Nigel Farage drops Reform UK pledge to nationalise water and energy companies just months after insisting it would 'cost a lot less'

Labour MP fighting party’s migrant crackdown was a barrister challenging deportation of 'extremists'

A prominent Labour backbencher leading opposition to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's asylum crackdown previously worked as a barrister defending foreign nationals whom the Home Office sought to deport on national security grounds.

Tony Vaughan KC, who entered Parliament in 2024 as Folkestone and Hythe MP, has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of the government's proposed tightening of immigration rules.

Before being elected to Parliament, his legal career saw him represent individuals the authorities classified as extremist threats to Britain.

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WATCH: Mel Stride says Labour needs to 'get drilling' in the North Sea as inflation rates remain

Ed Davey dismisses threat from Zack Polanski's Greens - 'Very dangerous policies!' 

Sir Ed Davey has dismissed the threat from the Greens at the upcoming local elections as he accused Zack Polanski's party of having "very dangerous policies."

The Liberal Democrat leader said: "The Greens are taking a lot of left-wing, sort of Corbynista votes from Labour with their policies of pulling out of Nato and getting rid of the nuclear deterrent.

"Those are very dangerous policies, and Liberal Democrats do not support them. We support having our nuclear deterrent, having alliances with other countries to keep our country strong."

Responding to Sir Ed's claims, Green Party peer Baroness Jones said: "We are focused on our plan to cut bills, tax the wealthy and protect public services. The Greens are building a mass movement for progressive change, starting at the local level."

Business leaders scold Rachel Reeves over 'entirely performative' meetings as energy crisis hits UK economy

British business leaders have criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ planned meetings with retail and banking executives, describing the move as "entirely performative" as the energy crisis intensifies.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the british retail consortium, urged ministers to "focus on its energy policy and the pipeline of additional policy costs that are about to impact businesses".

She told the Financial Times that "this seems to be a solution looking for a problem."

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Mel Stride welcomes Conservative proposals to ban non-English campaign material

Sir Mel Stride has welcomed the proposal from Conservatives to ban political campaigning not in English.

It follows campaign material from the Green Party in the Gorton and Denton by-election that was published in Urdu, a stance defended by winning candidate Hannah Spencer, who said the material promoted "inclusivity".

The Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel told GB News: "I think its very important to bring up as we saw the kind of approach that can happen, if you segregate by language in that way it does make politics more divisive.

"One of the disappointing aspects of that by-election was it was stirring up division, stirring up issues around Gaza."

Labour MPs demand more protection for men and boys from the 'manosphere'

A group of Labour MPs have called for more protection from the "manosphere" for men and boys in a letter to Ofcom.

More than 60 MPs wrote to the broadcasting regulator’s chief executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, on Tuesday, saying they are “gravely concerned” about the increasing risks men and boys face when using online platforms.

In November, Ofcom gave tech platforms guidance on how to tackle harmful content and activity that disproportionately affects women and girls online.

But the group of MPs have argued men and boys also face specific risks online, such as "far-right political radicalisation", financial scams and violent pornography, brought to them by "misogynist influencers."

In the letter, the MPs said: "Men and boys encounter harmful content, including mis- and disinformation, pornography and misogynist content at a roughly similar rate to women and girls.

"However, the content targeted at a male audience is likely to be different, and platforms might need to take different steps to understand and tackle the problem."

Keir Starmer faces four major tests across England this week as local elections draw nearer

Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party faces four major electoral tests across England this week as nationwide local elections draw nearer.

A series of by-elections will be taking place across the country: two Conservative-controlled wards, one Labour and one Liberal Democrat.

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WATCH: Wes Streeting declares words are 'not good enough' as he vows for stronger action to protect British Jews

Inflation holds at 3% as Bank of England warns of fresh surge

The consumer prices index (CPI) remained unchanged at three per cent in February, matching economists’ expectations and holding at the same level recorded in January.

However, the annual rate remains above the Labour’s official two per cent target.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Wednesday confirmed the figure, aligning with forecasts compiled in a Reuters poll.

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