The Home Office announced on Sunday that it would be granting police forces new powers to put conditions on repeat demonstrations.
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That means if a protest has taken place at the same site for weeks on end and caused “repeated disorder”, officers could force organisers to hold the event elsewhere.
The Home Office said anyone who breaches these conditions risk arrest and prosecution.
It comes after the Met Police arrested nearly 500 people at protest against the proscription of the Palestine Action group in London on Saturday.
The march went ahead despite calls from the government and the police for the protests to be postponed out of respect for Thursday’s deadly synagogue attack in Manchester where two people were killed.
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Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said current legislation is also being reviewed to make sure it is being applied fully.
Mahmood said: “The right to protest is a fundamental freedom in our country. However, this freedom must be balanced with the freedom of their neighbours to live their lives without fear.”
She added: “Large, repeated protests can leave sections of our country, particularly religious communities, feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared to leave their homes.
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“This has been particularly evident in relation to the considerable fear within the Jewish community, which has been expressed to me on many occasions in these recent difficult days.”
Speaking on LBC, the home secretary defended the new measures and insisted it was a good use of police time.
She said: “I have no truck with this argument that suggest that police resources are better deployed elsewhere, enabling mass criminality by people who have a political point to make.”
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LBC presenter Lewis Goodall said that human rights organisations are starting to accuse Britain of “showing authoritarian tendency” by arresting people for doing nothing more than “holding up placard”.
She replied: “What Britain is doing is making sure the law of our land is maintained.
“It is not ‘holding up a placard’, and I really must pick you up on that, Lewis, in holding up a placard, you are breaking the law because you are supporting a proscribed organisation.”
Shabana Mahmood denies that the government is showing signs of ‘authoritarianism’ as they continue to clamp down on peaceful protest. pic.twitter.com/FzByKvbPVb
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Shabana Mahmood denies that the government is showing signs of ‘authoritarianism’ as they continue to clamp down on peaceful protest. pic.twitter.com/FzByKvbPVb
Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn, who used to be Labour leader, described the crackdown as a “disgraceful assault on the right to protest”.
Many other critics compared it to the Conservatives’ enhancement of police powers during their time in office, and claimed Labour were “giving the incoming Reform government everything they could wish for”.
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Jeremy Corbyn","author_url":"https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn","cache_age":86400,"description":"A disgraceful assault on the right to protest. The UK government is complicit in genocide. Anyone who understands the meaning of these words knows full well why we continue to speak out.See you on 11 October for the largest demonstration for Palestine in British history. https://t.co/5ut9TV5wIy— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 5, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Jeremy Corbyn on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn/status/1974788815261999220","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isMobile":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"68e243d9e4b0d3ae4b89ff22","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-accused-of-being-worse-than-tories-amid-new-protest-clampdown_uk_68e243d9e4b0d3ae4b89ff22","entryTagsList":"lbc,shabana-mahmood","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"isShopping":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":9},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"68e243d9e4b0d3ae4b89ff22","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"LBC","slug":"lbc","links":{"relativeLink":"news/lbc","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/lbc","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/lbc"},"relegenceId":3547103,"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/lbc/"},{"name":"shabana mahmood","slug":"shabana-mahmood","links":{"relativeLink":"news/shabana-mahmood","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/shabana-mahmood","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/shabana-mahmood"},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/shabana-mahmood/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"backfillRelatedArticles":[],"cetUnit":"buzz_body","enableIncontentPlayer":false,"bodyAds":["
I can’t possibly see this being misused! Zero chance that people who don’t like pro Palestine protests will see their own causes affected! There’s no chance whatsoever that the government could seek to clamp down on protests on domestic issues! https://t.co/23w7Eh1T48
