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☆ Britain's Keir Starmer plots painstaking path to power
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Elizabeth Piper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

[1/2] British Labour Party leader Keir Starmer speaks during Prime Minister's Questions, at the House of Commons in London, Britain, May 24, 2023. Hours later, those from the opposition Labour party were summoned by senior members in charge of discipline and ordered to delete the posts and apologise. Welcome to Keir Starmer's Labour Party. "Thanks to Keir Starmer's leadership, voters see a changed Labour Party that is ready to change the country with a mission-driven government," a Labour spokesperson said when asked to comment for this story. 'CORBYN WITHOUT THE MADNESS'Named after the founder of the Labour Party, Keir Hardie, Starmer was brought up in a staunchly left-wing household.

Persons: Keir Starmer, Jessica Taylor, Handout, Gene Simmons, Simmons, Islam, Keir Starmer's, Jeremy Corbyn, we've, Starmer, Tony Blair, Rishi Sunak, Keir Hardie, Charlie Falconer, Claire Ainsley, Olaf Scholz, Australia's Anthony Albanese, Ainsley, Falconer, COVID, Keir, Mark Stephens, Blair, Starmer's, Andrew Cooper, David Cameron, Cooper, David Clarke Organizations: British Labour Party, REUTERS, Labour, Reuters, Keir Starmer's Labour Party, Conservatives, Conservative, Labour Party, Policy Institute, Labor Party, Public Prosecutions, Critics, Board, Police Service, Northern, Human, OF, DPP, of Human, Reigate Grammar, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Australia, Germany, U.S, Caribbean, Uganda, Reigate

☆ Rupert Murdoch has been watching too much 'Succession,' Brian Cox — the actor who played Logan Roy — joked as he weighed in on the media tycoon stepping down
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Brian Cox spoke with the BBC about his thoughts on Rupert Murdoch stepping back from chair of News Corp.Cox recounted how Murdoch's son-in-law once asked if the "Succession" writers could "be a bit nicer." Cox, who played a character inspired by Murdoch, criticized the tycoon's ability to "manipulate" politics. Murdoch announced last Thursday he was stepping down from running Fox and News Corp, and handing the reins to his eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch. "I think he's been watching too much 'Succession,' clearly," Cox joked of Murdoch's decision, in the BBC interview. "He's probably the most tenacious human on God's earth," Cox said of Murdoch.

Persons: Brian Cox, Rupert Murdoch, Cox, Murdoch's, Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, didn't, Jerry Hall, ‘, Logan Roy, Elisabeth Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch's, Tony Blair, David Cameron, Rishi Sunak, He's Organizations: BBC, News Corp, Service, Fox, 9AM, Daily Telegraph, Corp Locations: Wall, Silicon, Scottish

[1/4] An exterior view of the proposed site for the new China Embassy, near to Tower Bridge in London, Britain, June 23, 2023. That has led officials in Britain, which is trying to forge deeper economic ties post-Brexit, to fear it could also halt their own plans to rebuild its embassy in Beijing. Chinese officials told Reuters they suspected the British government had plotted to stop the embassy plans and orchestrated the local opposition. British officials, who declined to be identified, said they feared that London's plan to rebuild its embassy in Beijing would be affected. Residents say they are also worried about more local security issues.

Persons: Hannah McKay, Rishi Sunak, David Cameron, Xi Jinping, Michael Gove, Xi, Iain Duncan Smith, Dave Lake, Martin Quin Pollard, Kate Holton, Andrew Heavens Organizations: China Embassy, REUTERS, of, Reuters, British, Royal Mint, Conservative Party, Uyghur, Royal Mint Court Residents Association, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Beijing London, of London, Beijing, China, Europe, Washington, United States, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Sunak

☆ Inside Eton College, the exclusive boarding school that's been called 'the nursery of England's gentlemen' and counts Prince William and Eddie Redmayne among its graduates
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Taylor Nicole Rogers | Samantha Grindell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Eton College is an exclusive boarding school sometimes called "the nursery of England's gentlemen." Prince George was spotted touring the boarding school with his parents in June. Here's a look at the elite school Prince William, Tom Hiddleston, and Eddie Redmayne attended. Prince William, Prince Harry, Tom Hiddleston, and Eddie Redmayne are among its best-known alumni. Keep reading to take a look inside Eton College.

