Politics LIVE: Nigel Farage declares 'no doubt' world would be safer if Donald Trump took over Greenland

MPs vote to remove prosecution protections for British veterans 

British Army veterans could face prosecution for their conduct during the Troubles in Northern Ireland after MPs voted in favour of removing protections.

As it currently stands, the Legacy Act offers immunity from prosecution to anyone accused of crimes during the Troubles in Northern Ireland if they provide information to a truth recovery body.

However, the High Court in Belfast ruled parts of the Act were incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights in 2024.

The then-Conservative government began the process of appealing against the decision, but this was dropped by Labour ministers after the 2024 general election.

Speaking in the Commons, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said the 2023 Legacy Act “fundamentally failed” because it was incompatible with the UK’s human rights obligations.

Following his comments, MPs voted on a Government remedial order to update the legislation.

That vote passed by 373 to 106, majority 267, on Wednesday.

As a result, the bar on new civil claims over cases from the Troubles will also be removed.

The remedial order will now go to the House of Lords where it must be approved by peers before the law is changed.

Labour’s Business Minister says ruling out EU Customs Union would be ‘crazy’  

Peter Kyle, the Business and Trade Secretary, has said it would be “crazy” for the UK not to engage with the prospect of the EU’s customs union.

“We need to be having these conversations as a country about where is the best anchor, what is the best opportunity for Britain’s economy post-Brexit,” Mr Kyle said while attending Davos.

“It would be crazy not to engage with the prospect of a customs union.”

His comments came after Chancellor Rachel Reeves that the UK could not “go back in time” and that rejoining the customs union would negatively affect trade deals on Tuesday.

Wall Street rallies after Trump rules out 'using force' over Greenland 

Wall Street stocks rebounded after President Donald Trump said he would not use military force to seize Greenland, easing fears that had driven a sharp sell-off earlier in the week.

US markets rose following Mr Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he appeared to rule out armed action. The S&P 500 gained up to 1.1 per cent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1 per cent and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.3 per cent.

Markets had fallen sharply on Tuesday after Mr Trump threatened to impose 10 per cent tariffs on several countries, including the UK, amid opposition to his Greenland claims. The S&P 500 closed down 2.1 per cent, its worst day since October, as investors feared a renewed global trade war.

European stocks also recovered. The FTSE 100 ended 0.1 per cent higher at 10,138, reversing earlier losses, while France’s CAC 40 rose by a similar amount.

Labour slams Farage for 'undermining Britain' at Davos 

Labour has launched a broadside at Nigel Farage, accusing him of "undermining Britain" for his comments on Greenland at Davos.

"Time and again, Nigel Farage jets abroad to undermine Britain. He is incapable of acting in our national interest," a spokesman said.

"As the Prime Minister has made clear, the future of Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone."

Earlier, the Reform UK leader said the world would be a “better, more secure place” if America took over Greenland, but he signalled the move did not accord with his belief in national self-determination.

Nigel Farage says UK has 'done our bit for Nato' after scathing Trump speech

Nigel Farage has said the UK has "done more than our bit for Nato" after President Donald Trump hit out at European contributions to the alliance.

The US leader claimed the United States has “never gotten anything” from being part of Nato and is only asking for Greenland in return for its support.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Farage said: “He said Nato have never given us anything back. I would object to that politely by saying this: when the decision was made to go into Afghanistan, we went in with America and the coalition of the willing.

“We stayed by America for the whole 20 years, we proportionately spent the same money as America, we lost the same number of lives as America pro rata, and the same applies actually to Denmark and other countries too.

“So it’s not quite fair. Yes, in money terms, America has provided more. In terms of surveillance equipment etc, America still provides more, but we have when it comes to honouring our commitments to America more than done our bit in terms of action over the last 20 years.

“I want to make that point very, very clear. And I’m a big fan of the president, I’m a friend of the president, but I think it’s right to say that friends can disagree"

Trump confirms he will meet with Zelensky in hours 

Following his speech, President Trump confirmed that he will meet with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in hours.

The US leader said he would meet his Ukrainian counterpart on Thursday.

WATCH: The moment President Donald Trump says Europe is 'not recognisable'

Donald Trump concludes speech he says 'the United States is back'

President Donald Trump has wrapped his speech in Davos.

Concluding his speech, he said: "The United States is back, bigger, stronger, better than ever before, and I'll see you around."

