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☆ Sadiq Khan wins third term as London mayor, Labour sources say, capping strong showing for opposition in English elections
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Sadiq Khan has won a third term as London’s mayor, Labour Party sources claimed on Saturday, capping a round of local elections across England that confirmed the political supremacy of the main opposition party. Sunak has resisted calls to outline when he will hold that vote, and Labour leads opinion polls by a huge margin. Keir Starmer’s opposition party won control of eight councils, and also stormed to victory on Thursday in a Westminster by-election in Blackpool. In particular the loss of Oldham council, a north-west English town, where around a quarter of the population is Muslim. If his victory is confirmed, Khan would become the first mayor of London to serve a third term since the post was created in 2000.

Persons: CNN — Sadiq Khan, Khan, Susan Hall, Rishi Sunak, –, Sunak, Keir Starmer’s, Yvette Cooper, Donald Trump Organizations: CNN, Labour Party, Conservative, England, Labour, Conservatives, Tories, BBC Locations: England, West Midlands, Tees, Westminster, Blackpool, Gaza, Oldham, London

☆ UK nuclear missile test fails for second time in eight years
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Lauren Kent | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —A British nuclear missile test launch failed at a site off the coast of Florida, marking the second time in eight years that the country’s Trident 2 ballistic missiles have malfunctioned during trials. The fault was specific to the test kit and that the launch would have likely been successful if it had occurred out on a patrol, using a real nuclear warhead, according to the source. “The UK’s nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective,” The Ministry of Defense spokesperson added. “The test has reaffirmed the effectiveness of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, in which we have absolute confidence.”A Trident II missile is launched by the US navy during a test in 1989. Phil Sandlin/AP/FileShapps is expected to present a written ministerial statement on Britain’s nuclear deterrent to Parliament on Wednesday, according to the House of Commons order paper.

Persons: London CNN —, of Defense Grant Shapps, Sir Ben Key, Phil Sandlin, ”, John Healey Organizations: London CNN, HMS Vanguard, Ministry of Defense, Trident, CNN, The Sun, of Defense, “, Vanguard, US, Labour Party, Royal Navy Locations: British, Florida, United States, Georgia

☆ Problems mount for UK PM Rishi Sunak as his party suffers heavy defeat in two parliamentary elections
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing difficult questions after his governing Conservative Party lost two seats in parliament on Thursday. The Conservative Party traditionally beats Labour on issues like economics and immigration. Of particular concern to Conservatives is the rise of Reform UK, the new party of Nigel Farage. As leader of both the UK Independence Party and the Brexit Party, he forced the Conservatives into increasingly right-wing positions. He is honorary president of Reform UK but still has a habit of forcing issues onto the news agenda.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Sunak, –, Nigel Farage, Farage, David Cameron, Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, isn’t Organizations: London CNN, British, Conservative Party, Labour, Reform UK, Conservatives, UK Independence Party, Brexit Party, UKIP, EU, Conservative, Reform, Sunak Locations: England, France, Israel

☆ The U.K. Labour Party’s Worst Enemy Might Be Itself
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Mark Landler | Stephen Castle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

These days, the only thing that can stop the Labour Party, it seems, is the Labour Party. For more than a year, the leader of Britain’s main opposition party, Keir Starmer, has sat on a double-digit lead in the polls over the Conservative Party. “The question is, can he come back next week fighting?”Labour still holds a double-digit lead over the Conservatives in polls. It could swiftly regain its stride with victories in two parliamentary by-elections on Thursday, both of which it is expected to win. But Labour’s setbacks are a reminder that with a general election still at least a few months away, Mr. Starmer cannot take anything for granted.

Persons: Britain’s, Keir Starmer, Starmer, “ Keir, ”, John McTernan, Rishi Sunak Organizations: Labour Party, Conservative Party, Manchester soccer, Britain’s Premier League, Labour, Conservative Locations: Israel, Man

☆ Rwanda deportation plan: UK Supreme Court blocks asylum seekers plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The UK’s highest court ruled unanimously against the government, siding instead with a previous appeals court ruling that found the policy – which has been roundly condemned by humanitarian bodies – was not lawful. Protesters waited outside the Supreme Court ahead of Wednesday's ruling. The Rwanda plan was unveiled in response to a soaring number of perilous small boat crossings made by asylum seekers across the English Channel. Under the policy, some asylum seekers would be sent to Rwanda for their asylum claims to be processed. The court found that concerns about the Rwandan asylum processing system, and its human rights record, were serious enough to rule the policy illegal.