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Christopher Waller","author_url":"https://twitter.com/christhebull","cache_age":86400,"description":"I can’t possibly see this being misused! Zero chance that people who don’t like pro Palestine protests will see their own causes affected! There’s no chance whatsoever that the government could seek to clamp down on protests on domestic issues! https://t.co/23w7Eh1T48— Christopher Waller (@christhebull) October 5, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Christopher Waller on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/christhebull/status/1974763198206362001","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isMobile":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"68e243d9e4b0d3ae4b89ff22","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-accused-of-being-worse-than-tories-amid-new-protest-clampdown_uk_68e243d9e4b0d3ae4b89ff22","entryTagsList":"lbc,shabana-mahmood","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"isShopping":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":9},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"68e243d9e4b0d3ae4b89ff22","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"LBC","slug":"lbc","links":{"relativeLink":"news/lbc","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/lbc","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/lbc"},"relegenceId":3547103,"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/lbc/"},{"name":"shabana mahmood","slug":"shabana-mahmood","links":{"relativeLink":"news/shabana-mahmood","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/shabana-mahmood","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/shabana-mahmood"},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/shabana-mahmood/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"backfillRelatedArticles":[],"cetUnit":"buzz_body","enableIncontentPlayer":false,"bodyAds":["
I can’t possibly see this being misused! Zero chance that people who don’t like pro Palestine protests will see their own causes affected! There’s no chance whatsoever that the government could seek to clamp down on protests on domestic issues! https://t.co/23w7Eh1T48
Remember – the restrictions on free speech that you support for those who you disagree with, will one day be used to restrict your free speech. https://t.co/fZS41KCCd3
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Helena Horton","author_url":"https://twitter.com/horton_official","cache_age":86400,"description":"Remember – the restrictions on free speech that you support for those who you disagree with, will one day be used to restrict your free speech. https://t.co/fZS41KCCd3— Helena Horton (@horton_official) October 5, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Helena Horton on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/horton_official/status/1974774786585923650","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isMobile":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"68e243d9e4b0d3ae4b89ff22","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-accused-of-being-worse-than-tories-amid-new-protest-clampdown_uk_68e243d9e4b0d3ae4b89ff22","entryTagsList":"lbc,shabana-mahmood","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"isShopping":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":9},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"68e243d9e4b0d3ae4b89ff22","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"LBC","slug":"lbc","links":{"relativeLink":"news/lbc","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/lbc","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/lbc"},"relegenceId":3547103,"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/lbc/"},{"name":"shabana mahmood","slug":"shabana-mahmood","links":{"relativeLink":"news/shabana-mahmood","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/shabana-mahmood","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/shabana-mahmood"},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/shabana-mahmood/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"backfillRelatedArticles":[],"cetUnit":"buzz_body","enableIncontentPlayer":false,"bodyAds":["
Remember – the restrictions on free speech that you support for those who you disagree with, will one day be used to restrict your free speech. https://t.co/fZS41KCCd3
The right to protest is what defines us as a democratic society. Protests, though sometimes inconvenient or disruptive, are a fundamental right of British citizens. There will be times when we disagree with a cause or how it is expressed, but enforcing laws that restrict protest… https://t.co/Lc2Y40F700
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Rebecca Ferguson MBE","author_url":"https://twitter.com/RebeccaFMusic","cache_age":86400,"description":"The right to protest is what defines us as a democratic society. Protests, though sometimes inconvenient or disruptive, are a fundamental right of British citizens. There will be times when we disagree with a cause or how it is expressed, but enforcing laws that restrict protest… https://t.co/Lc2Y40F700— Rebecca Ferguson MBE (@RebeccaFMusic) October 5, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Rebecca Ferguson MBE on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/RebeccaFMusic/status/1974787468005195953","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isMobile":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"68e243d9e4b0d3ae4b89ff22","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-accused-of-being-worse-than-tories-amid-new-protest-clampdown_uk_68e243d9e4b0d3ae4b89ff22","entryTagsList":"lbc,shabana-mahmood","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"isShopping":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":9},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"68e243d9e4b0d3ae4b89ff22","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"LBC","slug":"lbc","links":{"relativeLink":"news/lbc","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/lbc","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/lbc"},"relegenceId":3547103,"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/lbc/"},{"name":"shabana mahmood","slug":"shabana-mahmood","links":{"relativeLink":"news/shabana-mahmood","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/shabana-mahmood","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/shabana-mahmood"},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/shabana-mahmood/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"backfillRelatedArticles":[],"cetUnit":"buzz_body","enableIncontentPlayer":false,"bodyAds":["
The right to protest is what defines us as a democratic society. Protests, though sometimes inconvenient or disruptive, are a fundamental right of British citizens. There will be times when we disagree with a cause or how it is expressed, but enforcing laws that restrict protest… https://t.co/Lc2Y40F700
But, speaking on the first day of the Conservatives’ annual conference in Manchester, Badenoch tried to downplay criticism that she needed to do more to help her party.
