Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to welcome Tory MP Natalie Elphicke's defection to Labour has stirred mixed reactions among Labour MPs. Elphicke, previously a Conservative representative for Dover, made the unexpected switch, causing some Labour members to express confusion and dismay, despite leadership viewing it as a significant coup. Critics within the party, including Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield, find Elphicke’s switch puzzling, given her past criticisms of Labour’s policies and her controversial defence of her ex-husband, Charlie Elphicke, following his sexual assault conviction. The defection, happening just before Prime Minister's Questions, has complicated matters for Labour, already has candidates in Elphicke's constituency. (In practice, Mrs Elphicke will not contest the Dover election, as she plans to leave the Commons). Despite the internal discord and criticism from the Conservative side, labelling Elphicke as opportunistic, Sir Keir emphasises the broader strategic advantage of attracting former Conservative voters to Labour. This move, however, remains contentious among both Labour and Conservative members.

John Swinney, newly sworn in as First Minister of Scotland, has appointed Kate Forbes as Deputy First Minister, sparking criticism for creating a "continuity Cabinet." Forbes, previously Finance Secretary, replaces Shona Robison and will also oversee the economy and Gaelic. Critics label the Cabinet reshuffle as uninspired, fearing it prioritises party interests and independence over pressing national issues. Despite maintaining many previous Cabinet members, Swinney asserts the mix of experience and energy will focus on eradicating child poverty, economic growth, and meeting climate commitments. Scottish Greens and other opposition parties express concerns about Forbes's conservative views potentially affecting government direction, particularly in social equality and climate action. Scottish Conservative and Labour leaders criticise the leadership's consistency, foreseeing continued national challenges. Forbes expresses honour in her new role, committed to improving Scotland alongside her colleagues.

Ofcom has introduced draft codes of practice mandating tech firms to shield children from "toxic" content by enhancing age checks and modifying algorithms. This move comes after parents criticized the slow pace of regulatory changes following tragic incidents where children were harmed by online challenges. Companies failing to comply might face bans for users under 18 and public naming. Meta and Snapchat have noted their existing protections for minors, but broader industry responses are tepid. Ofcom's Dame Melanie Dawes emphasized the severity of recurring harmful content in social feeds, declaring the new regulations a significant step towards safeguarding young users. These measures, part of the Online Safety Act, are set to be enforced from the second half of 2025, with tech companies required to assess risks and adjust accordingly. The UK government and Ofcom are urging immediate engagement from tech platforms to prevent harmful exposure, while bereaved parents continue to advocate for stronger actions and the inclusion of mental health education in schools.

Members of the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith (LLF) initiative are set to convene for discussions in a Leicester hotel, as part of ongoing efforts to address divisions within the church regarding human sexuality and related practices. This gathering precedes a crucial July meeting of the General Synod where proposals will be presented. Led by the Bishop of Leicester, Rt Revd Martyn Snow, and assisted by a program board, the groups will deliberate over three days. Upcoming meetings by the House of Bishops will determine recommendations for the College of Bishops in June. Discussions will include the use of the Prayers of Love and Faith in stand-alone services, a proposal narrowly approved by the Synod last November. Additionally, new pastoral guidance is anticipated to permit clergy and lay ministers in same-sex civil marriages, reflecting a shift in bishops’ opinions. Another group will explore provisions for those opposing these changes. The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) has called for ‘prayers for a harmonious resolution that respects orthodox beliefs’. See

Polling stations have opened in England for local elections, with the Conservative Party facing potential heavy losses that might impact Rishi Sunak's leadership. These elections, spanning over 2,600 seats across 107 councils, serve as a significant gauge of the Tories' popularity (or otherwise). Labour leader Keir Starmer, calling them ‘a chance for change after fourteen years of decline’, has highlighted policies which prioritise working people and restore integrity in politics. Previously contested in 2021, these council seats saw the Conservatives at their strongest post-UK Covid vaccine rollout. Current predictions suggest they might lose around 500 seats. There are also contests for ten mayoralties and 37 police and crime commissioner roles, and a parliamentary by-election in Blackpool South following a Tory MP's resignation due to a scandal. Labour hopes to make significant gains, particularly in tightly contested mayoral races in the West Midlands and Tees Valley. The outcome of these elections could trigger a leadership challenge for Sunak if the results are as bad as predicted.

