Sir Keir Starmer has continued his major reshuffle of his top team and junior ministers.
The prime minister sacked Rachel Reeves’s sister from the Cabinet and farming minister Daniel Zeichner, while Jason Stockwood, who had a senior role at dating site Match.com, has been appointed to the Department of Business and Trade.
The prime minister has also made a number of changes to the Home Office, in a bid to get a grip on immigration.
It comes as his chief secretary Darren Jones denied that Labour were in crisis, and rebuffed Nigel Farage’s prediction that there would be a general election in 2027.
Asked if Angela Rayner’s resignation over her tax affairs would cause a split in the party, Mr Jones said: “Nigel Farage is wrong there. The Labour Party is not going to split and there won’t be an early election.”
Starmer moved quickly to appoint David Lammy deputy prime minister while Yvette Cooper has been moved from home secretary to take up a new role as foreign secretary, with justice secretary Shabana Mahmood replacing her at the Home Office.
UK politics live: Key points
- Who is in and who is out? Lammy, Cooper and Mahmood promoted
- Anna Turley new chair of Labour Party replacing Rachel Reeves’s sister
- Reform ‘irresponsible’ to let vaccine sceptic address conference
- Starmer dismisses farming minister in wake of inheritance tax row
- Who is in and who is out? Keir Starmer reshuffles junior ministers
Sweeping changes were needed for Labour to be serious about a fresh start
07:46 , Holly EvansBritain has had six foreign secretaries in four years. This century, we have had a new housing minister every year on average. And we have had more prime ministers in the last 10 years than in the previous 36.
Such churn in ministerial office is inimical to good administration. Just as a minister is beginning to understand the complex challenges of their department, the government car takes them to a new office where they are rendered useless by ignorance.
There was a time when Sir Keir Starmer seemed to agree with this analysis. He criticised the Conservatives for the instability of high ministerial turnover and promised a more settled period in the nation’s affairs.
Read the full article here:
Sweeping changes were needed for Labour to be serious about a fresh start
Starmer ‘focused on delivery’ after post-Rayner purge
07:18 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer said his focus was on “delivery” after he carried out a purge of Home Office ministers in a major Government reshuffle following Angela Rayner’s resignation.
The Prime Minister is seeking to draw a line under the damaging fallout from his former deputy’s breach of the ministerial code with a new-look Cabinet as several figures were sacked or moved aside.
Sir Keir made sweeping changes at the Home Office, where Yvette Cooper was replaced by former justice secretary Shabana Mahmood and borders minister Dame Angela Eagle was moved to the farming brief.
He said on Saturday: “The new ministers will drive forward our growth agenda with a relentless focus.
“Phase two of this Government is about delivery and this is a Government that will renew Britain and deliver the change people voted for.”
The shake-up is a sign the Prime Minister is seeking to tighten his grip on immigration, as the number of small boat crossings in the English Channel soared to an estimated 1,000 people over the course of Saturday.
Ms Mahmood is expected to make policy announcements on asylum imminently, with one Government source saying “nothing is off the table” for her as she assumes her new brief.
Recap: Asylum seekers could be moved from hotels to barracks
07:00 , Rebecca WhittakerShabana Mahmood is expected to unveil plans to move asylum seekers from hotels into military barracks as the Government seeks to harden its immigration policy amid rising numbers of crossings in the Channel.
The newly appointed Home Secretary is reportedly set to announce the use of Ministry of Defence sites to house people after a wave of protests outside migrant accommodation over the summer.
The scale of the challenge facing the former justice secretary in her new role was illustrated on Saturday, when an estimated 1,000 people arrived in the UK by small boat over the course of the day.
Watch: Most bizarre moments from Reform UK party conference
06:31 , Rebecca WhittakerStarmer overhauls Home Office to take on Farage over migration
06:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
Starmer overhauls Home Office to take on Farage over migration
Recap: Chief secretary Darren Jones denied that Labour were in crisis
05:00 , Rebecca WhittakerChief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones earlier denied that the Government was in crisis and insisted Sir Keir now has the “strongest team” in place around the Cabinet table following Ms Rayner’s departure.
