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Populist campaigner Nigel Farage makes an about-face and says he will run in the UK election
Read full article: Populist campaigner Nigel Farage makes an about-face and says he will run in the UK electionPro-Brexit, anti-immigration campaigner Nigel Farage is returning to front-line British politics.
UK's first Black female lawmaker 'free' to stand for Labour at election after row over her future
Read full article: UK's first Black female lawmaker 'free' to stand for Labour at election after row over her futureThe U.K.’s first Black female member of Parliament will be allowed to stand for the Labour Party in the upcoming general election, leader Keir Starmer says, following a fractious few days over her political future.
UK Parliament breaks up ahead of election day with pomp, ceremony and hard-nosed politics
Read full article: UK Parliament breaks up ahead of election day with pomp, ceremony and hard-nosed politicsBritain’s lawmakers left Parliament on Friday for the last time before an election is held in six weeks.
A UK election has been called for July 4. Here's what to know
Read full article: A UK election has been called for July 4. Here's what to knowThe United Kingdom will hold its first national election in five years in a country reeling from the cost-of-living crisis, the fallout from Israel-Hamas war and deep divisions over how to deal with migrants and asylum seekers crossing the English Channel from Europe on small inflatable boats.
A new Banksy mural sprouts beside a cropped tree in London. Many see an environmental message
Read full article: A new Banksy mural sprouts beside a cropped tree in London. Many see an environmental messageA new Banksy mural has drawn crowds to a London street, even before the elusive graffiti artist confirmed the work was his.
After years in opposition, Britain's Labour Party senses it's on the verge of regaining power
Read full article: After years in opposition, Britain's Labour Party senses it's on the verge of regaining powerMembers of Britain’s opposition Labour Party are gathering for their annual conference with an unfamiliar feeling: optimism.
Hero or villain? Rupert Murdoch’s exit stirs strong feelings in Britain, where he upended the media
Read full article: Hero or villain? Rupert Murdoch’s exit stirs strong feelings in Britain, where he upended the mediaRupert Murdoch stirs mixed feelings in Britain, where he transformed the media over half a century.
Assange lawyer dismisses US promises over extradition
Read full article: Assange lawyer dismisses US promises over extraditionA lawyer defending WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has argued that promises offered by the U.S. government that he would not be subjected to harsh prison conditions if he is extradited to face American justice are not enough to address concerns about his fragile mental health and high risk of suicide.
Europe's vaccine passes reveal some pockets of resistance
Read full article: Europe's vaccine passes reveal some pockets of resistanceItaly and France are introducing Europe's toughest vaccine pass regimes for normal social activities like dining indoors at restaurants, visiting museums and attending sporting events.
UK's Labour roiled by feud over anti-Semitism and Corbyn
Read full article: UK's Labour roiled by feud over anti-Semitism and CorbynBritain's former opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves his home in London, Wednesday Nov. 18, 2020. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)LONDON – The leader of Britain’s main opposition Labour Party said Wednesday that he won’t readmit ex-Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn to the party’s parliamentary caucus, accusing Corbyn of weakening efforts to stamp out anti-Semitism. Labour leader Keir Starmer said his predecessor had “undermined and set back our work in restoring trust and confidence in the Labour Party’s ability to tackle anti-Semitism.”Corbyn will continue to sit in Parliament, but as an independent lawmaker. Corbyn was suspended from the party last month in the wake of a scathing report by Britain’s equalities watchdog. He said he was acting because “the (Labour Party) disciplinary process does not have the confidence of the Jewish community.”Starmer was elected in April to lead the party.
Ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reinstated to UK party
Read full article: Ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reinstated to UK partyLONDON – Ex-Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said Tuesday he has been reinstated to the U.K. opposition party after a three-week suspension — a decision that touched off fury from Jewish leaders angry about anti-Semitism in Labour that flourished during his tenure. Corbyn was suspended after he said the problem of anti-Semitism in the party had been “dramatically overstated” for political reasons. His comment followed a scathing report from the U.K. equalities watchdog, which found “significant failings” and a “lack of leadership” in how the left-of-center party handled allegations of anti-Semitism among its members. The Jewish Labour Movement said it appeared Corbyn’s case had been “expedited” by a “factionally aligned political committee." “Once again we find ourselves having to remind the Labour Party that Jeremy Corbyn is not the victim of Labour anti-Semitism — Jewish members are,'' the group said.
UK Labour leader says anti-Semitism brings shame on party
Read full article: UK Labour leader says anti-Semitism brings shame on partyFormer party leader Jeremy Corbyn has been suspended by the party Thursday. (Labour Party via AP)LONDON – Officials in Britain's opposition Labour Party failed to stamp out anti-Semitism and committed “unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination,” the U.K. equalities watchdog said Thursday in a scathing report. Labour leader Keir Starmer promised “a culture change in the Labour Party,” saying there would be “no more denials or excuses." “It is a day of shame for the Labour Party,” Starmer said. “And you should be nowhere near the Labour Party, either.”Corbyn's allies condemned the decision to suspend him.
Everything you need to know about the first UK election debate
Read full article: Everything you need to know about the first UK election debateConservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will go head to head in the first of several debates. Here's what you need to know ahead of Tuesday's debate. The debate won't feature Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson, a decision that the party has reacted furiously to. Her exclusion means Brits won't hear from any parties opposed to Brexit -- though the Labour Party is advocating a second referendum on a deal. Before then, there will also be a Sky News debate between Johnson, Corbyn and Swinson on November 28.
UK Labour Party has 'large scale cyber attack' on digital platforms
Read full article: UK Labour Party has 'large scale cyber attack' on digital platformsLONDON - The UK's main opposition party says it has experienced a "sophisticated and large-scale cyber attack" on its digital platforms. In a statement to CNN, a Labour Party spokesperson said the attack had "failed" because of the party's "robust security systems." The UK is holding a snap general election on December 12 and the Labour Party is aiming to oust Boris Johnson's Conservatives from power. According to the PA news agency, Labour sources would not be drawn on the details of the attack or who they thought might be responsible. The Labour Party uses Cloudflare, a leading San Francisco company, to protect itself from DDoS attacks.
Britain's premier election debates won't include parties opposed to Brexit
Read full article: Britain's premier election debates won't include parties opposed to BrexitLiberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson has also been shut out of a November 19 debate that will be shown by UK broadcaster ITV. While both channels will show other debates with a broader range of candidates, the exclusion of the Liberal Democrats from the premier broadcasts means that Brits might not hear from parties opposed to Brexit. "The BBC decision to host a TV debate between two Brexiters is outrageous," the Liberal Democrats said Friday on Twitter. Corbyn's Labour Party wants to negotiate a new deal with Brussels, and then hold a referendum that would include the option for the United Kingdom to remain in the bloc. Following a dismal showing in the 2017 general election, the Liberal Democrats have rallied voters to their cause by promising to stop Brexit.
British Labour Party deputy leader Tom Watson to stand down
Read full article: British Labour Party deputy leader Tom Watson to stand downWatson, 52, has clashed publicly with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn several times, most notably over Brexit policy and how to handle allegations of anti-Semitism within the party. The decision is personal, not political," Watson said in a letter to Corbyn, adding he would continue as deputy leader until December 12 to help Labour contest its election campaign. Unlike other British political parties, Labour deputy leaders are elected by party members and have an independent power base. A leading centrist and pro-European voice within the Labour Party, Watson had previously lent his support to a second Brexit referendum. In a letter posted online Wednesday, Corbyn thanked Watson for his contribution to the Labour Party.
