Updated : 18/07/2025

Politics Independent 18/07/2025 11:16:31 PM Will lowering the voting age to 16 help Labour keep power? Ex-minister claims he was misled over fate of Afghan elite soldiers Starmer and Merz sign new UK-German treaty in boost for travellers 16-year-olds to be given vote at next election in landmark change Intelligence committee demands answers over Afghan data breach Are suspended Labour MPs undisciplined? Readers have their say Wealth tax questions answered – from rich exodus to Labour’s silence Britain will lower its voting age to 16 in a bid to strengthen democracy Labour minister Jess Phillips says rebel MPs right to be punished Not our finest hour: Our allies risked it all – and we abandoned them Labour voters back junior doctors in five-day NHS strike row What does rising inflation mean for interest rates – and the Budget? Angry Starmer warns Tories ‘have questions to answer’ over data breach Keir Starmer suspends Labour rebels after repeated backbench revolts MP thanks passengers for intervening as she was hassled on Underground Rachel Reeves inadvertently breached rules on freebies, watchdog finds Labour voters back doctors in five-day strike row in challenge to Wes Streeting 16-year-olds to be given vote at next election in landmark change Keir Starmer suspends Labour rebels after repeated backbench revolts HMRC has no idea how much tax billionaires are paying, report finds Is Reeves’ mortgage gamble her last throw of the dice? Reeves vows to ‘take the boot of regulation off throat of businesses’ Will Reeves’s mortgage reforms help to ease the housing crisis? Is Reeves’ mortgage gamble her last throw of the dice? Reeves vows to ‘take the boot of regulation off throat of businesses’ Will Reeves’s mortgage reforms help to ease the housing crisis? UK aid cuts ‘careful and responsible’ compared to US, minister claims EU ministers discuss deal with Israel to increase Gaza aid Taxes won’t rise for people on ‘modest incomes’, minister vows Doctors ‘unconscionable’ for not telling hospitals about strike plans Starmer is fixing Tories ‘sloppy’ implementation of Brexit, says Trump Reeves to bet the house on economic growth by loosening mortgage rules Peter Mandelson says Trump should expect ‘warm reception’ on UK visit Reform defector left Tories in selection row involving ex-PM’s husband Why wouldn’t a wealth tax work in Britain? Readers say UK must fully commit to rejoin EU – including the euro Doctors say 5-day walkout will go ahead even if heatwave alerts issued Most people in top EU countries want UK to reverse Brexit, poll finds Doctors and Streeting set for showdown talks to avoid 5-day NHS strike Labour minister hints at tax hikes for middle class and wealthy Which tax rises could be introduced to fill UK’s financial black hole? Barack and Michelle Obama address divorce rumours Trump keeps adding more gold to the Oval Office in 'Pimp My White House' move Shane Gillis stings Donald Trump with brutal Epstein Files joke Reform UK selects 18-year-old to run county council What is Starmer’s ‘one-in, one out’ migrant deal and will it work? Kemi Badenoch privately opposing energy project in her constituency Starmer’s migrant deal a ‘publicity stunt that won’t win back voters’ How Rayner became the most influential figure in government – for now Unite boss accuses Rayner of ‘totally and utterly abhorrent’ behaviour

BBC Politics 18/07/2025 11:16:26 PM Obvious Labour leadership wants me out, Diane Abbott tells BBC MP Diane Abbott has been suspended by the Labour Party pending an investigation. Personal details of UK special forces and spies were included in Afghan data breach Posted Which parties could benefit from lower voting age? Attribution Met Police to close half its front desks following budget cuts Attribution Plans for direct train to Berlin in new UK-Germany treaty Attribution Voting age to be lowered to 16 by next general election Attribution Starmer says he had to 'deal with' rebel Labour MPs Attribution Starmer's chief of staff is top paid special adviser Attribution Starmer stamps authority with MP suspensions, but risks appearing