Politics
Elections, government, and policy—from multiple perspectives. Ordered by original publication date from each source.
Angela Rayner says Starmer should ‘reflect on’ stepping aside after HMRC clears her over tax affairs - UK politics live
The former deputy prime minister said she should be keen to ‘play my part’ in the event of a leadership contestFull report: Angela Rayner cleared by HMRC over tax affairs paving the way for potential leadership bidRachel Reeves, the chancellor, spoke to reporters this morning after the growth figure...
The potential challengers to Keir Starmer
Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are all potential candidates for the top job.
'I've been exonerated': Angela Rayner says HMRC has cleared her over flat stamp duty
Rayner stood down as deputy prime minister in September 2025 after admitting underpaying stamp duty.
Chris Mason: Potential leadership challengers jostle for positions
Sir Keir Starmer and his backers argue a leadership contest would paralyse the government for months.
Potential leadership challengers jostle for positions as PM's allies warn of 'chaos'
Sir Keir Starmer and his backers argue a leadership contest would paralyse the government for months.
Xi warns Trump Taiwan issue could lead to 'conflict' as US-China summit starts
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his US counterpart Donald Trump that the issue of Taiwan could push their two countries into “conflict” if mishandled, a stark opening salvo as a superpower summit set to tackle numerous thorny issues began in Beijing on Thursday. Trump had arrived in China with a...
Watch: Angela Rayner settles tax affairs - what now?
BBC chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman explains what this could mean for a potential Labour leadership contest.
How would a Labour leadership contest work?
How could MPs who want to see Sir Keir Starmer replaced force a leadership contest?
Pakistan has a supreme court. Then it built a supremacist one.
Earlier this month, Justice Yahya Afridi, the last person who will hold the title of Chief Justice of Pakistan, handed down a judgment declaring that the Supreme Court and the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) are coordinate apex courts, neither subordinate to the other. The judgment did not arrive...
Burnham pulls out of BBC phone-in amid speculation
Burnham's spokesman says he has to "prioritise discussions arising from last week's elections".
Former Indian army chief backs RSS leader's call for engaging in dialogue with Pakistan
Former Indian army chief Gen (retired) Manoj Naravane has supported the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) secretary general’s remarks calling for keeping the window for dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi open. In an interview with Press Trust of India aired on Tuesday, RSS Secretary General Da...
UK economy records surprise 0.3% growth in first month of the Iran war
GDP reading ties in with some surveys suggesting UK plc has kept up momentum despite rising fuel costsThe UK economy unexpectedly grew during the first full month of the Iran war, according to official figures, suggesting the Middle East conflict has not yet affected growth as much as feared.Figures...
Former Indian army chief backs RSS leader's call for engaging in dialogue with Pakistan: report
Former Indian army chief Gen (retired) Manoj Naravane has supported the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) secretary general’s remarks calling for keeping the window for dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi open, Indian media reported. In an interview with Press Trust of India aired on Tuesday, R...
Farage criticised for backing preacher who says homosexuality is ‘abomination’
Reform UK leader records video with Essex pastor to support his battle against council banning orderNigel Farage has been criticised for giving his full support to a Christian church leader who preached that homosexuality was an “abomination” and would lead to eternity in hell.The Reform UK leader r...
In pictures: US president gets red carpet welcome upon arrival for talks with China's Xi in Beijing
US President Donald Trump on Thursday told China’s Xi Jinping their countries would have “a fantastic future together”, as they began a superpower summit in Beijing on thorny issues including Iran, trade and Taiwan. Heaping praise on his host, Trump told Xi it was “an honour to be your friend”, as t...
In pictures: US president gets red carpet welcome upon arrival for talks with China's Xi
US President Donald Trump on Thursday told China’s Xi Jinping their countries would have “a fantastic future together”, as they began a superpower summit in Beijing on thorny issues including Iran, trade and Taiwan. Heaping praise on his host, Trump told Xi it was “an honour to be your friend”, as t...
Xi calls for China, US to be 'partners not rivals' as high-stakes talks with Trump kick off in Beijing
China’s Xi Jinping called for Washington and Beijing to be “partners not rivals” as two days of talks with US President Donald Trump kicked off on Thursday. The day began with Xi welcoming US President Trump with a handshake at the opulent Great Hall of the People. Accompanied by Trump, Xi sh...
Xi calls for China, US to be 'partners not rivals' as high-stakes talks with Trump begin in Beijing
China’s Xi Jinping called for Washington and Beijing to be “partners not rivals” as two days of talks with US President Donald Trump kicked off on Thursday. The day began with Xi welcoming US President Trump with a handshake at the opulent Great Hall of the People. Accompanied by Trump, Xi sh...
You’ve heard the king’s speech – but I think a better one might run like this | David Blunkett
If I were in government I’d propose a very different response to the challenges we face – starting with protecting people from the cost of livingDavid Blunkett was Labour home secretary from 2001 to 2004While I welcome many measures in the king’s speech, an alternative might look something like this...
As the right moves in on antisemitism, where does that leave the Jewish left?
After Reform politicians were cheered and progressive rabbis booed at rally against antisemitism, some fear longstanding alliances are fracturingRabbi Charley Baginsky, the co-leader of Progressive Judaism, admitted she felt apprehensive before speaking at last weekend’s central London rally against...
Angela Rayner cleared by HMRC over tax affairs paving the way for potential leadership bid
Exclusive: former deputy prime minister says investigation ‘clipped my wings’ as she settles £40,000 in unpaid stamp dutyAngela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC of deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness over her tax affairs, the Guardian can reveal, paving the way for a potential leadership bid as Kei...
UAE 'denies reports' of secret Netanyahu visit
The United Arab Emirates said Thursday it “denies reports” that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the country, after Netanyahu’s office said he had met with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) president during the war with Iran. Netanyahu’s office said on Wednesday he had “paid a...
Trump’s upbeat China message collides with deepening Beijing rivalry
President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping strike a warm tone in Beijing, emphasizing cooperation as trade and investment talks get underway.
China rolls out red carpet for Trump as Xi meeting tests trade, Taiwan tensions
President Donald Trump was greeted with an elaborate welcome ceremony outside Beijing’s Great Hall of the People before beginning high-stakes bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.