Persons: Prince George, Here's, Prince William, Tom Hiddleston, Eddie Redmayne, —, Prince Harry, David Cameron, Boris Johnson Organizations: Eton College, Service, Eton Locations: London, Windsor

☆ Former PM Cameron says Britain was prepared for flu-like pandemic rather than COVID
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, June 19 (Reuters) - Former prime minister David Cameron told an inquiry on Monday that Britain was prepared for a flu-type pandemic but not enough work was done in advance to confront an asymptomatic disease similar to COVID-19. Britain is holding an inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic after Britain recorded one of the world's highest death tolls. It could prove a headache for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was finance minister during the pandemic and faces an election expected next year. "When you think: what would be different if more time had been spent on a high-infectious asymptomatic pandemic, different recommendations would've been made about what was necessary to prepare for." Cameron's finance minister George Osborne will testify on Tuesday while Jeremy Hunt, the current finance minister and health minister under Cameron, will give evidence on Wednesday.

Persons: David Cameron, Hugo Keith, Rishi Sunak, Cameron, COVID, would've, George Osborne, Jeremy Hunt, Alistair Smout, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Thomson Locations: Britain

☆ Boris Johnson's honours list includes aides tied to ex-UK PM's 'Partygate' scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Andrew Macaskill | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, June 9 (Reuters) - Boris Johnson awarded his political aides and allies with some of Britain's highest honours to mark his resignation as prime minister, including some who attended parties in government buildings during COVID-19 lockdowns. Martin Reynolds, a senior civil servant and Johnson's former principal private secretary, was given an Order of the Bath award for public service. Labour Party deputy leader Angela Rayner called Johnson's honours list a "sickening insult". A Conservative member of parliament, who asked not to be named, said the list was "deeply embarrassing" and showed Johnson's lack of remorse. The former prime minister also approved honours for Conservative party politicians who have recently been caught in other scandals.

Persons: Boris Johnson, Martin Reynolds, Reynolds, Johnson, Dan Rosenfield, Jack Doyle, Angela Rayner, Ben Houchen, Conor Burns, Jacob Rees, Mogg, Simon Clarke, Priti Patel, Theresa May, David Cameron, Andrew MacAskill, Michael Holden, Mark Potter, Paul Simao Organizations: Bath, Labour Party, Conservative, Thomson Locations: COVID, Britain, British, Downing, lockdowns, Tees Valley

☆ Biden set to host Rishi Sunak for British PM’s first White House visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Stability in 10 Downing Street has allowed for better coordination on Ukraine, according to officials, and helped resolve a festering dispute over Northern Ireland trade rules. Ahead of the visit, Sunak cast his economic objectives as directly linked to the security agenda. When Biden met Sunak in San Diego earlier this year, he made reference to the condo the Stanford MBA graduate maintains in California. Yet that meeting was only a brief chat over tea; Biden spent most of his visit to Ireland exploring his ancestral roots. Sunak has been lobbying for the British defense secretary Ben Wallace, but other candidates are also thought to be under consideration.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Joe Biden, Sunak’s, Sunak, ”, He’s, “, Donald Trump, Biden, ” Biden, Few, Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, George W, Bush, Tony Blair, Barack Obama, David Cameron, bro ”, Biden’s, Thatcher, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Ben Wallace Organizations: CNN, United, Prime, Sky News, US, Russia, Britain, British, EU, Stanford, European Union, Group, White House, Biden, Northern Ireland, Downing Locations: Ukraine, Northern Ireland, Russia, Nova, Thursday’s, Washington, Ukraine’s Kherson, Europe, Silicon Valley, lockstep, London, San Diego, California, Britain, Japan, Belfast, Northern, Ireland

