No overall control in Birmingham as Reform and Green Party make significant gains
Labour’s 14-year leadership of Birmingham City Council ends as several parties pick up seats and remaining recounts leave the chamber with no single majority
Eluned Morgan defeated in Senedd election as Welsh Labour endures heavy losses
Eluned Morgan’s unexpected loss in the Senedd marks a historic defeat for a sitting leader and deepens a difficult night for Welsh Labour
How Reform’s breakthrough and heavy Labour losses changed local election maps
Early tallies on 8 May 2026 showed Reform UK expanding rapidly across councils, with both Labour and the Conservatives facing setbacks and leadership questions
Reform UK surge reshapes local map as Labour loses ground, analysis finds
The local elections revealed major gains for Reform UK, significant Labour losses and expert analysis suggesting the long-standing two-party pattern in England is breaking up
Swinney pledges to block informal ties with Reform MSPs while fulfilling ministerial duties
John Swinney has pledged to carry out formal duties required by the ministerial code while refusing any informal collaboration or convention-based arrangements with Reform UK if they win seats at Holyrood
Arrest in Peckham over sale of Morgan McSweeney’s government phone
A 28-year-old was arrested in Peckham on suspicion of handling the phone stolen from Morgan McSweeney; the device has not been found and questions remain about the police log and political messages
Unearthed comments show Zack Polanski defended Lib Dem tuition fee hike
A podcast clip and a Red Cross clarification have reopened debate over Zack Polanski’s past defence of the Liberal Democrats and the accuracy of parts of his biography
London councils and mayors election: can Labour hold off the Greens and Reform UK
Millions in London are voting in a pivotal set of local contests that could dent Labour’s standing while boosting the Greens, Reform UK and Lib Dems
Colin Smyth court hearing delayed over alleged drink-driving on Edinburgh High Street
A former Labour MSP has been charged over an alleged early-morning drink-driving incident on Edinburgh’s High Street, with a scheduled hearing postponed amid separate ongoing legal matters
Green Party leader clarifies remarks after fundraiser posts linked to British Red Cross
Green Party leader acknowledges a wording mistake about his involvement with British Red Cross fundraisers and clarifies he only spoke on stage about humanitarian issues
Glasgow election fight: can the SNP reclaim the city amid a volatile campaign
Glasgow’s political landscape has been shaken since 2026; the snp wants the city back, but Labour, Reform UK and others are fighting on issues from transport to migration
Starmer faces Commons vote over Mandelson vetting referral
Sir Keir Starmer tells Labour MPs the referral is a political stunt as scrutiny mounts over Lord Mandelson’s Washington ambassadorship
Commons to vote on referring Keir Starmer over Mandelson appointment
A high-stakes House of Commons debate could trigger a formal inquiry into whether Keir Starmer misled MPs over the Mandelson appointment
Scottish Labour promises immediate implementation of Equality Act in women’s manifesto
Scottish Labour says it will act straight away on Equality Act changes, prioritising single-sex spaces, NHS wards and women’s health services
Behind the scenes: odd moments from the Holyrood campaign
A short, sharp guide to the week’s campaign oddities, overheard remarks and public moments from Holyrood
Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr priorities ahead of the Senedd election
Residents in Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr want relief on business rates, better NHS access and stronger flood defences as the Senedd election approaches
US threatens tariffs over UK digital services tax
Trump signals tariffs to counter the UK levy on American tech revenues
SNP questioned in Aberdeen as oil and gas workers demand clarity on new licences
An Aberdeen Question Time sparked a heated debate as energy workers accused the SNP of failing to defend North Sea jobs while ministers sought to balance energy security and climate compatibility
Milei’s symbolic gesture at Israel’s 78th Independence Day sparks diplomatic attention
Argentine president Javier Milei took part in Israel’s 78th Independence Day by singing and lighting a ceremonial torch, reinforcing his government’s distinct diplomatic posture and drawing varied domestic and international reactions
Prime minister grilled after Mandelson security clearance controversy
Prime minister Keir Starmer is under pressure as questions mount over how Lord Peter Mandelson was cleared for the US ambassadorship despite a negative recommendation from the UK’s security vetting agency
Could the United States really exit NATO after the Hormuz dispute?
A diplomatic standoff over the Strait of Hormuz and refusal of some allies to support US operations have revived debate about withdrawing from NATO and what that would mean for transatlantic security
Scottish manifestos at a glance: key promises and fiscal questions
A clear summary of the parties’ headline pledges, fiscal risks highlighted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and what voters should watch
Why the Mandelson vetting reversal has put Starmer under fresh pressure
Revelations that Peter Mandelson did not pass security vetting before taking the US ambassador role, yet was cleared after an internal override, have prompted demands for transparency and explanations from ministers
US president calls for increased North Sea drilling as UK shifts toward renewables
A social media post from the former US president pushed for ramping up North Sea oil production and rejecting offshore wind, prompting responses from Scottish and UK ministers and renewed attention to licence numbers
How Péter Magyar swept to power and what it means for Hungary and Europe
Viktor Orbán’s long tenure ended in a decisive loss to Péter Magyar, setting up a coalition with a strong parliamentary majority and a complex roadmap for change