By Dominic Penna Nigel Farage’s party stands to do well at county council elections after ex-Conservative candidates tear up membership cards At least 60 of Reform UK’s council candidates at the local elections next month have defected from the Conservatives. New analysis shows dozens of former Tory activists, councillors or candidates have torn up their membership cards and are now standing for Reform. Reform has surged in popularity in the…

Sir Keir Starmer’s plans to form a “coalition of the willing” in support of Ukraine are facing mounting scepticism from senior Conservative figures, who argue that the proposed alliance lacks substance and staying power. Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, cast doubt on the initiative, questioning whether European allies would commit meaningfully to the project—particularly under UK leadership. “I am sceptical about proposals for a pan-European coalition of the willing,…

By Hannah Al-Othman Already one of the most impoverished towns in the UK, withdrawal of support has left many unsure how to cope. “It’s not very helpful really,” says Owen Sandford, 27, of the government’s spring statement. “I understand they’ve got a tough job, but we’ve got a tougher job trying to survive.” Sandford is in receipt of universal credit and has been applying for work – but he is struggling.…

Nigel Farage welcomed 29 councillors who have defected to Reform ahead of the local elections in May as he insisted the party would not be damaged by the row involving Rupert Lowe. Fifteen of the councillors unveiled by Mr Farage at a press conference have joined from the Conservatives in a further blow to Kemi Badenoch’s party. Another councillor crossed the floor from the Liberal Democrats, while the rest had…

Reform UK leads in polls as the Tories face major local election losses. Talks of a “Unite the Right” strategy emerge, while Badenoch’s leadership is under threat With the May 1, 2025, local and mayoral elections fast approaching, Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has emerged as a dominant force in the polls, overtaking both Labour and the Conservatives. The rise of Reform UK signals a seismic shift in British…

By Fatimah Idera In a response to the recent expulsion of two British embassy staff from Moscow earlier this week,The British government announced on Wednesday that it has expelled a Russian diplomat and a diplomatic spouse. This was made known in an official statement, the UK Foreign Office said it had summoned Russian Ambassador Andrei Kelin over what it described as an “increasingly aggressive and coordinated campaign of harassment” against…

A proposed amendment to a landmark assisted dying bill in England and Wales has ignited fierce debate over the inclusion of mentally ill and disabled individuals who have a terminal prognosis of six months or less. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who has represented Spen Valley since 2021, introduced the private member’s bill aiming to grant terminally ill patients the right to medically assisted death. On Wednesday, she proposed an amendment…

Kemi Badenoch’s journey from modest beginnings to leading the Conservative Party is a powerful story of resilience and ambition. Born on January 2, 1980, in Wimbledon, London, Badenoch’s path to success has been anything but conventional. Her rise has been shaped by a multicultural identity, family values, and a drive to make an impact.  Badenoch, originally named Olukemi Adegoke, is one of three children born to Nigerian Yoruba parents. Her…