Displaying items by tag: Politics

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has defended his hardline immigration plan, ‘Operation Restoring Justice’, which would see all illegal Channel crossings - including those by women and children - met with deportation if his party won power. He argued that the proposals align with Britain’s Judeo-Christian heritage, despite opposition from Church leaders, whom he accused of being 'out of touch' with ordinary believers. Farage suggested that criticism from bishops and 'The Establishment' was inevitable, but insisted meaningful change often comes through struggle. His plan includes withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, scrapping the Human Rights Act, and suspending treaties used by courts to block deportations. Labour dismissed the proposals as an 'unworkable gimmick,' while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Reform of copying Tory policies. The announcement follows rising protests near asylum seeker accommodation and record asylum claims in 2024. Reform UK claims it could deport up to 600,000 people in its first term. See

Opposition leader Julius Malema has been found guilty of hate speech by the country’s equality court after inflammatory remarks he made at a 2022 rally. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) chief, known for provocative statements, said that ‘a revolution demands that at some point there must be killing’, following an incident where a white man allegedly assaulted a party member. The court ruled that while condemning racism is acceptable, these words amounted to incitement to violence. Malema and his party rejected the judgment, saying the words had been taken out of context. The conviction adds to Malema’s history of controversy, including a ban from entering the UK and criticism from Donald Trump for incendiary remarks and songs. His case underscores the continuing struggle with racial tensions in South Africa more than three decades after apartheid ended.

A record eight million people are now claiming Universal Credit (UC), the highest since its 2013 introduction, and a sharp increase from 6.9 million in July 2024. This has largely been driven by a surge in those not expected to work due to long-term illness, caring responsibilities, or being over pension age. This category grew by 39% in a year, now totalling 3.7 million. UC supports both unemployed individuals and low-income workers, with 2.2 million claimants currently in work. London has one of the highest claimant numbers, with over 364,000 people receiving benefits. A new breakdown by immigration status reveals that 83.8% of claimants are British or Irish nationals, 9.6% hold EU settled status, and smaller proportions are refugees or humanitarian arrivals. The Government has pledged welfare reforms, citing an ‘unsustainable benefits bill’. The figures highlight ongoing challenges with health, employment, and cost-of-living pressures affecting millions across the UK.

The Government faces a £41.2 billion shortfall that could force Rachel Reeves to raise taxes this autumn to meet her own borrowing rules, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR). Reeves has pledged that day-to-day spending will be covered by tax revenue and that national debt must fall as a share of income within five years. NIESR recommends moderate tax rises, including reforming council tax and expanding the scope of VAT, to reassure investors. Labour has previously ruled out tax hikes on 'working people’, but Reeves now faces a difficult balance between honouring manifesto promises, controlling debt, and funding public services. NIESR also urged the Government to focus on growth, productivity, and welfare reform. The poorest 10% remain worse off than before Covid. With sluggish growth projected, the autumn Budget is expected to be the most challenging of this Parliament. Breaking news: the Bank of England has cut its interest rate to the lowest for four years, which will benefit those paying mortgages. See

Japan’s prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, is expected to resign following a major electoral defeat that saw his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lose its coalition majority in the upper house. Ishiba, who has held office for less than a year, has struggled with waning public support and the rise of nationalist parties like Sanseito, which campaigned on a 'Japanese first' platform. The LDP has faced increasing pressure over issues such as inflation, a shrinking workforce, and growing immigration concerns - areas populist groups have capitalised on. Despite initially pledging to remain in office, Ishiba is now consulting former prime ministers about his future. He is also pursuing a controversial $550 billion trade deal with the United States that would lower tariffs on Japanese goods in exchange for greater U.S. market access. While the proposed deal has economic significance, Ishiba’s political fate appears sealed. Observers warn that the shifting political landscape could steer Japan towards more nationalist policies if moderate leadership continues to weaken. see