vindictive Attribution Government spends £53m on domestic violence programme Attribution Reform council agrees plan to share data with savings unit Attribution Lib Dems back 'pot zero' plan to cut energy bills Attribution How will votes at 16 and changes to voter ID work? Attribution What we know so far about Afghan data breach Attribution Three key questions after Afghan data breach sparked unprecedented secret evacuation Attribution Is there a secret formula for election-winning slogans? Attribution Welfare cuts: What are the Pip and universal credit changes? Attribution From our Political Editor Chris Mason Chris Mason: Why Labour had little choice but to suspend Diane Abbott again Attribution Starmer stamps authority with MP suspensions, but risks appearing vindictive Attribution Starmer and Macron plead for patience in an impatient world Attribution Migrant deal will be seen as failure if numbers don't fall Attribution What happens inside the government's crisis room Attribution Labour might be down, but it's not necessarily out - voters reflect on a year in power Attribution Starmer's stormy first year: Why his political honeymoon was so short-lived Attribution Crisis - which crisis? Israel-Iran another huge challenge for government Attribution Labour tiptoed cautiously through its first year - will it now decide to escape its own shadow? Attribution The country where the left (not the far right) made hardline immigration laws Attribution Votes for 16-year-olds? Teenagers react. Video, 00:01:09Votes for 16-year-olds? Teenagers react Attribution Reporter Reads. What's the secret formula for election-winning slogans? Audio, 7 minutesReporter ReadsWhat's the secret formula for election-winning slogans? Attribution Reporter Reads. Reform's momentum is making the political weather. Audio, 4 minutesReporter ReadsReform's momentum is making the political weather Attribution Watch: PM talks about his 'good personal relationship' with Trump. Video, 00:01:01Watch: PM talks about his 'good personal relationship' with Trump Attribution Chancellor Rachel Reeves: 'I had a tough day' Video, 00:00:32Chancellor Rachel Reeves: 'I had a tough day' Attribution 03:42Obvious Labour leadership wants me out, Diane Abbott tells BBC, published at 03:42Obvious Labour leadership wants me out, Diane Abbott tells BBC Attribution 00:53Chris Mason: Why Labour had little choice but to suspend Diane Abbott again, published at 00:53Chris Mason: Why Labour had little choice but to suspend Diane Abbott again Attribution 20:33 17 JulyStarmer's chief of staff is top paid special adviser, published at 20:33 17 JulyStarmer's chief of staff is top paid special adviser Attribution 20:09 17 JulyTrump confirms upcoming visits to Turnberry and Aberdeen, published at 20:09 17 JulyTrump confirms upcoming visits to Turnberry and Aberdeen Attribution 19:58 17 JulyMet Police to close half its front desks following budget cuts, published at 19:58 17 JulyMet Police to close half its front desks following budget cuts Attribution 18:55 17 JulyWhich parties could benefit from lower voting age?, published at 18:55 17 JulyWhich parties could benefit from lower voting age? Attribution 17:32 17 JulyStarmer says he had to 'deal with' rebel Labour MPs, published at 17:32 17 JulyStarmer says he had to 'deal with' rebel Labour MPs Attribution 17:25 17 JulyPlans for direct train to Berlin in new UK-Germany treaty, published at 17:25 17 JulyPlans for direct train to Berlin in new UK-Germany treaty Attribution 17:04 17 JulyAfghans express fear for relatives' safety after UK data leak, published at 17:04 17 JulyAfghans express fear for relatives' safety after UK data leak Attribution 16:53 17 JulyMystery reptiles delay new school opening, published at 16:53 17 JulyMystery reptiles delay new school opening Attribution 15:52 17 July'We cannot fix potholes without more funding', published at 15:52 17 July'We cannot fix potholes without more funding' Attribution 15:28 17 JulyHow will votes at 16 and changes to voter ID work?, published at 15:28 17 JulyHow will votes at 16 and changes to voter ID work? Attribution 15:27 