WATCH: Donald Trump jokes about Emmanuel Macron's 'beautiful sunglasses'

Donald Trump signs legislation banning institutional investors from buying single family home - 'It's just not fair'

Donald Trump said in his speech that the US "will not become a nation of renters" as he announced a plan to sign an executive order banning large institutional investors from buying single family homes

He said: "They buy 500 houses, they buy hundreds of thousands. They buy 500 houses. They can take depreciation.

"A person sweats and works and buys one house. They can, but homes are built for people, not for corporations and America will not become a nation of renters.

"We're not going to do that...That's why I have signed anexecutive order banning large institutional investors from buying single family homes. It's just not fair to the public. They're not able to buy a house."

President Trump said he's calling on Congress to pass a permanent ban into law.

Donald Trump confuses Iceland and Greenland multiple times throughout speech

During his speech, President Donald Trump appeared to mix up Iceland and Greenland multiple times.

At one point during the speech: "On Iceland, that I can tell you, our stock market took the first dip yesterday because of Iceland.

"So Iceland has already cost us a lot of money."

Earlier in the speech, he said: "I'm helping Nato, and until the last few days, when I told them about Iceland, they loved me."

Donald Trump says people will be persecuted for 'rigged' election

President Donald Trump said people will be prosecuted for what they did in the 2020 election, which he again claimed was "rigged."

Donald Trump says the US alone can 'develop' Greenland

Donald Trump said the US alone can "develop" and "improve" Greenland.

The US President said: ""I'm seeking immediate negotiations to once again to discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States,

"It’s the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice, develop it and improve it and make it so that it’s good for Europe and safe for Europe, and good for us."

Donald Trump says Canada should be 'grateful to us' as he took aim at Mark Carney

Donald Trump took aim at Mark Carney as he suggested the Canadian Prime Minister should be "grateful to us."

The President said: "Canada should be grateful to us.

"Canada lives because of the US, remember that Mark, next time you make your statements."

Donald Trump 'doesn't want' to use force

President Trump said: "I won’t use force, I don’t want to use force...all the US is asking for is a place called Greenland.

"All we are asking for is to get Greenland, right, title and ownership"

Donald Trump slams Nato as giving 'little in return' for US support

President Donald Trump has said Nato has given "little in return" for US support.

He said: "You wouldn’t have Nato if I didn’t get involved in my first term. The war in Ukraine is an example, we are thousands of miles away separated by a giant ocean.

"It’s a war that shouldn’t have started and it wouldn’t have...if the 2020 election wasn’t rigged."

Donald Trump calls Denmark and Greenland 'ungrateful'

President Donald Trump says Denmark and Greenland are "ungrateful", adding how the US "saved" the two countries during the Second World War.

The President he has "tremendous respect" for the people of Greenland and Demark but said the US needs the island for national security reasons.

He said: "No nation is in a position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States.

"We’re much greater than people understand...they found that out in Venezuela a few weeks ago."

Donald Trump says the UK should utilise the North Sea

President Trump said: "The UK produces just one third of the total energy from all sources that it did in 1999.

"Sitting on top of the North Sea, one of the greatest reserves anywhere in the world. But they don't use it. That's one reason why their energy has reached catastrophically low levels with equally high prices".

"I want Europe to great. I want the UK to do great, they're sitting one of the greatest energy sources in the world and they don't use it."

Donald Trump heaps praise on new Venezuelan leadership

President Donald Trump said Venezuela's new leadership, which consists of the previous Vice President, have been "very good...very, very smart."

He said: "Venezuela is going to make more money in the next six months than they’ve made in the past 20 years."

Reform wins 70th by-election victory since May 1

Reform UK has taken a Derbyshire seat off Labour, winning their 70th by-election since May 1 2025.

Nigel Farage's party won the Amber Valley Borough Council by-election for the Codnor, Langley Mill & Aldercar ward by a significant margin, doubling the number of votes of Labour.

Dave Chambers saw off competition to win the ward, becoming the second Reform councillor on the Labour-led council.

The social media ban is a Trojan horse for a more sinister project, writes Sophie Corcoran

Sophie Corcoran has said it is "up to parents to say no" ahead of talks about a potential ban for under-16s on social media.

Writing for Friends of GB News, the political commentator said: "Let me be clear at the outset: I agree that children should not be spending all their time on iPads and social media. It is harmful for mental health.

"It does fuel anxiety, insecurity and addiction. That concern is legitimate. But protecting children from that is a job for parents, not the state.

"It’s up to parents not to shove a three-year-old an iPad instead of actually parenting. It’s up to them to say no. It’s up to them to monitor what their children are doing online."

READ SOPHIE'S ANALYSIS HERE.

