Politics

The so-called “special relationship” between the UK and the US is acted out in the level of cooperation between the two governments and personified in the relationship between the presidents and prime ministers of the day. Voters have thrown together some odd couples since 1946 when, then ex-prime minister, Sir Winston Churchill coined the phrase

Independent pay review bodies have reportedly told ministers millions of public sector workers should be given a 5.5% increase in pay. The proposed above-inflation increase for teachers and around 1.3 million NHS staff, reported by The Times, is well above the figure the government is thought to have been preparing for. Sir Keir Starmer’s government

Labour’s Emily Thornberry, who was snubbed for a cabinet role by Sir Keir Starmer, is running to be chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, she has told Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast. Ms Thornberry, who served as shadow attorney general when Labour was in opposition, told political editor Beth Rigby she was “very sad” and

The suspension of UK funding for a UN relief agency working in Gaza has been overturned by the government. In January, the Foreign Office paused any future funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) after allegations surfaced that some members of staff had been involved in the 7 October attacks in Israel

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Number 10 on Friday as the UK government promises to lead a “crackdown” on Russian oil vessels. The Ukrainian leader, who has been in the country for the European Political Community (EPC) summit, will meet the whole of the new cabinet in Downing Street to brief them on the ongoing

Sir Keir Starmer has said people smuggling is no longer a challenge but “a crisis”, as he opened a European summit at which he hopes to strike a deal on migration. The prime minister is using the European Political Community (EPC) gathering to push for closer security ties and joint action to tackle small boat

Sir Keir Starmer will pledge to “fire the starting gun” on a closer relationship with Europe as he hosts a major summit, set to focus on Ukraine and migration.  The prime minister will welcome at least 45 European leaders to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire for a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC), which was

The new government is setting out its legislative agenda for the next year in the King’s Speech. The announcements focus on improving living standards by driving economic growth, the first of Sir Keir Starmer’s five “missions for national renewal”. Big ticket items include a plan to build more houses and infrastructure, nationalise the railways and

Labour has promised to “take the brakes off Britain” as it outlines its plans for government in the King’s Speech later today. More than 35 bills are expected to be unveiled during the event, which will see King Charles read out the list of policies and pledges from the Houses of Parliament. The party said

Vaughan Gething has announced he is quitting as Welsh First Minister after four members of his government resigned and demanded he left office. In a statement on Tuesday morning, Mr Gething said he had “taken the difficult decision to begin the process of stepping down”, and will now discuss a timetable for the election of

Sir Keir Starmer will today launch a “root and branch” review of the UK’s Armed Forces. It comes after the prime minister promised to “make sure our hollowed out armed forces are bolstered and respected”. The review will be led by former NATO general secretary Lord Robertson – who carried out a previous strategic defence

Rishi Sunak has been urged to stay on as Conservative leader until November amid divisions within the party over how long the contest to replace him should take. Shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell said the former prime minister’s instinct “is almost certainly to go” but more time was needed for potential successors to make their

What are the lessons for UK politicians from the assassination attempt on Donald Trump? Are our ministers and MPs safe? Just hours before the Trump shooting, Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle declared that his biggest concern is the safety of MPs and their staff. “Security is the thing that keeps me awake at night,” he

The new Labour government will unveil more than 35 bills during the first King’s Speech of its tenure, Downing Street has said. Trailing the significant moment on Wednesday, which will see the King announce the party’s plans for power in a ceremony full of pomp, ministers promised to focus on economic growth and to ensure

Sir Keir Starmer has issued a rallying cry ahead of the Euro 2024 final, telling the England team: “We’re all behind you.” The prime minister, who will be in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on Sunday to cheer on the Three Lions against Spain, told the players they have already “made the country proud”. They

Home Office minister Jess Phillips has shared the story of how she was appointed to her new role – and why it means she can no longer appear on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast. Speaking to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby and Conservative peer Ruth Davidson, it was revealed this episode would be the Labour