17 JulyVoting age to be lowered to 16 by next general election, published at 15:27 17 JulyVoting age to be lowered to 16 by next general election Attribution 14:37 17 JulyReform council agrees plan to share data with savings unit, published at 14:37 17 JulyReform council agrees plan to share data with savings unit Attribution 14:02 17 JulyLabour looking into Abbott's comments about racism, published at 14:02 17 JulyLabour looking into Abbott's comments about racism Attribution 13:59 17 JulyShop boss called sexual harassment 'harmless behaviour', published at 13:59 17 JulyShop boss called sexual harassment 'harmless behaviour' Attribution 12:43 17 July'Unaffordable' net zero targets scrapped by council, published at 12:43 17 July'Unaffordable' net zero targets scrapped by council Attribution 11:57 17 JulyGovernment spends £53m on domestic violence programme, published at 11:57 17 JulyGovernment spends £53m on domestic violence programme Attribution 11:43 17 July'We want to prevent more deaths on our roads', published at 11:43 17 July'We want to prevent more deaths on our roads' Attribution 10:30 17 JulyVotes for 16-year-olds? Teenagers react. Video, 00:01:09, published at 10:30 17 JulyVotes for 16-year-olds? Teenagers react Attribution 10:11 17 JulyGuernsey could benefit from youth mobility scheme, published at 10:11 17 JulyGuernsey could benefit from youth mobility scheme Attribution 07:30 17 JulyRural area 'haemorrhaging' young people, published at 07:30 17 JulyRural area 'haemorrhaging' young people Attribution 06:40 17 JulyStarmer stamps authority with MP suspensions, but risks appearing vindictive, published at 06:40 17 JulyStarmer stamps authority with MP suspensions, but risks appearing vindictive Attribution Why you can trust BBC News Best of the BBC Step into the world of luxury holidays Attribution Love and fatherhood in noughties Brixton Attribution Will Alison and Daniel be in tune again? Attribution The reality of relationships in the spotlight Attribution Make an editorial complaint Read about our approach to external linking. Politics.co.uk 13/12/2024 12:31:53 PM Your daily horoscope Friday December 13, 2024 33 Best dressed celebrities in December 2024: Nicole Kidman, Ariana Grande & more Billboards 2024: Taylor Swift becomes the most decorated artist in history 21 empties our beauty experts finished in 2024 - from £2! 17 unmissable things to do in magical London in December 2024

The Spectator 18/07/2025 11:16:32 PM Labour’s votes for teenagers ruse will backfire Down with the middle class Britain fought on the wrong side of the first world war Could Japan soon be governed by chatbots? The crimes of Cecil Rhodes were every bit as sinister as those of the Nazis The left-wing case for controlled immigration The enigma of Tiger Woods new issue Ex-Tory MPs denied special treatment for 2029 election Rayner’s youth blunder Labour’s votes for teenagers ruse will backfire Lefty MPs accept Glastonbury tickets in freebie U-turn Will 16-year-olds vote Labour? Burghart: It’s the economy, stupid Will Labour suspend Diane Abbott – again? NHS diversity officer: I don’t know my own sex The crimes of Cecil Rhodes were every bit as sinister as those of the Nazis Britain fought on the wrong side of the first world war Labour’s votes for teenagers ruse will backfire Down with the middle class Why you should never trust a travel writer The radical vegan ‘Zizians’ are the cult we deserve Down with the middle class Why you should never trust a travel writer The joys of mudlarking Why wealth taxes don’t work Labour is risking the future of racing Who does Stewart Lee think he is? From Spectator Life Are we the new hillbillies? From Spectator Life Do we really need state-funded restaurants? From Spectator Life Picture perfect: Locatelli at the National Gallery reviewed Why you should never trust a travel writer Who does Stewart Lee think he is? From Spectator Life Broke Britain: how the Bank of England wrecked the economy In February 2020, a few weeks before Britain was thrown into lockdown, Sajid Javid resigned as chancellor of the exchequer over a bust-up with