Andy Burnham’s commitment to a structured dialogue with Caribbean governments is a step forward, but they need more than words There was a risk, in the run-up to the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) this week, that important discussions could be derailed by the UK government’s refusal to apologise for slavery and the slave trade, combined with its continuing rejection of calls for financial reparations. For the Caribbean governments and campaigners pushing for these steps, the siting of the biennial gathering in Antigua and Barbuda offered a vital opportunity to press their case and raise awareness of the challenges that they face. That deadlock was broken when Andy Burnham wrote in the Guardian at the weekend of his “sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering of so many millions of people”, and pledged to listen to calls for a formal apology as part of a structured dia
The Guardian view on apologising for slavery: a necessary process has at last begun | Editorial
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Reform UK councillor charged with rape and sexual assault
The Crown Prosecution Service has charged George Madgwick with 35 offences, including 12 counts of rape.
Ella Baron on the future of care workers in Britain – cartoon
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The Guardian view on Labour’s growth obsession: a different economics is possible | Editorial
The latest edition of Radical Thinking, the Guardian’s new podcast, should be required listening at a Treasury still stifled by outdated orthodoxies As prime ministers have come and gone at bewildering speed in recent years, the search for elusive economic growth has become the overriding fixation of the British political class. In the lead-up to the 2024 general election, Sir Keir Starmer declared that “growth must become Labour’s obsession”, given the financial constraints that any new government would be under. The scale of Labour’s progressive offer, it was made clear, would be umbilically linked to its ability to generate a significant uptick in GDP. “Growth in every postcode” is also the early mantra of Andy Burnham’s government. The prime minister swept to power partly by running on Greater Manchester’s record as the UK’s fastest-growing city region while he was mayor. Echoing Mr
The UK-EU food produce deal: what was agreed and will it affect shoppers?
Two sides agree deal to remove some Brexit checks on food and animal product exports to EU The UK and the EU have finalised their deal to remove red tape for food producers and agreed first drafts on joint positions on migration, youth mobility and electricity trading before a summit on 20 November. The draft text of a joint statement has emerged 17 days before the summit, an indication of the consensual state of play between two sides previously at loggerheads during the Conservative government era. Continue reading...
Panel rules out further inquiry into sexual harassment claims against Lib Dem peer Chris Rennard
Party leader Ed Davey ‘disappointed and upset’ at decision by independent panel after claims original investigation was flawed The Liberal Democrat peer Chris Rennard has been told there will be no further investigation into sexual harassment allegations made against him, after an independent panel concluded it could not reopen the claim. The party leader, Ed Davey, said he was “disappointed and upset” by the conclusion, having suspended Rennard from the party after an investigation was reopened earlier this year amid claims a previous inquiry was flawed. Continue reading...
UK makes huge aid cuts to Commonwealth nations despite warm words at Chogm summit
Nations in the group fare worse than others, with funding for nature projects especially hard hit even as climate crisis intensifies global need The UK government has slashed overseas aid to Commonwealth countries, the Guardian can reveal, in contrast to the warm words for the group from King Charles and the prime minister, Andy Burnham , this week. Amid sharp cuts in the UK’s aid budget overall, the Commonwealth has fared poorly, an analysis of the most recent and projected aid figures, seen by the Guardian, has shown. Continue reading...