Councils left 'bewildered' by Labour's local elections U-turn as dozens of wards now facing 'unnecessary race against time'

Nigel Farage holds massive London rally as pressure mounts on Keir Starmer

Nigel Farage is addressing a rally in London following today's Labour U-turn on local elections, which he branded a "victory for democracy".

The Reform UK leader's speech is on a slightly different topic, however, as he turns his attention to the capital.

He says every single shoplifter will be prosecuted under a Reform UK government as he pledges to tackle a huge crimewave which he say is blighting the capital.

Mr Farage also backed his pick for London mayoral candidate, Laila Cunningham, once more, saying he has full confidence she can beat Sadiq Khan.

"A capital city that within living memory was at the centre of the biggest empire the world has ever seen. A capital city that now in Mayfair men don't wear watches for fear of being mugged in broad daylight", he said.

"It is a disaster, and it's adding to the exodus of many bright young talented people leaving."

Robert Jenrick 'very happy' with role in Reform UK shadow cabinet

Robert Jenrick has said he is “very happy” with the role he will be handed in tomorrow’s Reform UK shadow cabinet announcement.

Mr Jenrick previously stated he was offered no role in talks with Mr Farage ahead of joining the party.

But speaking on GB News to Christopher Hope, Mr Jenrick suggested he is in for a key role.

Donald Trump calls UK's deal with Gavin Newsom 'inappropriate'

President Donald Trump has criticised a new clean energy agreement between California and the UK.

He warned British leaders against partnering with his long-time political foe Gavin Newsom, the state’s governor, saying “the UK’s got enough trouble”.

Speaking with POLITICO, the US President said: “Gavin is a loser. Everything he touched turns to garbage. His state has gone to hell, and his environmental work is a disaster.”

Mr Newsom signed a memorandum of understanding in London with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, pledging cooperation on clean energy technologies, including offshore wind.

Labour MP says rowing back on local elections decision is a ‘win for democracy’

Labour MP Barry Gardiner says the Government abandoning plans to cancel local elections is a “win for democracy”.

He told Nana Akua on GB News that cancelling elections is a sign of a party “running scared” and Sir Keir Starmer should never have backed such an idea.

“Ultimately, it’s democracy that is most important and it’s a good thing this has happened”, he said.

“The reconfiguration of local authorities is something we said we were going to do, it’s something that because different local councils have elections at different times, because of that, it meant there was always going to be a time when some elections would fall very close to the reconfiguration, that was the rationale.

“Fundamentally, the Electoral Commission said this is without precedent and you have to allow these elections to go ahead, and that’s right.”

Reform NOT favourites to win the most seats at the next General Election - Ladbrokes

For the first time since May 2025, Reform UK is no longer favourites to win the most seats at the next General Election.

Ladbrokes now has Labour down as the favourites to emerge victorious.

It comes despite a tumultuous period for the Prime Minister, who is facing calls to resign after yet another U-turn, this time on local elections.

Here’s how Ladbrokes have it:

Labour - 13/8

Reform UK - 7/4

Conservatives - 11/2

Greens - 8/1

Restore Britain - 20/1

Lib Dems - 40/1

Your Party - 200/1

Nigel Farage calls for Steve Reed to resign after local election victory

Steve Reed should resign following the Government’s decision to row back on plans to scrap local elections, Nigel Farage has told GB News.

Speaking on the People’s Channel, the Reform UK leader declared victory in his party’s fight to force Labour’s hand.

He said the change is a resignation issue for Steve Reed: “For us, it's another nearly 900 candidates that we have to find across those council areas and county areas, which for us, is just not going to be a problem.

“Our lawyers looked very closely at the legislation, could find no good reason for why Steve Reed, at the behest of Keir Starmer, I suppose, decided to do this. The boss of the Electoral Commission said it was illegal. Clearly, the government's own lawyers said it was illegal. That's why they’ve withdrawn.

“They knew they were going to lose in the High Court, and that's why I'm saying I think for the minister, Steve Reed, I mean, frankly, is this not a resignation matter?

