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Populist campaigner Nigel Farage makes an about-face and says he will run in the UK election
Read full article: Populist campaigner Nigel Farage makes an about-face and says he will run in the UK electionPro-Brexit, anti-immigration campaigner Nigel Farage is returning to front-line British politics.
UK's first Black female lawmaker 'free' to stand for Labour at election after row over her future
Read full article: UK's first Black female lawmaker 'free' to stand for Labour at election after row over her futureThe U.K.’s first Black female member of Parliament will be allowed to stand for the Labour Party in the upcoming general election, leader Keir Starmer says, following a fractious few days over her political future.
UK Parliament breaks up ahead of election day with pomp, ceremony and hard-nosed politics
Read full article: UK Parliament breaks up ahead of election day with pomp, ceremony and hard-nosed politicsBritain’s lawmakers left Parliament on Friday for the last time before an election is held in six weeks.
A UK election has been called for July 4. Here's what to know
Read full article: A UK election has been called for July 4. Here's what to knowThe United Kingdom will hold its first national election in five years in a country reeling from the cost-of-living crisis, the fallout from Israel-Hamas war and deep divisions over how to deal with migrants and asylum seekers crossing the English Channel from Europe on small inflatable boats.
A new Banksy mural sprouts beside a cropped tree in London. Many see an environmental message
Read full article: A new Banksy mural sprouts beside a cropped tree in London. Many see an environmental messageA new Banksy mural has drawn crowds to a London street, even before the elusive graffiti artist confirmed the work was his.
After years in opposition, Britain's Labour Party senses it's on the verge of regaining power
Read full article: After years in opposition, Britain's Labour Party senses it's on the verge of regaining powerMembers of Britain’s opposition Labour Party are gathering for their annual conference with an unfamiliar feeling: optimism.
Hero or villain? Rupert Murdoch’s exit stirs strong feelings in Britain, where he upended the media
Read full article: Hero or villain? Rupert Murdoch’s exit stirs strong feelings in Britain, where he upended the mediaRupert Murdoch stirs mixed feelings in Britain, where he transformed the media over half a century.
Assange lawyer dismisses US promises over extradition
Read full article: Assange lawyer dismisses US promises over extraditionA lawyer defending WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has argued that promises offered by the U.S. government that he would not be subjected to harsh prison conditions if he is extradited to face American justice are not enough to address concerns about his fragile mental health and high risk of suicide.
Europe's vaccine passes reveal some pockets of resistance
Read full article: Europe's vaccine passes reveal some pockets of resistanceItaly and France are introducing Europe's toughest vaccine pass regimes for normal social activities like dining indoors at restaurants, visiting museums and attending sporting events.
UK's Labour roiled by feud over anti-Semitism and Corbyn
Read full article: UK's Labour roiled by feud over anti-Semitism and CorbynBritain's former opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves his home in London, Wednesday Nov. 18, 2020. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)LONDON – The leader of Britain’s main opposition Labour Party said Wednesday that he won’t readmit ex-Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn to the party’s parliamentary caucus, accusing Corbyn of weakening efforts to stamp out anti-Semitism. Labour leader Keir Starmer said his predecessor had “undermined and set back our work in restoring trust and confidence in the Labour Party’s ability to tackle anti-Semitism.”Corbyn will continue to sit in Parliament, but as an independent lawmaker. Corbyn was suspended from the party last month in the wake of a scathing report by Britain’s equalities watchdog. He said he was acting because “the (Labour Party) disciplinary process does not have the confidence of the Jewish community.”Starmer was elected in April to lead the party.
Ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reinstated to UK party
Read full article: Ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reinstated to UK partyLONDON – Ex-Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said Tuesday he has been reinstated to the U.K. opposition party after a three-week suspension — a decision that touched off fury from Jewish leaders angry about anti-Semitism in Labour that flourished during his tenure. Corbyn was suspended after he said the problem of anti-Semitism in the party had been “dramatically overstated” for political reasons. His comment followed a scathing report from the U.K. equalities watchdog, which found “significant failings” and a “lack of leadership” in how the left-of-center party handled allegations of anti-Semitism among its members. The Jewish Labour Movement said it appeared Corbyn’s case had been “expedited” by a “factionally aligned political committee." “Once again we find ourselves having to remind the Labour Party that Jeremy Corbyn is not the victim of Labour anti-Semitism — Jewish members are,'' the group said.