Green Party makes gain from Reform in by-election blow for Nigel Farage's party

The Green Party has won a key by-election in Derbyshire, taking the seat off Reform UK.

Zack Polanski's party emerged victorious in the county council by-election for the Horsley division in Amber Valley, in the first by-election defeat for Reform in Derbyshire.

Lian Pizzey, who won the seat for the Greens, told DerbyshireLive: "The votes for the old parties have fallen away and are now very, very low.

"This election was very much a two-horse race between Reform and the Green Party, which hopefully will be repeated nationally...people are now confident in the Green Party, people who may not have previously voted for us.

"People are not impressed by the county council and Reform have not changed things like they said they would, and people don’t want the older parties of Labour and the Conservatives."

On the county council, Reform have 42 councillors, the Conservatives have 11 councillors with Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens all on three councillors.

WATCH: Lindsay Hoyle pauses PMQs to boot Tory MP out of Commons

Conservative MP blasts Keir Starmer over Labour's pub tax raid

A Tory backbencher has blasted the Chancellor's tax raid on pubs in a scathing rant.

Rutland and Stamford MP Alicia Kearns said: "The Bertie Arms is a fantastic family pub but because of the Chancellor’s tax raid on local business they face a 2,000 per cent rise in their business rates by 2029.

"That means the Treasury will lose £200,000 in tax take and Uffington will lose the heart of its community.

"The Prime Minister promised not to put up taxes on working people, so how does he justify a 2,000 per cent tax attack on working family businesses like this pub?"

Sir Keir said: "We’re working with the sector to put in the necessary support but I would remind her that 7,000 pubs closed on their watch and she didn’t say anything about it."

Robert Jenrick makes debut as Reform UK MP

Robert Jenrick has made his debut in the Commons as a Reform UK MP.

The former Shadow Justice Secretary asked his first question about the case of Lenny Scott, a former prison officer who exposed corruption and was later murdered after leaving the service.

Mr Jenrick said: "Because he died after leaving active service, there was never any compensation paid to the children that he left behind. I know the Prime Minister would want to right this wrong.

"I wrote to the Justice Secretary privately after I discovered this and I should say his parents never asked for any support."

The Newark MP urged the Prime Minister to correct this injustice, provide support for Scott’s children, and recognise the bravery of prison officers.

Sir Keir Starmer responded saying: "I thank him for raising this and I will make sure it is looked into a matter of urgency given the circumstances he’s set out."

Backbench Labour MP urges Keir Starmer to impose retaliatory tariffs on US

A Labour MP branded President Donald Trump as a "thug" as he called on the Government to impose retaliatory tariffs on US.

MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr Steve Witherden said: "The thug in the White House has shown that he doesn’t listen to grovelling or sycophancy.

"He’ll continue to harm British interests no matter how compliant we are, and like all bullies he will always find the weakest link. Will the Prime Minister close ranks with our European allies and commit to retaliatory tariffs?"

Sir Keir replied: "I’ve made our position clear.

"I’ve set out my principles, I’m not going to yield on those principles. But as I said on Monday, of course we need to protect our national interest and we will always protect our national interest.

"But simply hurtling at the first opportunity into a trade war is going to hurt working people and businesses across the country and that’s why I’m working hard to make sure we do not get to that point and I’ll continue to act in our national interest."

Keir Starmer slams Green Party as being 'high on drugs, soft on Putin'

Sir Keir Starmer took aim at Zack Polanski in the Commons, accusing the Green Party of being "high on drugs, soft on Putin."

The Prime Minister was responding to a question from the party's leader in the Commons, Herefordshire North MP Ellie Chowns.

He said: "I have to say, as someone who stood to lead her party, I wonder what she makes of how her leader is responding to this global uncertainty.

"What he’s saying is this is the moment to withdraw from Nato. This is the time to kick the US out of our military bases. This is the time to negotiate this with Putin, to give up our nuclear deterrent....[Putin] would be quick on the line for that one.

"It’s just reckless. As irresponsible as their plan to legalise heroin and crack cocaine. That’s the Green Party now. High on drugs. Soft on Putin."

Keir Starmer accuses Ed Davey of being 'foolhardy' over Donald Trump

Sir Ed Davey been accused of being "foolhardy" by Sir Keir Starmer in a Commons clash.

The Liberal Democrat leader said: "With Donald Trump increasingly acting like a crime boss, running a protection racket, threatening to smash up our economy unless he gets our hands on Greenland, will the Prime Minister avoid Blair’s historic mistake, take our advice this time, and join Prime Minister Carney and President Macron in standing up far more strongly to President Trump?"