“I think if a minister acts in a way that's illegal and tries to cancel people's democratic rights to vote whilst they're still being charged their council tax, I personally think that it really is a resignation matter, yes.”

'It should never have got this far': Taxpayers' Alliance criticise Labour after local election U-turn

The TaxPayers’ Alliance has waded into Labour rowing back on its decision to scrap local elections.

Elliot Keck, campaigns director of the group, said: “Taxpayers will be hugely relieved to see their right to a vote restored, but it should have never come this far.

“Millions of voters were not just facing cancelled elections, but also the double injustice of increased council tax despite a complete lack of a democratic mandate.

“Ministers should still bring in new guidelines making clear that were any elections to be cancelled in future, for any reason, there would be a mandatory freeze on council tax and any other charges.”

Kemi Badenoch blasts ‘predictable chaos’ from ‘useless’ Labour after local election U-turn

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has hit out at the Labour Government’s “predictable chaos” after it decided to scrap plan to cancel local elections.

Keir Starmer abandoned plans to delay elections for 30 local councils in England and Wales following legal advice.

Taking to X, Mrs Badenoch commented: “The legal mess is no surprise and one of the reasons why Conservatives (with a couple of exception who now look really silly) opposed the move to delay council elections for a second year in a row.

“We voted to oppose these unnecessary cancellations at every opportunity so this is the right decision

“A one-year delay to allow new councils to be re-organised is one thing. Two years was always too much.

“The incompetence of Angela Rayner (the supposed leader-in-waiting) who started this when she was running that department has now been exposed.”

Lib Dems mock Labour's 'humiliating U-turn' as local elections set to go ahead

The Lib Dems have said the Government has been "forced into a humiliating U-turn" after reversing their decision to delay 30 local elections in May.

Sir Ed Davey said: "The Liberal Democrats have fought tooth and nail to stop this stitch-up and the Government has been forced into a humiliating U-turn.

"Labour are terrified of Reform and we are the only party willing to stand up to Farage and beat him, as we do week after week in council by-elections.

"We cannot allow the Government to cancel elections on a whim ever again. That is why the Liberal Democrats have brought forward an amendment to change the law, stripping the Government of this power and ensuring that the public’s voice is protected by statute, not left to the whims of ministers. Starmer should back these plans immediately."

Nigel Farage hails Reform victory after Labour abandons plans to delay local elections

Nigel Farage has taken to social media to hail a victory for Reform UK, after Labour announced they were abandoning plans to delay local elections.

"We took this Labour government to court and won," Mr Farage said on X.

"In collusion with the Tories, Keir Starmer tried to stop 4.6 million people voting on May 7th.

"Only Reform UK fights for democracy."

BREAKING: Labour SCRAPS plans to delay local elections as Keir Starmer set to unveil latest U-turn

Labour has scrapped plans to delay 30 local elections across the country after they were warned by lawyers the move would be illegal.

Keir Starmer's government had announced they were to delay elections for more than 4.5 million people across the country.

However, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government said it was dropping the plan after receiving "new legal advice".

Reform UK were launching legal action against the Government. It is understood the new legal advice was in relation to Reform's challenge, with a judge due to hear the case next month.

READ THE FULL BREAKING STORY HERE.

'An expensive case for the British taxpayer!' Lawyer despairs at illegal migrants being compensated for seized mobile phones

A lawyer has expressed his outrage at illegal migrants being handed £500,000 in compensation after having their mobile phones seized upon arrival to the UK.

Speaking to GB News, Luke Gittos despaired at the "extremely expensive case for the British taxpayer", arguing that a "gap in the law" has been "exploited".

More than 70 migrants who crossed the Channel have been awarded around half a million pounds in compensation after their phones were seized by UK authorities.