Report slams UK's Labour Party for tolerating anti-Semitism
Read full article: Report slams UK's Labour Party for tolerating anti-SemitismBritains equalities watchdog said Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 that officials in the countrys main opposition Labour Party failed to stamp out anti-Semitism and committed unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination against the Jewish community. Jeremy Corbyn's successor Keir Starmer has vowed to stamp out prejudice and restore relations between the party and the Jewish community. Current Labour leader Keir Starmer, who has vowed to root out anti-Semitism, said the report marked a “day of shame” for the party. Starmer, elected in April, has vowed to stamp out prejudice and restore relations between the party and the Jewish community. “If you’re anti-Semitic, you should be nowhere near this party,” Starmer said.
British Labour Party deputy leader Tom Watson to stand down
Read full article: British Labour Party deputy leader Tom Watson to stand downWatson, 52, has clashed publicly with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn several times, most notably over Brexit policy and how to handle allegations of anti-Semitism within the party. The decision is personal, not political," Watson said in a letter to Corbyn, adding he would continue as deputy leader until December 12 to help Labour contest its election campaign. Unlike other British political parties, Labour deputy leaders are elected by party members and have an independent power base. A leading centrist and pro-European voice within the Labour Party, Watson had previously lent his support to a second Brexit referendum. In a letter posted online Wednesday, Corbyn thanked Watson for his contribution to the Labour Party.
Boris Johnson's election gamble could cost him everything
Read full article: Boris Johnson's election gamble could cost him everythingThat was the morning Theresa May learned her gamble to hold a snap general election had backfired. Though he enjoys healthy poll leads right now, a lot can happen during an election campaign. Right now, the party is reluctantly united around Johnson and his Brexit deal. Boris Johnson's Conservatives, who think they're born to rule, will only look after the privileged few." Johnson's Brexit gamble was a table-flip moment.
Donald Trump weighs in on UK election backing Boris Johnson
Read full article: Donald Trump weighs in on UK election backing Boris JohnsonThe President told LBC host and Brexit Party leader, Nigel Farage, that he had "great relationships with many of the leaders, including Boris (Johnson), who's a fantastic man. Farage's Brexit Party is currently seen as a large obstacle to Johnson winning a majority at the upcoming election. Rumors have swirled in recent days about exactly how many constituencies the Brexit Party will run a candidate in at the election. Earlier this month, Farage told CNN that Johnson's deal was the "second worst deal in history." On Thursday, Corbyn also tweeted a link to the radio interview and accused Trump of trying to interfere in the election.
Britain set for Dec. 12 election after MPs approve snap poll
Read full article: Britain set for Dec. 12 election after MPs approve snap pollThe march began in Sunderland on March 16 headed by Nigel Farage, now leader of The Brexit Party after leaving UKIP. The(CNN) - Britain will head to the polls amid the country's worst political crisis for generations, after lawmakers finally agreed to hold a landmark general election on December 12. It will come as the country seeks a path out of its crippling impasse over Brexit, the issue certain to dominate the six-week campaign season. MPs approved the bill that set the election date by 438 votes to 20, after a lengthy day of debate over the precise date of the poll and an ultimately futile attempt to reduce the minimum voting age from 18 to 16. Both parties' plans could also be damaged by two groups with more hardline Brexit policies -- Nigel Farage's Brexit Party, which advocates a no-deal split, and the resurgent Liberal Democrats, who want to cancel Brexit altogether.
Britain on course for December general election
Read full article: Britain on course for December general election(CNN) - The stage has been set in the UK for a December general election after the opposition Labour Party swung behind the move, potentially paving a course out of the country's paralyzing political impasse. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn confirmed his party would support Prime Minister Boris Johnson's attempt in Parliament on Tuesday to force an early poll. Corbyn had opposed Johnson's earlier attempts to force a vote, but said in a statement on Tuesday that his party will back it now that the European Union has extended the Brexit process. "We will now launch the most ambitious and radical campaign for real change our country has ever seen," Corbyn said. The exact date is still unclear, with the government favoring a December 12 polling day but opposition blocs leaning towards a vote earlier in the same week.
Brexit standoff could lead to elections
Read full article: Brexit standoff could lead to electionsOn Thursday afternoon, the Prime Minister said that he would give lawmakers more time to scrutinize his Brexit deal, but only if they agreed to an election on December 12. In the aftermath of the Queen's Speech vote, opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn doubled down on his long-held party line that they want "no-deal off the table." And of course, by that point, Johnson might have broken his campaign promise to get Brexit done by October 31. Johnson will no doubt prefer any election to take place after Parliament has passed his Brexit deal and formally left the EU. The latter has already called his Brexit deal worse than Theresa May's and the former cannot be relied on to get anything through Parliament -- including his deal.
As October deadline approaches, Brexit plans flounder
Read full article: As October deadline approaches, Brexit plans flounderLONDON - The chances of Britain leaving the European Union with a deal on October 31 are fading fast. It would prefer Britain to remain in the European Union but has deep misgivings about Corbyn's tax and nationalization agenda. They might hold a second referendum on Brexit, and the public could return a vote against leaving the European Union. Calling off Brexit would boost private consumption, which accounts for two thirds of the UK economy. "This will stick with the UK economy for a long time," he said.