☆ Opinion | They Wrecked Britain, and They’re Not Going Anywhere
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Samuel Earle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON — As Britain prepares for the coronation of its new king, an end-of-days feeling is sweeping the nation. The Conservative Party is polling 15 points behind the opposition, and the popularity of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Conservatives’ fifth leader in seven years, remains obstinately low. No matter what happens in the next election, the historic vessel of Britain’s ruling class is not going anywhere. By many accounts, the Conservative Party is not just the oldest but also the most successful political party in the world. Next year, Tony Blair will be the only Labour leader to have won an election in half a century.

☆ EX-UK leader Boris Johnson nominates father for knighthood - report
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Times said Johnson had put forward as many as 100 names for awards. The newspaper did not specify what service Stanley Johnson's nomination was in acknowledgement of. All departing British leaders are entitled to draw up a "resignation honours" list that bestows knighthoods and other titles. Opposition Labour's health policy chief Wes Streeting told the BBC: "I think (his resignation honours list) speaks to a pattern of Boris Johnson's behaviour around cronyism." As prime minister, Johnson in 2020 elevated his brother Jo Johnson to the House of Lords, the upper chamber of parliament, where he has a seat for life.

☆ 'Bregret'? Many Brits are suffering from Brexit regret
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Polling suggests that a majority of Brits now think that the U.K. was wrong to leave the European Union. NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty ImagesLONDON — Almost seven years and four prime ministers since the U.K. voted to leave the European Union, polling suggests public sentiment has turned against Brexit. "The second thing is the increasing number of leave and other voters who are coming to see Brexit as having had negative economic impacts." But longer-term factors played a role, and he suggested that a lengthy stagnation in living standards, partly caused by the austerity policies introduced by David Cameron's government, contributed to the anger unleashed across working-class communities in the Brexit vote. Brexit being 'redefined' Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson won a landslide election victory in 2019 with a promise to "get Brexit done," touting an "oven-ready" withdrawal agreement he had negotiated with the European Union.

☆ UK pulls plug on top tech incubator after setting out to become 'world’s next Silicon Valley'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Created in 2010 under the premiership of ex-Prime Minister David Cameron, Tech Nation was a hallmark of the U.K.'s bid to create billion-dollar tech companies of global significance and rival the likes of Silicon Valley. It claims to have helped produce household names in the U.K.'s tech scene, with a diverse range of alumni on its projects hailing from the likes of Monzo, Revolut, Deliveroo , Just Eat , Darktrace and Ocado . According to Tech Nation, more than a third of all tech unicorns and decacorns created in the U.K. graduated from a Tech Nation program. Tech Nation graduates have also raised more than £28 billion ($35.4 billion) in funding to date. While 80% of startups fail in their first two to five years, over 95% of startups on Tech Nation's accelerator programs have gone on to scale, the group said.

☆ Nick Clegg led Meta's decision to reinstate Trump to Facebook and Instagram. Here's how the former UK deputy prime minister charmed his way into Mark Zuckerberg's inner circle.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Philip Webster | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +18 min

Nick Clegg has risen quickly to become one of Mark Zuckerberg's closest confidants at Meta. Clegg, a former UK deputy prime minister, led the decision to reinstate Donald Trump to Facebook. It was updated on February 16, 2022 following the news that Nick Clegg had been promoted to the role of President for Global Affairs. In a challenging economic climate, the Lib Dems and their Conservative coalition partners voted to raise tuition fees. Nick Clegg (left) and Chris Huhne appearing on the BBC's "The Andrew Marr Show" in October 2007.

☆ Vivienne Westwood, Britain's provocative dame of fashion, dead at 81
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Marie-Louise Gumuchian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/4] Designer Vivienne Westwood poses for a portrait before her catwalk show at London Fashion Week Men's in London, Britain June 12, 2017. "Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London. Instantly recognisable with her orange or white hair, Westwood first made a name for herself in punk fashion in 1970s London, dressing the punk rock band that defined the genre. Westwood used her public profile to champion issues including nuclear disarmament and to protest against anti-terrorism laws and government spending policies that hit the poor. "I've used fashion to challenge the status quo."