The BBC’s Kuenssberg tried to bring up the topic by saying: “While you have been working out exactly what you wanted to do, the Conservative Party’s position – which was already dreadful – has got worse –”
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But Badenoch cut in: “Laura. Polls are not elections.
“If I had rushed out and said all those things right at the beginning, people would have said, ‘Why should we believe you? Why have you suddenly changed?’
“Simply saying something doesn’t mean you’re going to be fine in the polls.
“What you’re saying is a counterfactual. You don’t know that if I had rushed out all of those things right at the beginning that we would be doing well. You have no idea.
“What I’m doing is being very consistent. I’m saying, vote for me, we will get through this, we’re going to have very clear credible plans, they’re not going to fall apart the minute someone asks a question like you get with Reform.”
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During the same interview, Badenoch did actually refuse to many detailed questions about her new plan to control the country’s borders by removing 150,000 people with “no right” to be in the UK per year.
When Kuenssberg asked where these so-called illegal migrants would be deported, the Tory leader said: “I am tired of answering these irrelevant questions about where they should go. They will go back to where they should be or another country, but they should not be here!”
The MP for North West Essex also used her time on air to lay into Labour, claiming: “We’re not going to waste our time in opposition – like Labour did, they had 14 years in opposition, and they’ve got nothing.”
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But the Tory leader has been heavily criticised herself for taking such a long time to come up with many firm policies, despite winning the leadership contest last November.
Kuenssberg concluded their interview by asking Badenoch: “What if the problem is you?”
She replied: “I was elected to do exactly what I am doing now. And I think Conservative Party members are going to keep their faith in me.”
She refused to say she would resign if the Tories performed poorly in the May local elections.
🚨🎥 WATCH: Kemi Badenoch hits back at claims her slow policy rollout hurt the Tories’ polling
\"What you’re saying is counterfactual. You don’t know that if I had rushed out all those things right at the beginning that we would be doing well, you have no idea\" pic.twitter.com/pBt6Wr1vpy
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You don’t know that if I had rushed out all those things right at the beginning that we would be doing well, you have no idea\" pic.twitter.com/pBt6Wr1vpy— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) October 5, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":614,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1974761474930212864/img/SzAX8EQuHwWKDK9Y.jpg:large","thumbnail_width":1108,"title":"Politics UK on Twitter / 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🚨🎥 WATCH: Kemi Badenoch hits back at claims her slow policy rollout hurt the Tories’ polling
“What you’re saying is counterfactual. You don’t know that if I had rushed out all those things right at the beginning that we would be doing well, you have no idea” pic.twitter.com/pBt6Wr1vpy
Vladimir Putin seems to have resorted to childish tactics to hit back at Donald Trump after the US president turned on Russia last week.
Until recently, Trump tried repeatedly to force Moscow to end its war in Ukraine through flattery, even offering up a peace deal on Putin’s terms – and suggesting Ukraine should give up its sovereign land.
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But, after months of failed attempts at negotiations, Trump blasted Russia and unexpectedly claimed Ukraine could win the conflict instead.
Now Putin has responded by simply turning the insult back on Nato, and insisting the defence alliance is the real “paper tiger.”
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Speaking on Thursday, he said: “A paper tiger. What follows then? Go and deal with this paper tiger.
“Well, if we are fighting with the entire Nato bloc, we are moving, advancing, and we feel confident, and we are a ‘paper tiger’, then what is Nato itself?”
According to Reuters news agency, he insisted his forces were advancing along the entire warfront in Ukraine – and alleged that almost all of the US-led Nato alliance was now fighting against Moscow.
