Conservatives’ former campaigning director Anthony Lee and his wife Laura Lee have pleaded guilty to cheating at gambling connected to the timing of the 2024 general election. Sentencing is set for October (Lee) and next month for his wife, with other party figures also awaiting trial.
Reform UK has received two large donations totaling £72m from crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne. The money is aimed at expanding the party’s reach with more staff, targeted campaigning and stronger policy preparation, while police investigations into donor rules and questions of influence mount. The donation surge raises questions about the role of money in politics as campaigns gear up for upcoming byelections and local elections.
Mega-donations to Reform UK have reshaped its campaign capabilities, fueling a nationwide push while triggering fresh questions over donor transparency and rules. The party argues the funds will build a robust ground operation; critics warn of sleaze and potential regulatory changes ahead.
The Liberal Democrats have a conference that is meant to mark a gear shift, yet internal criticism suggests a failure to capitalise on past gains. MPs describe a lack of energy and clarity, with concerns that the party is losing social media traction to rivals while strategists debate how bold to be in messaging.
Labour leader has laid out an NHS-style universal social care system for England, promising free at the point of use funded by contributions from all and possibly taxes. He says details will be set out at the upcoming conference, while acknowledging funding challenges and political risk.
The government has relaunched the UK Resettlement Scheme and will open three new sponsorship routes in partnership with the UN and IRAP. The plan, unveiled at the Labour conference, aims to welcome hundreds initially and grow to the low thousands as illegal migration falls. It includes a cap on yearly arrivals and prioritizes Afghan women and Palestinians.
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.
Labour Leader Andy Burnham has pledged a sweeping shift from four decades of neoliberal policy, arguing for greater public control of utilities and more regional power. In parallel, Prime Minister Burnham’s colleagues face a difficult fiscal landscape as energy bills rise and the new budget approaches, challenging the path back to pre-Thatcher Britain.
Joshua Kerry is charged with preparing acts of terror in connection with the July 2026 murder of Ann Widdecombe. Prosecutors say the investigation linked him to targets including Farage; he appeared in court and remains in custody as the case proceeds. Multiple outlets report the development.
Conservatives have outlined a wide-ranging plan to cut red tape, scrap environmental rules, streamline housing development costs and back Heathrow expansion. The package, presented during the party conference, argues the changes will lower the cost of new homes by up to £50,000 and boost growth, while abolishing Natural England and the Environment Agency and replacing them with a streamlined regime.
Jeffrey Archer has died suddenly and peacefully at his home at age 86, HarperCollins has announced. The bestselling novelist and former Conservative politician has sold about 300 million books and has faced a public fall after a 2001 conviction for perjury and perverting the course of justice. His final novel, Adam and Eve, was due for release this week.
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.
Labour discussions with EU experts hover over a pledge to rejoin or closer ties. Downing Street tests public opinion while Burnham signals options, including full re-entry, as Macron welcomes the dialogue. The debate shapes next steps for Britain’s European stance.
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.
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.
ITV's undercover investigation has exposed Reform UK councillors and candidates making racist, misogynistic and violent language ahead of local elections. Several members have resigned or been suspended as Nigel Farage defends vetting. Police are examining party finances amid the fallout.