Persons: London CNN —, Rishi Sunak’s, –, Leon Neal, ”, Sunak, “, ” Sunak, Britain’s, Priti Patel, Suella Braverman, Braverman, Natalie Elphicke, Yvette Cooper, Rishi, ” Cooper Organizations: London CNN, Conservative, Conservative Party, Human Rights, Protesters, Getty, Channel, Home, BBC, European, of Human Rights, Dover, “ Locations: Rwanda, London, France, British, England, Europe, Britain

☆ New Zealand election campaign winds down with Labour facing defeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Prime Minister and Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins speaks at the New Zealand Labour Party’s election campaign launch event in Auckland, New Zealand, September 2, 2023. However, Hipkins, 45 said Labour was starting to see momentum build in the final hours of campaigning. “We are expecting a really huge turnout ... and we’re expecting a really strong result tomorrow night," Hipkins, 45, told reporters. Polls predict that the nationalist New Zealand First Party will hold the balance of power. The party was Labour’s coalition partner in 2017 but has said it will not work with Labour again.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, David Rowland, Hipkins, Jacinda Ardern, we’re, Christopher Luxon, you've, ” Luxon, walkabouts, ”, Kelly Eckhold, Lucy Craymer, Stephen Coates Organizations: Labour Party, New Zealand Labour, REUTERS, Rights, Zealand, Labour, ACT Party, New Zealand First Party, National Party, MMP, Zealanders, “, Westpac, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, Hipkins

☆ New Zealand election: Voters goes to the polls in a narrow race
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins at Parliament on July 26, in Wellington, New Zealand. New Zealand National Party leader Christopher Luxon speaks during a National Party campaign rally on October 10 in Wellington, New Zealand. Before becoming prime minister, he was minister of education, minister of police, minister for the public service, and leader of the house. Hipkins’ main contender Luxon is a businessman and former CEO of Air New Zealand who became leader of the National Party in 2021. Voters get two votes on the ballot: one for a candidate in their local constituency and one for the party.

Persons: Jacinda Ardern, Christopher Luxon, Chris Hipkins, Winston Peters, Ardern, Hagen Hopkins, demagogues, Hipkins, Sophia Ha, ” Ha, “, ” Alex Wareham, ”, It’s, Wareham, Luxon Organizations: CNN, National Party, Labour Party, Radio NZ, NZ, Labour, Zealand, New Zealand National Party, Getty, Air New Locations: Zealand, New Zealand, Hipkins ., Wellington , New Zealand, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Sydney, United States, United Kingdom, Covid, Air New Zealand, New

☆ Labour Party Conference: Meet Keir Starmer, Britain's likely next Prime Minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

At least that’s how it felt in Liverpool, where the opposition Labour Party held its annual conference this week. In front of a packed hall, Labour leader Keir Starmer gave an upbeat speech painting the ruling Conservatives as the party of national decline and Labour as the party of stability. A protestor throws glitter over Labour party leader, Keir Starmer during the leader's speech at the Labour Party conference on October 10, 2023 in Liverpool, England. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves makes her keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on October 9, 2023. The story Labour is telling right now isn’t just the story of Keir Starmer, leader in waiting, but Keir Starmer and his political allies, who are the government in waiting.

Persons: Keir Starmer, “, Ian Forsyth, wilder, Jeremy Corbyn, –, Corbyn’s, Starmer, Corbyn, Boris Johnson’s “, Liz, ”, Queen Elizabeth II, David Lammy, Lammy, he’d, Johnson, Rachel Reeves, Peter Byrne, Jeremy Hunt’s, won’t, Trump, Labour – Organizations: Liverpool CNN, Labour Party, Labour, Conservative, Conservative Party’s, CNN, Conservative Party, Northern, Conservatives ’, Government, University of Leeds, Oxford, Cambridge, Public Prosecutions, Labour Party Conference, Corbyn, Biden, Conservatives Locations: Liverpool, Manchester, England, Corbyn, Israel, Britain, America, Germany, Labour’s

☆ To fix Britain, Labour will need new debt rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Francesco Guerrera | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Having fiscal rules – and sticking to them – is crucial for governments. The Bank of England expects anaemic GDP growth of 0.5% next year and 0.25% in 2025, and long-term growth of just 1%. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsThe Labour leadership is concerned that rewriting debt rules would unsettle bond investors still scarred by Truss’s fiscal follies. What Britain’s next government shouldn’t do is obsess about restrictive fiscal rules at the expense of investments that could get the country out of its current hole. The reports said that Sunak was looking at scrapping the portion of the project linking the northern cities of Manchester and Birmingham because costs have been soaring from the original 55.7 billion pounds to an estimated 106 billion pounds.