Pro-Palestinian activists at several British universities have started to set up Gaza 'solidarity encampments' in response to similar movements on US campuses. This follows recent confrontations at American universities like Columbia and UCLA, where police clashed with demonstrators (see World article ‘USA: hundreds of campus protesters arrested’). In Newcastle, a group initiated an encampment at the university's main campus to protest against alleged Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Bristol students also established a camp on their campus, displaying signs with pro-Palestinian messages. Universities UK commented on the situation, stating that universities strive to balance student safety and free speech. They are monitoring developments closely and discussing them with university leaders. Meanwhile, protests in London led to three arrests as demonstrators outside the Department of Business and Trade called for a halt to arms sales to Israel.

John Swinney has officially launched his bid to succeed Humza Yousaf, who stepped down on 29 April. Swinney, a former cabinet secretary who served as party leader from 2000 to 2004, says he is aiming to 'unite Scotland for independence’. He will probably be unopposed, now that Kate Forbes, the only other likely candidate, has indicated that she does not intend to stand and has officially endorsed him. Nominations close on 6 May; if nobody else comes forward, Swinney will automatically assume party leadership and become first minister. His campaign resonates with commitments to continue SNP’s work and strengthen the independence movement: see

A 14-year-old boy, Daniel Anjorin, was fatally attacked with a sword in Hainault, northeast London, as he was on his way to school. The attacker also injured four others, including two Met Police officers. Marcus Monzo, a 36-year-old Spanish-Brazilian, has been charged with murder, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and possessing a bladed weapon. He crashed a van into a fence and attacked two civilians with his sword before fatally injuring Daniel and seriously wounding two police officers, one of whom nearly lost her hand. He was later taken to the hospital for injuries sustained in the van crash, and is set to appear at Barkingside magistrates' court. Daniel was a student at Bancroft's School. His family, who are Christians, described him as a 'wonderful child' and expressed profound grief over their loss. The Crown Prosecution Service emphasised the importance of a fair trial, urging restraint in public commentary to avoid prejudicing the proceedings.

Recent studies have demonstrated that vitamin D, a nutrient found in fatty fish, plays a significant role in cancer prevention and treatment. Research found that mice on a vitamin D-rich diet had enhanced immune responses to transplanted cancers and better outcomes from immunotherapy. Vitamin D initiates a process in the gut that leads to the production of bacteria known to boost immune defence against cancer. This is because vitamin D affects the cells lining the intestine, altering the gut microbiome in a way that promotes the growth of these beneficial bacteria. The findings suggest potential new cancer treatments could be developed focusing on the gut microbiome. However, more research is needed to understand the precise mechanisms by which vitamin D influences the microbiome and immunity. The study also connects lower vitamin D levels with higher cancer rates, underlining the importance of maintaining adequate levels for overall health.

The FDA union, representing senior civil servants, has initiated a legal challenge against the new law related to the Rwanda deportation plan. This law allows ministers to bypass the European Court of Human Rights, potentially placing civil servants in legal jeopardy by forcing them to arrange deportation flights that could contravene international law. The Government insists that the actions taken under this law are compliant with the Civil Service Code. However, union members, concerned about the ethical and legal conflicts this might cause, are seeking a High Court ruling to clarify their obligations. The Rwanda plan is part of Rishi Sunak's strategy to deter migrants from crossing the English Channel. It has been criticised for possibly exposing migrants to harm, and has sparked nationwide operations to detain individuals for deportation to Rwanda. The union's case, demanding clarity on the legality of their required actions, underscores the profound discomfort among many civil servants.