Wimbledon 2025: Draper loses to Cilic, Swiatek beats McNally – as it happened
Keir Starmer says good relationship with Donald Trump based on shared family values
Keir Starmer has spoken about his good relationship with the US president, Donald Trump, and their shared family values.To mark the first anniversary of the Labour government coming to power on Friday, the prime minister spoke to the BBC podcast Political Thinking and said it was “in the national interest” for the two men to connect.“We are different people and we’ve got different political backgrounds and leanings, but we do have a good relationship and that comes from a number of places,” he said.“I think I do understand what anchors the president, what he really cares about. For both of us, we really care about family and there’s a point of connection there
Critics of UK role in Gaza war consider setting up independent tribunal
Critics of the UK’s role in the Gaza war are considering setting up an independent tribunal if, as expected, Labour blocks a bill tabled by Jeremy Corbyn backing an official inquiry.Government whips are expected to object to the former Labour party leader’s bill in the Commons on Friday, leaving him with few practical options for his legislation to pass.The Middle East minister, Hamish Falconer, said the government saw no need for an inquiry, but 22 NGOs working on issues in the region are supporting Corbyn’s call.The Islington North MP is arguing that a host of issues regarding the UK’s involvement in what he regards as a genocide by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not been properly aired in Westminster, except through brief replies by ministers in written or oral questions.The NGOs led by Action Aid said: “In light of reports of atrocities committed by the Israeli government in Gaza and reports of the UK’s collaboration with Israeli military operations, it is increasingly urgent to confirm whether the UK has contributed to any violations of international humanitarian law through economic or political cooperation with the Israeli government since October 2023, including the sale, supply or use of weapons, surveillance aircraft and Royal Air Force bases
MP Zarah Sultana says she will ‘co-lead’ new party as she quits Labour for Corbyn group
MP Zarah Sultana, suspended from Labour, has announced she is resigning from the party to join Jeremy Corbyn’s Independent Alliance.Sultana declared she will “co-lead the founding of a new party” – even though, while there was an agreement in principle to form one, the timing and leadership had not been settled, the Guardian understands.Sultana, 31, who represents Coventry South, posted a statement on Thursday evening describing Westminster as “broken” and claiming the two main parties offer “nothing but managed decline and broken promises”.She urged supporters to “join us” in creating what she presented as a new party.Her declaration took some in the alliance by surprise and has exposed divisions over strategy
Seven of Labour’s newest MPs look back on a ‘relentless’ first year
Labour won hundreds of new MPs in the 2024 general election. One year later, how do they think the government is doing?Labour’s first year back in power has been marked by high stakes and harsh realities.Despite ambitious promises, the party has struggled to maintain the support of voters – reflected in low poll numbers and a near defeat on its big welfare legislation.For new MPs the challenge has been to push urgent reforms while navigating Westminster’s unforgiving terrain.Seven rising Labour voices speak about the year that has tested them all
Streeting sets out digital overhaul of NHS centred on ‘doctor in your pocket’ app
Wes Streeting has staked the future of the NHS on a digital overhaul in which a beefed-up NHS app and new hospital league tables are intended to give patients unprecedented control over their care.A dramatic expansion of the role of the NHS app will result in fewer staff than expected by 2035, with Streeting banking on digital efficiencies to reduce the number of frontline workers, a move described as a “large bet” by health experts.The digital tool will enable patients to self-refer when they need help, book appointments with clinicians, receive advice from an AI GP or see their medical records.“The NHS app will become a doctor in your pocket, bringing our health service into the 21st century,” the health secretary said as he launched the government’s much-trailed 10-year health plan.Highlighting that those who use private healthcare already get instant advice, remote consultations with a doctor and choice over their appointments, he promised that “our reforms will bring those services to every patient, regardless of their ability to pay”
The Starmtrooper rebellion: welfare bill showed Labour’s new MPs have minds of their own
As Labour officials sounded warnings to Downing Street last month about the scale of the rebellion against the government’s welfare bill, one concern was particularly stark: many of the supposedly loyal 2024 intake were among the rebels.Officials were told not to worry, however, sources have told the Guardian. Many of those MPs had been personally selected at the general election by Morgan McSweeney and other senior advisers to Keir Starmer.The “Starmtroopers”, as they had come to be known, could be talked down with a simple phone call.This week’s dramatic events in the Commons, when ministers had to gut their own bill less than two hours before a vote when confronted with a widespread and sustained rebellion, have proved the folly of making assumptions about the class of 2024
Starmer outlines 10-year plan to change NHS ‘from sickness service to health service’
‘Am I just an asshole?’ Time blindness can explain chronic lateness - some of the time
Wes Streeting: ‘half my colleagues’ in Commons using weight loss drugs
Starmer outlines plan to shift NHS care from hospitals to new health centres
Council failings a factor in death of foster carer run over by child, inquest finds
Where does the welfare bill climbdown leave UK public finances?