He also issued a stern warning to the US over the possibility that Trump might give Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, something the White House is yet to confirm.
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Putin claimed: “It is impossible to use Tomahawks without the direct participation of American military personnel.
“This will mean a completely new, qualitatively new stage of escalation, including in relations between Russia and the United States.”
But Putin had a flippant response to European claims he had launched drone incursions over Poland and fighter jets over Estonia.
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He said: “I won’t do it anymore – to France, Denmark, Copenhagen, Lisbon – wherever they could reach.”
He claimed the most recent accusations that Russian drones had flown over Denmark were parts of Nato efforts to “inflame tensions to boost defence spending”.
Europe is taking these provocations much more seriously, though.
Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said “this is war” on Thursday, and called on Nato to abandon “illusions” and confront a “new type of war”.
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The EU has also launched a drone wall initiative to boost its eastern flanks amid fears Putin is testing the bloc’s defences.
But Putin still insisted alleged plans of Russia trying to attack a Nato member were “impossible to believe” on Thursday.
“I just want to say: cool down, sleep calmly, and take care of your own problems. Just take a look at what’s happening on the streets of European cities,” he claimed.
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But – in typical Kremlin fashion – he added: “If anyone still has a desire to compete with us in the military sphere, as we say, feel free, let them try. Russia’s countermeasures will not be long in coming.
Putin often falsely portrays his Ukraine invasion as something he was forced into by Nato’s expansion eastwards, rather than the land grab the West believes it to be.
Ed Miliband told Elon Musk to “get the hell out of our politics and our country” in a fiery speech to Labour Conference today.
The energy secretary slammed the world’s richest man, who briefly served as Donald Trump’s top adviser, and accused him of trying to influence the way Britain is run.
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The US-based tech tycoon has been highly critical of Labour since they were elected, claiming “civil war is inevitable” and suggesting the government should be overthrown.
Much of the Labour conference has been occupied with takedowns of Reform UK and Nigel Farage – and Miliband told the party faithful that this was all connected to the world’s richest man.
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He claimed Farage has “morphed into something more dangerous” recently, and is part of a global network which “wants to destroy the ties which bind our communities and way of life”.
“I can sum up the threat for you in two words: Elon. Musk,” he said.
“He incites violence on our streets, he calls for the overthrow of our elected government, he’s an enabler of disinformation through X.
“He thinks he can tell us how to run Britain.
“Conference, we have a message for Elon Musk: get the hell out of our politics and our country!”
Musk and Farage famously had a falling out at the start of the year after the billionaire called for Tommy Robinson to be allowed to join Reform UK.
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When Farage refused, Musk suggested fellow Reform MP Rupert Lowe, who has since been kicked out of the party and now sits as an independent, to replace him as party leader.
Still, Miliband repeatedly warned about the US influence on British politics during today’s speech where he announced a total ban on fracking.
He claimed: “Reform would wreck everything we are doing.
“They said they would wage war on clean energy, a culture war they’re importing from the United States, driven by the rich and powerful interests who fund them.”
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He added: “We’ve got to call out Farage and his cronies for who they really are.
“They’re the investment crushing, bill-raising, poverty-driving, science-denying, Putin-appeasing, young people betrayers, bunch of ideological extremists, that is who they are.”
A Labour MP choked back tears as he begged his own government to do more to help end the suffering of the people of Gaza.
Barry Gardiner said Keir Starmer and David Lammy “see the same images that you and I see” when they see footage of the effects of Israel’ continuing bombardment of the territory.
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He said he “cannot understand” why they refuse to go further to help find peace.
The former minister hit out at the prime minister and foreign secretary as Donald Trump unveiled his plan to end the bloody conflict.
A clearly-emotional Gardiner, the MP for Brent West, told Channel 4 News: “They go on their phones, they see the same images that you and I see, and they see those children.
“I cannot understand how you can be a foreign secretary, a prime minister, and think that you don’t take the strongest possible stand against this.”
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Starmer’s government has taken the historic step of formally recognising a Palestinian state, and has cancelled some weapons licences with Israel.