Judges in the High Court have ruled the blanket policy in 2020 was unlawful, and determined that confiscating their devices and downloading their personal data breached the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Some 32 asylum seekers have already received settlements totalling £210,800, working out at £6,587.50 per person, and 41 cases are still outstanding.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Downing Street defends 'outstanding leader' Antonia Romeo amid complaints over management style

No10 has defended Dame Antonia Romeo, who is currently the frontrunner for Cabinet Secretary, as an "outstanding leader" despite reports she had been spoken to about her management style.

Dame Antonia has previously faced accusations of bullying related to her time as consul-general in New York in 2017, but was cleared by the Cabinet Office.

The BBC claim she faced "tough conversations" about her leadership style, and has also had criticism for her use of expenses during her time at the Foreign Office. The Home Office permanent secretary is widely expected to succeed Sir Chris Wormald.

Despite recent reports, a Downing Street spokesman has hailed her as an "an outstanding leader with a 25-year record of excellent public service, including having been appointed to three permanent secretary roles."

"One formal complaint was raised nine years ago and the allegations were dismissed on the basis that there was no case to answer,” he said.

"Antonia Romeo’s record speaks for itself... I’m not going to get into individual HR files or reports."

Tories respond to Cabinet Office's investigation into Labour MP 

The Tories have responded after the Prime Minister confirmed an investigation will be launched into Makerfield MP Josh Simons, who served as director of Labour Together in 2023 when a controversial report on journalists was comissioned.

Conservative Chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: “Josh Simons must now recuse himself from his role as the Minister with responsibility for inquiries policy while he is being investigated by the Cabinet Office. We must also see the terms of reference for the inquiry and know who is leading it.

“The Labour Party must also investigate and review its ongoing relationship with Labour Together in light of these very serious accusations.”

Labour minister under investigation over ‘smear scandal’ engulfing group linked to Keir Starmer

A Labour minister is now under investigation after a group linked to Sir Keir Starmer was accused of smearing journalists, the Prime Minister has confirmed.

Sir Keir, who poached Morgan McSweeney from Labour Together while serving as Leader of the Opposition, denied having knowledge of the think tank paying a public affairs firm £36,000 to investigate the “backgrounds and motivations” of journalists researching the sources of its funding.

The final report falsely suggested that reporters were part of a Russian conspiracy.

Makerfield MP Josh Simons, who served as director of Labour Together in 2023, commissioned Apco to conduct its 48-page report.

The report, codenamed Operation Cannon, was completed in January 2024 before being handed to senior Labour officials who sat on the think tank's board.

Sir Keir confirmed a Cabinet Office probe would now investigate the allegations against Mr Simons and his former colleagues at Labour Together.

The Prime Minister said: “There will be a Cabinet Office investigation into the allegations, and quite right too. And so that is already in place.

“I didn’t know anything about this investigation. And it absolutely needs to be looked into, so the Cabinet Office will be establishing the facts.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

PM has 'full confidence' in minister embroiled in 'smear campaign' scandal

Keir Starmer has "full confidence" in Josh Simons, the minister linked to recent revelations with think tank Labour Together.

Mr Simons, the former Labour Together director who commissioned the report to conduct a probe into journalists, is facing an investigation for his role in the ongoing scandal.

The PM, though, has insisted his full confidence in the minister, according to a spokesman.

Mr Simons said he was "surprised and shocked to read the report extended beyond the contract by including unnecessary information" on a journalist."

WATCH IN FULL: Keir Starmer denies knowledge of Labour Together-linked ‘probe’ into journalists

Labour Together journalist investigation 'profoundly troubling,' says industry chief

An industry chief has said the investigation launched by think tank Labour Together into journalists who were "doing their jobs" is " profoundly troubling".

Dawn Alford, chief executive of the Society of Editors, said: "Journalists asking questions about funding, influence or public life are not adversaries to be investigated; they are carrying out a fundamental democratic duty.

"The idea that reporters could themselves become the subject of intelligence-style inquiries simply for doing their jobs is profoundly troubling and sets a dangerous precedent, regardless of which political party or organisation is involved.”