☆ A long-term illness crisis is threatening the UK economy
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Leon Neal/Getty ImagesLONDON — Along with sky-high inflation and energy costs, a Brexit-related trade tailspin and a recession in progress, the U.K. economy is being hammered by record numbers of workers reporting long-term sickness. Unlike other major economies, recent U.K. data shows no sign that these lost workers are returning to the labor market, even as inflation and energy costs exert huge pressure on household finances. The U.K. avoided mass job losses during the Covid-19 pandemic as the government's furlough program subsidized businesses to retain workers. "The U.K. was particularly vulnerable because of austerity — NHS waiting lists were rising sharply, and performance/satisfaction was falling sharply, well before the pandemic," Portes said. However, the report noted that this isn't a recent phenomenon, and the waiting list has been growing rapidly since 2012.watch now

REUTERS/Toby MelvilleLONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Net migration to the United Kingdom rose to a record high of around 504,000 in the year to June 2022, official statistics showed on Thursday, driven by an increase in the number of non-European Union nationals. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said a recovery of travel following COVID-19, and an increase in arrivals of international students who had been studying remotely during the pandemic had contributed to the rise. At the time then Prime Minister David Cameron had failed for several years to hit a net migration target of less than 100,000 a year. The previous record high for net migration was just over 330,000 in 2015. August saw the highest number of small boat arrivals of any month since data has been collected, it said.

☆ The UK has laid out a $65 billion package of tax rises and spending cuts to restore faith after political upheaval and a market storm
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The UK's finance minister Jeremy Hunt has laid out a £55 billion package of tax rises and spending cuts. The government wants to restore credibility after a prior tax plan drove the pound to an all-time low. The fiscal plan will be divided roughly equally between tax rises and spending cuts, Hunt said. That goes contrary to the tax plan laid out by former finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng, which called for huge tax cuts. Read more: UK inflation tops 11% to hit its highest level since 1981 as food and energy prices soar

☆ Remembrance Day: For one dissenting voice, this is his most dangerous day
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“Most Irish nationalists, most Irish Catholics in Northern Ireland regarded it as being not for them. “[It is a] sort of a badge, an emblem or totem of British imperialism, British colonialism.”‘The Troubles’McClean is one such dissenting voice. He was born and raised in Derry, a small town in Northern Ireland bordering the Republic. "The Troubles" split communities in Northern Ireland who still feel the affects more than 20 years later. At the time, he questioned the Northern Irish football team’s decision to play “God Save the Queen” as its national anthem.

☆ UK's Rishi Sunak becomes richest ever occupant of Number 10
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Alistair Smout | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The wealth of Sunak's family puts him above the previous richest prime minister, who according to the Guineas Book of World Records was Edward Stanley. "Rishi Sunak's words will do nothing to reassure struggling people worried sick about the winter ahead," leader of the pro-EU Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said, calling Sunak "out-of touch". The couple faced criticism and public anger in April over Murthy's "non-domiciled" tax status which meant she did not pay tax in Britain on her earnings abroad. "This is the same Rishi Sunak who as Chancellor failed to grow the economy, failed to get a grip on inflation, and failed to help families with the Tory cost of living crisis," Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said in statement on Monday. "And it's the same Rishi Sunak whose family avoided paying tax in this country before he put up taxes on everyone else."

Then, the former finance minister repeatedly described his predecessor's ideas as "fairytale" economics that would spook the markets. He will also be the first person of colour to become Britain's prime minister. "I grew up in the 80s and 90s, and I could not even imagine a non-white prime minister in my lifetime... COVID CHAMPIONSunak rose swiftly up the ranks of the Conservative Party, becoming, in 2020, one of the youngest finance ministers. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Britain, Sunak dropped the Conservatives' small-state instincts to borrow massively and stave off the risk of an economic depression.