Sir Keir Starmer said: "He clearly isn’t listening. I said I will not yield on the principles and values that I uphold, that this country upholds, in relation to Greenland.

"The relationship with the US matters, especially on defence, security and intelligence and nuclear capability. Also trade and prosperity.

“While he’s trying to get soundbites we must not forget a war is raging in Europe...He’s foolhardy to think we should rip our relationship with US, abandon Ukraine and so many other things that are important to our defence, security and intelligence."

Kemi Badenoch says Keir Starmer is 'too weak'

Kemi Badenoch said: "The Prime Minister wants to talk about leadership. Three of his own Cabinet ministers told the Times on Saturday that he needed to learn from me.

"But back to the national interest, instead of acting in it the Prime Minister just tries to get through the day. On the Chinese spy hub embassy, he’s too weak. On Chagos, he’s too weak. On funding for the Armed Forces, he’s too weak. On protecting our veterans from prosecution, he’s too weak.

"I will support the Prime Minister when he does the right thing but time after time, this Prime Minister has done the wrong thing for our country. Isn’t the truth that he is too weak to stand up for our national interests?”

The Prime Minister responded: "She spent the week trying to hold together what’s left of the Tory Party. And she says I should learn from her, she has no judgment.

"Only a week ago she was saying in relation to Greenland, she shrugged and said it’s some second order issue. Terrible judgment. Then she flip-flopped with three different positions in 10 days on Greenland.

"She said Liz Truss’s mini-Budget was '100 per cent right'. She said last week she was 100 per cent confident there would be no more defections just before the latest defection. I’m beginning to think her judgment isn’t 100 per cent reliable."

Keir Starmer takes aim at Kemi Badenoch over recent Reform defections

The Prime Minister took aim at Kemi Badenoch after a series of high profile Conservative defections to Reform UK.

Sir Keir said: "Mr Speaker, they shout on a Wednesday and defect on a Thursday. The loudest shouter used to be the Shadow Justice Secretary [Robert Jenrick]. We should take a note of who is shouting the loudest this week."

Mrs Badenoch responded: "When I had somebody undermining my party, I sacked him. We all know if he sacked everyone undermining his party, his front bench would be empty."

The Prime Minister hit back saying: "She should have sacked him when they made disgraceful comments about faces in Birmingham, but she failed to do so.

"She smiles saying it's a good thing she's cleared out, a good thing there's fewer Tory MPs; the rest of the country agrees with her completely in relation to that."

Kemi Badenoch grills Keir Starmer over Chagos deal

Kemi Badenoch asked Sir Keir Starmer: "We all know that the people of Greenland do not want to be ruled by America.

But does he agree that just as those in Greenland should decide their own future, so should the Chagossians?"

Sir Keir responded: "I’ve made my position on Greenland absolutely clear on Monday and a moment ago.

"President Trump deployed words on Chagos yesterday that were different to his previous words of welcome and support when I met him in the White House.

"He deployed those words yesterday for the express purpose of putting pressure on me and Britain in relation to my values and principles on the future of Greenland."

"He wants me to yield on my position and I am not going to do so."

Keir Starmer says he 'will not yield' over Greenland

Kemi Badenoch used her first question to ask about the future of Greenland.

The Prime Minister said the tariff threats from the White House are "completely wrong" adding the Danish PM is coming to the UK tomorrow.

Sir Keir said: "We will continue to engage constructively. I’ve had many international calls in recent days and the prime minister of Denmark is coming to the United Kingdom tomorrow for bilateral talks.

"But I do want to be clear with the House. I will not yield, Britain will not yield, on our principles and values about the future of Greenland and the threats of tariffs. And that is my clear position."

Keir Starmer on his feet for PMQs

The Prime Minister is on his feet for Commons for PMQs.

He said: "In recent days I’ve spoken extensively to our international allies including European leaders and others, the US and Nato.

"We will continue to engage constructively to resolve issues, particularly relating to international security, applying the principles and values that I set out on Monday."

Stay tuned for PMQs at noon

Sir Keir Starmer will face Kemi Badenoch in their weekly bout at the despatch box.

We're expecting clashes over the Chagos deal and the Chinese "super-embassy" plan, both of which the Conservative leader has strongly condemned.

Meanwhile, Mrs Badenoch is under fire after two big name defections to Reform UK, her former Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick and former Shadow Foreign Minister Andrew Rosindell.

We'll bring you all the updates here on the live blog and on PMQs Live with Tom and Gloria.