However, critics have accused the prime minister of not doing enough to stand up to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The prime minister said: “We strongly support his efforts to end the fighting, release the hostages and ensure the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza. This is our top priority and should happen immediately.
“We call on all sides to come together and to work with the US Administration to finalise this agreement and bring it into reality.”
Donald Trump has unveiled a new plan for ending the war in Gaza – and former UK prime minister Tony Blair is lined up to play a key part.
While the US president claims his idea could bring “eternal peace in the Middle East” and the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu backs the proposal, Hamas is still ruminating over it.
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However, if the Palestinian militants do not agree, Trump has claimed that the Israelis would have “our full backing to do what you would have to do” – and take its attacks on Gaza even further.
So what’s in the deal – and why is Blair involved?
What is the new plan?
The 20-point proposal is essentially a set of “principles” laying out the foundations for further negotiations.
It calls for a stop to the fighting and a restricted withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Hamas would also have to release all remaining hostages, and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel would be freed.
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A local technocratic administration would run the day-to-day services of Gaza, and it would be overseen by a Trump-chaired ‘Board of Peace’ based in Egypt – which Blair would be part of.
The US and Arab countries would set up a “stabilisation” force to take over security and ensure the demilitarise Palestinian armed factions.
Any Hamas members who “commit to peaceful co-existence” and decommission their weapons would be granted amnesty – or face exile.
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No one else will be forced to leave Gaza.
Palestinian statehood gets a brief mention, but there’s no commitment to the idea and the plan says it may only be possible if the governing body in the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority, is reformed.
The plan also said “Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza”, but no such promise is made for the West Bank which remains occupied.
The scheme aligns with Israel’s plans for the territory – the disarmament of Hamas, the demilitarisation of Gaza and, crucially, no firm establishment of a Palestinian state.
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What are the issues with it?
Despite Trump’s big claims and push for an “all in one” agreement, this is far from a ready-to-go peace deal.
Trump and Netanyahu did not even take questions at their press conference, demonstrating how it is truly not a fleshed out plan.
Hamas has not been given any deadline to agree to the offer, but are likely to take issue that the deal does still not have self-determination for Palestinians, or enough protection for them.
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More clarity is needed for Israeli withdrawal lines, how the remaining Hamas hostages would be released, which Palestinian prisoners would be freed and how Gaza would be run in the aftermath of the destructive war.
It does signal a large shift in the White House’s thinking. Trump previously supported the idea of forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza and turning it into “Gaza Riviera”.
But previous peace efforts have fallen apart, with Netanyahu regularly pulling out of deals amid domestic pressures.
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And that’s all before even looking at the backlash caused by Blair’s involvement.
What about Tony Blair?
The former prime minister has welcomed the new scheme, calling it “bold and intelligent”, adding: “It offers us the best chance of ending two years of war, misery, and suffering and I thank President Trump for his leadership, determination and commitment.”
But the former PM’s involvement is a notable cause for surprise – and alarm in some circles – considering he took Britain into the US’s war in Iraq back in 2003, wrongly claiming Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.
While he has years of experience in dealing with the Middle East, he was also the only other person Trump named when unveiling his new plan.
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Even health secretary Wes Streeting admitted that Blair’s role will “raise eyebrows”, although prime minister Keir Starmer has publicly welcomed the plan.
Behind the scenes though, his cabinet is allegedly divided over Blair’s potential role – and fear it could damage Starmer if it goes wrong.
Several backbenchers are also criticising it.
Labour MP Sarah Champion told Bloomberg: “Tony Blair has history in the Middle East and that means he does not come to the table in a neutral role, but with baggage. It should be up to the Palestinian people to decide if that makes him a good or bad advocate.”
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Suspended Labour MP Diane Abbott also slammed the plan on X, saying: “Because the peace plan is supported by Trump and Netanyahu, plus the Western governments who have armed Israel, plus Blair and the Arab dictatorships does not mean it is a good deal, or that it has worldwide support. Quite the opposite.”
Even outside of the Labour Party, there’s plenty of unhappiness at the prospect of Blair being at the centre of a new plan.