Persons: Grant Shapps, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, Jeremy Hunt, Hunt, Keir Starmer, Worth ”, Ian Ball, Willem Buiter, John Crompton, Dag Detter, Jacob Soll, Crompton, Breakingviews, PSNW, –, Rachel Reeves, Labour’s, “, Reeves, Britain’s, Sunak, George Hay, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Sunday, Sky News, Labour, Conservative, Bank of England, Sunak’s, Worth, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Britain’s, Thomson Locations: Britain, New Zealand, Zealand, Manchester, Birmingham

☆ UK backlog of asylum applications hits record high
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Britain's backlog of asylum applications awaiting a decision hit a record high in the year to June and the number of those applying was the highest in two decades, according to official figures published on Thursday, in a blow to the government. The Home Office, or interior ministry, said 78,768 asylum applications were made by people who arrived in the country illegally in the 12 months to June, up 19% on the previous year. The backlog of asylum applications was just over 134,000, or 175,457 once dependents are included, adding to pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who in December pledged to clear the initial backlog of cases by the end of this year. "This is a disastrous record for the Prime Minister and Home Secretary," said Stephen Kinnock, Labour’s immigration spokesperson. The government said in the year to June there were 23,702 initial decisions made on asylum applications, up 61% on the previous year.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Stephen Kinnock, Kylie MacLellan, Alistair Smout, Elizabeth Piper, Mark Potter Organizations: Office, Labour Party, Home, Thomson Locations: Britain, Rwanda

☆ The Return of Tony Blair
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Stephen Castle | More About Stephen Castle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A decade and a half after Tony Blair left Downing Street, one issue still defines the former British prime minister in the eyes of many Britons: his disastrous decision to join the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. When Mr. Blair was given a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II last year, more than a million people signed a petition demanding the honor be rescinded. Today, with the Labour opposition sensing rising power under the stewardship of its leader, Keir Starmer, Mr. Blair is suddenly, and rather remarkably, back in favor. For Mr. Starmer, embracing Mr. Blair sends a political message, underscoring Labour’s shift to the center. But the former prime minister also has charisma and communication skills that Mr. Starmer lacks, assets that could be useful as a general election approaches.

Persons: Tony Blair, Blair, Queen Elizabeth II, Keir Starmer, Starmer Organizations: British, Labour Party, Labour, Tony, Tony Blair Institute for Global Locations: U.S, Iraq

☆ The UK once vowed to be a global climate leader. Now Rishi Sunak is stoking a culture war on green policies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Since becoming prime minister, critics say he has diminished the UK's standing as a leader on the climate. A Just Stop Oil protester disrupts a match at July's Wimbledon Championships. Foreign Office minister Zac Goldsmith resigned in June, lambasting Sunak’s climate policies. A North Sea oil rig off the coast of Scotland. Sunak's decision to expand drilling in the North Sea was criticized by climate experts.

Persons: Boris Johnson, Queen Elizabeth II, Rishi Sunak’s, Sunak, DANIEL LEAL, ” Luke Murphy, they’ve, Murphy, ”, “, We’ve, ” Murphy, Steve Tuckwell, Tuckwell, Hannah Mckay, Grant Shapps, Keir Starmer, ” Tim Bale, “ Uxbridge, ” Bale, Sadiq Khan, Khan nodded, Rishi Sunak, Zac Goldsmith, Chris Skidmore, ” Skidmore, – Organizations: London CNN, Telegraph, Getty, CNN, Conservative Party, Conservatives, Labour Party, July's Wimbledon, Reuters, Energy, Queen Mary University in, “, Office, National Statistics, London’s, Foreign, Conservative, Uxbridge Locations: Britain, Glasgow, North, Sunak, Uxbridge, London, Queen Mary University in London, Europe, lambasting, Scotland

Britain’s governing Conservative Party suffered crushing defeats in the race for what had been two safe seats in Parliament, but narrowly avoided losing a third contest, according to the results early Friday for by-elections viewed as a critical test of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s popularity. The main opposition Labour Party won in Selby and Ainsty, in Yorkshire in the north of England, in one of its biggest ever by-election victories, overturning a large Conservative majority and winning 16,456 votes to the Tories’ 12,295. The small, centrist, Liberal Democrats party also scored an emphatic victory in the electoral district of Somerton and Frome, in the southwest of England, another former stronghold for the Tories. The Liberal Democrats received 21,187 votes, and the Conservatives 10,790. There, the final count was 13,965 votes for Steve Tuckwell of the Conservative Party, and 13,470 for Labour’s Danny Beales.

