Guardian UK Politics
Britain could adopt single market rules without MPs’ vote as part of UK-EU reset
Britain's government is preparing legislation that would allow ministers to adopt EU single market rules without full parliamentary votes, bypassing normal scrutiny in cases deemed to be in the national interest. The move represents a significant shift in post-Brexit policy as Prime Minister Keir Starmer pushes for closer alignment with the continent. Critics are likely to raise serious concerns about democratic accountability, given that reducing parliamentary oversight of rule-taking from Brussels was a central grievance of Brexit campaigners.
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Wes Streeting attacks Trump’s ‘outrageous’ Iran war rhetoric
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has publicly rebuked Donald Trump's rhetoric toward Iran, calling it "incendiary, provocative and outrageous" amid the collapse of US-Iran peace talks. Streeting acknowledged the breakdown as "disappointing" while insisting continued diplomatic efforts remain vital to shared interests. His comments mark a rare open display of transatlantic friction, with the minister conceding that UK-US relations have been strained.
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UK will not join Trump’s strait of Hormuz blockade, the Guardian understands
The UK has quietly distanced itself from Donald Trump's claimed Nato-backed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, contradicting the US president's assertion that allies would join the operation. Trump told Fox News on Sunday that "numerous countries" would help "clean out the strait," specifically naming British minesweepers. The split signals early fractures in Western unity over Iran policy at a potentially critical moment in the Middle East.
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Richard Tice’s firm alleged to have broken law by failing to pay tax
Richard Tice's company stands accused of failing to pay tens of thousands of pounds in tax on dividends issued to the Reform UK deputy leader and an offshore trust, with analysis suggesting he received at least £91,000 in excess payments as a result. The allegations, raised by Tax Policy Associates, represent a significant embarrassment for a party that has built its brand on opposing establishment misconduct. For a senior figure in a movement positioning itself as a clean break from political sleaze, the timing could not be worse.
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Home Office to announce closure of 11 asylum hotels in next week
The Home Office will announce the closure of 11 asylum hotels this week, marking a concrete step toward Labour's commitment to end the use of hotel accommodation for asylum seekers entirely before the next election. The policy has been a flashpoint since hotels became widespread during the Covid pandemic, drawing repeated protests from anti-migrant groups. The closures signal the government is moving to dismantle one of the most politically charged legacies of the previous administration's asylum housing strategy.
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