Central London hub of royal and civic power
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.
The United States has redeployed its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to the US after a new threat against the base, with Britain stressing that the site remains secure. Counter-terror police have been investigating a September incident near the base, and officials from the US and UK are citing ongoing security measures while confirming the move.
The Green Party has adopted a motion declaring Zionism racism and backing a single Palestinian state, prompting internal divisions and calls for leadership accountability amid leadership tensions and a byelection defeat.
Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces in Hong Kong's High Court and faces additional years behind bars while already serving a four-year, eight-month sentence for a separate national security conviction. Rights groups and supporters say the new charge is designed to extend his detention and chill dissent across the city.
Labour has seen a small improvement in polling under Andy Burnham, but experts say the gains may be fragile. Reform UK faces scrutiny over funding and leadership turmoil, while the rise of Restore Britain adds to a fragmented right. Across multiple polls, Labour’s share remains around the low to mid-20s, with Reform similarly challenged.
The government has decided not to universalise a donations cap in the elections bill, despite pressure from Labour and unions. Officials cite a focus on foreign interference and crypto funding, with debates over a possible 500,000 cap and union exemptions. The issue remains politically volatile as the bill returns to Parliament.
Andy Burnham has addressed MPs in the House of Commons for the first time since becoming prime minister six weeks ago, setting out plans to expand public control of utilities and ease household costs. He has faced immediate questions about how he will fund defence commitments, tackle prison overcrowding and whether No.10 North in Manchester will be more than a symbol.
Sir James Cleverly has quit his frontbench role to pursue a 2028 London mayoral bid, arguing London needs a Conservative plan for enterprise and opportunity. Other reports show London’s mayoral race shaping up as Labour’s Sadiq Khan weighs a fourth term, with potential rivals and shifts within the Tory party.
The London market sees notable shifts as easyJet joins the FTSE 100 after a private equity bid boosts valuations, while easyJet's removal from the index could signal broader capital outflows. Bodycote is taken private by Veritas, and Gamma Communications along with Capricorn face delisting, reflecting a wave of deals that remove firms from London’s public markets.
Uber and Wayve have launched a small pilot of autonomous, all-electric Ford Mustangs in London. Fifteen vehicles operate with safety drivers on board as regulators weigh broader rollout. Customers can opt in via the Uber app; fares match standard Uber rides.
Reform UK has launched an investigation after Channel 4 News alleged funding from a US firm for three polls costing 33250 pounds, with undercover Verbatim reporters posing as donors. James Orr and Dan Jukes have stepped down as the party gathers for its Birmingham conference. The party denies any illegal funding and says the investigation is independent.
Two Reform UK aides have been suspended following undercover footage aired by Channel 4 News alleging potential evasion of electoral rules linked to a 350,000 donor. The party says no laws have been broken. Police and the Electoral Commission are reviewing the claims. The party also faced questions over the funding of three polls ordered this year.
The RNLI has faced online abuse and doxxing after rescuing around 120 migrants near the Isle of Wight and Dover incidents. Government and police are urging caution against misinformation as digital harassment rises and security at RNLI sites is boosted.
The government has given English regional mayors the power to charge an overnight visitor levy as a percentage of accommodation costs with no statutory upper limit. Industry groups and major hotel chains have warned the uncapped power will raise prices, reduce demand and cost jobs; mayors say revenue will fund local services and infrastructure from 2028.
Authorities say a 42-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man have been arrested in London on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service. Both have been released on bail until late October. The operation is not linked to earlier attacks targeting Jewish or Iranian sites in the capital this year.
UK households face higher energy costs as lawmakers debate removing levies from bills funding renewables and social schemes. Several sources warn that the change could lower bills but may affect funding for green projects and vulnerable households. Inflation and Middle East tensions are adding pressure, with forecasts suggesting bills will rise despite policy tweaks.
Two crypto billionaires have donated 72m to Reform UK, triggering a debate over caps on overseas and domestic political contributions as Parliament considers the Representation of the People Bill. The government is pushing to tighten rules while reform argues donations are legal. The story is developing as Lords debate the bill.
Leaders of the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin have signed a memorandum in Cardiff calling on the UK government to prepare, plan and facilitate constitutional change. They have committed to cooperate on energy, the economy and relations with Europe and to press for referendums where domestic politics allow; Westminster has reiterated a referendum is off limits for now.
The UK debates overseas and domestic political donations after crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each donate 27m to Reform UK. Government plans to cap donations by Britons living abroad backdated to March 25 and to tighten rules on foreign influence are being scrutinised as MPs warn of a potential Americanisation of UK politics.
A wave of UK and European travel pieces are steering readers toward autumn getaways, with Cornwall topping a reader travel awards and St Ives standing out as a surf-and-art hub. Pieces highlight off-season value, non-flight stays, and regional diversity.
Nationalist leaders from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland sign a memorandum of understanding signaling a push for greater autonomy and potential independence from the UK. Trump’s remarks on a united Ireland have amplified the international dimension of the debate, while UK and unionist leaders caution against immediate referendums.
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.
Entain has launched a consultation affecting up to a fifth of its 2,000 customer-care roles across 11 countries, citing higher UK taxes and cost pressures. CEO Stella David says the changes aim to keep the business competitive and financially resilient as the sector faces an challenging operating environment. Several reports warn that a doubling of machine gaming duty could add hundreds of millions in costs and trigger shop closures and job losses.
The Holyrood debate on Scotland’s right to decide has become a flashpoint as Reform MSPs walk out before the session, branding the proceedings a stunt. The motion, tabled by John Swinney, has support from Labour and the Greens, while Reform leaders call the debate a distraction and withdraw their amendments.
Police have investigated a suspicious van incident near RAF Fairford on 27 September that forced 85 homes to evacuate. Counter‑terrorism teams have recovered petrol from the vehicles but found no explosives. Five London men were arrested and released on bail; a 27‑year‑old dual UK‑Iranian national has been arrested in London as part of the inquiry. US bombers previously based at Fairford have re‑deployed to the United States.
Five British men from London have been arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act after three suspicious vehicles near RAF Fairford prompted a major incident. Dozens of homes were evacuated and a large cordon remains as investigators explore possible state-backed or proxy involvement.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced the triple lock on the state pension will remain until the end of this parliament but from April 2030 will rise each year by the higher of inflation or 2.5%, removing the automatic annual link to earnings. The government says the change will free savings to build a National Care Service; critics warn of pensioner losses and political fallout.
The Poverty in Scotland 2026 report finds 21% of children and 17% of people overall remain in poverty. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation calls for a bolder, fully funded plan to eradicate child poverty; the government says progress has been made but more work is needed as ministers review targets. Local government funding and public-service reform are central to the debate.
Demonstrations marking three years since Israel’s Gaza war have drawn thousands in London, Berlin, Dublin and other cities. Protesters call for sanctions on Israel and an arms embargo, while police warn of zero tolerance for hate crimes amid counter-demonstrations.
Jeffrey Archer has died. He was a prolific author and former Conservative politician who endured a public downfall for perjury in 2001. His life spanned politics, literature and public controversy.