Boris Johnson could be put out next week
Read full article: Boris Johnson could be put out next week(CNN) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson could be forced out of office next week as opposition lawmakers try to join forces to replace him with an interim administration in order to secure another Brexit delay. If Johnson lost that vote, he could be replaced as PM by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for a short period of time. Corbyn himself is a divisive opposition leader, having faced criticism for his vague Brexit stance and failure to stamp out anti-Semitism in the Labour Party. For a vote of no confidence to succeed in Parliament, all opposition parties would need to support it. Johnson has said he calls the law "surrender act" because it was "intended to damage this country's negotiation position."
Britain's Labour Party won't campaign against Brexit for now
Read full article: Britain's Labour Party won't campaign against Brexit for nowA grassroots motion to "back remain now" was voted down at the Labour Party's annual conference in Brighton, a boost to party leader Jeremy Corbyn. LONDON - Britain's Labour Party is staying put on Brexit. The Labour Party would decide what it will back in a special conference held after a general election. "I do not believe this decision reflects the views of the overwhelming majority of Labour members who desperately want to stop Brexit. Labour IS a Remain party," London Mayor Sadiq Khan said in a tweet.
Call for snap UK general election fails (again) for Boris Johnson
Read full article: Call for snap UK general election fails (again) for Boris JohnsonLONDON (CNN) - Boris Johnson's second attempt to call a snap general election was roundly rejected by British lawmakers on Monday night, in yet another stunning defeat for the Prime Minister. While publicly claiming not to favor an election, Johnson had hoped a new national poll would break the current impasse in Parliament over Brexit by returning him to power with an outright majority. In the weeks since, it has been criticized as "undemocratic" and slapped with several legal challenges, including one from a former UK Prime Minister. By calling for a snap election, Johnson was aiming to replace the sacked Conservative lawmakers with a new slate of candidates more aligned with his hard-Brexit views. Varadkar warned the UK Prime Minister that -- delay or not -- the story of Brexit was far from over.
Boris Johnson's Brexit options are bad
Read full article: Boris Johnson's Brexit options are badThe British Prime Minister has been cornered by his own political missteps and parliamentary defeats. Johnson could try to bypass the super-majority hurdle by putting down a new piece of legislation that would effectively override the current election law. Johnson's minority problemThe Prime Minister lost his working parliamentary majority earlier this week when a Conservative MP dramatically defected at the start of his first speech after the summer recess. Because he, just like the Prime Minister, knows all too well that an election is Johnson's only way out. "There would be a motion for Jeremy Corbyn to be the caretaker Prime Minister, and that would fail," Dunt said.
Boris Johnson fails in attempt to call snap general election
Read full article: Boris Johnson fails in attempt to call snap general electionIn a third stinging defeat in two days, the House of Commons roundly dismissed the UK Prime Minister's demand for an election. Corbyn said he would support an election once legislation that would prevent a no-deal Brexit -- approved in defiance of Johnson earlier in the evening -- was enacted. One of those ejected from the party, former foreign office minister Alistair Burt, savaged Johnson in the House of Commons. "We are quite aware that we [the EU] are being used as the back drop for a Johnson election campaign," one diplomat told CNN. Johnson has declared himself determined not to take the option of a no-deal Brexit off the table, arguing that the threat of a chaotic departure makes his negotiating position stronger.
Boris Johnson takes huge gamble over Brexit
Read full article: Boris Johnson takes huge gamble over BrexitAnd he made good on threats he would seek a general election, tabling a motion that called for a vote mid-October. But there are still quite a few hurdles -- and risks -- for Johnson to contend with before the UK gets its third general election in less than five years. Could Johnson split the Conservative party? It's the Brexit Party rebadged." And that means getting the support of the opposition Labour Party.
Backlash grows against Boris Johnson's decision to suspend Parliament
Read full article: Backlash grows against Boris Johnson's decision to suspend ParliamentLONDON - Boris Johnson's surprise decision to suspend the British parliament in the runup to the next Brexit deadline appears to have had its desired effect. Minutes earlier, another senior Conservative, George Young, resigned from the front bench in the House of Lords in protest at Johnson's suspension of Parliament. In his resignation letter, seen by CNN, he said Johnson's decision risked "undermining" the role of Parliament at a "critical time" in the country's history. Challenges to Johnson's decision were also filed in separate courts by a cross-party group of 70 MPs and peers and the prominent anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller. While it is common for governments to suspend Parliament in the run-up to a Queen's Speech, critics have been irked by the timing of Johnson's move.