The UN Special Rapporteur of occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albannese, wrote on X: “Tony Blair? Hell no. Hands off Palestine. Shall we meet in The Hague perhaps?”
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Many commentators waded into the debate on X, too – including former Labour leader, independent MP Jeremy Corbyn.
He wrote: “Tony Blair’s catastrophic decision to invade Iraq cost thousands upon thousands of lives. He shouldn’t be anywhere near the Middle East, let alone Gaza. It is not up to Blair, Trump or Netanyahu to decide the future of Gaza. That is up to the people of Palestine.”
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Classic Blair. He is now proposing himself as the Empire’s Regent of Gaza. A war criminal himself, he demands a five year appointment to run the site of Israel’s genocide on behalf of Donald Trump in the finest tradition of White Settler Colonial projects https://t.co/dHYEDHh4ez
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Classic Blair. He is now proposing himself as the Empire’s Regent of Gaza. A war criminal himself, he demands a five year appointment to run the site of Israel’s genocide on behalf of Donald Trump in the finest tradition of White Settler Colonial projects https://t.co/dHYEDHh4ez
The plans laid down by Donald Trump, including installing Tony Blair to govern Gaza, are reprehensible. They must be rejected outright by world leaders.
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The plans laid down by Donald Trump, including installing Tony Blair to govern Gaza, are reprehensible. They must be rejected outright by world leaders.
A senior Reform UK official was left squirming over a former leader of the party who has admitted making pro-Russia statements for cash.
Nathan Gill, who led Reform in Wales, last week pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to eight counts of bribery between 2018 and 2019.
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His activities were said to include making pro-Russian statements about events in Ukraine in the European Parliament and in opinion pieces to news outlets.
Gill was first elected as a UKIP member of the European Parliament in 2014 and became an MEP for the Brexit Party after the UK formally left the EU in 2020.
He led Reform UK’s 2021 Welsh Parliament election campaign but is no longer a member of the party.
On BBC Breakfast on Monday, Reform policy chief Zia Yusuf said what he had done was “appalling and totally unacceptable and treacherous”.
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However, he then went on to accuse Labour of “smears and name calling” to deflect from the government’s record.
Asked by presenter Jon Kay if anyone else in Reform shared Gill’s views, Yusuf said: “The first time I heard his name or seen his name was in news reports.”
As he insisted “most people in the senior leadership team” of Reform had never heard of him, Kay pointed out that they had just shown a number of images of him with party leader Nigel Farage.
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“We’ve just shown our viewers pictures of Nigel Farage with his arm around him holding a Union Flag – they obviously knew one another pretty well,” he said.
Yusuf said: “Whatever that footage is, Nigel meets tens of thousands of people on an annual basis ultimately. He can’t be held accountable for the actions of everyone he comes into contact with.
“Given he has pleaded guilty, I have no concerns in telling you that is atrocious behaviour and we condemn it.
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“Reform is a very nascent political party and in the end what we’ve got to stick to is the issues that matter to British people, and smearing Reform, calling Reform voters names, calling us racist, these issues no longer matter.”
‘What are voters to make of the fact your former leader in Wales pleaded guilty to accepting bribes for making statements in the European Parliament in favour of Russia?’
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‘What are voters to make of the fact your former leader in Wales pleaded guilty to accepting bribes for making statements in the European Parliament in favour of Russia?’
Most Labour members want Keir Starmer to be replaced as party leader before the next general election, a damning new poll has found.
The Survation analysis for the LabourList website found that 53% believe a new leader should be in charge the next time voters go to the polls.
Only 31% back Starmer still being leader then, despite the party winning a landslide election victory just 15 months ago.
The grim findings for the prime minister were revealed as Labour members begin to gather in Liverpool for the party’s annual conference.
They increase the pressure on Starmer to use the event to convince his critics that he can turn around the government’s fortunes.
He will make his keynote speech on Tuesday, in which he is expected to set out his vision for the UK’s future and say he is in a “battle for the soul of the country” against Nigel Farage and Reform UK.
On Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg on BBC1, the PM insisted he needed more time to improve living standards, the NHS and national security.