Labour says Nigel Farage 'can't even get the basics right' in scathing attack on Reform leader

Labour has launched a scathing attack on Nigel Farage, after it was found the Clacton MP breached the MPs’ code of conduct 17 times by failing to register financial interests worth £384,000 on time.

The Reform UK leader did not add payments to the register of members’ financial interests within the Commons’ required 28-day period, Daniel Greenberg said after an investigation.

A Labour Party spokesman said: "Nigel Farage is so distracted with tempting failed Tory politicians into his party that he can’t even get the basics right.

"He isn’t on the side of working people, he’s just lining his pockets when he should be standing up for his constituents.

"He boasts about making money 'because I’m Nigel Farage', raking in millions through various outside jobs. But he neglects to do the important work that hard-pressed taxpayers fork out for him to do.

"Labour will tighten the rules on MPs’ second jobs to make sure the public get the attention they expect and deserve from their elected representatives."

In a letter to the commissioner on November 12, Mr Farage wrote: "I accept that I have breached this section of the Code and take full responsibility, and I would first of all like to say I am sincerely sorry...this was an administrative error on behalf of me and my team."

He continued: "There was no malicious intent to deceive or mislead you or the public in the lateness of these declarations", adding he would "ensure that my team and I meet the deadlines for declarations going forward."

Rachel Reeves confirms UK will NOT slap tariffs on US despite Donald Trump's Greenland threats

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed the Labour Government will not impose retaliatory tariffs on the US despite President Donald Trump's threats to annex Greenland from Denmark.

President Trump has asserted the White House will levy 10 per cent tariffs on eight European countries, including the UK, if they do not recognise his claims to take over the Danish territory.

These tariffs will come into effect from next month and will be raised to 25 per cent later this year if the Trump administration's demands are not met by European allies.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

SNP Westminster leader says World Cup boycott is 'not the way forward'

The Scottish National Party's leader in Westminster has rejected suggestions for Scotland to boycott the World Cup over President Donald Trump's remarks on Greenland.

Tensions between the US and Europe have flared over Mr Trump’s plans to take control of Greenland.

Some MPs have called for a boycott of the World Cup in response, however Stephen Flynn has played down the suggestion.

The MP for Aberdeen South said: "This is a deeply serious time, and of course all of us are concerned about the impact that the President’s actions are going to have upon European security, upon the ability for us to deal with the threats that we face.

"I’m pretty certain that most of your listeners would consider a boycott of the World Cup to be quite low down their priority list in terms of how you respond to the President.

"Without being flippant, we have boycotted the World Cup proactively since 1998 and I’m not entirely sure that’s a route that we want to go down again."

Rachel Reeves says the UK will not be 'buffeted' about as she issues warning to Donald Trump

The UK will not be pushed around by Donald Trump’s tariff threats, Rachel Reeves said as she defended Sir Keir Starmer’s attempts to cool tensions over Greenland.

The President has threatened to slap a 10 per cent tariff on imports from the UK and other European allies opposed to his efforts to annex the Danish territory.

The Chancellor said the UK had an economic plan which would "get us through challenging times" and the trade deal with the US would not be "undone."

Ms Reeves told Sky News: "Britain is not here to be buffeted around. We’ve got an economic plan, and it is the right one for our country.

"If other countries want to increase trade barriers, that is their choice, but we are determined to bring trade barriers down which is why this week I’m meeting with European, Gulf partners, Canadians to talk about how we can free up trade and make it easier for businesses to trade around the world.

"On President Trump, we worked last year to get a trade deal. And as the US commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick said when I saw him yesterday, he doesn’t see any reason why that trade deal should be undone."

WATCH: Alex Burghart speaks to GB News about the Chinese super-embassy, the Chagos deal and inflation rates

Mel Stride says Labour's Budget is 'already unravelling'

The Conservatives have suggested last Autumn's budget is "already unravelling" after today's inflation figures.

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said rising inflation is "squeezing living standards and hurting the most vulnerable".

He added: "Because Labour made the wrong choices, their budget is unravelling day by day. A record-high tax burden and irresponsible borrowing are stifling growth and fuelling inflation - leaving working people worse off.

"With every negative metric, Labour demonstrate they do not have a plan. Only the Conservatives offer serious leadership and a clear strategy to stabilise the finances and grow the economy."

Senior economist says today's inflation figures are 'expected no less unwelcome'

Economics Fellow at the free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs Julian Jessop said: "The renewed acceleration in inflation in December, from 3.2 per cent to 3.4 per cent, was largely expected but no less unwelcome.

