Scotland takes huge step towards backing assisted dying bill as MSPs pass first vote

Keir Starmer rejects Enoch Powell comparison as Labour MPs fume over 'island of strangers' migration comment

Sir Keir Starmer has rejected being compared to firebrand former Tory MP Enoch Powell after warning Britain risks becoming an "island of strangers".

Starmer made the comment after announcing a ban on care homes visas, new English language requirements and stricter rules on gaining British citizenship.

Defending his stance, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said migrants have made a "massive contribution" to society but accused the Conservatives of losing control of the system.

He said: "The Prime Minister rejects this comparison. He said that migrants have made a massive contribution to society.

"It is also right to say that between 2019 and 2024, the previous Government lost control of the system. Migration needs to be controlled, fair and people that come here should integrate."

Starmer's initial comments drew criticism from Labour MPs, with many comparing the Prime Minister's remarks to Powell's inflammatory 1968 Rivers of Blood speech.

Labour MP Sarah Owen said: "The best way to avoid becoming an 'island of strangers' is investing in communities to thrive - not pitting people against each other."

Ex-Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell added that it was “shockingly divisive” that the Prime Minister had “referred to ‘an island of strangers’, reflecting the language of Enoch Powell”.

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan warned: “Well, those aren’t words that I would use. I read the white paper and I understand the context of the white paper and those aren’t words that I would use.”

Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East, also said the phrase mimicked the "scaremongering of the far-right"

Voters support 'island of strangers' comment, snap poll shows

The British public support Sir Keir Starmer's "island of strangers" comment, a new opinion poll has revealed.

The survey, carried out by YouGov, suggested 53 per cent of the public agree with the Prime Minister, with 25 per cent disagreeing.

Tory MP 'categorically denies' two charges of sexual assault

Tory MP Patrick Spencer has "categorically denied" two charges of sexual assault.

Spencer's lawyers also revealed he "will defend the allegations robustly in court".

Man remains in custody in connection with arson attacks 

A 21-year-old man remains in custody in connection with a spate of arson attacks near Keir Starmer's North London home.

The man was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

He was arrested at an address in Sydenham before being taken to a London police station.

Reform UK now tipped to WIN next election as support surges in Labour strongholds

A major bookmaker has tipped Reform UK to win the next election after the party saw successes in Labour strongholds across the country.

Bookmaker Coral makes Nigel Farage's party the 6-4 favourites to win the most seats at the next general election.

While there is set to be another four years till the whole of Britain goes to the polls for a general election, the news will be worrying for Labour.

It comes after survey by Find Out Now shows Nigel Farage’s party surging to 19 per cent in the traditional Labour stronghold of London into second place, behind Labour on 30 per cent, ahead of the Tories on 17 per cent.

Coral's John Hill said: "For the first time since they were founded, Reform UK now top our betting to win the most seats at a general election.

"We continue to see one-way traffic for the party ahead of the next election, with Nigel Farage also the favourite to be the next Prime Minister."

While the party will be looking to next year's Holyrood elections in Scotland and Senedd elections in Wales, current polling has them falling behind to both the SNP and Plaid Cymru respectively.

YouGov polling suggests Plaid would win 30 per cent of the vote in Wales, with 25 per cent saying they will back Reform and Labour third with 18 per cent.

Patrick Spencer has whip withdrawn over sexual assault charge

Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer has had the whip withdrawn and been suspended from the Conservative party after he was charged with two counts of sexual assault.

A Conservative Party spokesman told GB News: "The Conservative Party believes in integrity and high standards. We have taken immediate action.

"Patrick Spencer MP has been suspended from the Conservative Party, and the whip withdrawn, with immediate effect. The Conservative Party cannot comment further on an ongoing legal case."

Conservative MP charged with two counts of sexual assault at London private members' club

A Conservative MP has been charged with two counts of sexual assault at a London private members' club.

Patrick Spencer has been charged relating to an alleged attack at central London’s Groucho Club in August 2023.

The Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, June 16.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

US wants more alignment with UK on food standards rules according to White House agricultural secretary

The US agricultural secretary Brooke Rollins said she would like to see the UK and US more aligned on food standards regulations, during a visit to London following the new trade agreement between the two countries.

Agriculture is a key part of the deal, announced by Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump last week, which sees tariffs reduced on US products including beef and ethanol in return for moves that help British cars and steel.

But UK ministers said there will be no downgrade in British food standards, which have been a significant barrier to entry for US-reared meat, and have insisted imports of hormone-treated beef and chlorinated chicken would remain illegal.

Rollins said last week’s deal “marked the first of many steps moving forward” as she reiterated hopes the UK will consider more meats in future.

Labour minister claims passport cannot be used to check biological sex despite Supreme Court ruling

A Labour minister has warned that a passport can no longer be used to check for biological sex as the House of Lords continues to clash with the Commons over the Supreme Court ruling.

Last month, top judges unanimously ruled the terms woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex.

It comes after peers voted on measures to demand public authorities record sex data based on biological sex. Science minister Lord Vallance of Balham said: "Let me be clear that this Government accept the recent Supreme Court judgment on the definition of sex for the purposes of equality legislation.

"We need to work through the effects of this ruling holistically and with care, sensitivity and, dare I say it, kindness. In line with the law, we need to take care not to inappropriately extend its reach."

Sir Ed Davey says Reform UK offer 'snake oil' solutions in scathing attack

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has launched a blistering attack on Reform, accusing Nigel Farage's party of offering "snake oil" solutions.

Davey said: "What worries us most about Farage and Reform UK is the deeply destructive divisive brand of politics they deploy. The weaponisation of difference and the demonisation of diversity and the scapegoating of the other.

"The superficial simplistic snake oil suggestions they peddle. We all know where it leads.

"We know what happens when cynical, opportunistic politicians seize on the struggles and the anxieties of ordinary people and use them to divide us.

"We’ve seen it before, we can’t look the other way. It falls to us to stop it."

WATCH: Robert Jenrick says Yvette Cooper will be 'consigned to the dustbin of history'

Robert Jenrick said Yvette Cooper will be "consigned to the dustbin of history" as he took aim at the Home Secretary on GB News over Labour's migration plan.

The Shadow Justice Secretary claimed the measures announced by the Government yesterday would fail to bring down immigration in the way Sir Keir Starmer had promised, warning voters would be let down by the Prime Minister.

Jenrick, who resigned from Rishi Sunak's Government over what he said was the then-Prime Minister's failure to curb immigration, also took aim at Starmer's Cabinet for failing to quit in protest at the plans.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Peter Mandelson takes swipe at Nigel Farage: 'Can't imagine him as PM' despite Reform UK's success

Peter Mandelson has downplayed suggestions that Nigel Farage will be the next Prime Minister, but says he takes the Reform UK leader "seriously."

The UK Ambassador to the US was speaking following Reform's success in the local elections, which saw the party winning 677 of around 1,600 seats contested.

Despite the fact he admitted that while he takes Farage "seriously" he said: "I’m not sure [the recent success] translates into people imagining that he’s going to be Prime Minister."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Kemi Badenoch says her thoughts are with the Starmer family following attack

Kemi Badenoch has said her support is with the Prime Minister and his family after their north London home was targeted in an alleged arson attack.

The Conservative leader wrote on social media: "This is a shocking incident. My thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family.

"No one should face these sorts of threats, let alone people in public service. It’s an attack on our democracy and must never be tolerated."

A 21-year-old man has been arrested over suspected arson attacks on the two properties.

Robert Jenrick says the UK is 'already an island of strangers'

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said the UK is "already an island of strangers" as the Prime Minister faced backlash for his plans to cut net migration.

Labour backbenchers were among those who attacked Sir Keir for the language he used to announce the plans on Monday, including his claim the UK risks becoming an "island of strangers" if ministers do not act on migration.

Asked what he made of the Prime Minister’s language, Jenrick told Times Radio: "I think it’s true. In fact, I think in some places we already are. Aggressive levels of mass migration have made us more divided."