He said: “I just need the space to get on and do what we need to do, to do those three things above all else, but also – in a world which is more volatile than any of us have known for a very long time – to ensure that the United Kingdom is safe and secure.
“We have got the fight of our lives ahead of us, because we’ve got to take on Reform, we’ve got to beat them.
“So now is not the time for introspection or navel-gazing. There is a fight that we are all in together and every single member of our party and our movement, actually everyone who cares about what this country is, whether they vote Labour or otherwise, it’s the fight of our lives for who we are as a country. We need to be in that fight united, not navel-gazing.”
President Donald Trump suggested that his very appearance at the Ryder Cupgolf competition on Friday could aid American golfers as they faced Team Europe at New York’s Bethpage Black Course.
But his hopes of being a good luck charm seemingly got stuck in a bunker by the end of the first day of play.
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Trump — in remarks to reporters after landing at nearby Republic Airport on Long Island — noted that the U.S. team was “not doing so well” as they lost the first three matches and were tied in a fourth match upon his arrival.
“We’ll get it done, one way or the other, we’ll get it done,” said Trump, who added that he looked to give a Knute Rockne-like pep talk to the golfers.
Trump — who attended the Ryder Cup with his granddaughter, Kai — was largely greeted by cheers from the crowd, chants of “USA” and a military flyover.
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The Americans would win the fourth match of the day — a foursome where two golfers from each squad alternate between shots on one team ball until each hole is complete.
By the end of the day’s action, Team Europe led the U.S. squad by a score of 5.5 to 2.5 points. The Europeans need 8.5 more points to retain the Ryder Cup while the Americans need 12 points to win.
The rough start for the Americans saw Scottie Scheffler with the worst Ryder Cup opening day for a world No. 1 golfer since Tiger Woods in 2002, NBC Sports noted.
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Trump’s Ryder Cup appearance adds to a growinglist ofsportingevents he’s attended in his second term, most recently a visit to Yankee Stadium to watch the New York baseball team face the Detroit Tigers on the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Trump — who has inaccurately claimed that the Yankees win every time he goes to a game — declared that the team was on the verge of missing the playoffs before they went on a hot streak and tied for first in their division since his visit.
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“We have to do the same thing over here but I think we’ll be OK,” he said of the U.S. team on Friday.
Nigel Farage would “almost certainly” become prime minister on the back of a huge surge in support for Reform UK if a general election was held tomorrow, according to a new mega-poll.
The YouGov survey of 13,000 people shows Reform would win 311 seats – up from the five they won at last year’s election.
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Labour would lose a staggering 267 seats to leave them on just 144, while the Tories would have just 45 MPs, 76 fewer than they got elected in 2024.
The number of Lib Dem MPs would increase by six to 78, with the SNP on 37 (up 28), the Greens on 7 (up 3) and Plaid Cymru on 6 (up 2).
Such a result would almost certainly result in Farage leading a minority government, meaning he would have to do deals with other parties to get Reform legislation through the Commons.
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In terms of vote share, Reform UK are on 27% of the national vote, with Labour on 21%, the Tories on 17%, the Liberal Democrats on 15% and the Greens on 11%.
The seat totals are calculated using the so-called “MRP” method, which compiles constituency-by-constituency data to provide a more accurate forecast.
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Patrick English, YouGov’s director of political analytics, said the poll showed Reform would be “within touching distance of winning a parliamentary majority”.
He said: “Their seat total in a hypothetical election would almost certainly be enough to see them take the reins of government.”
Labour would lose a swathe of seats in their traditional heartlands in the north of England, Scotland and Wales.
English said: “Such a defeat for Labour would be an even greater loss of seats than the Conservatives experienced at the last general election, and a sharp turnaround from a majority victory that was expected by some to carry the party through at least two terms in office.”
The Conservatives, meanwhile, would be all-but wiped out at a serious political force in the UK.
English said: “We would expect the Conservatives – the current official opposition – to win only 68 seats at the very maximum, with the Liberal Democrats projected to win no fewer than 65 seats and potentially as many as 86.”