She added: "Robust journalism will sometimes be uncomfortable for those in positions of power, but scrutiny must never be met with attempts to undermine or intimidate those asking questions.

"Public confidence in politics and institutions depends on transparency, not retaliation.

"At a time when journalists around the world face growing hostility and risk, the UK must uphold the highest standards at home.

"A healthy democracy requires challenge, scrutiny and accountability — and that includes protecting journalists from becoming targets themselves."

Reform unveils first pledge ahead of May London elections

Reform UK have announced their first election pledge ahead of the May 2026 London elections.

Nigel Farage's party has taken aim at the "scourge of homelessness among Brits", declaring "war on homelessness" and vowing Reform-led councils will prioritise British citizens and veterans for social housing.

The Party announced their intention to impose lengthy long-term residency requirements in every London council they win in May.

They also vowed to end participation in the City of Sanctuary UK network in the councils they control.

Reform’s candidate for Mayor of London Laila Cunningham said: "For far too long, Brits have been pushed to the back of the housing queue and left homeless in their own country in favour of, in some cases, people that have only just arrived.

"Most shockingly of all veterans who have fought for Britain are promised priority, but in practice get nothing.

"In May, Reform-led London councils will end this scandal. They will ensure that strong local ties are prioritised, and those who have lived and contributed to our communities come first.

"Labour, Tories and Lib Dems have failed our own. Reform will finally put Brits and Londoners first again and make this city work for its people."

PM giving speech on Labour's approach to online safety

Sir Keir Starmer is doing a speech in London this morning detailing Labour's approach to online safety.

He is talking about the government's approach to online safety, social media for children, and technology.

The PM said the current system is "not working". He unveiled the latest plans late last night.

WATCH: Christopher Hope gives latest on Chagos deal delays

Labour MP demands investigation into 'serious' Labour Together allegations after writing to PM 'four times' over concerns 

A Labour MP has demanded an investigation into the "serious" accusations over think tank Labour Together's conduct.

Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said he has asked Sir Keir Starmer "four times" to launch an investigation into potential links between the Government the think tank.

Labour Together is said to have hired APCO Worldwide to investigate reporters from The Sunday Times, The Guardian and other outlets to identify their sources after stories about the think tank’s failure to declare more than £700,000 in donations.

Mr McDonnell, secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) parliamentary group, told the BBC: "I’ve written four times now to the general secretary of the Labour Party, including to Keir Starmer, to say this is serious, launch an investigation, but that’s not happened."

He later added: "I got a reply from the general secretary that said this isn’t a Labour organisation, even though I said look it’s managed and controlled by Labour Party members, quite senior Labour Party members, and I was referred to the complaints department about individual members of the party and I said that doesn’t meet the seriousness of this case."

WATCH: Labour warned over 'false sense of security' amid latest on u16s social media ban

No10 will 'be looking into' Labour Together amid pressure to launch probe following 'smear campaign' scandal

The Cabinet Office will "be looking into" the conduct of think tank Labour Together, which has been accused of paying a PR firm to investigate journalists reporting on its funding.

Liz Kendall told Times Radio on Monday morning: "Personally, and as a Government as a whole, we absolutely value the freedom of the press."

The Technology Secretary aded: "It’s right that this issue is being investigated by the relevant body here, the regulatory body, which is looking at public affairs companies.

"And the Cabinet Office will also be looking into this to make sure all the facts are established.”

While the PM has come under fire yet again, he is also now facing calls to sack former Labour Together director and now Government minister and MP for Makerfield, Josh Simons, following his alleged role in the scandal.

When asked about an investigation Mr Simons, Ms Kendall replied:"The Cabinet Office will be investigating the facts of what has happened.

"There’s already an investigation going on by the regulatory body that covers public affairs agencies, and that is absolutely right, too."

Keir Starmer reveals fresh details of plan for major new internet restrictions

Sir Keir Starmer has revealed plans for a host of new internet restrictions in a bid to "protect children online".