"The jump in the cost of living over the last few years is still being cemented in, while slowing wage growth and rising job insecurity will keep consumer confidence and spending subdued.

"The pickup in headline inflation was partly due to increases in tobacco duties and air fares, which the Bank of England had already anticipated.

"However, inflation also rose in the food and hospitality sectors, reflecting the continued pass-through of higher labour and other costs resulting from policy choices.

"The Government is seeking to blame 'global headwinds' for the increase in inflation since the summer of 2024. But the reality is that the UK has become an outlier again. In contrast, inflation has remained close to two per cent in the euro area.

"UK inflation is still likely to fall to around two per cent in April as regulated prices rise by less than in 2025. However, underlying cost and price pressures remain sticky, and medium-term inflation expectations are too high for comfort.

"The persistent weakness of economic activity and especially of the labour market means the door is still open for at least one more cut in interest rates in the coming months, but February’s MPC meeting is probably too soon."

Wetherspoons hit with profit slump as pub chain boss blames Rachel Reeves's business rates hike

Wetherspoons has issued a profit warning after revealing that costs climbed £45million higher than expected during the opening 25 weeks of its financial year, with company boss Tim Martin blaming Chancellor Rachel Reeves's fiscal decisions.

The pub operator, which manages approximately 800 venues throughout Britain, attributed the surge to mounting expenses across multiple areas, including staff wages, energy bills, maintenance costs and business rates.

First-half profits are now anticipated to fall below the same period last year, according to the company's latest trading update. Should current trading patterns persist, the chain expects its full-year performance to come in marginally under the results achieved in the previous financial year.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Senior investor says City of London trend is 'towards Reform'

The head of a major investment manager has said the trend is "towards Reform" as Nigel Farage looks to woo the City of London.

Reform's Deputy Leader Richard Tice has suggested the party was expecting a slew of donations coming into the party over the next six to 18 months from City figures.

Head of investment manager Triple Point Seb Wallace told Politico: "There’s still massively more Conservative donors than anyone else but the trend is definitely towards Reform."

However, one City lobbyist suggested they were recommending that clients hold off from publicly engaging with Reform until the May elections.

Mr Wallace also issued a warning over the quality of Reform’s future parliamentary party, adding: "If you have this party of tinpot nutjobs, then you’re going to have the same issues that Labour has. No one is going to be able to agree to anything."

Head of Fixed Income at Artemis Stephen Snowden added: "Would the bond market like [a Reform victory]? Yes, because I think they would be fiscally responsible, that is my best guess.

"But my big caveat to that is, can they get enough functioning people who want to do this job?"

Kemi Badenoch faces first electoral test since shock Shadow Cabinet defections as voters go to the polls for bumper crop of council by-elections

Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives are facing a double electoral defence as voters from Fife to the Cotswolds will go to the polls in less than 24 hours.

The Tory leader is looking to push her party ahead after two big name defections to Reform UK, as Robert Jenrick and Andrew Rosindell joined Nigel Farage's party just days ago.

There are five by-elections tomorrow, with two Conservative defences and a defence for the Greens, Labour and SNP respectively.

GB News has taken a deep dive into each council by-election and what's up for grabs across the country.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Liberal Democrats accuse Labour of being 'totally unwilling' to fix British economy

The Liberal Democrats have accused Labour of being "totally unwilling" to tackle Britain's economic problems.

The party's Treasury spokeswoman and deputy leader Daisy Cooper was speaking after new figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) this morning show that inflation rose to 3.4 per cent in December.

She added: "We desperately need the chancellor to pull her head out of the sand and tackle the cost of living crisis plaguing households across the country, starting with bold action to bring down energy bills.

"President Trump's threat of new tariffs is hanging over British families and businesses like the sword of Damocles, risking yet another cost of living hit.

"That's one more reason why the Government must stand up to Trump, force him to back down and protect Britain from a new wave of price rises."

Nigel Farage apologises after breaching code of conduct for MPs 17 times 

Nigel Farage has apologised after breaking the MPs' code of conduct 17 times by failing to register financial interests on time.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Daniel Greenberg said he had identified more than a dozen breaches in the Reform UK Leader's registered interests.

His report read: "Following a complaint from a member of the public that Mr Nigel Farage had registered interests outside the 28-day time limit set by the House, I undertook a wider review of Mr Farage’s entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.

"Having done so, I identified several other interests that appeared to have been registered late, and I opened a formal inquiry on October 30 2025 to investigate Mr Farage’s compliance with Rule 5 of the Code of Conduct.

"During my investigation, I established that there had been seventeen breaches of Rule 5 of the Code by Mr Farage’s failure to add interests within the 28-day period set by the House."