He ruled out the prospect of an early election amid opposition claims that the upheaval could open up splits within Labour and collapse the Prime Minister’s authority.
Speaking to broadcasters on Saturday, Mr Jones dismissed suggestions that the rejig could delay the Prime Minister’s self-described “phase two” of Government by moving senior figures to unfamiliar briefs.
“It’s not instability insofar as the outcomes that we’re delivering are the same,” Mr Jones, who is also the newly-appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, told BBC Breakfast.
He rejected the idea Yvette Cooper had been moved out of the Home Office because she was failing to control immigration, adding she would be “brilliant” in her new role as the UK’s top diplomat.
Who is in and who is out? Keir Starmer reshuffles junior ministers
04:00 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer has continued his major reshuffle following Angela Rayner’s resignation as housing secretary and deputy prime minister.
The prime minister is seeking to relaunch his government as it lags behind Reform UK in the polls and struggles to deliver on key promises.
Sir Keir moved Yvette Cooper from the Home Office to the Foreign Office on Friday in a major shake-up of his top team.
But now he is reshuffling other key ministerial posts, including sweeping changes in the Home Office.
Read more here:
Who is in and who is out? Keir Starmer reshuffles junior ministers
Watch: Labour government ‘moving forward with strongest team’ following Cabinet reshuffle after Rayner resignation
03:00 , Rebecca WhittakerAsylum seekers could be moved from hotels to barracks
02:00 , Rebecca WhittakerShabana Mahmood is expected to unveil plans to move asylum seekers from hotels into military barracks as the Government seeks to harden its immigration policy amid rising numbers of crossings in the Channel.
The newly appointed Home Secretary is reportedly set to announce the use of Ministry of Defence sites to house people after a wave of protests outside migrant accommodation over the summer.
The scale of the challenge facing the former justice secretary in her new role was illustrated on Saturday, when an estimated 1,000 people arrived in the UK by small boat over the course of the day.
‘Asylum seekers to be moved into barracks’ under new home secretary
01:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
‘Asylum seekers to be moved into barracks’ under new home secretary
The 'biggest egos in modern British politics' should form a pact, says Nadine Dorries
00:00 , Rebecca WhittakerFormer Conservative minister Nadine Dorries said that the 'biggest egos in modern British politics' should form a pact to bring down Sir Keir Starmer's malfunctioning Government.
Referring to Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson she said: “Both men could and would find some way to accommodate each other's egos and to coexist for the sake of the country.”
It comes after she declared “the Tory party is dead” and announced that she has defected to Reform UK, in her column for the Daily Mail.
“The time for action is now and I believe that the only politician who has the answers, the knowledge and the will to deliver is Nigel Farage. Nigel and I will never agree about everything. Neither of us are political robots,” she wrote.
The former culture secretary, was MP for Mid-Bedfordshire from 2005 to 2023.
1,000 migrants crossed the Channel on Saturday
23:30 , Rebecca WhittakerAbout 1,000 migrants crossed the Channel on Saturday.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer carries out a wide-ranging reshuffle including a shake-up at the Home Office.
He made a number of changes to the Home Office, in a bid to get a grip on illegal immigration.
Watch: Most bizarre moments from Reform UK party conference
23:00 , Rebecca WhittakerLabour calls on Farage to 'come clean' over constituency home
22:30 , Rebecca WhittakerAnna Turley, the new chair of the Labour Party has said Nigel Farage needs to “come clean” after “misleading” his constituents and the British public about buying a home in his constituency, Sky News reported.
"Given he has had much to say on other people’s tax affairs this week, it’s only right that he comes clean and makes the full facts over this public," She said.
"He told the public something that helped him politically, while in reality doing something that may have helped him financially,” she added.
Questions about Mr Farage’s tax affairs have risen up the agenda after he and fellow senior members of Reform strongly criticised former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner for failing to pay £40,000 of stamp duty on a property in Brighton.
