UK politics live: Badenoch says Starmer should ‘resign and find out’ how Tories would fix things
The prime minister’s clash with the Tory leader comes as MPs continue to voice their opinions over the upcoming assisted dying vote in the Commons on Friday
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Your support makes all the difference.Sir Keir Starmer hit back at Kemi Badenoch after she urged him to resign in light of a petition calling for a new general election.
At a fiery PMQs Sir Keir defended Labour’s approach to business and claimed the Tories “really haven’t got a clue what they’re doing” when it comes to pro-growth policies.
Ms Badenoch countered: “To know what Conservatives would do, he should resign and find out. Until then, I’m the one asking the questions. There’s a petition out there, two million people asking him to go.”
The prime minister also refused to repeat Rachel Reeves’ commitment not to push through any further tax hikes.
He was asked by Ms Badenoch at PMQs if he could repeat the chancellor’s statement to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), when she said: “I’m clear I’m not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes.”
The PM said he was “fixing the foundations” of the economy, but would not repeat the pledge.
The prime minister’s clash with the Tory leader comes as MPs continue to voice their opinions over the upcoming assisted dying vote in the Commons on Friday.
Keir Starmer refuses to commit to no more tax hikes
Keir Starmer has refused to repeat Rachel Reeves’ commitment to not pushing through any further tax hikes.
The prime minister was asked by Kemi Badenoch if he could repeat the chancellor’s statement to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), when she said: “I’m clear I’m not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes.”
The PM said he was “fixing the foundations” of the economy, but would not repeat the pledge.
And he hit back, saying Ms Badenoch herself would not repeal his national insurance hike in the Budget.
Starmer comments on Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire - PMQs
Firstly the prime minister comments on the ceasefire that was struck between Israel and Hezbollah last night.
Sir Keir said: “We must seize this opportunity to build trust, de-escalate tensions and push for a wider ceasefire.”
BREAKING: William Hague beats Peter Mandelson to become Oxford University chancellor
William Hague has beaten Peter Mandelson to become chancellor of the University of Oxford.
The former Conservative Party leader has been elected, it has been announced.
Earlier this month he warned that the Labour grandee could not be UK ambassador to the US and chancellor.
William Hague beats Peter Mandelson to become Oxford University chancellor
Vote clears the way for Labour grandee to become the next UK ambassador to Washington
Starmer may be ‘softening’ on Labour’s ‘tractor tax’, NFU president claims
Sir Keir Starmer may be softening his stance on changes to inheritance tax, according to the boss of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).
After a meeting in No 10 with the prime minister on Monday, NFU president Tom Bradshaw claimed there was “a more conciliatory tone” regarding the controversial change which some have dubbed a “tractor tax”.
Mr Bradshaw added: “We are trying to give it a bit of room to breathe. He hasn’t guaranteed me anything but I think there is a general softening of lines and I don’t want to stoke the fire.”
Archie Mitchell reports
Starmer may be ‘softening’ on Labour’s ‘tractor tax’, NFU president claims
After a meeting in No10 with Keir Starmer on Monday, NFU president Tom Bradshaw said there was ‘a more conciliatory tone’
Government launches tough new restraining order system for domestic abusers
Domestic abusers will be subjected to strict new restraining orders to stop them from harassing their victims under new measures being rolled out by the government.
Domestic abuse protection notices and orders (DAPNs and DAPOs), which are being launched on Wednesday, are due to be tested out in parts of England and Wales before being implemented across the country.
Along with imposing exclusion zones, the orders can make positive requirements of abusers such as attending behaviour change programmes. Breaching the requirements of an order will be a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison.
Maya Oppenheim reports
Government launches tough new restraining order system for domestic abusers
The family courts will be able to force abusers to wear tags for the first time
Dame Esther Rantzen urges MPs to attend Commons debate on assisted dying
Dame Esther Rantzen has urged “as many MPs as possible” to attend Friday’s debate and listen to the arguments on both sides to make their minds up on assisted dying.
The broadcaster and Childline founder, who is terminally ill, has been a high-profile voice in the conversation for the past year, repeatedly calling for a change in what she has described as the “cruel” current law.
In an extract from a letter, released through pro-change campaign group Dignity in Dying, Dame Esther said: “This is such a vital life and death issue, one that we the public care desperately about, so it is only right that as many MPs as possible listen to the arguments for and against, and make up your own minds, according to your own conscience, your personal thoughts and feelings.”
How your MP is expected to vote on assisted dying
Parliament will vote on an assisted dying bill this Friday for the first time in nearly a decade.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater proposed the Private Members Bill in mid-October, which will legalise assisted death under certain conditions for terminally ill adults in England and Wales.
The Independent analysed public statements from all 650 MPs, in addition to news reports and other available information, to find which MPs will likely vote for or against the assisted dying bill this week. The analysis will be updated as more MPs come forward.
The bill is open to a “free vote”, meaning that the party whips will not dictate whether to support or oppose the bill. Individual MPs are free to vote based on their own values and opinions of their constituents, regardless of whether they are Labour, Tory, or otherwise.
How your MP is expected to vote on assisted dying
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater proposed the Private Members Bill in mid-October
How a battle over defining a woman ended up in the UK’s highest court
A lawyer fighting to establish what it means to be a woman has argued in the UK’s highest court that sex is an “immutable biological state”.
Aidan O’Neill KC, acting for campaigners in Scotland, made the arguments during the Supreme Court’s hearing of a legal challenge over the definition of what it means to be female.
The landmark case - which began on Tuesday - follows an ongoing debate between the Scottish government and campaigners.
The verdict will determine whether trans women should be considered female under the 2010 Equality Act as the case seeks to decide if sex amounts to the biological sex you are born with or your gender identity in the eyes of the law.
Maya Oppenheim reports
How a battle over defining a woman ended up in the UK’s highest court
Judges will rule on whether trans women should be considered female under the 2010 Equality Act
Comment: Why we can’t (and shouldn’t) separate God from the argument over assisted dying
That we are one people under God has long been the cornerstone of our treatment of others. Take it away and you take away what it means to be human, writes Catherine Pepinster
Why we can’t (and shouldn’t) separate the God argument from assisted dying
That we are one people under God has long been the cornerstone of our treatment of others. Take it away and you take away what it means to be human, writes Catherine Pepinster
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