Unemployment rate hits near four-year high as wage growth falls 

Wage growth has eased back while Britain’s unemployment rate has hit a near four-year high as the UK jobs market falters amid worries over the impact of soaring employee costs for companies.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the latest official figures showed further signs of a "cooling" labour market, with average regular earnings growth falling to 5.6 per cent in the three months to March.

This is down from 5.9 per cent in the previous three months and the lowest level since the three months to November 2024.

Minister for unemployment Alison McGovern said: "Real wages are growing with around 200,000 more people into work since the publication of our Get Britain Working plan. But we know that the Government’s plan for change needs more workers – in every part of our country.

"That’s why we will continue to change Jobcentres, invest in British industry and get help to those who need it until everyone who can work has got a decent job and a good income."

Robert Jenrick accuses Sir Keir Starmer of 'reading words someone else wrote for him'

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick accused Sir Keir Starmer of "reading words someone else wrote for him."

He told GB News this morning: "I watched his press conference yesterday and I didn't believe word of it. He was reading out words someone else read for him.

"Nothing he said yesterday will stop the boats. What we have to do is take serious action. No more lies."

Sir Keir Starmer hit with backlash from own backbenchers over immigration speech - 'We are losing far more progressive voters'

The Prime Minister was hit with backlash from his own MPs over his speech announcing a series of immigration reforms.

Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson said: "For our prime minister to say today that unfettered immigration risks the UK becoming 'an island of strangers' is deeply concerning. We cannot concede to the anti-migrant agenda promoted by those who thrive on division."

Norwich South MP Clive Lewis said: "It’s simply not sustainable for the Prime Minister to echo the language of Enoch Powell’s 'rivers of blood' speech, invoking the idea of 'living in a land of strangers.'

"This kind of language doesn’t just alienate communities, it drives people away from our country altogether.

"If those at the top think this is a clever tactic to win another five years by rolling out the red carpet for Nigel Farage, they’re mistaken.

"We are losing far more progressive voters than we are gaining from Reform UK."

Yvette Cooper defends Keir Starmer's 'island of strangers' remark 

Yvette Cooper has defended Sir Keir Starmer after he faced backlash for suggesting migration could lead to the UK becoming an "island of strangers."

Asked by the BBC if she thought the language was "toxic, shameful or dangerous" as suggested by critics of the PM, the Home Secretary said: "I don’t agree, no.

"I think part of the point that he is making is that we have to recognise people have come to the UK through generations to do really important jobs in our NHS, founding our biggest businesses, doing some of the most difficult jobs."

Lee Anderson calls for Jeremy Corbyn to be deported in Commons clash

Reform MP for Ashfield Lee Anderson caused groans in the Commons after calling for former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to be deported.

Anderson, a former Labour councillor, asked Dame Angela Eagle: "Does she agree with me that these young men crossing the Channel should be immediately detained and deported along with the member for Islington?"

The Home Office minister responded saying: "I'm quite shocked that the honorable gentleman thinks that that's an appropriate thing to say in this place."

Reform moves ahead of Tories in London as Labour support in the capital stalls

Reform UK has jumped ahead of the Conservatives in London as support for Labour has stalled.

While Labour retain a comfortable lead on 30 per cent, the party has plunged 13 per cent since Sadiq Khan won last year's mayoral election against the Conservative's Susan Hall.

The poll by FindOutNow shows Nigel Farage’s party surging to 19 per cent, ahead of the Tories on 17 per cent, with both the Lib Dems on 16 per cent and Greens on 15 per cent seeing gains of five points.

Party leader Nigel Farage said: "This new London polling is strong for Reform and it’s before we have even got going. Even in our least advanced region we are ahead of a dying Conservative Party."

Man arrested on suspicion of arson after fires at homes linked to Sir Keir Starmer

A 21-year-old man has been arrested in the early hours of Tuesday in connection with a series of arson attacks and remains in custody.

The suspect is under suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life in three incidents.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.