Six Takeaways From the Massachusetts Primaries
Senator Ed Markey, 80, trounced a younger challenger who had made an argument for generational change. Two other longtime Democratic lawmakers hung on, too.
Longtime Democratic Congressman Defeats Progressive Rival in Massachusetts
Representative Stephen Lynch, 71, a centrist, beat Patrick Roath, 39, in a primary that reflected the party’s generational and ideological divides.
Ceuta spirals into chaos as Spain’s Sánchez struggles to regain control
Makeshift camps, clashes and growing hostility have become part of daily life in the North African exclave, where thousands of migrants remain a month after the mass crossing.
Rival German lawmakers plot pact to shut out EU far right
Niclas Herbst and René Repasi want to shake up how the center right and left work together. But will their bosses agree?
UK long-term borrowing costs highest since 1998 ahead of October Budget
Long-term government borrowing costs have risen to a 28-year high, putting further pressure on Prime Minister Andy Burnham ahead of his first Budget next month. The yield on a 30-year gilt — a loan to the British government — rose to 5.89% on Tuesday, the highest since 1998. Borrowing costs in the US, Japan and Europe have hit similar highs in recent days, reflecting investors' concerns about inflation, state borrowing levels and spending levels . Burnham told the House of Commons his government's "bedrock", as it seeks to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, would be "fiscal responsibility". All of those factors will make the Budget process trickier for Burnham, who on Tuesday addressed MPs for the first time as prime minister, and his Chancellor, John Healey. Burnham told the House of Commons the economy and the cost of living were "the biggest issues facing the country". Higher borrowing costs will reduce the amount of headroom the government has against its self-imposed fiscal rules, limiting the amount Healey can spend on consumer-friendly measures to ease the cost of living. Despite the squeezed public finances, Burnham said he would bring about "more substantial change" to ease living costs. "Britain is not where any of us would wish it to be," he added. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Burnham of "living in the past". "His diagnosis is completely wrong," she told the House of Commons. "His theory of growth is completely wrong. He thinks that if Government spends more money, we will all get richer. "That is not how this works." The chancellor has previously said he will stick to a set of fiscal rules imposed , Rachel Reeves, that restrict borrowing. These rules are designed to help markets have clarity about the path of borrowing. The more that is forecast to be spent on interest payments, the more likely that there will be a squeeze on spending or some form of tax rise to meet these rules. On top of that, higher government rates can feed through to higher business and household borrowing costs, and so weigh on the economy. The prime minister was already facing a tough balancing act with taxing and spending, due to pressures on defence and the cost of living. Burnham's ex-economic adviser Lord Jim O'Neill told BBC News that high government borrowing costs would force Labour to "get real" about "dealing with the triple lock" on the state pension, and "excessive" welfare spending. Lord O'Neill, who recently turned down the offer of a formal position in the prime minister's team, said that current market pressure would force changes over "some of the things that no political figures ever seem to want to deal with".
Farage faces questions over his claim of second standards investigation
Farage was sworn in as an MP again on Tuesday after winning the Clacton byelection. Photograph: House of Commons View image in fullscreen Farage was sworn in as an MP again on Tuesday after winning the Clacton byelection. Photograph: House of Commons Farage faces questions over his claim of second standards investigation Reform leader said inquiry had been widened but watchdog is not believed to have decided whether to do so Nigel Farage is facing questions about why he claimed his finances were the subject of a second standards investigation, as he was sworn in again as Clacton’s MP. The Reform UK leader said when he resigned in July that the standards system had become a “political tool” because “yet another standards investigation is under way” into his finances. He argued he wanted the people of Clacton to be the judge of his actions, rather than “the establishment”, after revelations in the Sunday Times that his friend and convicted fraudster George Cottrell had paid for social media work, accommodation and security before the 2024 election. However, it is understood the parliamentary standards commissioner had not launched another investigation or widened the scope of the existing one at that point. The commissioner is believed still not to have decided whether to widen the inquiry as recently as two weeks ago, when it was reopened as Farage was returned as MP for Clacton with an increased majority. Arms and the £5m man: Farage megadonor Christopher Harborne’s military empire The commissioner launched his first investigation in May into Farage’s £5m gift from the Thailand-based donor Christopher Harborne before the 2024 election, which was not declared on the MPs’ register of interests and was first revealed . Initially Farage said the money was given to pay for his security, then he described it as a reward for campaigning for Brexit. At least two complaints were then submitted in July about Farage’s funding by Cottrell. Farage called a byelection on 7 July and the initial investigation was paused. However, Westminster sources said the standards commissioner was assessing information. There is no official confirmation that he has widened his inquiry to include the Cottrell donations, and the commissioner’s list of investigations currently only includes the one launched in May. The sources said the commissioner wanted to see further evidence that Farage had broken the rules in relation to donations from Cottrell in the year before the 2024 election, including his payments for social media work.