Persons: Rishi, Sunak, Boris Johnson, Steve Tuckwell, Danny Beales Organizations: Conservative Party, Labour Party, Conservative, Tories, Liberal Democrats, Liberal, Conservatives, Labour Locations: Selby, Ainsty, Yorkshire, England, Somerton, Frome, Uxbridge, South Ruislip, London

☆ Uxbridge by-election: In Boris Johnson's back yard, Britons are desperate for a change
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

A mid-term by-election to replace Johnson is taking place on Thursday, alongside two other by-elections to replace MPs elsewhere in the country. Boris Johnson is seen on a walkabout in Uxbridge in 2020, during his time as prime minister. Inside, the owner told CNN: "They're all the same ... Johnson’s company ran the first major opinion poll ahead of the Uxbridge by-election, which found a solid but assailable eight-point lead for Labour. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (far right) and Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves (right) on a campaign visit with Danny Beales, the local Labour candidate (back center).

Persons: Mike Okoli, ”, Okoli, Boris Johnson –, Johnson, “, ” Okoli, Rob Picheta, CNN Johnson, Manoj Supeda, I’ve, hasn’t, ‘, ’ He’s, Supeda, Johnson’s, ” Supeda, “ It’s, ” Manoj Supeda, Tony Blair, Labour's, Brexit, CNN Okoli, he’s, “ I’ve, Sonia Caetano, Boris Johnson, Stefan Rousseau, there’s, ” Caetano, Danny Beales, We've, Caetano, Keir Starmer, Steve Reed, Piers Corbyn, Jeremy Corbyn, Steve Tuckwell, ” Tuckwell, Reed, ” Reed, They’re, Mick, Starmer, “ We’re, we’re, ” James Johnson, Theresa May’s, Sir Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, ” Tracy Peabody Organizations: United Kingdom CNN, European Union, CNN, Labour Party –, Tories, Labour, Conservatives, Britain, Uxbridge, Beales, London’s Labour, Conservative, Hillingdon Hospital, CNN ‘ Labour, “, Press Association Locations: Uxbridge, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Caribbean, London, South Ruislip, Britain, “, Okoli, Portuguese, Yiewsley, Portugal, Covid, Ukraine, Hillingdon, Ruislip Manor

☆ Boris Johnson at center of Covid inquiry dispute. For once it’s not about him
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The inquiry recently requested that it be given access to the private messages of a number of government officials – including Johnson. That request was made to the Cabinet Office, an important government department that supports the PM and the cabinet in nearly all areas of government. On Friday, Johnson went around the Cabinet Office and published a letter in which he agreed to share his personal WhatsApp messages and handwritten notebooks directly with the inquiry. The release of phone messages could be embarrassing for Rishi Sunak and anyone serving in his government who also served under Boris Johnson. The official Cabinet Office position is that it is questioning whether an inquiry should have the legal authority to make such sweeping demands.

Persons: London CNN — Boris Johnson, Johnson, Rishi Sunak, ” Johnson, Boris Johnson, Jeff J Mitchell, Angela Rayner, Sunak, ” Organizations: London CNN, British, Office, Getty, CNN, Labour Party, Downing, Conservative

☆ Meet the man set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Chris Hipkins, who played a significant role in New Zealand’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, is set to replace Jacinda Ardern as prime minister after emerging on Saturday as the only candidate to lead the ruling Labour Party. “I think we’re an incredibly strong team,” Hipkins told a news conference after the party announced him as the sole candidate. A cabinet reshuffle proposed by Ardern would go ahead, but he said he planned to keep Grant Robertson as finance minister. Hipkins said he had spoken to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who tweeted the two had had “a warm discussion”. He was appointed health minister in July 2020 before becoming the Covid response minister at the end of the year.

☆ Chris Hipkins set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand prime minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A view shows the Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament complex, popularly known as "Beehive" because of the building’s shape, in Wellington, New Zealand July 23, 2020. REUTERS/Praveen MenonWELLINGTON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Chris Hipkins is set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand's next prime minister after emerging as the only candidate nominated to lead the Labour Party, the party said on Saturday. Hipkins is expected to be confirmed as the new leader at a meeting of Labour’s 64 lawmakers, or Caucus, on Sunday. Hipkins is currently minister for police, education and public service as well as leader of the House. Hipkins becomes prime minister until the party’s term ends.

☆ UK's mini budget slashes taxes and borrows heavily as recession hits
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN Business —A huge gamble by the UK government aimed at rescuing the economy from recession and boosting long-term growth sent the pound plunging on Friday. Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, an independent think tank, called the government’s plans “extraordinary.”“It’s half a century since we’ve seen tax cuts announced on this scale,” he said in a tweet. The pound sank almost 2% to $1.10 on Friday after Kwarteng’s announcement to its lowest level since 1985. The measures come a day after the Bank of England warned that the country was already likely in a recession. ‘Unfunded giveaways’News of the heavy additional government borrowing rattled investors already concerned that the country is spending beyond its means.

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