Who is in and who is out? Keir Starmer reshuffles junior ministers
22:00 , Rebecca WhittakerWho is in and who is out? Keir Starmer reshuffles junior ministers
Starmer’s reshuffle continues
21:40 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer’s reshuffle has continued:
Former Scotland secretary Ian Murray has become a minister jointly in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Mike Tapp and Louise Jones, both from the 2024 intake of Labour MPs, have become ministers in the Home Office and Ministry of Defence respectively.
Baroness Levitt, who was the principal legal adviser to Sir Keir Starmer while he served as director of public prosecutions, becomes a justice minister.
Chris Ward, who has served as the Prime Minister’s principal private secretary, has been made a Cabinet Office minister, and Seema Malhotra has become parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Foreign Office, while remaining minister for equalities.
Miatta Fahnbulleh and Samantha Dixon have entered the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as ministers. Dr Zubir Ahmed, another MP from the 2024 intake, has become a health minister.
Abena Oppong-Asare has left Government as a Cabinet Office minister, as have Catherine West as a Foreign Office minister, Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede as a justice minister and Lord Khan of Burnley as faith and communities minister.
Recap: Starmer dismisses farming minister in wake of inheritance tax row
21:24 , Rebecca WhittakerFarming minister Daniel Zeichner has been sacked from his role as junior minister in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and was replaced by Dame Angela Eagle, the former border security minister.
The dismissal comes in the wake of a revolt over the Chancellor’s plans to cut the amount of inheritance tax relief available to family farms.
Recap: new ministers announced
21:00 , David Maddox, political editor- Anna Turley MP as Minister of State in the Cabinet Office (Minister without Portfolio). She will attend Cabinet.
- Alex Norris MP as Minister of State in the Home Department
-Sir Chris Bryant MP as Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade
-Luke Pollard MP as Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence
- Georgia Gould MP as Minister of State in the Department for Education
- Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP as Solicitor General
- Lucy Rigby MP as Parliamentary Secretary (Economic Secretary to the Treasury) in HM Treasury
-Maria Eagle MP and Catherine McKinnell MP have left the Government.
Starmer overhauls Home Office to take on Farage over migration
20:40 , Rebecca WhittakerStarmer overhauls Home Office to take on Farage over migration
Watch: Labour government ‘moving forward with strongest team’ following Cabinet reshuffle after Rayner resignation
20:21 , Rebecca WhittakerReform called ‘irresponsible’ after doctor links King’s cancer with Covid vaccine in speech
20:00 , Rebecca WhittakerDr Assem Malhotra spoke from the stage in Birmingham, where he made a series of claims about the pharmaceutical industry, politicians and the World Health Organisation on Saturday.
Reform called ‘irresponsible’ after doctor links King’s cancer with Covid vaccine
Rayner’s allies lash out at Starmer after deputy prime minister resigns in tax scandal
19:45 , Rebecca Whittaker
Rayner allies lash out at Starmer after deputy prime minister resigns in tax scandal
Reform ‘irresponsible’ to let vaccine sceptic address conference
19:30 , Rebecca WhittakerHealth Secretary Wes Streeting said it was “irresponsible” for Reform UK to allow a vaccine sceptic cardiologist to address its conference.
Dr Assem Malhotra spoke from the stage in Birmingham, where he made a series of claims about the pharmaceutical industry, politicians and the World Health Organisation on Saturday.
He also claimed Covid vaccines may have caused the King and Princess of Wales’ cancer.
Dr Malhotra, who described himself as a friend of controversial US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, said hundreds of studies showed the harms of mRNA vaccines and that they were interfering with genes.
Mr Streeting said: “When we are seeing falling numbers of parents getting their children vaccinated, and a resurgence of disease we had previously eradicated, it is shockingly irresponsible for Nigel Farage to give a platform to these poisonous lies.
“Farage should apologise and sever all ties with this dangerous extremism.”
Starmer is 'shifting deckchairs on Titanic' in his reshuffle MP says
19:15 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer is “shifting deckchairs on Titanic” in his reshuffle, a Labour MP has said.
