BBC Politics
Starmer and Burnham hail Hillsborough Law as MPs give approval
The Hillsborough Law passed the House of Commons in Sir Keir Starmer's final days as prime minister, delivering a landmark victory for survivors and campaigners who fought for decades for accountability. The legislation introduces a legal duty of candour for public officials, forcing transparency in the wake of disasters and cover-ups. Both Starmer and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham hailed the vote as a turning point in how the state treats ordinary citizens.
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600 rape threats in one night: the daily reality of abuse faced by MPs
Politicians are facing a relentless torrent of violent threats, with Labour MP Jess Phillips alone receiving over 600 rape threats in a single night and enduring multiple direct security breaches. The murder of Jo Cox in 2016 underscored the lethal potential of such threats, yet abuse has only intensified in the years since. The situation raises urgent questions about whether democracy can function when those elected to serve are living under constant fear for their lives.
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Midnight social media curfew proposed for UK teens aged 16 and 17
A new government proposal would ban UK teenagers aged 16 and 17 from accessing social media between midnight and dawn, aiming to protect young people's mental health and sleep patterns. The measure signals an escalating push by British authorities to regulate minors' online lives. Critics, however, argue the policy falls short, calling it a superficial fix that sidesteps deeper structural problems with how platforms operate.
Read article →Guardian UK Politics
‘It changes how you live your life’: the daily reality of threats faced by MPs
The murder of Jo Cox and a foiled plot against Jess Phillips are stark reminders that threats against MPs have become a grim fact of political life in Britain. Politicians describe a relentless barrage of abuse — death threats, rape threats, and physical intrusions — that forces many to alter their daily routines and live with persistent anxiety. The trend raises urgent questions about whether democratic participation is being chilled by violence and intimidation.
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Hillsborough law symbolises new era as power passes from Starmer to Burnham
The passage of the Hillsborough law marks a defining moment for Andy Burnham, whose political identity has long been shaped by his connection to the 1989 disaster and its decades-long pursuit of accountability. The legislation, which introduces a duty of candour for public officials, is seen as a crowning achievement before Burnham's anticipated move from Greater Manchester mayor back to the national stage. For Keir Starmer, handing Burnham this symbolic victory signals both a transfer of political momentum and a statement of intent about his government's commitment to institutional accountability.
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