Scotland

Keir Starmer faces a second-year nightmare, too
It’s not just the welfare rebellion — Keir Starmer goes into his second year with a host of challenges to confront.

Donald Trump will make UK state visit this year, Buckingham Palace confirms

Assisted dying takes a huge leap forward in the UK — but it’s not over yet

Crucial North Sea emissions decision expected Thursday

Britain prepares to go all-in on nuclear power — after years of dither

PMQs: Badenoch wins by cornering Starmer on trans ruling
Thousands of British oil workers are set to lose their jobs. No one has told them.
Government advisers north and south of the border worry workers are being failed by shifting policies and poor communication.
UK Supreme Court rules ‘woman’ means biological female
Judgment is a victory for gender-critical feminist campaigners — and a blow for transgender rights activists.
Michael Gove gets seat in UK’s House of Lords as Rishi Sunak hands out honors
Tory grandee-turned-magazine-editor will sit in Britain’s unelected chamber after serving as a prominent government minister.
Scotland’s pro-independence warriors are shifting on nuclear weapons … slowly
The SNP has long objected to Britain’s nuclear deterrent being based in Scotland. Geopolitics — and domestic politics — are changing the calculus.
How to launch a backbench rebellion
With the stench of rebellion hanging around the tearooms of SW1 after ministers announced fresh welfare cuts, this week host Patrick Baker explores the backbench revolts of years past, …
Nicola Sturgeon cleared in police probe of SNP’s finances
Criminal inquiry into former Scottish first minister has now concluded, Police Scotland said.
Scottish Labour’s Keir Starmer problem
The Scottish party hopes crucial elections won’t be a referendum on Keir Starmer’s faltering start as UK prime minister.
UK minister met Chinese turbine company amid security concerns
The U.K. Home Office warned last month about foreign states seeking to “gain control of supply chains through investment or monopolisation.”
Meet the UK party that thinks Trump-bashing is a vote-winner
The centrist Lib Dems hope standing up to the U.S. president will shore up support from progressive Brits.
Labour’s (finally) taking on Nigel Farage
The Brexiteer’s Reform UK party is climbing in the polls — but fighting him on his terms could fracture Labour’s own coalition.
How to survive a phone call with Donald Trump
Former Downing Street officials tell POLITICO how U.K. prime ministers tried to play the TV show host at his own game … without getting fired.
13 times Elon Musk meddled in politics
The X owner and Donald Trump pick will never, ever stop posting — governments be damned.
Musk or no Musk, Farage has a plan to capture Britain
The Reform UK leader has broken with Musk over a far-right activist. But it’s his plan to win big that’ll keep Keir Starmer up at night.
PMQs: Badenoch wins by punching Starmer on pensioners
Winter fuel payments took center stage in the final PMQs of 2024 — with Starmer’s defense getting a frosty reception.
Scotland bans WhatsApp on government phones
Scottish politicians faced scrutiny for their use of the app during the pandemic.
Inside Keir Starmer’s election night whirlwind
From Waheed Alli’s sofa to the Cabinet Room inside No. 10: a new book details the tumultuous 24 hours that propelled the Labour leader into power.
Donald Trump to visit Scotland for golf course opening, Eric Trump says
U.S. president-elect’s son adds it was “nasty” for Scottish First Minister John Swinney to endorse Democrat Kamala Harris before the election.
Europe’s leaders congratulated Trump. But here’s what they said about him before.
“Divisive.” “Sociopath.” “False and dangerous.” Europe’s leaders haven’t been shy about criticizing Trump in the past.
17 wild facts about Kemi Badenoch’s new Tory team
From spilling wine on Queen Elizabeth’s carpets to branding colleagues “lazy,” the new Conservative leader has an eclectic shadow Cabinet.
How Brexit helped Britain lose the Chagos Islands
After more than half a century, the U.K. is passing sovereignty of the disputed territory back to Mauritius. Why now?
UK and Germany: Europe must take responsibility for its own security
Comments from top defense ministers come as U.K. and Germany sign new pact — with one eye on a Trump win.
Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond dies at 69
Salmond dominated the campaign for an independent Scotland and secured an ultimately unsuccessful 2014 referendum to break away from the U.K.
100 days of Starmer: How Labour’s big win went off the rails
After just a few months in office, the new British government is finding life tough.
British parliament to get historic vote on assisted dying
PM Keir Starmer previously said he was “personally committed” to changing the law.