Kim Johnson, the MP for Liverpool Riverside told Times Radio: “I think you know we have some exceptionally talented people that need to be considered to be considered and I think you know what we also need is representation from the broad church of the Labour Party and that’s not what we’re seeing at this moment in time unfortunately.”
She added: “We do have a broad church, and a number of MPs are not happy with the direction of travel.
“And even though the party have implemented some amazing legislation over the last 12 months, we have done things that have not gone down well within our constituencies: the winter fuel allowance, the discussions about changes to benefits and the fact that child poverty remains a massive issue in our country.”
Watch: The rise and fall of Angela Rayner
19:00 , Rebecca WhittakerSacked ministers say there will be 'carnage'
18:45 , Rebecca WhittakerOne of the ministers dumped in Keir Starmer's reshuffle responded to the news by saying “I'm going to f*** him up,” Daily Mail reported.
The paper quoted another minister saying: “There's going to be carnage. Everyone's going to be stabbing everyone else in the back.”
‘Same faces, different positions’: Will Starmer’s reshuffle change anything?
18:35 , Rebecca WhittakerWith just one new face around the cabinet table and a massive job swap for most of the rest, political editor David Maddox questions whether Keir Starmer has done enough to reverse his government’s dire fortunes.
Read more here:
‘Same faces, different positions’: Will Starmer’s reshuffle change anything?
Minister for employment rights 'disappointed' to depart
18:20 , Rebecca WhittakerJunior minister Justin Madders said it has "been a real privilege" to serve as minister for employment rights as he departs the role in today's reshuffle.
The MP for Ellesemore Port and Bromborough, will now return to the House of Commons as a Labour backbencher.
He has worked on the Employment Rights Bill and is “disappointed” to leave before it became a law.
“Its disappointing I didn’t get to see the ERB through to Royal Assent as a Minister but I’ll be there when it’s back in the Commons as a backbencher to hopefully get it over the line as per our manifesto,” he said in a post on X.
He added: “There is so much more to deliver. Be it improved parental rights, modernised industrial relations or employment status reform so we can end the scourge of bogus self employment and exploitation, the Bill must be the start of our plans.”
Yvette Cooper starts work as Foreign Secretary
18:10 , Rebecca WhittakerYvette Cooper started work as Foreign Secretary on Friday by speaking to Ukraine’s foreign minister.
“Good to talk to Andrii Sybiha to reinforce unwavering UK support for Ukraine,” she said in a post on X. “We continue to do all we can to end the war and secure a just peace.”
Mr Sybiha added: “I had a warm and meaningful conversation with Yvette Cooper just a few hours after she was appointed the new UK Foreign Secretary.
“I truly appreciate my colleague’s first call to Ukraine – we take it as a sign of respect and priority in sustaining the UK’s unwavering support.”
I had a warm and meaningful conversation with @YvetteCooperMP just a few hours after she was appointed the new UK Foreign Secretary.
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) September 5, 2025
I truly appreciate my colleague’s first call to Ukraine—we take it as a sign of respect and priority in sustaining the UK’s unwavering support.…
Who is in and who is out?
17:55 , Rebecca WhittakerAnna Turley new chair of Labour Party replacing Rachel Reeves’s sister
17:46 , Rebecca WhittakerMP for Redcar Anna Turley, who has been a government whip since the last election, is now the new Labour Party chair.
She has replaced solicitor general Ellie Reeves - Rachel Reeves’s sister.
Watch: Labour government ‘moving forward with strongest team’ following Cabinet reshuffle after Rayner resignation
17:45 , Rebecca WhittakerBusiness Secretary Peter Kyle to meet the Trump administration
17:35 , Rebecca WhittakerNewly appointed Business Secretary Peter Kyle has confirmed to business chiefs that he will meet the Trump administration in Washington next week ahead of travelling to China for trade talks.
On a video call of around 100 CEOs, entrepreneurs and trade unions, he highlighted the importance of technology to boost the economy and said the UK must “double down” on growth as he sought to set the tone for his future in the role.