He concluded "the failure to register these interests on time was inadvertent because of staffing and other administrative issues".

Mr Greenberg added that the Clacton MP has acknowledged the breaches and apologised.

​Labour insiders suggest Keir Starmer could move 'crab-like' towards a more pro-European position

Sir Keir Starmer could move "crab-like" towards a more pro-European position, according to a party insider.

The Labour Movement for Europe recently circulated a paper calling on the party to "think Swiss" with sector-by-sector deals.

This is most likely a reference to the arrangement between Bern and Brussels where Switzerland gets selective access to the single market and participates in EU research and education programmes.

A Labour insider told The New Statesman: "It’s just important to get there before you look like you’ve been dragged there."

Sir Lindsay Hoyle calls on local elections to go ahead in his constituency's council

The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle has told a councillor in his constituency their local elections should go ahead, despite the Labour-led authority requesting that their elections in May be postponed.

A third of the seats on Chorley Borough Council were up for grabs before the council requested the delay.

Sir Lindsay has been the MP for Chorley since 1997 and was previously elected as a Labour MP.

However, he has been politically neutral since he took up the role of Speaker of the House of Commons in November 2019.

In an email, Sir Lindsay wrote "I do not believe in cancelling elections and personally believe that the local elections on May 2026 should take place."

Sir Lindsay acknowledged that, despite his views, he "understood the arguments made for postponing elections" during Local Government reorganisation and that it was up to Chorley Council to determine their own position, reports ITV News.

Senior Conservative slams decision to approve 'spy hub' Chinese embassy in London

A senior Conservative has warned the controversial new Chinese "super-embassy" will become a "major spy hub" for Beijing in central London.

Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart told GB News: "We've opposed this embassy, its obviously going to become a major spy hub for the Chinese state in the City of London.

"The Prime Minister has made his choice, and he seems to have been driven in making that choice by his desire to be greeted well in Beijing.

"We do think it is a mistake but the Government has made its bed and it is going to have to lie in it."

Senior Conservative calls on Nato to meet for crunch Greenland talks

A senior Conservative shadow minister has called on Nato to meet for crunch talks over the future of Greenland.

Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart told GB News: "Really what should be happening at the moment is Nato should be meeting.

"Everybody in the alliance needs to be together to discuss the very real issue around Greenland.

"If you end up in a situation where Nato collapses, it will be a really scary world."

He added Sir Keir Starmer not attending the World Economic Forum in Davos "might be" a mistake.

Keir Starmer facing YET ANOTHER rebellion from MPs

The Prime Minister is facing another rebellion from Northern MPs who are concerned about a potential threat from Reform UK.

Labour MPs from north-west towns are urging the Government to give their local councils more money over the next three years.

The MPs from the Liverpool city region have written to the Local Government Secretary Steve Reed urging him to change the recent three-year local funding settlement, which they say unfairly penalises northern towns, reports The Guardian.

This has been further bolstered by Labour Mayor of the Liverpool city region Steve Rotheram who is calling on further investment into towns such as Wigan, Warrington and St Helen’s.

One MP said: "This is causing a lot of angst among north-western MPs, a lot of whom are facing a challenge from Reform UK at the next election and need their constituents to be able to feel the effect of the investment the Government is putting in."

Knowsley MP Anneliese Midgley told the Commons last week: "In Knowsley where deprivation is driven by low incomes, the provisional local government settlement doesn’t meet the needs we face."

An spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Local Government and Communities said: "We’ve made almost £78bn available to England’s councils this year and radically overhauled the broken funding system we inherited, so the most deprived communities benefit.

"By the end of the multiyear period, we will have provided a 15.1 per cent cash-terms increase for local authorities in England to help them deliver high-quality public services."

WATCH: Eamonn Holmes outlines the approach he would take to 'dealing' with Donald Trump

Ed Miliband backs Keir Starmer over White House row - 'He has shown calm leadership!'

Ed Miliband said Sir Keir Starmer had shown "calm leadership" in his handling of Donald Trump, as he called for "de-escalation" over Greenland.

The Energy Secretary told Sky News the Prime Minister was not travelling to the World Economic Forum in Davos as there were "all kinds of other things that he’s doing."

He said: "The bigger picture here is that the Prime Minister is, I think, navigating a really difficult international situation with great skill and in our national interest.

The former Labour leader added: "I know some people will want to say, why hasn’t the Prime Minister been matching Donald Trump tweet-for-tweet, all of that. I honestly say to you, we would be in a much worse position as a country.