Brexit standoff could lead to elections
Read full article: Brexit standoff could lead to electionsOn Thursday afternoon, the Prime Minister said that he would give lawmakers more time to scrutinize his Brexit deal, but only if they agreed to an election on December 12. In the aftermath of the Queen's Speech vote, opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn doubled down on his long-held party line that they want "no-deal off the table." And of course, by that point, Johnson might have broken his campaign promise to get Brexit done by October 31. Johnson will no doubt prefer any election to take place after Parliament has passed his Brexit deal and formally left the EU. The latter has already called his Brexit deal worse than Theresa May's and the former cannot be relied on to get anything through Parliament -- including his deal.
As October deadline approaches, Brexit plans flounder
Read full article: As October deadline approaches, Brexit plans flounderLONDON - The chances of Britain leaving the European Union with a deal on October 31 are fading fast. It would prefer Britain to remain in the European Union but has deep misgivings about Corbyn's tax and nationalization agenda. They might hold a second referendum on Brexit, and the public could return a vote against leaving the European Union. Calling off Brexit would boost private consumption, which accounts for two thirds of the UK economy. "This will stick with the UK economy for a long time," he said.
Britain's Labour Party won't campaign against Brexit for now
Read full article: Britain's Labour Party won't campaign against Brexit for nowA grassroots motion to "back remain now" was voted down at the Labour Party's annual conference in Brighton, a boost to party leader Jeremy Corbyn. LONDON - Britain's Labour Party is staying put on Brexit. The Labour Party would decide what it will back in a special conference held after a general election. "I do not believe this decision reflects the views of the overwhelming majority of Labour members who desperately want to stop Brexit. Labour IS a Remain party," London Mayor Sadiq Khan said in a tweet.
Boris Johnson's Brexit options are bad
Read full article: Boris Johnson's Brexit options are badThe British Prime Minister has been cornered by his own political missteps and parliamentary defeats. Johnson could try to bypass the super-majority hurdle by putting down a new piece of legislation that would effectively override the current election law. Johnson's minority problemThe Prime Minister lost his working parliamentary majority earlier this week when a Conservative MP dramatically defected at the start of his first speech after the summer recess. Because he, just like the Prime Minister, knows all too well that an election is Johnson's only way out. "There would be a motion for Jeremy Corbyn to be the caretaker Prime Minister, and that would fail," Dunt said.
Boris Johnson fails in attempt to call snap general election
Read full article: Boris Johnson fails in attempt to call snap general electionIn a third stinging defeat in two days, the House of Commons roundly dismissed the UK Prime Minister's demand for an election. Corbyn said he would support an election once legislation that would prevent a no-deal Brexit -- approved in defiance of Johnson earlier in the evening -- was enacted. One of those ejected from the party, former foreign office minister Alistair Burt, savaged Johnson in the House of Commons. "We are quite aware that we [the EU] are being used as the back drop for a Johnson election campaign," one diplomat told CNN. Johnson has declared himself determined not to take the option of a no-deal Brexit off the table, arguing that the threat of a chaotic departure makes his negotiating position stronger.
Boris Johnson takes huge gamble over Brexit
Read full article: Boris Johnson takes huge gamble over BrexitAnd he made good on threats he would seek a general election, tabling a motion that called for a vote mid-October. But there are still quite a few hurdles -- and risks -- for Johnson to contend with before the UK gets its third general election in less than five years. Could Johnson split the Conservative party? It's the Brexit Party rebadged." And that means getting the support of the opposition Labour Party.
Backlash grows against Boris Johnson's decision to suspend Parliament
Read full article: Backlash grows against Boris Johnson's decision to suspend ParliamentLONDON - Boris Johnson's surprise decision to suspend the British parliament in the runup to the next Brexit deadline appears to have had its desired effect. Minutes earlier, another senior Conservative, George Young, resigned from the front bench in the House of Lords in protest at Johnson's suspension of Parliament. In his resignation letter, seen by CNN, he said Johnson's decision risked "undermining" the role of Parliament at a "critical time" in the country's history. Challenges to Johnson's decision were also filed in separate courts by a cross-party group of 70 MPs and peers and the prominent anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller. While it is common for governments to suspend Parliament in the run-up to a Queen's Speech, critics have been irked by the timing of Johnson's move.