He said: “I want Government to be seen as an active partner that delivers success, supports new business and backs wealth creation.
“This Government’s number one mission is economic growth. We need to crack on and do it. We must double down, while being creative and unrelenting in pursuit of our goal.
“I want this to be the greatest place to start a business, or scale up. We haven’t maximised the potential in this country, and I’m ambitious in wanting to see the first trillion-dollar company to emerge from the UK.”
He also confirmed he would be in Washington early next week to engage with the White House ahead of the US president’s state visit, before travelling to Beijing for trade talks.
Shabana Mahmood says she is dedicated to the 'safety of citizens'
17:25 , Rebecca WhittakerShabana Mahmood was appointed home secretary yesterday, replacing Yvette Cooper.
Writing on X she said her first responsibility will be the “safety of its citizens”.
“Every day in this job, I will be devoted to that purpose,” she added.
It is the honour of my life to serve as Home Secretary.
— Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) September 5, 2025
The first responsibility of government is the safety of its citizens.
Every day in this job, I will be devoted to that purpose. https://t.co/w3UxrNLb2p
Who is Jason Stockwood?
17:15 , Rebecca WhittakerGrimsby businessman Jason Stockwood has been appointed to the government as a minister of state in the Department for Business and Trade and the Treasury.
He has been nominated for a life peerage in order to bring him into government, where he will help with Britain’s economic and trade policy.
However, he is not an elected MP, but will be able to offer advice as a result of his new role as a peer.
The 52-year-old previously stood in the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral race under the Labour banner, but he lost to Reform candidate and former Tory MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns.
He is the former director of Match.com and former chairman of Grimsby Town FC and remains a co-owner of the League Two football club.
New Ministers announced
17:05 , David Maddox, political editorThe King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:
- Anna Turley MP as Minister of State in the Cabinet Office (Minister without Portfolio). She will attend Cabinet.
- Alex Norris MP as Minister of State in the Home Department
-Sir Chris Bryant MP as Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade
-Luke Pollard MP as Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence
- Georgia Gould MP as Minister of State in the Department for Education
- Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP as Solicitor General
- Lucy Rigby MP as Parliamentary Secretary (Economic Secretary to the Treasury) in HM Treasury
-Maria Eagle MP and Catherine McKinnell MP have left the Government.
Connolly has a 'huge opportunity to help', says Deputy leader of Reform UK
16:55 , Rebecca WhittakerDeputy leader of Reform UK Richard Tice said Lucy Connolly has a “huge opportunity to help” the party.
Delivering his speech at the party’s conference after Connolly gave an interview on stage, Mr Tice said: “It’s wonderful to see her back with us and to hear her direct telling her story.
“I think that she has a huge opportunity to help Reform and help the cause of free speech.”
Junior minister says 'patience for change' has 'run out'
16:45 , Rebecca WhittakerSacked junior minister, Jim McMahon, has said the public’s “patience for change has run out”.
The former local government minister wrote in a post on X : “The Labour government must recognise that all politics is family and community.
“For over a decade working people and their communities have been hammered and patience for change has run out. It’s a hard inheritance but the reality.
“If people don’t urgently feel the benefit in better living standards; safer, cleaner and decent neighbourhoods then it’s for nothing.”
I’ve had a wonderful experience in my role as Minister of State delivering on fixing local government, driving devolution in England, and working for a boss like @AngelaRayner has been genuinely empowering and fulfilling, I’ll never forget the trust and confidence she placed in… pic.twitter.com/uZR59LrXCa
— Jim McMahon OBE MP (@JimfromOldham) September 6, 2025
Farming minister sacked
16:35 , Rebecca WhittakerDaniel Zeichner has been sacked as farming minister.
Former investment minister Poppy Gustaffson and former local government minister Jim McMahon have also left Government, Downing Street confirmed.
Lucy Connolly says she wants to work with Reform UK
16:25 , Rebecca WhittakerLucy Connolly, who was jailed for stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers, said she may want to work with Reform UK in the future.