The Prime Minister declared last night he would move to implement a set of new bans to block young people from accessing "harmful" parts of the internet.

Under his proposals, young people will be blocked from using VPNs to access pornography.

Restrictions on children interacting with AI "chatbots" are also being considered.

A consultation on banning under-18s from social media and limiting "infinite scrolling" will also begin in March.

READ THE LATEST ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA BAN HERE.

Labour 'considering massive defence spending hike by 2029 with £17billion funding drive'

Labour is said to be weighing up a huge hike in defence spending before the end of this Parliament.

Last year, the Prime Minister promised to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by next April, rising to three per cent in the next Parliament, or after 2029.

The BBC reported overnight that Downing Street is now looking at proposals to meet that three per cent goal by the end of the current Parliament, which could last until 2029 unless an early General Election is called.

No decision has yet been taken, and the Treasury is said to be cautious over the plans.

Last March, the Office for Budget Responsibility calculated that increasing defence spending to three per cent of GDP would cost an extra £17.3billion every year.

Sir Keir Starmer told world leaders in Munich over the weekend: "To meet the wider threat, it's clear that we are going to have to spend more, faster."

But fears are likely to remain that any increase in defence spending could be wiped out by technicalities - including the Chagos deal.

Just days ago, former Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace said in a reply to Defence Minister Luke Pollard on social media: "There isn't any real defence spending increases other than Treasury tucking under, unfunded bills for Chagos, pay and National Insurance consequences.

"You know it, I know it and the Russians know it. Stop spinning and treating the public like fools."

Also on the PM's desk... Keir Starmer faces another resignation blow as Chagos deal architect 'considering No10 exit'

Sir Keir Starmer's national security adviser is thought to be weighing up plans to leave Downing Street in yet another blow for the beleaguered Prime Minister.

Jonathan Powell, credited as the architect of the deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, could exit his role by the end of the year.

If Mr Powell should leave, it would mark the fourth blow to Sir Keir following the departures of his Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney, Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald, and communications chief Tim Allan in the wake of the Mandelson scandal.

READ THE FULL STORY ON JONATHAN POWELL HERE

PM faces pressure from ALL sides to probe Labour Together 'smear campaign' scandal

As well as the Tories' letter and Stephen Flynn's "creepy spy" jab, the Prime Minister is facing fury from all angles over the scandal - including his own party.

Left-wing backbencher Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South, told The Telegraph that both Labour and the Prime Minister “should now commit to full co-operation with an independent inquiry to establish the facts: what was commissioned, who authorised it, who knew about it, and how far it went”.

Another Labour backbencher demanded an investigation into Mr Simons for allegedly commissioning the research.

“I definitely think there should be an investigation followed by immediate disciplinary action if the facts are verified,” one MP said.

Reform UK’s Nadhim Zahawi said: “This is a huge story. If this was any other party, the calls for an investigation would be deafening.

“We need to know who knew about this inside Labour. Did the PM know?”

'FULL transparency!' Kevin Hollinrake issues statement on letter to Labour's Anna Turley

Kevin Hollinrake, behind the letter to Labour chairwoman Anna Turley, said last night: "Labour Together’s behaviour shows a worrying contempt for the free press, a fundamental foundation of our democracy.

"With its close and widely known links to the heart of Government, serious questions must be answered about who was aware of these actions, including whether senior figures around the Prime Minister knew.

"After Starmer’s attempts to deflect from the Mandelson-Epstein affair, the public will accept nothing less than full transparency."

Josh Simons says he was 'shocked and surprised' after scandal emerged

Josh Simons, the minister at the centre of the row, told The Sunday Times: “I was surprised and shocked to read the report extended beyond the contract by including unnecessary information on (Times journalist) Gabriel Pogrund.

“I asked for this information to be removed before passing the report to GCHQ. No other British journalists were investigated in any document I or Labour Together ever received.”

Alison Phillips, the CEO of Labour Together, wrote to staff saying she was "horrified" by the scandal - and said she had been assured it was “not the intention” to look into reporters.