"He has shown calm leadership, which got us the first trade deal with the US, which got us the lowest tariff.

"Now this is a very challenging situation, and we’ve got a principle, which is we seek common ground with Donald Trump, but where we disagree, we say so, and that’s what he said on Greenland.

"But no, I think Keir Starmer’s leadership is absolutely right on this and I think at this stage, it’s about de-escalation and finding a way through this tricky situation."

Rachel Reeves insists 2026 is the year 'Britain turns a corner

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has insisted 2026 is the "year that Britain turns a corner" after new official figures show UK inflation rose last month.

She said: "My number one focus is to cut the cost of living.

"At the budget I announced £150 off energy bills, a freeze to rail fares for the first time in 30 years, a freeze to prescription charges for the second year running, and an increase to the national minimum and living wage.

"Money off bills and into the pockets of working people is my choice. There’s more to do, but this is the year that Britain turns a corner."

What's happening today in Westminster?

Good morning from all of us on the GB News Politics team.

Donald Trump is casting a shadow over both Davos and Westminster today as the President touches down for a meeting over the future of Greenland, as Sir Keir Starmer faces an tense PMQs in the fallout from Mr Trump's comments about the controversial Chagos deal.

We'll bring you all the updates from both here on the live blog throughout the day.

Elsewhere, the Prime Minister's consultation on a possible social media ban for under-16s won’t stop him facing down the Lords this evening.

Allies of Tory peer John Nash told Politico they’re "quietly confident" he could win a vote on his amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill calling for an outright ban.

Kemi Badenoch faces the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers tonight, where she is expected to tell colleagues who want to defect to Reform to go ahead and leave.

Liberal Democrat MP for Didcot and Wantage Olly Glover is putting ahead the 10-minute rule motion on a potential Rail Passengers’ Charter.

Inflation alert: CPI rate rises to 3.4% in cost of living blow

The consumer price index (CPI) rate of inflation jumped to 3.4 per cent in the 12 months to December 2025, according to the latest figures.

For the 12 months to November 2025, the CPI rate came in 3.2 per cent, which signaled an easing in inflationary pressures amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.

This comes as another blow to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has attempted to bolster the UK economy since Labor returned to Government in July 2024.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Labour heavyweights in the Alps - who's in and who's out?

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is already in Davos, having told the gathering that Britain is still "the best place in the world to invest".

Ms Reeves said yesterday: "In a volatile world Britain stands out. This Government is making sure Britain is home to the stability, talent and capital that businesses and investors want and that drive greater growth.

"Some countries give you a platform, but Britain gives you momentum."

Sir Keir Starmer, meanwhile, is expected not to be in attendance for the gathering.

RECAP: 'We've been influential!' Nigel Farage reveals key GB News moment that sparked Donald Trump’s Chagos outburst

Nigel Farage has taken credit for putting the Chagos "surrender" deal back on Donald Trump’s radar.

Mr Trump used his Truth Social platform to launch an extraordinary attack on the deal on Tuesday morning, branding it an “act of great stupidity" and "total weakness".

Nigel spoke to US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson on GB News about the deal, which will see the archipelago handed over to Mauritius.

Asked by Martin Daubney about his “very firm” comments regarding Chagos to the Speaker yesterday afternoon, he revealed the key moment which may have forced the President's hand.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Away from Davos... Defence Secretary to visit Denmark amid Donald Trump's Greenland threats

Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed he will travel to Denmark as tensions rise between Copenhagen and Washington over Donald Trump’s threats to seize control of Greenland.

The Labour minister is set to meet with his Danish counterpart Troels Lund Poulsen during the visit.

The pair are expected to hold talks on Arctic security, Ukraine and counter-drone technology.

Ahead of the trip, Mr Healey said: “In this new era of threat, now is the era of hard power, sure diplomacy and strong alliances.

"As joint expeditionary force partners and Nato allies, Denmark and the UK are stepping up on European security."

Air Force One forced into emergency U-turn as Donald Trump's Davos visit risks delay

Donald Trump's Air Force One was forced to make an emergency U-turn after the presidential plane experienced an "electrical issue" en route to Davos.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has warned that Mr Trump's arrival may be delayed as he continues his trip on a new aircraft.

The President is due to hold talks with various European leaders amid escalating tensions with Nato allies over his ambition to acquire Greenland.

Mr Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he would "work something out where Nato is going to be very happy and where we're going to be very happy".

Moments before boarding Air Force One, however, he insisted "there can be no going back" on his plans to seize the Arctic territory from Denmark.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

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