Burnham blames Brexit and Thatcher for ‘wrong turns’ in first Commons speech as PM
The prime minister said Britain needed to be brutally honest about the mistakes of the last 40 years of UK politicsAndy Burnham has blamed Brexit and Margaret Thatcher for a decade of low growth in the UK, arguing that Britain needs to be brutally honest about having taken “a series of wrong turns” in the last 40 years.In his first Commons appearance since he took over as prime minister about six weeks ago, Burnham told MPs he wanted to build a new sense of optimism so “we can make this next decade better than the last”.Hinted that he would commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, saying he had appointed John Healey as his chancellor “precisely because” of his position on military spending.Signalled he is open to renationalising the water industry – saying he is looking at “all possible solutions”, as the sector is a “leaking monument” to the failures of privatisation.Opened the door to looking again at electoral reform in Labour’s next manifesto. “I do believe there needs to be a mandate to make that change. There are different views in this house, but I believe we will need to get a consensus at the next election. And if there is that consensus, then a change can be made in the next parliament.”Announced he would attend the Cop31 climate summit in Turkey and continue pursuing green energy – but that he would be “pragmatic” on supply, amid expectations he will approve the Jackdaw gasfield. “The mistake is saying it’s got to be one or the other for political purposes. The truth is, it’s going to have to be both.” Continue reading...
Keir Starmer announces he is standing down as MP
Since he resigned as prime minister in July, there was speculation over whether Sir Keir would stay on as MP Former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is to stand down as an MP to focus on a role in international affairs. The move will trigger a by-election in the London seat of Holborn and St Pancras, long a Labour stronghold, which he has represented since 2015. Sir Keir, who left Downing Street in July, had previously said he would stay on as an MP until the next UK general election, which is not due until 2029. But in a surprise statement hours before his successor Andy Burnham made his debut in the House of Commons, he said he was resigning to work on issues such as international affairs and violence against women and girls. Paying tribute to his predecessor, Burnham highlighted Sir Keir's work with Ukraine and the Hillsborough Law drawn up under his government to improve the accountability of public officials, which is going through Parliament. "He has given this country a lifetime of public service, particularly for those fighting for justice," he added. "His leadership took our party from one of its worst defeats to its best victories and created a platform to change this country for the better. We will use it well, and we wish his family the very best for the future." Announcing his resignation, Sir Keir told the Camden New Journal, external it had been a "huge honour and privilege" to represent the London constituency for 11 years, ending weeks of speculation about whether he would remain an MP. He added he was ready to "pass the baton to a successor", telling the newspaper it was the "right time" for him to leave Parliament. He said: "I will now focus on other things and that will be international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world. "I will also continue, as I have done for a long time now with others, to work on combating violence against women and girls; that is an issue that matters to me hugely. "It's work I started before I became an MP and it's work I'm keen to continue after I'm an MP. So international affairs on the one hand, and continuing my work on violence against women and girls on the other." Sir Keir became prime minister after winning a landslide majority at the 2024 election, but quit No 10 after pressure from Labour MPs to stand aside.
Keir Starmer to stand down as MP
Decision by former prime minister will trigger by-election in his London seat, with Greens likely to challenge ruling Labour Party
Thames Water should go into administration, says senior Tory MP
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown wants the government to protect customers from ‘predatory’ hedge funds seeking control over the UK’s largest water utility