POLAND’S prime minister has said it’s his “dream” for a “Breturn” instead of Brexit as he discussed a defence treaty with Sir Keir Starmer. Ex-president of the European Council Donald Tusk made the statement while hosting the PM for discussions on a UK-Polish defence pact in Warsaw. 6 Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said … Read more
“We are now, what, four and a half years before the next election,” Starmer said, sitting at a table for dinner in a traditional Ukrainian restaurant in Kyiv. “I remind myself that four and a half years ago, Boris Johnson was prime minister with very high ratings and most commentators were saying he’s going to … Read more
As the dust settles on another wild one, let POLITICO help you reminisce by rattling through, in no particular order, the 37 words on every extremely-online political type’s lips this year. TWO-TIER JUSTICE: A big talking point of comeback kid Nigel Farage and his fans. They argued that the British justice system treated white and … Read more
LONDON — There wasn’t a great deal of time for reading in Westminster this year. Labour’s election supermajority, dramas over freebies and staff, war everywhere, a tax-hiking budget, and a heap of missions, milestones, foundations, pillars and steps kept Britain’s politicians on their toes. But, thankfully, some of Westminster’s finest still managed to steal a … Read more
“We’ve seen a deterioration in the sense of control of the public realm,” said Conservative MP Kit Malthouse, who served as deputy mayor of London for policing between 2008 and 2012. “If a city gets a reputation for being high crime, it puts a lot of people off.” Everyone POLITICO interviewed agreed that more active … Read more
LONDON — Peter Mandelson looks set for a new life in the United States after a long and sometimes-controversial career in British public life. An announcement confirming him as the government’s choice for next U.K. ambassador to Washington is expected from No.10 Downing Street Friday. It’s a remarkable next chapter for Mandelson, who is staunchly … Read more
The 19-page document originates with the Hungarian government, which is currently chairing meetings of the EU’s national governments. The demands in the document, which the Financial Times reported on earlier this week, are more of a wish list toward the Commission before the EU national governments give Brussels a mandate to actually start formal talks with London. … Read more
Wow, I think, as we cycle the deserted road. If you are really worried about World War Three – and you want to avoid the nuclear fall-out – then this is the place to be. You never saw a landscape so enchanting or so lonely. It’s barely 7pm and there’s plenty of light left in … Read more
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has defended the decision to hire a personal photographer on a taxpayer-funded salary of £68,000, arguing that the role helps ensure public accountability. The move has sparked criticism, particularly as the salary exceeds that of the Prime Minister’s official photographer by £20,000. The Role of Simon Walker Simon Walker, the … Read more
Britain has previously sanctioned a number of Israelis responsible for settler violence on Palestinians in the West Bank, and has called for a cease-fire in Gaza amid Israel’s continued bombardment of the territory in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. Barber already works for U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer as an unpaid … Read more