the prime ministers chief adviser, Dominic Cummings. The fight was thought to be over Cummingss attempts to dictate who could and could not work in No. 11. In fact, it was Woke coke: would you drink Gaza Cola? The left-wing case for controlled immigration How I got under Macron’s skin Could Japan soon be governed by chatbots? A bland, reverential portrait of a socialist martyr: Nye at the Olivier Theatre reviewed A latter-day exercise in Dada: Nature Theater of Oklahoma reviewed A cross between Peter Rabbit and Queen Victoria: Bliss: The Composer Conducts reviewed The Alfred Hitchcock of British painting A theatrical one-woman show: Billie Eilish at the OVO Hydro, Glasgow reviewed Definitely the film of the week: Four Letters of Love reviewed The joys of mudlarking Are we the new hillbillies? From Spectator Life

New Statesman 18/07/2025 11:16:31 PM Diane Abbott v the Labour Party The veteran MP reopened a racism row in a new interview – and now her suspension is widely expected. Gaza will radicalise a generation Why Keir Starmer has purged Labour rebels again Israel’s calculus on Syria How will teenage voters transform politics? In defence of Lord Hermer The great Afghan cover-up PMQs review: The Afghan data scandal hits Westminster Wes Streeting: This is a government of and for the working class What Britain owes Afghanistan A question of intent On Israel and Gaza. By Jonathan Sumption Are Unite and Labour heading for divorce? Evita for the West End masses Xi Jinping’s daddy issues A stable future for Gaza is a distant prospect Who is an acceptable migrant? Doctors are striking over the shambles that’s been made of their careers 1. Gaza will radicalise a generation This is Gen Z’s Vietnam. 2. Diane Abbott v the Labour Party 3. In defence of Lord Hermer 4. Israel’s calculus on Syria 5. How will teenage voters transform politics? The great Afghan cover-up This data breach is a humiliation of the British state – and its pretensions to intervene abroad. Are Unite and Labour heading for divorce? The Corbyn-Sultana party might help Keir Starmer The OBR is always wrong A day out with Jeremy Corbyn’s new party Unite’s dirty war on Angela Rayner Keir Starmer’s credit arrears Donald Trump can’t escape Jeffrey Epstein The President has sown the country with conspiracy – now he is reaping the paranoia he deserves. Trump is serious about getting tough on Putin. No, really Don’t tell Emmanuel Macron – but he’s a normal politician now Trump-Dependence Day in Washington DC Israel’s hollow victory Trump’s “big, beautiful” tax bill is a big, beautiful opportunity for the Democrats Ayatollah Khamenei faces a nuclear nightmare Is Keir Starmer “bold and brave” to suspend rebels? How to defeat Reform UK SEND: Labour’s next backbench battle Was exorcising “the ghost of Jeremy Corbyn” a fatal mistake for Labour? The Leopard and the ruins of history The thwarted Marxist of Balliol Theodore Roosevelt, the Tories’ new philosopher-king The prophet of the new right David Rieff foretells the fate of woke The left after Trump Six journeys that changed the world The 20th century, for better and for worse, was the communist century. By Robert Service Oasis are the greatest Irish band of all time The Great Men of history 2.0 The picturesque picaresque of Barry Lyndon Lena Dunham has made TV funny again Lana Del Rey’s Deep South fantasia Henley Regatta’s parade of manners Let the non-doms leave Is Nigel Farage right about the Bank of England? Britain’s industrial strategy in an age of energy crises What the Treasury can learn from Donald Trump Welcome to HMO Britain How AI could transform Wigan Local government is adopting AI, but careful thought is needed Learning from the past makes better policy Does the UK need an AI Act? Ed Miliband’s quiet victory At what cost assisted dying? A question of intent What teenagers can teach us about love Xi Jinping’s daddy issues Mental health: The productivity puzzle Digital sovereignty should sit at the core of the UK’s AI strategy Energy storage must not be overlooked on the road to net zero  Cyber attacks are evolving – so too must government response