She was asked what she wanted to do going forward.
“I’d really love to use my experience to work with, hopefully, Reform.”
She also said she voted for Reform UK at the last election.
All change at the Home Office as Starmer identifies weakness in government
16:16 , David Maddox, political editorKeir Starmer has identified the Home Office as a weakness in his government and decided to bring in a new team to tackle the increasingly difficult issues of illegal migration and the grooming gangs scandal.
Just a few weeks ago Yvette Cooper hosted a summer party for journalists at Lancaster House to build up her ministerial team and lay out her vision for the future of the department.
But in the last 24 hours she has been shifted to Foreign Secretary, policing minister Dame Diane Johnson has been sent to work and pensions, Dame Angela Eagle to be farming minister, and former security minister Dan Jarvis is relocated to the Cabinet Office.
While Downing Street has not issued any comment on the issue it appears that concerns over the way the department was performing have played a role in the clearout.
Record numbers of small boats hitting 50,000 over the summer, migrant hotels, rows over policing and the handling of the grooming gang scandal have all badly hurt Labour in the polls.
Meanwhile, with Reform 10 points ahead of Labour, Nigel Farage has built his support by capitalising on the perceived failures of the Home Office.
Ex dating site boss now in charge of Britain’s trade deals
15:51 , Millie CookeThe former managing director of Match.com has been appointed to the government as a minister of state in the Department for Business and Trade and the Treasury.
English businessman Jason Stockwood – who previously stood in the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral race under the Labour banner - has been nominated for a life peerage in order to bring him into government, where he will help with Britain’s economic and trade policy.
Junior minister reshuffle announced as Starmer makes critical changes
15:36 , Holly EvansIn a statement, Downing Street has listed the junior minister reshuffle which has been approved this morning.
They include:
- Jason Stockwood as Minister of State (Minister for Investment) jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury.
- Dan Jarvis MP as Minister of State in the Cabinet Office. He will remain Minister of State for the Home Department.
- Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern as Minister of State (Minister for Skills) in the Department for Work and Pensions. She will remain Minister of State (Minister for Skills and Minister for Women and Equalities) in the Department for Education.
- Lord Vallance KCB as Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. He will remain Minister of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
- Michael Shanks MP as Minister of State jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
- Alison McGovern MP as Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
- Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP as Minister of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
- Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP as Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions.
- Sarah Jones MP as Minister of State for the Home Department.
First junior minister confirms departure as reshuffle continues
15:34 , Holly EvansJustin Madders MP has been the first junior minister to confirmed that he is leaving the government as Sir Keir Starmer’s reshuffle continues.
In a post on X, he wrote: "It has been a real privilege to serve as Minister for Employment Rights & begin delivering on our plan to make work pay.
"Sadly it is now time to pass the baton on - I wish my successor well & will do what I can to help them make sure the ERB is implemented as intended."
He added that it is "disappointing" that he did not get to see the legislation through to Royal Assent.
It has been a real privilege to serve as Minister for Employment Rights & begin delivering on our plan to make work pay. Sadly it is now time to pass the baton on- I wish my successor well & will do what I can to help them make sure the ERB is implemented as intended(1/3)
— Justin Madders (@justinmadders) September 6, 2025
Nigel Farage confirms he would send women asylum seekers back to Taliban in Afghanistan
15:20 , Holly EvansNigel Farage has confirmed he would deport female asylum seekers back to the Taliban in Afghanistan if he wins the next election.
It comes after confusion over the Reform UK leader’s position on the issue, after he initially said he would deport women back to Afghanistan, before later saying he wouldn’t.
Speaking to Sky News on the second day of the Reform conference in Birmingham, he was asked whether he would detain women and children and "send them back" – to which he responded: "Yes".
But he said the UK has a "duty of care" if a four-year-old were to arrive in a dinghy.
"For clarity, those that cross the English Channel will be detained and deported, men and women," he added.
"Children, we'll have to think about."
Mr Farage faced condemnation last month when he said everyone who arrives in the UK via small boat, including women and children, would be detained.