☆ Factbox: Conservative leadership race: who will replace Liz Truss as UK prime minister?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Kate Holton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Oct 21 (Reuters) - A fast-tracked Conservative Party leadership election is underway to replace Liz Truss, who said on Thursday she would resign just six weeks after being appointed as British prime minister. If the person in second place does not drop out, then the Conservative Party membership will vote, with results announced by Friday. BORIS JOHNSONFormer prime minister Johnson, a journalist, has loomed large over British politics ever since he became London Mayor in 2008. Conservative lawmakers said Johnson, who has been on holiday in the Caribbean, could stand in the leadership contest and was taking soundings. Wallace, a former soldier, was defence minister for both Johnson and Truss, leading Britain's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

☆ Twitter is bowing down to Larry the Cat, Downing Street's Chief Mouser, for outlasting 4 prime ministers
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Larry the cat is Downing Street's Chief Mouser, and has worked there since February 15, 2011. When Truss leaves office, Larry the Cat will have outlasted four prime ministers. Larry, the official cat at the British prime minister's 10 Downing Street residence, holds the title of Chief Mouser. "The King has asked me to become Prime Minister because this nonsense has gone on long enough," read a tweet from the account on Thursday. One Twitter user posted a photoshopped image of Larry in front of a crowd holding signs that reads: "Larry for Leader."

☆ Factbox: Who are the candidates to replace UK PM Truss?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Kate Holton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Liz Truss said on Thursday she would resign as British prime minister just six weeks after she was appointed. A leadership election will be completed within the next week to replace Truss, who is the shortest serving prime minister in British history. Wallace, a former soldier, was defence minister for both Johnson and Truss, leading Britain's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Boris JohnsonFormer prime minister Johnson, a journalist, has loomed large over British politics ever since he became London Mayor in 2008. The Times reported that Johnson is expected to stand in the Conservative Party leadership contest.

LONDON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Britain's government on Monday named an experienced Treasury official as the finance ministry's new top civil servant, after unsettling investors last month by abruptly ousting his predecessor. He replaces Tom Scholar whose departure shortly after Kwasi Kwarteng became finance minister contributed to a drop in confidence among investors since Liz Truss took over as prime minister. The removal of Scholar broke the British convention that non-partisan officials remain in post after a change of political leadership. It came shortly before Kwarteng announced a string of unfunded tax cuts that caused turmoil in financial markets. Bowler's appointment came as a surprise after newspapers last week reported that Truss wanted someone new to the Treasury to take the department's top job.

Share this -Link copiedThe full order of service for the funeral at Westminster Abbey The funeral service for Queen Elizabeth II is underway at Westminster Abbey. Police officers patrol outside Westminster Abbey in London on Monday, ahead of the state funeral service for Queen Elizabeth II. The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II leaves Westminster Hall for her funeral service in Westminster Abbey. Around 2,300 police officers will line the route from Westminster Abbey to Windsor Castle and 1,000 police officers will line the route from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. Share this -Link copiedBuckingham Palace releases previously unseen portrait of queen Queen Elizabeth II, photographed at Windsor Castle in May 2022.

☆ Queen Elizabeth II funeral live updates: Britain, world say farewell to iconic monarch
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( Patrick Smith | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Yuliya-Talmazan-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +20 min

“Today I respectfully join leaders from Britain, Ireland & the international community at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II as she is laid to rest,” O’Neill tweeted. “Passengers can use their tickets on Tube and bus services instead,” the Heathrow Airport announced ahead of the queen’s funeral. Around 2,300 police officers will line the route from Westminster Abbey to Windsor Castle and 1,000 police officers will line the route from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. Share this -Link copiedBuckingham Palace releases previously unseen portrait of queen Queen Elizabeth II, photographed at Windsor Castle in May 2022. Ranald Mackechnie / PA This previously unseen photo of Queen Elizabeth II was released late Sunday by Buckingham Palace.

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