A deepening rift between prime minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Apostolic Church, is threatening to polarise the nation of three million. Tensions erupted after Pashinyan accused Catholicos Karekin II, the Church’s spiritual head, of fathering a child and supporting a coup plot, allegations Karekin denies. The conflict, rooted partly in fallout from Armenia’s 2020 defeat in the Nagorno-Karabakh war, has escalated with arrests of senior clergy and opposition figures, sparking alarms over religious freedom and national unity. Church bells rang an alarm at St Echmiadzin, historically reserved for invasions, signalling the detention of Archbishop Mikael Adjapakhyan, who was later arrested alongside others accused of plotting a coup. The dispute intertwines personal grievances, political rivalries, and historical tensions linked to the powerful 'Karabakh clan'. The World Council of Churches has voiced deep concern, calling for wisdom and justice to prevail. Meanwhile, Armenians fear the confrontation may fracture their society further, both politically and spiritually. See

MPs have voted overwhelmingly to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000, with 385 in favour and 26 against. Home secretary Yvette Cooper defended the move, stating that violence and serious criminal damage have no place in legitimate protest. Critics, however, warn that the decision could chill free expression, likening it to punishing suffragette-style activism. The move follows incidents such as activists vandalising planes at RAF Brize Norton and blockading defence firm Elbit Systems, aiming to disrupt UK arms links to Israel. Protesters outside Parliament condemned the Government for hypocrisy and accused it of suppressing effective dissent. Palestine Action insists its tactics, though disruptive, are non-violent and necessary to oppose alleged human rights abuses in Gaza. However, once the ban is approved by the House of Lords, membership or support of the group could carry prison sentences of up to fourteen years. The decision has sparked fierce debate over balancing security and civil liberties.

A major new poll suggests that Nigel Farage’s Reform party would win the most seats if a general election were held today—securing 271 seats. This would mark a dramatic political shift, as support for the two traditional parties has plummeted, with Labour and the Conservatives together polling at just 41%. Labour would drop to 178 seats, while the Tories would fall to fourth place with only 46. The Liberal Democrats would gain nine seats, reaching 81, while the SNP, Greens, and Plaid Cymru would also increase their presence. Despite Reform's lead, no party would hold a majority, meaning coalition negotiations would be inevitable. The results point to a fragmented electorate and growing voter dissatisfaction with the political status quo. Analysts see this as a watershed moment in British politics, reflecting deep-seated frustrations and a yearning for radical change.

The Wildlife Trusts have challenged claims made during a recent Commons debate on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, accusing ministers of misrepresenting the impact of environmental protections on housing development. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook suggested that safeguards like nutrient neutrality were obstructing housebuilding. However, a growing weight of evidence indicates otherwise. For example, a recent survey of 500 councillors found environmental issues ranked 20th among 24 causes of delay; skills shortages in the building sector and developer land banking were much more significant. Evidence also shows that irreplaceable habitats are at risk due to proposed changes in part 3 of the bill, which would weaken the habitats regulations by introducing a more subjective 'overall improvement test.' The Office for Environmental Protection warns this could allow harmful developments in ancient woodlands and other vital habitats. Despite over 30,000 public emails to MPs and cross-party concerns, the Government has not committed to full revisions. The Wildlife Trusts are urging ministers to abandon unfounded claims about environmental 'blockers' and adopt a more evidence-based approach that balances housing needs with robust nature protection.

Argentina’s supreme court has upheld a six-year prison sentence for former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner on corruption charges, barring her permanently from public office. The ruling sparked protests in Buenos Aires, where her supporters accused the court of serving the nation’s economic elite. Fernández de Kirchner, who led Argentina from 2007 to 2015, was convicted in 2022 of directing irregular public works contracts to an ally. She denounced the decision as politically motivated and appealed, but the court stated that it was ‘based on the abundance of evidence produced’, and said that her conviction did nothing more than protect Argentina’s democratic system. President Javier Milei, her fierce political rival, welcomed the verdict. The decision seems to mark the end of a significant chapter in Argentine politics, just days after Kirchner had launched a campaign for the Buenos Aires legislative elections in September. She has five days to turn herself in to the authorities, but her lawyer has requested house arrest due to her age (she is 72).