Read the full article here from our political correspondent Millie Cooke:
Farage confirms he would send women asylum seekers back to Taliban in Afghanistan
Reform UK to get rid of 'woke policing' if elected
14:56 , Holly EvansA Reform UK government would do away with “woke policing”, MP Sarah Pochin has said.
Speaking to the party’s conference in Birmingham, the Runcorn and Helsby MP said: “We have had enough of woke policing.
“Police appearing to sympathise with protest groups that simply do not reflect the views of the majority of the British people.
“I am sure that the police themselves would like nothing more than to get back to tackling crime, policing with impartiality and to protecting the British people.
“A Reform government will address these issues and restore a strong police presence on our streets.”
Farage rows back on pledge to stop small boats within fortnight of election win
14:43 , Holly EvansNigel Farage has rowed back on a pledge he made to the party’s conference to stop small boat crossings within two weeks of taking office.
The Reform UK leader had told an audience at the NEC in Birmingham on Friday it would take a fortnight of him entering Downing Street to halt arrivals, if he won an election.
However, he told the BBC that instead it would rely on any Government he led passing laws first.
In an interview due to be aired on BBC One on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he said the country would need a “legal base” to halt crossings.
He said he would introduce similar laws to those passed by Australian prime minister Tony Abbott over a decade ago to stop arrivals from Indonesia.
Mr Farage told the broadcaster: “As soon as the law is in place. As soon as you have the ability to detain and deport, you’ll stop it in two weeks.”
He had told the conference on Friday lunchtime: “We will stop the boats and we will detain and deport those who illegally break into our country doing what nearly every normal country around the rest of the world does.”
When asked by GB News on Saturday whether he expected any legislation to be passed quickly, given wranglings in Parliament over previous immigration law – he said he was hopeful.
He said: “Given the mood of the nation, the legislation needs to go through as quickly as it’s possible.”
He told Sky News: “We have to get the legislation through as quickly as is humanly possible.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg denies speculation he has joined Reform UK
14:22 , Holly EvansJacob Rees-Mogg said his daughter has joined Reform “but I’m not going to”.
He said he was “having his arm twisted” by his daughter, who he was “embarrassed” to say had joined Reform.
Mr Rees-Mogg said: “Mary has joined Reform … but I’m not going to.
“I’m going to remain a Tory because I think it is fundamental that we bring the family of the right together.”
Speaking at an event at the Reform conference alongside historian David Starkey, he said the “family of the right” needed to unite in a first-past-the-post system to win a majority.
How did Angela Rayner manage to underpay stamp duty? A legal expert explains
14:15 , Holly EvansThe debate over former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner’s tax arrangements demonstrated that there are few topics more complex than the law of trusts. It was politically awkward, to say the least, when a deputy PM and housing secretary had to admit getting it wrong and underpaying £40,000 in stamp duty.
Rayner has resigned after being found to have breached the ministerial code in the wake of the stamp duty row. That erupted after she was said to have put her share of her constituency home in Greater Manchester in trust for her son, and to have bought another home in Hove, East Sussex, paying a lower rate of stamp duty than should be owed by a second homeowner.
In Rayner’s case, a probable oversight and a trust created with legitimate intentions got caught up in legislation designed to discourage tax avoidance and ownership of a second home. Of course, it also left her open to accusations of hypocrisy, as a member of a government that championed higher taxes for second homeowners.
Read the full analysis here:
'Personal decision' for Rayner if she will take severance pay
12:05 , Holly EvansIt is unclear whether Ms Rayner will take severance pay following her resignation, but Mr Jones said it would a “decision personally for her, as opposed to the Prime Minister”.
Labour has changed the system so that any ministers who leave office following a “serious breach” of the code will be denied a payout under rules expected to come into force next month.
From October, it will be for the Prime Minister to decide whether the rule-breaking in question meets threshold.
Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Jones said: “Just as a matter of fact, in this circumstance, that is a decision personally for Angela Rayner as opposed to for the Prime Minister, which is how that will work when our new rules become live next month.”
