Politics - Daily Politics

Recently declassified government papers reveal that former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair believed the introduction of devolution had effectively “lanced the boil of separatism” in Scotland. The remarks, made during cabinet discussions in the early 2000s, reflect Blair’s view that the constitutional changes had satisfied nationalist demands.

According to the records, Blair argued there was little public appetite for further devolution beyond what had already been granted to Scotland and Wales. He considered the political climate at the time stable, with limited momentum for expanding the powers of devolved governments.

The release of the documents has drawn renewed interest amid ongoing debates ...

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to discuss potential pathways toward ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. The meeting marked a high-level diplomatic effort focused on exploring the foundations of a possible peace framework.

Trump described the talks as “very productive” and indicated that the two sides were making progress on core issues. He noted that discussions had touched on multiple aspects of a ceasefire agreement, although a finalized deal remains distant.

Zelenskyy stated that the conversation included key matters such as defense assistance, international security guarantees, and the status of contested territories. ...

Recent polling indicates that Donald Trump continues to draw sharply divided public opinion, with approval ratings reflecting deep political polarisation. Surveys show Trump maintaining solid support among Republican voters and parts of the working class, while facing higher disapproval among independents and Democrats.

Poll results suggest that economic issues, immigration policy, and perceptions of leadership style remain central factors shaping public views. Supporters credit Trump with prioritising domestic industry and challenging political institutions, while critics express concerns over governance and social division.

Among working-class voters, Trump’s approval tends to outperform his overall rating, according to several surveys. Analysts attribute this to messaging ...

Sadiq Khan has responded to recent remarks by Donald Trump about London, suggesting the criticism stems from envy of the city’s economic and cultural achievements. Khan described London as a thriving global centre and dismissed the comments as politically motivated.

The mayor pointed to London’s role as a leading international hub for finance, culture, and innovation, arguing that the city continues to attract investment and talent despite challenges faced by major urban centres worldwide. He said London’s diversity and openness remain key strengths.

Trump’s remarks, made during public appearances and media interviews, criticised aspects of London’s governance and public safety. His comments ...

Opposition parties in Taiwan have initiated steps to impeach President William Lai, after lawmakers voted to begin the formal process in the legislature. The move follows weeks of political confrontation between the government and opposition-controlled parliament.

The impeachment initiative accuses the president of constitutional violations and abuse of authority, though supporters of the government have dismissed the effort as politically motivated. The ruling party maintains that the allegations lack legal substance and are intended to pressure the presidency rather than secure removal from office.

Under Taiwan’s constitutional framework, impeachment requires multiple procedural stages and ultimately a ruling by the Constitutional Court. Given ...

The Supreme Court of the United States has temporarily blocked a Trump administration plan to deploy the National Guard in Chicago, marking a significant ruling on the limits of federal power over state-controlled forces.

The decision halts an executive action that would have allowed the federal government to mobilise National Guard units without the consent of state leaders. The court’s order came in response to legal challenges arguing that such a move would violate constitutional principles governing state authority and civilian control of the military.

The proposed deployment was part of a broader effort by former president Donald Trump to expand federal ...

Senior police leaders across the UK have called for the abolition of non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs), arguing that the current system is no longer fit for purpose and places unnecessary strain on policing resources.

NCHIs allow police to record reports of behaviour perceived as motivated by hostility toward protected characteristics, even when no criminal offence has taken place. While originally intended to monitor patterns of hate and prevent escalation, critics say the practice has expanded too far and risks criminalising lawful speech.

According to police leaders, the system has become increasingly difficult to justify, particularly as social media has driven a sharp ...

US President Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland, signaling renewed American attention on the strategically important Arctic region.

In a statement, Trump said Landry would work to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Greenland, citing its growing geopolitical importance amid rising competition in the Arctic. The role is expected to focus on security cooperation, investment opportunities, and countering the influence of rival powers in the region.

Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has gained increased international attention in recent years due to its location, mineral resources, and strategic ...

The UK’s elections watchdog has ruled out opening an investigation into the constituency campaign spending of Nigel Farage, saying there is no evidence that electoral rules were breached.

The Electoral Commission said it had reviewed complaints and information relating to Farage’s campaign during the recent general election but found no grounds to launch a formal inquiry. Under UK law, constituency spending must remain within strict limits, with candidates required to accurately declare campaign costs.

Critics had questioned whether activities linked to Farage’s wider party campaign may have benefited his local candidacy without being properly attributed to constituency spending. The commission said the ...

At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer opened by condemning the anti-Semitic terror attack at Bondi Beach and said he had spoken with UK security and community leaders to help protect Hanukkah events, reaffirming a crackdown on antisemitism and hate crime.

Starmer was pressed on a UK scholarship scheme for students from Gaza due to expire on 31 December. He said the government was working on solutions for those unable to leave and wanted students to take up their places, pointing to an existing medical evacuation scheme for children.

The Leader of the Opposition attacked Starmer over economic performance, claiming unemployment has ...